Canon A570 - love it (1 Viewer)

[possum]

I used to love my CP4500 and still think the IQ is great - but as we all know, it has it limitations.

I started to use a DSLR body and the EP projection technique, but deep down, I always wanted a better digiscoping camera without all the weight and complexity of the enormous DSLR. Also I was happier using the DSLR with a 400mm prime and so my digiscoping system never seemed to have a camera ready for it.

I tried digiscoping with my wife's Ixus camera, the one with x4 zoom and the small sensor (smaller than the A640) and found it interestingly good.

The A570 IS seemed to have the same small sensor and the same lens, so I decided to try one. The A570 IS is at cheaper end of the spectrum and has some useful features including optical image stabilization, aperture priority, manual focus, AA batteries, 2 frames per second continuous shooting - until the card is full, lightweight, the new Digic III processor and the option of taking additional lenses.

Together with the camera I bought the LA-DC52 adaptor, a fairly unpleasant bit of plastic with a crude bayonet fitting to the camera and a 52mm thread at the end. Into this thread I screwed a 52 to 46mm step down ring, and then a 46 to 43mm ring, allowing the whole thing to be attached to the 43 mm thread on the end of my Hyperion 21mm EP.

The set up was Pentax PF100 ED with Hyperion EP and the A570 IS.

The set up is pretty critical on getting the camera position just right, too close or too far from EP to camera and there is considerable vignetting. I found that I needed to add a 2.5 mm spacer washer between the EP and the 43mm thread on the adapter.

The photos below show an oystercatcher digging for leather jackets (see bill in the second photo) from my lawn. The range was about 65 metres.


The photos are at focal lengths 5.8mm, 23.2mm, the extremes of the zoom and 12.3mm, about mid way.

There is slight vignetting on the shortest focal length, but the others are pretty clean - see for yourself. The last picture is my trusty test target at about 260 metres for this camera position.

I should add that these are not crops but the entire picture resampled down to 800x600 using the FastStone software.

The auto-focus is seemingly instananeous and the camera really responsive.
There are lots of in-camera adjustments possible - I've only just begun to play and I'm finding it the answer to my present needs.

OK, the screen does not tilt, which is a pain when using a straight through 'scope but that's the only real gripe. The camera uses only 2 AA batteries, so battery life is not brilliant, but there is an external DC input that takes 3.5VDC.

Just need to figure out some cable release adaption and I'll be ready for anything - having said that, the IS system really does seem to help get reasonable shots most everytime.

Review screen refreshes as fast as you shoot, so you can keep your eye on the bird as you blast away on continuous shooting.

I have found my CP4500 replacement and unlike the reports I've read on its bigger brother the A640, this one seems like a really great 7 megapixel option for digiscoping.

The A570 IS is wonderful - at least for me.

I'll let you know how it continues but so far, it's a total winner.

possum

 

[jerrylp]

Possum:

I recently posted an inquiry about the A570IS in another thread, so I'm very happy to have found your thread, and am glad you are getting decent results so far. I am planning to get one in the near future if my "investigation" proves successful. I also think (without actual experience) that this cam might make a good, low cost digiscoper, especially with its IS and manual controls. Please post more results when you get them. I know the camera/eyepiece position is the real question mark, and different scopes (and different eyepiece eye reliefs) will always be variable and not too predictable without actually trying it, but I hopefully plan to use the A570IS with my Televue 60 scope, by attaching the Canon (52mm) lens adapter to a Televue (52mm) digiscoping eyepiece adapter. But I would be very interested to see what you learn from your new "set-up". I know the camera itself has good reviews, and very little blown highlights and purple fringing, compared to other cams in its class (Canon or others), and slightly better High ISO performance due to its DIGIC lll processor. In any case, best of luck to you, but I'm sure you'll not need it, you're already off to a good start - the rest is just "details"!

Jerry

 

[rchapanis]

How do I set up the Canon A570IS for digiscoping

I have a Canon A570IS that I want to use it for digiscoping. But, I don't know how to set up the camera for best results. What mode do I set it in: program, shutter priority, manual ... ? And, how do I configure the various menus so that the camera works properly with a scope?

Also, do you know if the A570IS works with a shutter release?

 

[Neil]

Thanks for sharing this news Possum. The lens is a very good one and I'm pleased that you are not getting much vignetting with your eyepiece. It must be due to the FOV of the Hyperion 21mm EP as it's ER is not unusually long.
I'm looking forward to seeing more results, Neil.

 

[Texun]

Rchapanis, I use an A640 and here is how I set it up for best results:
Program
center focus
macro mode
"spot" light metering(if background and subject lighting differ by over two stops)

Check the "Adapters" forum to see my home made shutter release bracket.

The attached image was done with scope at 30X and A640 at about 2.3X zoom and using the above camera settings.

 

[johnno]

Rchapanis, I use an A640 and here is how I set it up for best results:
Program
center focus
macro mode
"spot" light metering(if background and subject lighting differ by over two stops)

Check the "Adapters" forum to see my home made shutter release bracket.

The attached image was done with scope at 30X and A640 at about 2.3X zoom and using the above camera settings.

Thats a very nice shot of the Moon,
Extremly sharp.
Regards.
John

 

[possum]

It's a very easy camera to use. Mostly Av - Aperture Priority but you can use it in P mode as well. It also takes a good video.

Manual focus gives a magnified central section to assist focusing but auto focus is very fast and accurate.

You have lots of in camera image adjustments to let you set-up the camera to suit yourself.

Set the camera for continuous shooting and you get nearly 2 frames per second for as long as you hold your finger on the button.

It's better to keep your finger on the button rather than coming off and then on again as the camera goes into a write mode when you complete a burst and won't let you back on the trigger for a few seconds - which can be annoying. So just use a big card and fill it up and then delete the rubbish at leisure. Best to protect the ones you want and then delete 'all' - dumps the junk, keeps the protected.

I've ended up using it on a Pentax 65mm and a 14mm Pentax EP. The Pentax EPs have a much flatter field than the Hyperion and produce sharp images right out to the edge, although the centre sharpness is about the same. The Pentax are much easier for use optically - I find eye placement is easier than with Hyperions.

I use a shutter release bracket and cable from SRB Griturns - the one for Compact cameras but the more versatile one for DSLRs works as well. If you have multiple cameras and want to switch shutter release cable around, the DSLR version is a better buy as it can be used on anything.

Incidentally, SRB-Griturns are a really good company for all sorts of wonderful bits and pieces - helpful, knowledgeable and friendly people - highly recommended.

I often use the 'Intelligent' electronic zoom on the A570IS - providing you select a reduced image size as it tells you, it works just as an in-camera 100% crop - it's no different from cropping on the computer - effectively you are just choosing pixels sampled in the middle bit and ignoring the pixels around the edge. That way you get an extra x1.4 crop factor built in - bit like the 'magnification' crop you get on many DSLRs with a 23x15mm sensor.

The A570IS is a great little Digiscoping camera that few people seem to have noticed. The antishake IS system works well. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who are much better at digiscoping than me but I really like this camera and the price is astoundingly good.

Bottom line is that if I lost or broke it I would buy another straightaway.

Hope this helps

possum

 

[ostling41]

I use a shutter release bracket and cable from SRB Griturns - the one for Compact cameras but the more versatile one for DSLRs works as well.

Incidentally, SRB-Griturns are a really good company for all sorts of wonderful bits and pieces - helpful, knowledgeable and friendly people - highly recommended.

Possum,

Can you supply a link for Griturns? Google only comes up with this thread.

 

[Feathered one]

http://www.srb-griturn.com/digi-scoping-1-c.asp

Malc

 

[ostling41]

http://www.srb-griturn.com/digi-scoping-1-c.asp
Malc

Thanks. I was googling "srb-griturns" instead of "srb-griturn."

I see they make alignment collars, from user-provided dimensions. I made one from Delrin on my small lathe, but sized it to slide over the larger lens diameter, the innermost barrel which seems more secure than the smaller outer barrel which SRB-Griturns uses.

 

[ostling41]

first results with Canon A570

I've been using the A570 for two days now, and am very pleased with it. It has much of what is best about the G7/G9, including the ability to adjust contrast, sharpness, and saturation. It also has the custom self-timer function, which is what I used to get this photo of a gilded flicker (female) on a saguaro cactus.

I machined a slip-fit alignment collar from Delrin plastic, coupling the camera to the XW14 eyepiece on my Pentax PF65A II scope.

 

[barontan2418]

I've been using the A570 for two days now, and am very pleased with it. It has much of what is best about the G7/G9, including the ability to adjust contrast, sharpness, and saturation. It also has the custom self-timer function, which is what I used to get this photo of a gilded flicker (female) on a saguaro cactus.

I machined a slip-fit alignment collar from Delrin plastic, coupling the camera to the XW14 eyepiece on my Pentax PF65A II scope.

Could you please point me in the right direction for adjusting sharpness and contrast, I've been through what I thought were all the menu's but have failed to find the above two adjustment options.

 

[BrianInnes]

Interesting review of the Canon A570. The 2 frames per second until the card is full is a feature which may be a benefit compared to the Nikon P5100's limited burst mode from what I read in reviews.
A little cheaper too!

 

[rob lee]

Could you please point me in the right direction for adjusting sharpness and contrast, I've been through what I thought were all the menu's but have failed to find the above two adjustment options.

Dont know if this is relevant to your camera, but i have the A640 & to adjust the sharpness etc you have to press the func/set button then scroll down to custom colour,press the menu button & this should bring up contrast etc which you can then adjust. Hope this helps

 

[barontan2418]

Dont know if this is relevant to your camera, but i have the A640 & to adjust the sharpness etc you have to press the func/set button then scroll down to custom colour,press the menu button & this should bring up contrast etc which you can then adjust. Hope this helps

Just the job, many thanks it helps a whole lot.

Mick

 

[wings]

Rchapanis, I use an A640 and here is how I set it up for best results:
Program
center focus
macro mode
"spot" light metering(if background and subject lighting differ by over two stops)

Check the "Adapters" forum to see my home made shutter release bracket.

The attached image was done with scope at 30X and A640 at about 2.3X zoom and using the above camera settings.

____________
That is an outstanding photo. It is razor sharp. Did you use any post processing?

 

[wings]

The A570IS is a great little Digiscoping camera that few people seem to have noticed. The antishake IS system works well. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who are much better at digiscoping than me but I really like this camera and the price is astoundingly good.

Bottom line is that if I lost or broke it I would buy another straightaway.

________--

The one feature I don't like about it (I don't have one) is the fact that it uses disposable AA batteries. Also your photos are not razor sharp, although that would be asking too much of the equipment. I do think, however, that it could be sharper, but I do not pass final judgement until I see more of yor posts. Who knows, for the price I might buy one too. And then I'll have to defend myself.

 

[barontan2418]

A570 IS - Swarvoski 20-60X + DCA + LA-DC52G

The above set-up worked like a dream whilst taking photo's at home through man open window, however today, in sunlight out and about all I could see in the viewer was my own face reflected back at me. I've fitted a Delkin pop-up screen but this made no difference at all. I'm used to using the Xtend-a-view which is an excellent piece of kit but no way will it attach to the small Canon A570is. It looks like I'll be using my Coolpix 4500 until I come up with a better screen option. Anyone out there had a similar problem which they manager to solve, I would be much obliged for any advice.