Help! - Premium 66mm + Digiscoping

Jeff S · Guest

Our educational program is purchasing a premium 60-66mm scope - looking at Swaro, Zeiss, Kowa, and Nikon. I've read a ton of reviews, and am just about ready to place my order. Can I get your feedback on a few questions?

-- I've eliminated the Zeiss, since it only zooms to 45x. Swaro is 1.5x as expensive and in the same ballpark optically as others, so nix it. That leaves Kowa & Nikon. Do you have a preference? Am I overlooking something on the Zeiss & Swaro?

-- I'm willing to spend more $ and tote a heavier scope, if going w/ an 80mm will make a big difference routinely. If it is only a marginal gain, or only important in unusual conditions, I'd prefer to save money & weight. What do you routinely use?

-- How would you compare Swaro, Kowa, and Nikon for digiscoping? In particular:
- You mentioned in another post that the Swaro has an adapter that quickly flips on/off. To go from pics to viewing is a big plus -- is Kowa comparable? Nikon?
- The Nikon system of adapters looks very easy, and also specifically tailored for particular cameras. That seems like a plus for supported Nikons cameras (I assume less vignetting?). But how tough is it to use a Nikon that is not on their list (4300), or a Canon (S410) - both of which we want to use?

-- Last, if we weren't worried about using the scope w/ our existing cameras, but were willing to get the best scope & then purchase a camera specifically to use with it ($200 - $400) -- what combo would you recommend?

Thanks fo much for your counsel! The helpful counsel you provide in this forum is a big reason we want to go with OpticsPlanet for our purchase.

Jeff S

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:47 am Post subject:

Hi Jeff

Glad to help.

An 80mm class scope will always have an edge over the same model in a 60-65mm, but the difference is mostly noticed at higher magnifications, and in the case of these premium grade models, only slight. I'd estimate the 60-65mm Swarovski, Kowa, Nikon and so on to be 90-95% the performance of the same model in an 80mm. This is something I have verified with tests on charts and in the field.

I routinely use both size scopes. When I am birding "out of the trunk" of my car and weight is not a big issue, I use a Nikon 82mm Fieldscope, http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-spottingscope-fieldscope-82mm.html. Most of my birding, though, involves walking. My constant companion for this type of birding is my wonderful little Kowa 663, http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-66-high-performace-spotting-scopes.html It's nearly as sharp as the bigger, heavier Nikon at 60x, but with the lighter tripod I use with my Kowa, overall weight is about half of the Nikon setup, which requires a heavier tripod to support the weight.

As far as the Kowa quality, I would rate my 663 as optically good as any scope in its size range and that includes the Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon or Leica. I am very fussy about my optics and would not use this scope if it wasn't excellent. Just be sure to use it with the new series of Kowa eyepieces, especially the Z9B zoom, http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-interchangeable-eyepieces-for-66mm-and-60mm-spotting-scopes.html

Any of these premium scopes are good choices for digiscoping and all manufacturers offer digital adapters, but the problem of matching some of these adapters with the blizzard of digital camera models can be daunting. Nikon, for instance, is especially anal about this. Nikon digital adapters cannot be used with other brands of cameras or even Nikon cameras not listed. If you want to go this specific adapter route, just be sure you buy a camera with filter threads around the lens or one that offers threads via an accessory bracket.

If you want to use a variety of cameras with any one scope, the easiest way is with a universal style digital adapter, such as the Radian, http://www.opticsplanet.net/radian-universal-spottingscope-digital-camera-adapter.html or, in the case of a heavier camera, something like the Nikon universal, http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-universal-mounting-bracket.html. In essence, these simply hold the camera over the eyepiece. That's all digiscoping is, anyway.

For the best combinations, look for a spotting scope eyepiece with a large diameter lens and good eye releif. This will reduce vignetting and make it a bit easier to position the camera correctly, though there is no hard and fast rule here. These features are most often found in wide-angle, fixed power lenses. On my Kowa, the 20x and 30x wide angle work nicely. On the Nikon, the DS series of eyepieces are great. For a camera, look for a lens with a small diameter, ideally a lens that is smaller than the lens on the spotting scope, again to reduce vignetting.

Hope this helps. Thanks for posting with us.
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

robroy123 · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 27

Hi Joanie,

As you know I'm saving up for that premium scope and it will most likely be either a Kowa or Nikon. I am strongly considering the Nikon ED 82mm scope, but based on your comment, I might want to get the Kowa 66mm Fluorite scope due to its better portability. I'm trying to conceptualize the size and bulk of the Nikon 82 versus the Kowa 66...is it significant?

I ask this because, I may want to travel with it and of course portability becomes an issue!

By the way, to the person that posted the original message - you might want to ask Joanie about the Kowa with ED glass versus the non-ED (less expensive version) of the 60-66 mm scopes. It might make a significant difference in digiscoping and the quality of the photos. So Joanie what do you think ED glass, how much of a difference does it make?

Thanks for answering my questions!

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:37 am Post subject:

Hi Robroy

It's not so much a matter of bulk as it is weight. The Nikon 82 is actually very short and chunky for an 82mm scope, but it does weigh like a typical 80mm class scope.

The other side of the equation on bigger spotting scopes is the heavier tripod needed to adeqautely support and steady them. I can get by with a Nikon 848 (Bogen 3205) with my Kowa 663, but not with the Nikon. It requires the full size 3180N class tripod to support it properly.

At 60x, you will notice the difference between a standard glass model and the same model with ED glass. It's definitely a big plus for photography, especially if you are using a high MP digital camera with a good lens. Yes, it is worth it in my opinion.
_________________
----------------------
Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

Jeff S · Guest

Joanie -
Thanks so much for your helpful reply to my above question. Ok, we're going for the 60mm HD/ED scope. One last question before we place our order. I understand the disadv of Nikon is that their adapters for digiscoping only support a limited number of their own cameras (unless we want the generic mechanical adapter, rather than one that utilizes a threaded lens). My question is -- how about Kowa? Do they make an adapter? Or is there a 3rd party you'd recommend? I prefer not to use a large, generic one that hooks on to the tripod & mechanically presses the camera against the eyepice. Recommendations?
Thanks -
Jeff