D80 + spotting scope or new lens?? (1 Viewer)

[slanetx]

I have a Nikon D80 that I primarily use for nature/bird photography. Currently the only zoom lens that I have is the 7-300mm. I am new with this camera and birding.

I am considering the Bushnell Elite 78-8045 - Spotting scope 20-60 x 80 (fits my budget) with adapter + t ring for digiscoping.

At times distances will exceed 300 yards and at sunrise and sunset.

My questions:
1. will this work?
2. anyone have this setup?
3. would a telephoto lens be better (would have to be in the same $ range so no bigma)?
4. other configurations?

Any general comments or suggestions?

Thanks!
Sharon

 

[Jaff]

I'd say no. I don't think the D80 is good enough at any ISO over 400 to be usuable (I should know cos I had one), digiscoping with a DSLR requires lots of light and low noise at high ISO's.

If you want to get into digiscoping then I'd recommend a simple point and shoot would be a better bet (check the digiscoping forum for more info on cameras and scopes that are suitable).

Hope this helps.
Adam

 

[Dipper]

At distances of 300 yards the small 70-300mm would be a waste of time for anything smaller than an ostrich. Even a high quality digiscoping setup would only produce poor quality record shots at that distance. For good images you really do need to get up closer, you need field craft, a hide, or be in a vehicle. Of course somebody will now poohpooh all that claiming amazing photos of a bee hummingbird at 500metres in the dark while standing on the bonnet of a speeding truck bouncing along rough tropical tracks. But this is the internet and one expects a load of b........s

 

[slanetx]

Thanks for the responses.

Dipper - I am working on building a blind so that I can be closer, but you can't always be on the correct side of the lake when the bird lands. You are right at that distance the 300mm is nothing but frustrating! The birds did cooperate yesterday and waited until I drove around to their side of the lake.

Jaff - hmm, not really what I wanted to hear! :-C I love the D80!

Thanks again,
Sharon

 

[Jaff]

I loved the D80 too, it's one and only drawback was the noise issue. It was easily better than the 400D and could have given the 30D a run for it's money. When they replace the D80 it should be one hell of a camera if they keep all of it's existing features and add on some of the latest tech.

Like I said though, I don't think it would cut it for use with a scope, especially if your talking about sunrises and sunsets but then even my 40D would struggle in that lighting.

 

[slanetx]

Jaff,
The sunrise/sunset restrictions would be primarily on wildlife/nature photography. And would be sitting in a blind. As this is my only major dslr, I am not sure of any other options I would have.

Would love to spring for a 600mm+ lens but not in my budget.

Have you read or heard of the Nikon software download that was suppose to help with the noise at higher ISO's?

Sharon

 

[ruchai]

Your D80 is good enough for birding. Get a Nikkor 80-400VR and start practicing. You need lots of practices to take good bird pictures. Expensive cameras and lenses are not necessary.
This picturewas taken with D50 and 80-400VR.

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71956/ppuser/13088

 

[geedub]

Hi Sharon

take a look at Paul Corfield's thread on using a DSLR with a telescope - it runs to over 17 pages but the bare bones of it boil down to using a Skywatcher Evostar 80ED Pro 600mm flourite astronomical scope with T-mount adaptor. The quality of shots achievable is superb when you consider the cost of the scope is less than 5% of what a 600mm lens from either of the big two maufacturers would cost. I bought one plus adapters for £280 (approx $450?) to use with my Canon 40D and have been over the moon with the optical quality - the only drawback is that it's a bit unwieldy to use but I'm more than happy to put up with this because it's so good optically. I'm fairly sure the Skywatcher scopes are available in the USA.

I can also recommend NeatImage software for noise reduction - it works a treat and allows me to shoot at ISO 1600 without any problems in low light.

 

[slanetx]

Ruchai, Great photos! Thanks for the info, I will go looking for a 80-400mm! Need more toys!

Geedub, will read up. Thank you.

I now have the following: Nikon D80, 70-300mm (will look for 80-400mm, would love a Sigma Bigma - but . . .$$$) and a Bushnell Elite 20-60x80mm ED spotting scope. I haven't "mated" the 2 together yet (have adapter and t-ring), just trying to get comfortable with both AND my tripod is extremely inadequate!

Now looking for a proper tripod and ballhead. I almost lost the spotting scope using my existing tripod - very fast heartbeats!!!

Thanks to everyone!

 

[Jaff]

Ruchai, Great photos! Thanks for the info, I will go looking for a 80-400mm! Need more toys!

Geedub, will read up. Thank you.

I now have the following: Nikon D80, 70-300mm (will look for 80-400mm, would love a Sigma Bigma - but . . .$$$) and a Bushnell Elite 20-60x80mm ED spotting scope. I haven't "mated" the 2 together yet (have adapter and t-ring), just trying to get comfortable with both AND my tripod is extremely inadequate!

Now looking for a proper tripod and ballhead. I almost lost the spotting scope using my existing tripod - very fast heartbeats!!!

Thanks to everyone!

Erm, the 80-400 is more expensive than the Bigma Sharon! Try looking at second-hand markets though, that always saves on the $$$.

With the tripod I find it hard using a scope on a ballhead. I'd recommend you look at a sturdy video style head instead, I find it much easier and more stable.

 

[slanetx]

Erm, the 80-400 is more expensive than the Bigma Sharon! Try looking at second-hand markets though, that always saves on the $$$.

With the tripod I find it hard using a scope on a ballhead. I'd recommend you look at a sturdy video style head instead, I find it much easier and more stable.

Yes, I know! It will be a while before either are acquired.

The problem I found with the video style is that it takes longer to get on animals/birds and finite adjustments are difficult (practice, practice practice).

What brand tripod are you using? Mine is still too "lightweight" (Slik 800G)

Sharon

 

[Jaff]

For my photography gear I use a Manfrotto 190NAT3 and a 488RC2 head. For the scope I've got a Manfrotto 055V with a 701RC2 head, even that lot is a little unstable when mounting a DSLR + scope on it.

 

[Vectis Birder]

I'm fairly sure the Skywatcher scopes are available in the USA.

They are indeed: Skywatcher USA