Spotting scopes can be used with digital cameras for extreme magnification.
Spotting scopes, with their extreme magnification, allow wildlife aficionados close-up viewing of distant birds and other creatures in their natural habitats. By combining the use of a spotting scope with a digital camera, a photographer can attain a telephoto effect unachievable with most camera lens. Outdoor Photographer notes that "when a 3x or 4x zoom camera is placed onto the eyepiece of a spotting scope with a 60x zoom, the magnification increases to as much as 180x, or a 9,000 mm lens." The practice of integrating a spotting scope with a camera has been coined digiscoping.
Instructions
1. Determine where you want to shoot your wildlife photographs.
Determine where your subject can be best photographed and access the location. Digiscoping is most commonly used when shooting bird images.
2. A tripod is necessary when using a spotting scope.
Attach your spotting scope to a tripod. A tripod is a piece of equipment essential for keeping the scope motionless.
3. Fine-tune the focus on the spotting scope.
Line up the bird in the spotting scope and use one of several knobs on the scope to fine-tune the focus.
4. You can simply hold the camera up to the spotting scope.
Choose the low-tech or high-tech method of digiscoping. (Of course, high-tech will guarantee better photographs.) The low-tech method involves very gently putting your camera lens up to the scope's eyepiece, metering for an exposure, focusing the camera on the subject and shooting the picture. To avoid losing the subject or disturbing the focus, do not bump the spotting scope.
5. Use an adapter to connect your camera to the spotting scope.
Attach an adapter (sometimes two are needed) to connect your camera to the spotting scope for a high-tech digiscoping experience. Some cameras attach via the tripod mount, whereas others thread by way of the lens. Purchase the appropriate adapter for your camera model.
Tags: spotting scope, spotting scope, your camera, camera spotting, camera spotting scope
