Digiscoping Tips

Equipment:

• Canon DSLR 1200D
• Celestron Ultima 80 Scope
• Velbron Sherpa 200 tripod
• Scope Adapter (See below)

 

You can adjust the adapter by little Allen key and screws on the side so your camera is straight, you can set this up correctly before you go out.

5 areas to get right and improve your digiscoped images.

Good Focus

Settings

Remote release

Stability

Optics

Good Focus: Ensure you focus on the EYE of the subject and get it nice and sharp.

Settings: Know your camera:

ISO - High ISO means fast shutter speeds, less likely to have camera shake and blurred images. However high ISO means grainier images. More light means you can reduce the ISO down to 100 or 200 but remember you will have a slower shutter speed. get some test shots in.

Aperture Priority Mode - smaller the f number the larger the aperture and the more light is let in. Try to keep it as wide as possible, so f4 or below is great.

Manual Focus - as the camera has a viewing screen you can ensure the image is focused correctly. 

Remote Release / Self Timer - helps to reduce camera shake when holding the camera.Use either to limit shake.

Stability- Ensure your tripod / scope / camera are solid and balanced.

Optics- This one is probably obvious however a good budget system can work well. How much do you want to pay out and what compromise will you have on image quality. It is usually better to have a removable eyepiece and a adapter for your DSLR Camera, making it a secure lightproof connection.

The following image was captured with the equipment I have. Taken at a considerable distance, hardly visible with naked eye (mine anyway).