The size and quality of the eyepiece is one of the most important factors for digiscoping, it is essential that you try to get one that has a large eyepiece lens, this will help reduce vignetting and transmit more light back into the camera. Most telescope manufacturers now produce long eye relief or wide angle eyepieces and these are the ones to look out for. However advances in technology have meant that some zoom eyepieces are so good that they can produce excellent results even when used on their maximum magnification.

A larger objective lens will help when using a still digital camera, the extra light gathering will increase your shutter speed allowing for pictures to be taken in lower light or faster shutter speeds to be achieved. It is possible to use both angled and straight scopes for digiscoping, most users tend to prefer to use an angled, the combination of the angle of the eyepiece and gravity make it easier to hold a camera to the eyepiece. Using the LCE adapter means that there is little difference whether you use a straight or angled scope, but an angled one will definitely give you a slight advantage.

Some of the models listed below are available with standard or high definition glass, whichever model you choose will make no difference to the suitability for digiscoping. You may however notice a slight difference in image quality, as the high definition scopes will help reduce colour fringing.

Leica Televid/APO:

Widely considered to be one of the best scopes on the market today, this scope and all of its eyepieces are suitable for digiscoping with both still and video cameras. The 77mm objective lens gives a sharp, bright image, but it is a little on the heavy side. Angled and straight available.

Eyepieces: All three eyepieces have a twist up/down eyecup meaning that you do not have to remove it when digiscoping.

• 20xw: This excellent eyepiece is probably a little low powered for most people for general birding but is excellent when used with a camcorder, giving very little vignetting.
• 32xw: A very good all round eyepiece, suitable for use with a still or video camera, but recommended for still use mainly.
• 20x-60x: The versatility of this eyepiece makes it a very popular choice for general birding and digiscoping, it is by far the most popular choice, however it does lack the wide field of the two fixed eyepieces.

Swarovski ATS, STS 65/80:

The new pretenders to the throne this new range of scopes offer the compact portability of the 65mm against the stunning bright image of the 80mm. Weight has been kept to a minimum due them being constructed from a robust aluminium housing. Now encased in a rubberised armouring these new scopes offer a huge performance with all round colour-fidelity and strong contrast-rich images. The new range of eyepieces makes them ideally suited to digiscoping.

Eyepieces: There are three eyepieces in this new range, all of which have now been fitted with a twist up/down eyecup, digiscoping is possible without having to remove the eyecup, but you will get slightly closer to the lens if you do.

• 20xw: This eyepiece is ideal those who use a camcorder and offers excellent depth of field for seawatching.
• 30xw: The field of view and brightness of this eyepiece have already made it very popular, an excellent choice for general use.
• 20x-60x: Once again Swarovski have come out with a stunning quality zoom, performance on both scopes is stunning, excellent digiscope results can be achieved.

Carl Zeiss Diascope 65 & 85 T* FL:

Like all of the above this new scope from Zeiss gives superb optical clarity, this is thanks to the Carl Zeiss Advanced Optics System, it also provides a compact design, sturdy low weight design and has a large ocular lens which makes them ideal for digiscoping.

Eyepieces: There are three eyepieces in the range, unfortunately due to differing focal lengths of the two scopes their magnification varies. Although this in itself is not a problem it does mean that a low powered eyepiece is not available for the 85mm.

• 23/30x: An excellent eyepiece giving good clarity and depth of field, too powerful for use with a camcorder on the 85mm but fine on the 85mm.
• 30/40x: A good quality fixed magnification eyepiece, too powerful for general use on the 85mm but does perform well.
• 15-45/20-60x: Another good quality zoom from a top manufacturer, this eyepiece is probably the best choice for digiscoping due to low magnification available for both models.

Nikon Fieldscope III/78:

Nikon in keeping with their usual lens quality have two fine scopes here, the 60mm combines the optical excellence of the previous models with the compactness of a 60mm body, an ideal companion for those of you who travel often. Alternatively the 80mm gives that little extra that you would expect from a larger objective, unlike the 60mm though it is not fully waterproof.

Eyepieces: Nikon have a fairly large range of eyepieces, once again their magnification varies depending on which body you use. The newer range of eyepieces have a twist up/down eyecup, whereas the older ones a fold down rubber one. Due to their awkward design it is easier to digiscope using the LCE adapter with the older design, however Nikon have recently introduced their own mount.

• 24/30x: This eyepiece is excellent quality, giving a crisp bright image with either body, with the right adapter will work well for digiscoping.

• 30/38x: A good all round choice for the 60mm but too powerful for general use with the 78.

• 20-45/28-56x: This zoom has recently been upgraded so that it now has multi-coating on the lenses, optically it is very good, not ideal for digiscoping.
• 20-60/25-75x: This is the latest zoom from Nikon, now with slightly more magnification at the top end. Still up to the usual Nikon standard and can be used with a still camera.

Kowa TS610 Series:

This popular little scope has always been a favourite amongst birders, its lightweight body and good optical quality make it stand out from the other similar models.

Eyepieces: To enhance the optical quality of this scope many birders have used the old TSN 30xw eyepiece, the eye lens on this eyepiece will work very well for digiscoping. The standard TS eyepieces will work however it is recommended to use the TSN eyepieces, the zoom lenses are adequate for viewing but would not be recommended for digiscoping.

• TS 20x: A good eyepiece that performs well, but not ideally suited to digiscoping due to its small size.
• TS 27x: This was the most popular eyepiece for this range of scopes due to the 27x magnification, again it will work but not ideal.
• TS 20-40x: This is the better of these two zooms, a good performing eyepiece but would not really be recommended.
• TS 20-60x: This eyepiece has never been rated very highly, the top end is not really usable.

Kowa TS660 series:

Like its predecessor this scope is already proving to be very popular with birdwatchers, with its increased light gathering and optical improvements it is well worth a second look. The extra 6mm on the objective lens does give it a slightly brighter image, whilst still maintaining the compactness of the 610 series.

Eyepieces: These scopes utilise the TSN range of eyepieces and compliment the increased performance of the body. The rubber eyecups will need to be removed for digiscoping.

• TSN 20x: Excellent performance, good depth of field and bright image, ideal for use with a camcorder.

• TSN 30x: One of the first 30x wide angle’s on the market, this eyepiece still continues to sell well, ideal with a still camera.

• TSN 20-60x: Doesn’t live up to the performance of the previous two eyepieces, can be used for digiscoping but stick to the lower magnifications.

Kowa TSN 1/2/3/4:

This range of scopes were once the best selling ones on the market, the 77mm objective and the good quality optics made it the birders favourite. Now a discontinued range however used ones can be found making them real bargains.

Eyepieces: Uses the same eyepieces that fit on the TS 660 series.

Kowa 820 series:

With an 82mm objective lens and its lightweight construction for its size these are excellent quality scopes. Optical performance and ease of use make it a popular scope, could do with making the prism housing slightly smaller.

Eyepieces: An updated range of eyepieces fit these scopes, and all perform well. Kowa seem to have ignored the lower magnifications by missing out a fixed 20xw, but otherwise have some good eyepieces here. Rubber eyecups will need to be removed for digiscoping.

• TSN 32x: This is the first choice eyepiece for this range, a good wide angle view with a good general magnification, ideal for use with a still camera.

• TSN 50x: Although not a general eyepiece it has proved popular, the option of the extra magnification whilst still maintaining a relatively wide field of view make it a good choice. Works well with a still camera.

• TSN 20-60x: One of the best performing zoom eyepieces on the market, gives the usual range of magnification associated with a zoom but with excellent performance. Works well for digiscoping.

Opticron ES 80:

The ES 80 has established itself as a clear favourite in the mid price range, with an 80mm objective lens, lightweight body and excellent optical quality its impossible to overlook.

Eyepieces: Opticron have a good range of eyepieces to suit this scope all of which have large eye lenses, for the best performance choose one of the HDF range.

• 23xWW: An excellent eyepiece with twist up/down eyecup, works well for still or video.

• 32xWW: The most popular eyepiece in the range, good magnification and field of view. Unfortunately the eyecup needs to be removed when digiscoping.

• 20-60x: This zoom rates up there with the best, excellent image quality good zoom range, rubber eyecup does need to be removed when digiscoping.

Opticron HR66/ED:

This scope has been a popular seller over a number of years and has won awards for its optical quality, with only a 66mm objective lens the light gathering will not be as good as some of the 80mm. This scope will take the same eyepieces as the ES 80 although the magnification of each one will vary.

Opticron Imagic 80:

A very popular budget scope that performs well with the standard eyepieces, to enhance the quality further though you can use the full range of HDF eyepieces. Although its optical quality is not as good as some of the more expensive models, this scope when used with a still digital camera will produce some very adequate results.