How to Digiscope With Kowa

Digiscoping creates sharp, high-quality images.

"Digiscoping" is combining a spotting scope lens designed for a film camera with a digital camera. Doing this requires special equipment to adapt one for the other, but to get a sense of the possibilities, simply hold a digital camera up to a scope lens and view through it. Kowa's accessory kits allow you to combine three types of digital cameras to the scopes: compact, high-powered zoom and those with filter threads.

Things You'll Need

• Spotting scope
• Eyepiece
• Digital camera adapter
• Adapter ring
• Conversion lens adapter
• Digital camera
• Tripod (if desired)

Instructions

Digiscoping With a Compact or Filter Thread Camera

1. Attach an eyepiece to the spotting scope. The eyepiece screws on in a clockwise motion.

2. Attach a digital camera adapter to the eyepiece. Depending on your camera, you may need an adapter ring, which Kowa makes in 10 sizes, or a universal camera adapter.

3. Attach a conversion lens adapter, again, depending on your specific camera. Attach your camera to the accessories and you're ready to shoot!

Digiscoping With High-Powered Zoom Lens

1. Attach a photo and video adapter to the spotting scope.

2. Attach an adapter ring that fits your high-powered zoom lens. Kowa makes these adapter rings in 10 sizes.

3. Screw the conversion lens adapter to the photo and video adapter, then attach your camera.

Tips & Warnings

• Kowa recommends buying a tripod to minimize blurred images. A sturdy tripod leaves your hands free to direct the camera rather than supporting it.

• Digiscoping sometimes creates something called "vignetting," which is dark corners around the picture. Kowa says the best solution to this problem is buying the right size eyepiece for your camera, though you may not be able to make the vignette disappear altogether.

References

• Kowa Digisco World: What is Digiscoping?
• Digiscoped.com: Digiscoping Menu