11.14.2008

What camera should I get?



I receive a lot of email from people asking me what digital camera they should use for digiscoping - more than I can respond to in a timely manner. The Nikon Coolpix 995 and Coolpix 8400 (both discontinued) are the only point-and-shoot digital cameras I've used for digiscoping with my Swarovski 80mm HD spotting scope. Yahoo's digiscopingbirds tech group is a useful resource to learn what "in-production" digital cameras are being tested by some of the best digiscopers around. To provide a meaningful recommendation for digiscoping, one needs to have access to a multitude of digital cameras or have hands-on experience with particular models. I'm presently only recommending the Nikon Coolpix P5100 based on results others (not me) have achieved with it. I also know the P5100 can be conveniently connected to Kowa and Swarovski spotting scopes via Nikon's UR-E20 accessory adapter. I do not closely monitor the message threads on digiscopingbirds, so if you're looking for a digital camera for digiscoping, the tech group is a great place to begin your research.

Link: Kevin Bolton's Kowa 883/Coolpix P5100 Digiscoping

© 2008 Mike McDowell