[texbirds] Re: Scope Recommendations
- From: Jim Sinclair <jim.sinclair@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 16:37:26 -0600
One thing about Joseph's excellent comments is that the shoulder mount,
although great for photographers, makes it a little hard to share.
Many of you know Michael Marsden. When I first met him in Mexico many
years ago, he did not use binoculars - just a hand-held scope. I remain
amazed to this day about how well he handled that!
On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 3:35 PM, Joseph Kennedy
<josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> My recommendation would be similar to Jim Sinclairs. Go for the best and if
> you have to wait a bit to save the extra $$$, think of how much character
> that will build for you.
> I went with the KOWA 883 angled eyepiece scope back several years ago when
> it was the scope of the year and was also top rated several times since.
> Kowa also makes a "regular" scope with the same sized eyepiece but without
> the fluorite glass that allows really good light through the setup.
>
> Getting the better glass (which is in top of the line canon and Nikon
> lenses) gives you 2 f-stops better photography which means you get pictures
> early in the day or when cloudy that you would otherwise miss. If you can,
> try to look through both at the same time and you will quickly return the
> non-fluorite glass scope.
>
> Swarovski does make a scope that will make do and there are those who do
> speak sort of well of that make. You would want the HD glass there. They
> also have the ability to use it with cameras. etc.
>
> I would get the zoom lens which lets you really get on the rarities way out
> in the bay etc. Remember that as you zoom to view, you are reducing
> lighting and depth of field which will affect any photography.
>
> There are lots of adapters etc that let you digiscope with whatever scope
> you have. The adapter have changed a lot when you stuck a tuna fish can up
> against the scope and the camera against that. You had to get a camera that
> fit a tuna fish can.
>
> Or you can get a second eyepiece such as the Kowa TSN-PZ that replaces the
> regular scope eyepiece. An o-ring attaches to it made for your camera maker
> that lets the scope/lens/o-ring attach to the camera like any lens. You
> still have a scope that works as a scope looking through the camera
> eyepiece. While not the best glass, you still have a 20 or 25 power scope
> from say 15 years ago to look over way out there birds. Not the same as 60x
> zoom but then a grebe a mile out in the waves is still a grebe a mile out
> in the waves and if necessary go birding with someone with a traditional
> setup. I have not used my regular scope eyepiece since 2006 or so.
>
>
> I gave up tripods for good back in 2005 for a bushhawk shoulder mount to
> provide mobility and a little Velcro makes it easy to use from the car a
> blind and no need for bean bags etc. Travel light. Not like some folks in
> California who brag about who has the heaviest tripod and how far they can
> carry it.
>
> The setup also works well photographing bugs etc and you do not have to
> worry about scaring them off the flowers etc. It does not work well with
> large flocks of birds or things that go zoom. And some do not do well with
> manual focusing which is required as the scope is not electronically
> adapted to the camera. And if you have not used an angled eyepiece,
> practice without a camera to get used to finding a bird.
>
> If you don't wait and save for the top of the line you will always have
> scope envy and wish you had waited or you save and buy another scope a
> little bit. Character building is a great trait to wish on others.
>
> Or get the best scope your money can buy now and take it birding tomorrow
> and forget about what might have been.
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 9:13 AM, Rick Folkening <hopsing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >wrote:
>
> > I hope this topic is okay in this forum. I know the true experts on
> > scoping will be the folks on Texbirds. I'm finally getting ready to
> > purchase a scope for birding and would like some recommendations on which
> > to buy or which ones to stay away from. I'd like recommendations for
> both
> > a lower priced option, less than $500 and the medium priced options
> around
> > $1500ish. I will be using this 98% for birding and would like to have a
> > digiscope option. I would appreciate any feedback directly to my email
> as
> > to not bother the Texbirds crowd.
> > Thanks for the inputs,
> >
> > Rick Folkening
> > Holliday, TX
> >
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>
>
> --
> Joseph C. Kennedy
> on Buffalo Bayou in West Houston
> Josephkennedy36@xxxxxxxxx
>
>
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>
--
Jim Sinclair (TX-ESA)
TOS Life Member
Kingsville, TX
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of
thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein
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