Contax U4R cameras (1 Viewer)

[Sam Woods]

I am thinking of purchasing the new U4R Contax camera for digiscoping. I am new to this game and am not sure if this is the best option. I understood the earlier 3 million pixel version was very good for digiscoping and wondered if this latter one is the same except for the better pixel quality? Somone had informed me that this later version (the U4R) may lack some MANUAL features the ealier one had (and therefore would not be as appropriate for digiscoping), although no-one can confirm this. Can anyone advise me regarding this U4R camera for digiscoping use, and how good it is compared to the 3 million pixel version?

Thanks.

 

[Doug Greenberg]

I own the U4R, but have no experience with the previous models. Overall, it's designed as a smart, stylish point and shoot camera. It lacks an aperture-priority setting, which is useful in digiscoping. Your main control is via choosing a "scene mode" (or not), or setting the ISO manually. Otherwise, it's largely just focus and shoot. That said, it has an excellent lens and the image quality is surprisingly good for a very small camera. It also has a large, easy-to-see LCD screen. I don't think it's image quality quite matches the CP4500 (and certainly its features do not), but the difference in practical terms is not all that great.

Bottom line: for me, the limitations on 'manual features' haven't proven any real impediment to digiscoping. But that said, I still have no basis for comparison with any of the other Contax/Kyocera models which are all more afforable.

 

[Doug Greenberg]

Let me add that for me, the weakest aspect of this camera for digiscoping is the fairly flimsy "filter adapter" system that provides the basis for attaching the camera to a scope eyepiece. This adapter is lightweight and not strong, and when I use it I have little confidence that it will hold firmly.

Fortunately, EagleEye is apparently coming out with a better/stronger adapter system for attaching these cameras to a scope. I might just end up getting one of these.

 

[Dirk Hiemstra]

Let me add that for me, the weakest aspect of this camera for digiscoping is the fairly flimsy "filter adapter" system that provides the basis for attaching the camera to a scope eyepiece. This adapter is lightweight and not strong, and when I use it I have little confidence that it will hold firmly.

Fortunately, EagleEye is apparently coming out with a better/stronger adapter system for attaching these cameras to a scope. I might just end up getting one of these.

Hey Doug,

After breaking my third 28mm filter adapter, I decided to build my own camera/scope adapter for Contax / Kyocera camera's. It costed me less than 5 euro to buy the items and it works fantastic ! I bought a plastic (PVC) tube with an inside diameter that fits my oculair wide enough, 5 plastic screws and one metal screw (same thread as the plastic screws). With a saw I made just enough space to hold the camera tight, and long enough to put the whole camera in to the adapter. I made 5 holes (a little bit narrower as the screw diameter): three for tighten the adapter to the scope and two to position and tighten the camera (exactly opposite ogf each other). Warming the metal screw in a flame and (very) carefully screw it into the narrow holes: now you have the exact thread to use the plastic screws. Buying one meter of plastic tube leaves you with enough spare tube to make mistakes... You even could paint the tube to give it a professional look.
Here you are, cheaper as a 28 mm adapter, 30 munites of your time and a (camera) lifetime solution. Flimsy filter adapters ? Not for me. Check out the photo of the prototype.