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.

 

 

Current Products

The new ranges of   Sony    Panasonic   Canon and JVC camcorders lend themselves to digiscoping

Discontinued Products
	Sony PC 100/110/120e: The three cameras listed here have been the most popular for the digiscoper over a number of years. The PC100e was the first of this range to appear offering excellent film quality and a one million-pixel chip for still capture. It has a 37mm accessory thread enabling an adapter to be attached as well as a range of accessories and a 10x optical zoom. The PC110e had most of the same features as the PC100e but had the addition of a built in flash for still pictures as well as a couple of minor updates. The PC120e had a still capture of 1.55 million pixels, the first camcorder to have this many.
	Sony PC8/101/103/105: There are many earlier versions of these compact mini DV camcorders all of them are able to work in conjunction with a scope. The principle difference between this range and the one above is the smaller size of the camera and also the smaller filter thread (30mm). Due to the smaller size they balance well
	Sony DCRPC109 With a Handycam Station and DV-in/DV-out, this MiniDV camcorder is ideal for PC enthusiasts
	Sony DCRPC106 Perfect PC-friendly MiniDV camcorder featuring a Handycam Station
	Sony DCRHC30E A super compact MiniDV camcorder with a range of innovative features and digital effects
	Sony DCRHC40E A super compact MiniDV camcorder with a range of innovative features and digital effects