Comparison of digiscoped images through Brunton optics

Here's a simple comparison of images taken on a Nikon CoolPix 4500 digital camera through various Brunton optics. I handheld the camera to the optics, which were mounted on tripods. The poor image quality comes from handshake, slow shutter speeds due to reduced light at higher magnifications (see shutter speeds in each caption). Image quality can be improved by using an adapter to mount the camera to the scope (none exists yet specifically for this scope-camera combination) and a cable/remote shutter release. This shows the relative image sizes, plus a comparison with an 82mm Kowa Scope. All are full-frame croppings. All optics had vignetting at a camera setting of full wide-angle.

Here's how I arrived at the comparable values for magnification and 35mm camera equivalents. A 50-55mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera produces a 1X (same size as through an unaided eye). With a 300mm lens, the magnification is about 6X (300/50). Full zoom on the CoolPix 4500 is reported as 4X. Since this is not a 35mm camera, the focal length of lens to produce a 1X image is not the same as with a 35mm camera. But we are only using maximum zoom, or 4X, on the CoolPix. If these computations are incorrect, please let me know.

For some quickly digiscoped images comparing the Brunton Eterna 80mm Spotting Scope with the Kowa TSN82 82mm Spotting Scope with fluorite lenses, click here. Both were equipped with 20-60X zoom eyepieces mostly set at 20X.

Please do not download these images without acquiring permission to do so. All images are copyrighted by Les Chibana.

		Nikon CoolPix 4500 alone This is a shot with the camera at minimum zoom, or full wide angle. ISO 200, f3.7, 1/1000.
		Nikon CoolPix 4500 alone This is a shot with the camera at maximum zoom, approximately 4X. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/290
		Macroscope This is shot through the 7 x 40 Macroscope (7X) with maximum zoom (4X) on the camera. Effectively 28X, or a 1400mm lens on a 35mm camera. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/127 This is what the vignette looks like at full wide angle
		Epoch 10.5 x 43 This is shot through the Epoch 10.5 x 43 binoculars (10.5X) with maximum zoom (4X) on the camera. Effectively 42X, or a 2100mm lens on a 35mm camera. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/158 This is what the vignette looks like at full wide angle
		Epoch 10.5 x 43 with Field Scope doubler This is shot through the Epoch 10.5 x 43 binoculars with a Field Scope 2X attached (21X) with maximum zoom (4X) on the camera. Effectively 84X, or a 4200mm lens on a 35mm camera. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/72 This is what the vignette looks like at full wide angle
		Eterna 80mm Spotting Scope at 20X This is shot through an Eterna Spotting Scope set at 20X with maximum zoom (4X) on the camera. Effectively 28X, or a 4000mm lens on a 35mm camera. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/100 This is what the vignette looks like at full wide angle. This is not the same subject as the previous images.
		Kowa 82mm Spotting Scope at 20X This is shot through a Kowa Spotting Scope set at 20X with maximum zoom (4X) on the camera. Effectively 28X, or a 4000mm lens on a 35mm camera. ISO 200, f7.3, 1/149 This is what the vignette looks like at full wide angle. This is the same subject as the preceding image, but not of the three previous to it.
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