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Author Topic: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens  (Read 1724 times)

Offline coyotehunter

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Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« on: September 20, 2011, 07:49:40 PM »
I just need to share this, I was scouting a friends ranch in August for mule deer and spotted these guys, so I used my point and shoot camera and stuck it at the eye piece. Mind you not all the pictures came out like this but at least I didn't need to lug around my bigger digital SLR. Just asking if anyone else has tried this?

Offline 7mag.

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2011, 10:56:05 PM »
I do it quite a bit. You can buy mounts for your spotter, and camera. I have a cheap universal one that works reasonably well. You can also adjust the lens to eyepiece distance to get a full frame pic. without the black around the circle. Nice clear pics for holding it freehand.
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Offline nontypical176

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2011, 08:51:45 AM »
I posted a thread asking about this, but didn't get much response.  I found out its called digiscoping by looking around the net.  Found this site called Tines Up, they sell a cannon point and shoot camera with an adapter mounted to it that slips right over the eyepiece of the spotting scope(many scope types available).  They have cool video on their site of the setup in action and I needed a new point and shoot cam anyhow so I bought the thing.  Got a video of a bull destroying a tree at 260yards last weekend(after I bugelled at him:).  Can't get the video to load on here (have to work on that). I have only had it a couple weeks, but 2 thumbs up from me.  The video was shaky and long distance pictures can be also, so I get focused in and set my timer....worked good.  A guy could probably make his own easy enough, but I didn't have the time.  My picture is over 300 yards out, cannon power shot elph 100, Ziess 15-45 spotting scope, first time using the camera on the scope, so the picture quality could be better, but daddy like anyhow.  Gonna get me some real cool Pics/Video with this thing.

Check out the settup and the videos from the place I bought my camera.
www.tinesup.com


Offline jackelope

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2011, 08:54:35 AM »
It's called diogiscoping. Lots of info, gear, etc on the web on this topic.
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Offline rosscrazyelk

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2011, 03:57:26 PM »
almost every big quality company that sells scopes. i.e.  swaroski, Vortex, Leica, on and on sell the adaptors to put your camera on your scope..  But you better have a good scope..
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Offline firefighter4607

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2011, 04:12:27 PM »
I have done it before but my pictures come out nothing like the ones posted here :bash: I guess I need to look up and practice a little more. :chuckle:

Offline backwoods_boy

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2011, 04:16:32 PM »
here are two from last weekend

Offline jackelope

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Re: Using a Spotting scope as a telephoto lens
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2011, 04:20:51 PM »
IF you zoom the camera all the way in it will likely eliminate the "halo" ring around the pic. In the top pics it looks pretty cool though.
 :twocents:

With a mount holding the camera to the eyepiece of the spotter the pics will usually look pretty decent.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/accessories/raptoradapter.html

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