Reviews - Celestron Vistapix IS70 Imaging Spotter 70mm Spotting Scope Reviews - CI-SS-52212-EE

Author: whaleshome (verified customer) , amateur birder , from Gig Harbor, WA on Mar 17, 2008
Pros:  Easy to use
Cons:  Focusing a little dificult
Would recommend:  yes

whaleshome wrote:

I am new to digiscoping so I was looking for a less expensive alternative to buying both an expensive camera and scope. I find it excellent for an amateur.

Author: fouramhq , Been a photographer for 36 years., from South Salem, Ohio on Oct 30, 2007
Cons:  Batteries die in 15 minutes. focusing is cumbersome. On/Off switch works intermittently.
Would recommend:  yes

fouramhq wrote:

Don't waste your money. While the telephoto lense is acceptable, most everything else about this instrument is lousy. The focusing system requires three adjustments to get it right, and then the result is iffy. The two AA batteries are sorely inadequate for all that's required of them, and if you can get 20 minutes use out of a fresh set, you're doing good. The On/Off switch sometimes worked, sometimes did'nt. Overall this seemed like an experimental model, needing many improvements. I used mine for a week and sent it back, very disappointed.

Author: Brad , Amateur, from Mpls MN on Aug 6, 2007
Pros:  All in one hybrid, easy to set up, Good results
Cons:  Hard to focus, Digital zoom is useless, no filters or accessories
Would recommend:  yes

Brad wrote:

Upon receiving this hybrid camera and using it for a while I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the images shot. I have taken pictures in all different lighting conditions and it performs well even at dusk. However, if the light is very bright, White colored subjects will exhibit Purple Fringing. Avoid them at high noon. Color saturation is reasonable but my camera is a little heavy to magenta. The IS70 is rather difficult to focus due to the low visibilty of the LCD in bright sunlight. You are stuck with this method of focusing on the low powered lens but if you sync the high power lens to the focus meter by adjusting the eyepiece lens so the optics match what the focus meter sees, you can get excellent results. The optics on the spotting scope are clear and Bright. The camera's optics are mediocre. The controls are well laid out and the menus are logical. Manual functions are limited to an EV exposure setting and the F stop is adjusted by a twin objective lens cover. Sort of ...
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Author: Brad , Amateur, from Mpls MN on Aug 4, 2007
Pros:  Easy to use, Good picture results, Scope optics are very bright and sharp
Cons:  Camera is mediocre, Some purple fringing with high contrast, LCD is hard to see in sunlight
Would recommend:  yes

Brad wrote:

Excellent spotting scope with bright optics. Camera has simple functions only. No manual exposure controls except for EV setting. Has a 5mp interpolated resolution that is really very good. You will set it there and leave it for scope range shooting. Controls are logically located and ergonomics are excellent. All in all it performs well for a camera in this price range, but if your a perfectionist save your pennies for a DSLR and a really good piece of glass.

Author: In Focus from Smith River,Ca. on Jul 25, 2007
Pros:  Everything in one very portable compac unit. unit
Cons:  Very sensitve to to any movements. Major battery drain. Highly recommendan a/c adapter for home use. Radioshack didn't have one, so starting to look elsewhere.
Would recommend:  yes

In Focus wrote:

This is a great product. Since I'm not sure if the unit has a built in stabalizer, I use the self timer and remote shutter button, because the unit is so sensitve to movement. I also occaisionally get some blue or green highlights, possibly because the focus was a little off when taking the shot. Also, the metering/focus scale on the left changes a lot with camera movement while focusing. A remote focus of some kind would be pretty cool.