Digital Photography |
Digital cameras are going to become very popular for birdwatchers. They are very useful to make good bird photos in an easy manner.
The Meadow Pipit on the right was for example photographed with my Nikon Coolpix 880 and a scope Swarovski ST 80 HD. There was no special adapter for the connection between camera and scope used, only a kind of ring that helps to center the camera lens on the eyepiece of the scope (zoom 20-60x magnification) and which avoids light from the side. The camera was held with the free hand to the scope which was paced on a tripod. Since it is essential to have the camera lens very close to the scope the rubber part of the eyepiece was removed for making the photos.
The size is reduced, but you see the full format. The small parts within the photo show the original resolution of the photo (3,34 megapixel).
The following photos were shot to illustrate the different magnifications that are possible with a digital camera and its combination with binoculars respectively scope. All photos were made from the same position. The house on the pictures about 745 meter away from the photographer.
The photos have the smallest resolution (640x480) which is possible with the digital camera and they were used as they came "out of the camera", only the file name was changed. Since the camera was held by nearly all photos with the free hand some of the photos are slightly blurred. The last photo was made by stabilizing the camera on a pole, otherwise a photo with such a magnification would have been impossible.
All photos on this page have together a file size of about 860 kb, so it might last a while till you see all the photos.
Optical zoom of the digital camera in wide angle position, corresponding to a 38 mm lens of a 35mm camera.
Optical zoom of the digital camera in tele lens position, corresponding to a 95 mm lens of a 35mm camera.
Digital zoom of the camera in tele lens position, corresponding to a 380 mm lens of a 35mm camera.
With this setting the definition is not very good.
Optical zoom of the digital camera in tele lens position in combination with a binocular Swarovski 10x42 EL.
Without ring or any other adapter.
Optical zoom of the digital camera in tele lens position in combination with a scope (zoom 20x magn.).
Optical zoom of the digital camera in tele lens position in combination with a scope (zoom 60x magn.).
Digital zoom of the digital camera in tele lens position in combination with a scope (zoom 60x magn.).
Despite adjusting the camera, blurring is the major problem.