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OpticsBlog – Thoughts and reviews of binoculars, telescopes, scopes, sights, and much more - birdwatching, astronomy, target shooting - pretty much anything related to optics, nature, and life!Thursday, December 31, 2009Photography with a spotting scope Digiscoping (holding a small digital camera over the eyepiece of a spotting scope or telescope and taking pics) with my new telescope/spotting scope has been a blast and, as always, I am amazed at just how easy this method is for getting pics of birds. Digiscoping, though, is not the only technique for taking photos with a spotting scope. Before digiscoping, we coupled an SLR camera body (no lens) to the spotting scope body (no eyepiece). The fancy word for this is prime focus photography, but it is simply using the scope as a telephoto camera lens, rather than taking pics through the eyepiece, as with digiscoping. All it requires is a scope, like mine, that uses standard telescope eyepieces, an SLR/DSLR camera and a couple of adapters. Like any other type of photography, there are advantages and disadvantages to this method. What I like most about using a spotting scope or telescope as a camera lens, especially when using an optically excellent scope, is that you get full frame pics of the highest quality. If you plan to make enlargements intended to hang on the wall, using a spotting scope as a camera lens, rather than just taking pics through the eyepiece, as in digiscoping, is the way to go. Lots of bird photographs hanging on the wall of my den attest to the effectiveness of this method. Be advised, however, that most spotting scopes on the market do not have adapters available to do this kind of photography. More importantly, this is not as easy a method to use as digiscoping. Focusing is much more difficult when using a spotting scope as a camera lens – SLR, DSLR viewing screens are not designed for this kind of magnification. It takes practice to get it right. Lastly, even though you do get magnifications that exceed standard camera equipment, you still fall short of the magnifications you can get when digiscoping. In other words, digiscoping gets you shots that you would never get when using the spotting scope as a camera lens and is the easiest method for a beginner. Wednesday, December 30, 2009New telescope Finally!! Got my new telescope out for a fist look under the night sky and I was not disappointed. First target was the nearly full moon, using my 22mm Televue Nagler eyepiece. I always choose the moon, or, should I say, the edge of the moon, for a color test with refractor telescopes. A standard achromat (lens design) refractor telescope will always show some color fringing on the edge of the moon and the cheaper the achromat refractor telescope, the more color fringing seen. Have seen some cheap refractor telescopes that produced so much color fringing that the moon looked like it had rings. To cure this shortcoming of the refractor design requires an apochromat refractor. A good APO refractor gets the job done, but it will cost you, dearly. Happy to report that my new 80mm APO telescope with its LOMO optics produced no color fringing. Clean as a whistle. Wow! Next target, to check stars. A good APO refractor with the right eyepiece will produce stars that look like pinpoints of light. Very cheap refractors will produce stars that appear round, or even oblong, sometimes with spikes or comas. My test stars were the Trapezium, located in the heart of the Orion nebula. My LOMO APO refractor produced perfect star images at 22x, and, though tiny, I could easily see the individual stars of the Trapezium. Overall, this was as good as any of the APO refractor telescopes I have ever used. Couldn't ask for more. Of course, I had to show all this to Bill, but he didn't stick around in the cold air for any lectures on optics. He did get to see the very faint and relatively small glow of the Orion nebula and I did explain to him that the Orion nebula only looked so bleak due to the presence of the full Moon, overhead. It would look much better during the New moon. I will dress him warmer for our next outing. Tuesday, December 29, 2009classic pro level SLR camera I just got a great deal on a classic pro level SLR camera. Okay, it's a great deal if you are actually looking for a 35 mm film SLR camera, but that's exactly what I like in a camera. Don't get me wrong - I own digital cameras, too, but I grew up and started on film SLRs and there will always be a soft spot in my heart for film cameras and this one is an all time classic film camera. Here's my new baby. It's a Nikon F3 HP and it is practically new in the box. I bought it from, Jack, our Nikon microscope specialist, who actually used to represent Nikon. He did use it, but mostly as a demo and it is complete with the original warranty card, manual, plastic wrap and even the plastic bottom bracket cover. It is like walking into a camera store in the mid-80s to see Nikon's pro level SLR camera. No, I don't know the exact year of production, but the manual is only 46 pages long and that is for Nikon's pro model camera. Compare that to my digital Panasonic FZ50 camera, with its 140 page manual or my Sony Cybershot digital point and shoot camera, with its manual on a CD, not even printed. Times have indeed changed. Regardless, this Nikon F3 camera is one beauty of a 35 mm film SLR. How could I pass it up for $100? Of course, now I have to start shopping for Nikon camera lenses and other camera accessories, but that won't exactly be painful. I'll start with a macro lens, then work my way out to a long telephoto. Stay tuned. Monday, December 28, 2009Digiscoping in my kitchen  I am still waiting for the skies to clear so that I can use my new and unique 80mm triplet telescope for some astronomy, but that does not mean the LOMO APO triplet optics in this 80mm refractor telescope are not getting a workout. I have been using this fine short tube, 480mm focal length telescope, as a spotting scope for some day work and that is one of the advantages of a short focal length refractor telescope; you can also use such a compact telescope as a spotting scope for some day work. In this case, I have the LOMO set up by the kitchen window to watch birds and also to do some digiscoping and I am very pleased to report that this little telescope is a treat to use for both uses. For birding, the scope has an excellent close focus of a bit less than 16 feet and the scope focuses, quickly, too. When fitted with a Televue Nagler 22mm eyepiece (for 22x) and a small Sony Cybershot for a camera, this LOMO equipped APO 80mm telescope makes a terrific digiscoping combo, even when digiscoping in my kitchen through a not so clean window. The only negative of the setup is the weight. This is not a spotting scope you would want to throw over your shoulder and carry afield, but it would be a very practical scope for birding and digiscoping from a fixed location, as per a marsh or lake vantage point. Of course, the acid test for any telescope or spotting scopes is optical performance. Can’t say, yet, for astronomy, but, as a spotting scope, this is as good as any spotting scope I have ever used. Observing through my kitchen window at my birdfeeders some fifty feet, away, I can count every feather on every bird in exquisite detail. That is all any birding nut can ask of spotting scope optics. Now, if the skies would just clear for a peek at the stars.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009Back country with the binoculars and camera
Had just enough snow, overnight - about an inch of soft stuff on top of last week's crusty four inches - to make it over to the park for my first cross-country skiing of the season. The first thing I noticed, not surprisingly, was that I was out of shape. That first half-mile had me huffing and puffing. The last half mile, though, was more of the old me and it felt so good. Cross country skiing does that for you - you are nearly exhausted, but it is the good kind of tired that brings a smile to your face.
One of the many advantages of cross country skiing is that it gives you easier access to some off trail locations that can be a bit rough to negotiate in the warmer months - back country deer trails do make the perfect tracks for my skis and, of course, I rarely see any signs of humans. This morning I even discovered some new places for birding I had not even known were there, just off the trail. As always, I use my skiing as a vehicle for some photography or birding and, this morning, I carried a digital camera and my binocular. The birding was quite slow, so the binocular didn't get any use, but I did get some nice snow landscapes framed in the camera. Had hoped for some nice shots of deer with the camera, but nothing this time out. Oh, well, nothing like the swish, swish, swish of the skis in the snow to make you smile. I'll see those deer next time. Tuesday, December 22, 2009New telescope curse
It's called the new telescope curse. It goes like this. You wait and hope and dream about having a nice telescope, someday. Lo and behold, the day finally arrives when you have that new telescope in your hot little hands. You unpack the telescope from its box, assemble it, then take some time to admire it. Nest, you check out the telescope eyepieces and other telescope accessories and see how they fit on the telescope. No curse, so far, other than, perhaps, some buyer's remorse for having spent so much money. Not to worry, when your husband sees all the things you will show him in your new telescope, he will forget all about the cost. Right?
Next step is to get that new telescope out under the stars to see what it can do. After all, that's what a telescope is all about. A telescope is a tool and a wonderful tool at that, but like all tools, a telescope is made to be used. It's all about oberving with a telecope. So what's the hold up?Where's the curse? The sky. You need a clear sky to actually use a telescope to do astronomy and, of course, once that new telescope arrives, the clouds roll in ... and the clouds stay ... and they stay ... and they stay. That's the curse of a new telescope and it just seems to work out that way. No, I am not superstitious and I know that it is mostly a case of being too eager, but I've had my new telescope for almost a week, now, and the sky has yet to clear and the forecast is not favorable. Gee, maybe I should be superstitious. Monday, December 21, 2009OpticsPlanet telescope
Some of you have recently emailed and called to congratulate me on my recent marriage and subsequent relocation to Milwaukee. Thank-you. Life moves on, as always. One of the things I will miss the most about my recent life change, though, is my job at Optics Planet. It has been a great five plus years.
The good news is that I will still be connected to OpticsPlanet on a limited basis, doing more blogging and answering forum questions, as always. This is going to be even easier than before, since my new location is a much improved place for birding, photography and, especially, astronomy. My astronomy got a real boost from OpticsPlanet in the form of a superb 80mm APO triplet refractor telescope as a gift for my years of service. I will be using this short tube refractor telescope for both birding and astronomy and, so far, results with my Televue eyepieces, have has been breathtaking. No, don't look for this telescope to be listed, anywhere. It is a one-of-a-kind telescope and not something you can see, anywhere, and, no, this is one telescope that will never see another owner. It means more to me as a reminder of all my friends and great years at OpticsPlanet. Wednesday, December 16, 2009Beginner telescopes and microscopes
The holiday season, here at OpticsPlanet, for me at least, might as well be called the beginner telescope or beginner microscope season. During the month of December, we sell more beginner telescopes and beginner microscopes than all the other months of the year, combined. This is good for business, of course, but I also like the idea of selling products that can spark an interest that can last a lifetime and what greater gift can you give than an interest that lasts a lifetime? There are no guarantees, of course and buying too cheap a telescope or microscope can have just the opposite of the desired effect, but I would certainly rate beginner telescopes or beginner microscopes as a better choices than electronic games that you know will be obsolete in only a matter of months.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009Astronomy videos and films
When people think of astronomy, even amateur astronomy, their thoughts automatically turn to telescopes or, now and then, to astronomy binoculars. This is only natural, of course, since telescopes and binoculars are the basic tools for an amateur astronomy. However, one of the things I also enjoy about astronomy is the wealth of books and videos that can keep your enthusiasm high and also make you a better astronomer, to boot. Astronomy videos and films are standard fare for many astronomy clubs when meetings get "clouded out" and that's just one of many reasons for joining a local astronomy club. Of course, you can also build your own library by hitting the local bookstore or, for more a more in-depth selection, I shop though the various websites devoted exclusively to astronomy, such as Sky&Telescope and Astronomy Magazine. Hey, just because the clouds rolled in does not mean you can't do astronomy.
Monday, December 14, 2009Camera and binocular care in cold weather
Cold weather means it's time for my zip-loc bag reminder. Zip-loc bag reminder, you say? Okay, you are outside with your binocular, spotting scope, camera, monocular when it's cold and then you seek refuge in that nice, warm, cozy house. What happens to your binocular, spotting scope, camera, monocular? Right, moisture condenses all over it when it hits that warm air. If your binocular or spotting scope is waterproof, no big deal, but it is rare for a camera to be waterproof, so that moisture can be a big deal. The solution? Put that camera in a zip-lock bag and seal, while still out in the cold, then enter the house. The moisture collects on the bag, not the camera. When the camera is back to room temp, take it out of the bag and it will be nice and dry.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009beginner telescope help
The telescope market is awash with small beginner telescopes, especially this time of year, to keep the price down. Larger lenses and larger mirrors are more expensive to produce, but those same larger lenses or mirrors directly determine telescope performance in a big way. A small telescope (anything under 80mm) can see exactly the same kinds of objects as a larger telescope (one of 80mm or more), but the larger telescope will see more of these objects and more detail in these objects. If you are shopping for a beginner, be warned - a motivated beginner will quickly out grow the typical 60mm beginner telescope and be faced with the prospect of buying a larger telescope to stay with his/her new astronomy interest. The good news is that there are many affordable telescopes of 80mm or larger. One of my favorites is the Celestron Powerseeker 80 OP, which even includes a motor drive for automatic tracking.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009astronomy binocular and telescope
Sometimes life's events can interrupt your favorite pastimes and these last few months have been a good example for me. What can I say? I fell in love, got married and now I'm in the middle of finishing up my work, here at OpticsPlanet and if that wasn't enough, I also have to deal with relocating. Still, the dark of the moon is the 16th of this month and, for me, the new moon means astronomy. With any luck at all (and a few clear nights), I will be able to dust off those boxed up astronomy binoculars and my telescope to enjoy some long-neglected astronomy. It will be all the sweeter for doing astronomy in my new home with its much darker skies. Now, if I can drag Bill out into that cold December night air, I will get to show off my astronomy binocular and telescope skills.
Monday, December 07, 2009Binoculars, spotting scopes and more at OpticsPlanet
A new chapter in my life has begun and, soon, I will no longer be writing about binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, cameras, tripods, microscopes and so many other products on a regular basis. Still, I fully expect to continue to write about these products, though on a more intermittent and leisurely basis. When I started writing about these products, so many years ago, it was just for a fun and a real kick to get published, I never dreamed that it would lead to such gratifying full-time professional work at OpticsPlanet It is sometimes said that turning your hobby into your work will sour you on the hobby, but that has not been the case for me. Thank-you, OpticsPlanet.
Thursday, December 03, 2009OpticsPlanet has telescopes
We're having a good holiday season as far as telescope sales go and the good news is that we stocked up this year with more telescopes than ever. If you need a telescope, OpticspLanet has it. If you are not sure what telescope is best for you, we do have some very useful articles that will help. A great way to learn more on the basics of choosing a telescope is to first read my article, Telescope First Questions, This gets you started with the two most important decisions to make, right away. Then narrow your choice down even more with my article How to choose the right telescope, This discusses the pros and cons of each telescope design.
Since telescope eyepieces are the most important accessory for any telescope, you may also wish to do more reading with my article, Ten Top Telescope Eyepiece Questions, Every astronomer can use more eyepieces, too, if you are trying to shop for an astronomer that already has a telescope. Wednesday, December 02, 2009Stuck in a rut?
In case you are stuck in a rut and think that you will never get out; that things will never change; that it could never happen to you, take heart. In the space of only a week, I found a husband, a new home, a place to use my astronomy binoculars and birding binoculars, a place to use my telescopes, a place to do some serious photography with my cameras and, better yet, a partner to ride with me on the bicycle path. Best of all, I found my soulmate. Yes, things can change and change when you least expect it. I am, indeed, awed by it all and ever so grateful. I love you, Bill
Tuesday, December 01, 200910x50 astronomy binoculars
A 10x50 porro prism binocular has become a very popular size for astronomy - no tripod needed and a 10x50 binocular is also very useful for many other binocular applications. The good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune for a 10x50 astronomy binocular. Some 10x50 binoculars, like the Bushnell Legacy 10x50, can be purchased for under $100 and the even better Bushnell Legend 10x50 is just over that $100 mark. My pick for a 10x50 binocular under $200 has always been the Nikon Action Extreme 10x50. Okay, no excuse for waiting to do some binocular astronomy, right? Get that 10x50 binocular and start observing.
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