Digiscoping with a Swarovski scope

Eagle Optics,

I have an older angled 80mm Swarovski spotting scope that I would like to use with my Canon XTI digital camera. Does the Swarovski DCA adapter on the video on your website work with all brands? What info do I need to order the right adapter?

Thanks,
Dick

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Dick,

The Swarovski DCA adapter pretty much only works as is with Swarovski scopes. Here are the three pieces you’ll need to get in order to use your XTI with the old gray-bodied scope:

-Fixed 50mm lens for your camera (from a camera shop or online; we don’t sell these)

-Swaorvski Digital Camera Adapter for Zoom Eyepiece

-Swarovski Digi Camera Adapter Ring

The 50 mm lenses almost universally have a 52mm thread on the end of them. Swarovski provides a 52mm ring (along with other sizes) with the purchase of the DCA adapter.
This should all work quite well together.

Thanks,
Eagle Optics

New birder's questions on 8x42 binoculars

Eagle Optics,

I am new to birding (just starting) and looking for a decent binocular. I am tempted by the Nikon Monarch ATB and would consider that my top end. I am really thinking more about spending around $120. I do want to go with 42mm objective lenses and believe I want 8x power (possibly 10 power). Is there anything that would help me understand the difference between the following 8x42 optics:

Bushnell H2O
Atlas Radian
Eagle Optics Denali
Eagle Optics Ranger
Nikon Monarch ATB

I believe I have narrowed it down to the Radian or Denali. I think I want to stay with your brand for warranty, but it looks like Atlas also has a “no fault” warranty. (Do I deal directly with Atlas on a warranty claim?) Any help with this would be great!

Also, one other question. Many specs include a twilight factor” calculated as the square root of the magnification times objective size. This make since for higher twilight factor for larger objective, but does not make since to me when comparing an 8x42 and a 10x42. The 10x42 has a higher twilight factor, but the 8x42 is usually considered “brighter” than a 10x42 and better for low light.(due to exit pupil diameter?). I seem to be getting something wrong here…

Thanks for your help,
Warren

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Warren,

Thanks for your interest in Eagle Optics. You’ve selected binoculars that are all generally in the same class, though I’d agree that you should stick with the Radian or Denali for price and overall build quality/warranty.

Atlas is one of our house brands, so just like the Denali, it would come here to us for service.

We don’t really use twilight factor to talk about brightness of a binocular, because you can basically get the same answers by looking at the magnification, field of view, and front lens size. I’m not sure where you’re seeing the difference in twilight factor numbers, but the lower the magnification (and hence wider field of view between an 8x and 10x of the same model) and bigger the front lens size, the brighter your image will be in low light.

If you want a good all-around binocular that will work well in all light situations and be easy to hold steady for long periods of time, I’d suggest an 8x42.

If you have any further questions, we’re happy to help.

Thanks,
Eagle Optics

Digiscoping with a Leica Televid 77 spotting scope

Eagle Optics,

I have an angled Leica APO Televid 77 with a 20-60x eyepiece. What digiscoping adapter can you recommend? I would like to use my Panasonic Luminix ZS7 point-and-shoot.

Thanks,
Tim

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Tim,

Thanks for your interest in Eagle Optics.

Your camera will unfortunately not work for digiscoping because of its high optical zoom of 12x. In order to digiscope, you will need a camera with no higher than a 3-4x optical zoom, as the high optical zooms will not allow you to get rid of vignetting (shadowing) around the image or get a full frame.

With a small-bodied point-and-shoot, the only adapter that is made for that older Leica scope is called the 42-303 Leica Digital Camera Adapter. At the time we sold it, it was around $260. It's been long discontinued, so you'd need to try finding it online.

Another option would be to try the Vortex Large Universal Digiscoping Adapter, also discontinued. This one might still be available at Wild Birds Unlimited stores or other Vortex dealers as it was recently discontinued. This one runs approximately $60, although it is a bit large and cumbersome.

The final option would be to use a Kowa DA-10 adapter with a 37mm adapter ring and the Vortex PS-100. All of these items are in stock and the total cost would be $260, and this would be a fairly lightweight and slick option for digiscoping with your Leica 77mm scope.

Thanks,
Eagle Optics