Unfortunately I was not always able to get close enough to be able to get good shots of birds. However, browsing the world wide web I came across an incredible site called BIRDSPIX (see links page). This site is hosted by Laurence Poh and Victor Yue and is intended for birders to be able to share their photographs. What I found interesting about the site was that most of the photographs that were being submitted were digital and had been taken using a digital camera and a spotting scope.
The clarity and focus of the pictures was outstanding and I was immediately convinced that this was probably the way forward for me. It was a costly business, however, as I had to buy a Nikon 990 digital camera, A Swarovski 80HD scope and a 20-60 times zoom lens! I say had to buy but of course, cheaper equipment could have been bought but I wanted to follow where these digiscopers were leading.
To begin with results were very disappointing. What was I doing wrong? The answer was very simple - light was poor, exposure time was lengthy and consequently there was a great deal of camera shake. How to solve this?
I found that if I adapted a water tap connector I was able to fit it over the lens of the camera and the outside diameter of the connector was a tight fit inside the rubber cup of the eyepiece. With this set-up and a lot of practice, results began to improve. Instead of getting no decent photographs I was now obtaining perhaps 1 in 20 that were reasonably acceptable.
After using this set-up for some time, I was still not completely satisfied with it.
I therefore purchased an attachment from Eagle-eye which fitted over the 'scope lens whilst the other end was screwed to the lens of the camera. In addition I also purchased their viewfinder shade and remote shutter control. The viewfinder shade was excellent in helping to focus after getting used to it, but I found the attachment to the scope was still too slow and I was missing shots. Therefore I decided on another tack.
Having contacted Ooi Beng Yean on the Birdpix website I looked at his design for an attachment which allowed the camera to swing out, the 'scope to be focused and then the camera swung back quickly. Using photos of his set-up I manufactured my own version at a cost of about £2 plus the cost of a piece of aluminium 12mm thick and 40cms by 12cms. When completed it allowed the camera to be fixed permanently to the 'scope, but also allowed it to be swung away when using the 'scope conventionally.
If you are interested in a more detailed description of the attachment please click on the link in the home page.
Please note that all photographs on this website are my own work and therefore copyrighted.
If the photos are not too clear then please contact me for further details.
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