LF Digiscoping Experience

[ten888]

Hi,



Does anyone have digiscoping experience and have used it for bench shooting? I'm looking to find a better spotting scope that can get a clear video view of shoot-n-see targets out to 100 - 200 yards.



- Barska Benchmark 25-125

https://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-Benchmark-25-125x88-Waterproof-Straight/dp/B001FB5CS8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498968945&sr=8-2&keywords=barska+125

- Gosky Cellphone Holder

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013D2ULO6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- iPhone 6Plus



The image below was a video taken at 100 yards using the equipment listed above:







If possible I'd like to upgrade to using a DSLR mounted to the spotting scope. Feedback would be much appreciated, please share your rig details and images if possible.



Thanks in advance.

[scamp62]

tag

[ten888]

Getting used to setting it up. I'm still looking for a better spotting scope. But not sure I'll find one with this magnification. I'll settle for better quality glass.

Results out to 200, 300 and 400 yards respectively:







Does anyone have any one of the Vortex spotting scopes? Could you snap a pic of a target 100 yards out at max magnification. Thanks in advance


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[duckman1]

I just picked up a set of the Cauldwell Cameras. I have not had a chance to use them yet, but the picture quality is excellent.

[1bulletBarney]

From your pics you can see the hits on the steel targets out to 400 yards, that's way better than what my spotting scope would do. Mine is a cheapo Bushnell scope I bought second hand off of Craigs List. Mine is good out to maybe 150 yards. I can see .223/556 holes in paper at 100 yards...

One can spend serious cash on a spotting scope. I really don't have a good suggestion as far as a spotting scope. I spent a whole $50.00 on my Bushnell and it has served me well...

[ten888]

I just picked up a set of the Cauldwell Cameras. I have not had a chance to use them yet, but the picture quality is excellent.

Not familiar with those. I just looked them up. Not sure those are useable at the public ranges I go to unless we rent one of the private bays. I'll add it to the wish list if I ever make it to BLM's

From your pics you can see the hits on the steel targets out to 400 yards, that's way better than what my spotting scope would do. Mine is a cheapo Bushnell scope I bought second hand off of Craigs List. Mine is good out to maybe 150 yards. I can see .223/556 holes in paper at 100 yards...



One can spend serious cash on a spotting scope. I really don't have a good suggestion as far as a spotting scope. I spent a whole $50.00 on my Bushnell and it has served me well...

Thanks for the input. I have been trying to figure out if it's worth spending that much more for better glass but concerned about the magnification quality. I've been using this to take video, helps when I don't have a spotter. I spent I think $110 for this last year after discounts. It is clear enough that I'm very skeptical that paying 7x the price for other scopes is a good return for what I need it for at the moment. For what I spent, it had surprisingly been a great value.

Going to check out the loaner scopes at the ranges and see if I can get images at max magnifications to compare.


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[1bulletBarney]

Not familiar with those. I just looked them up. Not sure those are useable at the public ranges I go to unless we rent one of the private bays. I'll add it to the wish list if I ever make it to BLM's




Thanks for the input. I have been trying to figure out if it's worth spending that much more for better glass but concerned about the magnification quality. I've been using this to take video, helps when I don't have a spotter. I spent I think $110 for this last year after discounts. It is clear enough that I'm very skeptical that paying 7x the price for other scopes is a good return for what I need it for at the moment. For what I spent, it had surprisingly been a great value.

Going to check out the loaner scopes at the ranges and see if I can get images at max magnifications to compare.


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The Bushnell spotting scope I mentioned in my earlier post is marked 20 - 60 x 60 "coated optics". No model number. Its about 20" long and about 2 5/8 diameter at the opposite end of the eye piece. The stand that came with it is a lot like the stand for the Barska scope you linked. Good for sitting on a shooting bench. I found a "Paul Mitchell" brand tripod camera stand with a carry bag that is very well made at the Goodwill Store for $4.00. I knew I could make the stand work for the scope. I did a little Mcgiver work and now I have a solid adjustable stand for my cheapo spotting scope...

I would take a pic of my set up but I still operate from a (cheapo) dumb phone so I cannot upload any pics (working on that).

Check out the firearms accessories for sale forum in the Calguns marketplace. You may find a deal there...

[ten888]

Check out the firearms accessories for sale forum in the Calguns marketplace. You may find a deal there...

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out.



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[castgold]

If possible I'd like to upgrade to using a DSLR mounted to the spotting scope. Feedback would be much appreciated, please share your rig details and images if possible.



Thanks in advance.

I mounted a Canon DSLR to a Vortex Razor 85 angled spotting scope with a Vortex adapter that threads onto the filter threads of the camera lens. This can get quite heavy, which will need to be controlled by the tripod. It's best if you have a pancake 40mm lens or equivalent to make it as short and light as possible. I don't know if all scope manufacturers make a DSLR mount, but I'd anticipate that each adapter would be proprietary to the eyepiece on each scope.

[ten888]

LF Digiscoping Experience

I mounted a Canon DSLR to a Vortex Razor 85 angled spotting scope with a Vortex adapter that threads onto the filter threads of the camera lens. This can get quite heavy, which will need to be controlled by the tripod. It's best if you have a pancake 40mm lens or equivalent to make it as short and light as possible. I don't know if all scope manufacturers make a DSLR mount, but I'd anticipate that each adapter would be proprietary to the eyepiece on each scope.

Thank you.

That's a clean shot. Do you have the un-cropped version so I can get an idea of what a target may look like down range?

I'm rethinking the DSLR idea at this point. Thinking it through that is just more gear to lug around and watch over at the range.

Found phone attachments for vortex and a few other big brands so that will be more convenient. Finding the quality to be good enough for now.



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[castgold]

Thank you.

That's a clean shot. Do you have the un-cropped version so I can get an idea of what a target may look like down range?

I'm rethinking the DSLR idea at this point. Thinking it through that is just more gear to lug around and watch over at the range.

Found phone attachments for vortex and a few other big brands so that will be more convenient. Finding the quality to be good enough for now.



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I didn't get a good focus on this image, but you can see the detail.

[ten888]

I didn't get a good focus on this image, but you can see the detail.

Thanks again. Didn't realize that was already not cropped. Just shopped around for your scope. That will take me awhile ... not surprised for the image quality you were able to get with the DSLR



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[castgold]

Thanks again. Didn't realize that was already not cropped. Just shopped around for your scope. That will take me awhile ... not surprised for the image quality you were able to get with the DSLR



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I think your setup is as good as it would be with a DSLR for a fraction of the cost.

[ten888]

I think your setup is as good as it would be with a DSLR for a fraction of the cost.

Thanks. Here is the video quality at 400 yards using an iPhone. I need to add to the mount and build a rig for faster setup. Yet to try farther.

https://youtu.be/Or2VLbl033M

Trying to line up the scope and camera lens on the phone takes a bit of time. This was using a camera tripod instead of a bench rest table top to lessen the shaking when I fired.

I do want to note the scope quality is to be desired. For even the low price point compared to everything else it should be somewhat durable. The objective cone (front tube assembly) has already come lose and doesn't properly tighten down. The sunshade has come loose and the ring that held it in already broke. Maybe I got a bad item from the lot. I'm contacting their warranty to sort it out soon.


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