From Richard: We are looking to purchase a spotting scope. We will be using it at Yellowstone in a month, but will also use it locally for bird watching. We think we want the larger 80 or 82 mm version of whatever we buy. Do you agree or would a 60mm be sufficient? We think we want an angled body. Do you have any comments about why or why not? We need to stay under $1000, including the accessories (tripod, etc). Can you use a digital camera on all spotting scopes? Can you use any camera or just specific cameras per scope? We have been looking at the Nikon Prostaff 20–60 X 82mm and the Bushnell Elite ED 20-60x80mm. We have been looking at these mostly because of the price. What do you think of these two? If both are okay, which would you choose? Would you suggest any others? _____________________________________________________________ Richard: Thanks for your questions. I would suggest choosing a large objective lens scope if you don't have a problem with carrying a bit more weight. It will gather much more light, especially in low light situations, than a smaller 60mm scope. I would suggest an angled spotting scope if people of different heights are using it, you are sharing it with groups, and because you can leave it lower on the tripod for added stability. These scopes are all nice, but I would say under $1,000, the two best you could get would be the Bushnell you mentioned, the 80mm Elite, or the Vortex Skyline 80mm ED. Not all cameras will work for digiscoping. In order to digiscope with these scopes, you will need a small-bodied point-and-shoot digital camera with a below 4x optical zoom. With a camera like that, and this adapter, you can digiscope with either the Bushnell or Skyline ED set at 20x on its magnification range. If you have a DSLR camera body, you can also get a T-ring and use it with this adapter and the body of the Bushnell scope (this setup would require removing both the eyepiece of the spotting scope and the lens of your camera).

harness strap Q&A

Q: "I read that people like your harness strap. I have Swarovski binos, and also read about the American Birding Association ones with the negative comment below. Will I have this same problem with yours or will yours attach differently and work well? Thanks."

"If you plan to use this strap with Swarovski EL42 binoculars, it will not work. The clips to attach harness strap to binoculars do not fit and one must use the split rings that come with the harness strap. After a year of use, the split rings had nearly cut through the attachment points on my binoculars. I'm lucky I caught this before the attachment points broke. I do not know if this occurs with other binoculars."

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A: This is a good question, and one that begs clearing up some confusion.

The Swarovski harness strap is the only one that will clip directly into your Swarovski binocular strap attachments.

Both the Eagle Optics and ABA harness straps will fit Swarovski (and many other) binoculars, but they attach via a set of plastic zip ties and metal O-rings. The idea is to attach the should zip the O-ring onto the binocular with the zip ties so as to avoid the metal eating through metal issue mentioned above.

Both the Eagle Optics and ABA harnesses include attachment instructions.

Spotting scope under $500

From Shawn:
Hi there. I'm looking for a spotting scope. A closeout or open box is fine.

Looking for 20 to 60 power in at least 75-85mm.
Price is hard set at $500.
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Thanks for the question, Shawn.
The best scope available under that price point is the Vortex Skyline.
It's an 80mm scope with a 20-60 zoom, is waterproof and fogproof, and comes with a tabletop tripod, case, covers, and a lifetime, no-fault warranty.

monocular for eyeglass wearer?

From David:

Would the Eagle Optics Insight be a good choice for an eyeglass wearer? I would like to purchase a monocular, but I have to wear my glasses. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Good question, David.

You could certainly get away with the Insight, but something with 15mm or more of eye relief would be ideal. In this price range, I'd suggest checking out the Vortex Solo.

tall, lightweight tripod leg set?

From Seth in Wisconsin:

I am a tall person, 6'7" with a straight spotting scope, and use a Manfrotto 3011 BN Tripod w/ the 3130 head. Do you guys have anything else that is A) that same height as that one/ goes as tall as that setup...? and B) same height/ as tall as that one and lighter in weight? If it would work for a straight scope that would be best.
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Good question. You could put your existing head (the 128 RC is the new #, but same head as the 3130) on a carbon fiber leg set. My top three suggestions would be these Manfrotto, Swarovski, and Gitzo models.
They'll be tall enough, lighter weight than what you have, and will provide more stability.

SLR and point/shoot magnification/focal length conversions

Q: Most point & shoot digital cameras come with lenses that are 3x, 10x, 12x, etc., but most SLR cameras use telephoto lenses that are 100mm, 300mm, etc. What is the relationship between the two systems? In other words, a 12x digital point and shoot equals what in a telephoto SLR lens? What is the conversion factor?

A: Point & shoot digital cameras have 35mm equivalencies, but they cannot be derived from knowing just the optical zoom because every model can be unique. For example, each digital camera model below is listed with its maximum optical zoom and corresponding 35mm equivalency zoom range (focal lengths) provided by the manufacturer:

• Canon PowerShot SX10: 20x Optical Zoom / 28 - 560 mm
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20: 10x Optical zoom / 38 - 380mm
• Nikon Coolpix 8400: 3.5x Optical Zoom / 24 - 85mm
• Nikon Coolpix P5000: 3.5x Optical Zoom / 36 - 126mm

Notice that each camera has a different 35mm equivalency at 1x optical zoom. The two Nikon cameras have the same optical zoom (3.5x), but different 35mm equivalencies. This is because digital camera manufacturers can put whatever configuration of lens elements they want into an optical zoom system and won't necessarily render the same 35mm equivalency. However, the optical zoom can be computed by dividing the maximum 35mm equivalency focal length by the minimum:

• 560mm / 28mm = 20x
• 380mm / 38mm = 10x
• 85mm / 24mm = 3.5x
• 126mm / 36mm = 3.5x

And that's where the optical zoom number comes from! Optical zoom is only regarded as magnification in the sense of how many times the minimum focal length in 35mm equivalency is being multiplied. If you want to calculate true magnification, simply divided focal length by 50 (from 50mm = 1x in 35mm equivalency).

Leica camera adapter

Q: Can the Leica Dlux 4 adapter be used on other spotting scopes? I'm thinking like a Nikon or Leupold.

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A: Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, this adapter is proprietary and made to fit only the 65mm and 82mm Leica Televid spotting scopes.
If you need a recommendation for an adapter that will fit a variety of scopes and accept many cameras, check out these Vortex versions.