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The lens system on a
video camcorder is very similar to the lens system on a digital
camera so it is possible to attach it to a telescope in the same
way. Mini DV camcorders are the most popular these days due to their
smaller size and higher image quality, but it is just as easy to
attach older, larger machines.
Video cameras usually have a filter thread as
standard making it possible to use a digiscope adapter as with still
cameras. There are however a couple of potential problems that you
need to be aware of, the adapter will fit the cameras thread fine
but once attached to the eyepiece of the scope all of the camcorders
weight will be on that thread. Because mini DV camcorders are
generally smaller this should not be a problem, but its worthwhile
keeping an eye on things. Secondly, a camcorder will usually have a
minimum zoom range of 10x, because of the set up of the lens, when
attached to a scope it can only be used at the widest angle or
maximum zoom.
When used at the widest angle, a camcorders lens
would normally equate to approximately 50mm in 35mm terms. When
filming through a telescope fitted with a 30x lens you would get 30x
magnification, the camcorders lens will need to be as close to the
telescopes eyepiece as possible to avoid vignetting. When used at
the telephoto setting a magnification of 300x would be possible,
this will give a fairly low quality image but a very large
magnification. It is advisable to use a lower magnification eyepiece
when digiscoping with a camcorder, this will help reduce shake at
the maximum zoom end and help reduce vignetting at the lowest zoom
setting.
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The latest ranges from Sony
Panasonic Canon and JVC are very compact
and light in weight and lend themselves
to digiscoping
 
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FOR FULL DETAILS OF
LATEST RANGES GO TO LINKS |
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