I tried some over the weekend and achieved decent results using my Canon S45 handheld against the eyepiece of my binoculars and my spotting scope. The scope is an inexpensive Bushnell, the binoculars are Bushnell also, I forget which model. I used camera settings of 3x optical zoom with macro on, focused the binoculars/scope as best I could through the lcd viewfinder of the camera. With the binoculars/scope resting on something stable, the images were reasonably sharp, definitely better than the digital zoom on the camera. I think in bright conditions and selecting for a fast shutter speed I could even use the binoculars hand-held. Next step is to get out on a sunny day and find some birds to photograph.

Thanks to all who replied to my request a few days ago with online links and other advice.
Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Swift [mailto:charless at moscow.com]
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 9:38 AM
To: Tweeters
Subject: handheld digiscoping


Digiscoping can be done successfully with a hand-held digicam. Although I am
not yet doing it myself I have seen many successful images produced with
this technique. In general at least a 3X zoom camera must be used as zooming
eliminates vignetting. It also helps if the lens of the camera fits snugly
against the scope eyepiece. A simple adapter can help steady the camera
against the scope. Most birders probably use their scopes more for birding
and would prefer to have a system that does not attach the camera to the
scope. It is also not necessary to have a super-expensive camera (like the
highly touted Nikon Coolpix 4500) to get good images. There are a number of
2-3 megapixel, 3X zoom cameras in the $200 - $350 range that apparently do
quite well.

thanks, Charles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charles E. Swift
Moscow, ID, USA
charless at moscow.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~