Selecting a Scope for Digiscoping

bsimm · Guest

I would like to get into digiscoping. I know nothing about the various scopes. Barska, Celestron, Yukon? Is it better to have an angled scope, or straight? Do you need an 800 scope, or can you get good results with something in the $100-$150 range?

I've got a Canon SD850, and an S5IS. The S5 may be a little big, but is a better camera. The 850 is smaller though, so it may be the one that is better suited for this.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5401

Hi

Smaller is better in a camera for digiscoping. You will probably get less vignetting and have fewer clearance problems with an adapter with the SD850. That's the one I would use. Save you 5IS for other work.

Pic quality is primarily a function of spotting scope quality, not camera quality. Buy the best spotting scope you can afford, preferably one with special glass in the objective (ED, HD, Fluorite, APO). In digiscoping, pic quality is only as good as the spotting scope used and in spotting scopes, price is the most reliable indicator of quality. You can use any spotting scope for digiscoping, but don't expect great results with a $100 spotting scope.

For more on the basics on digiscoping, see my article at Digiscoping Update
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ralphie · Guest

I use a Canon S2IS and a Canon SD750. That is, similar cameras to what you are using bsimm. The lens on the S2IS is too big for digiscoping. The SD750 works well. You should be able to obtain good results with the SD850.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5401

Thanks, Ralphie. Appreciate the feedback.
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