Minox DCM 5.0 or tines up scope cam?

[hubba20]

I have a swarovski ATM 80mm spotting scope, and I'm looking to get something for digiscoping...

I'm looking at two different set ups. Do any of you have the Minox DCM 5.0? If so how do you like it? Would you recommend it? Is the quality good? and post some pictures please...

And the other set up I'm looking at is the tines up Scope Cam adapter... Do any of you have it? If so do you like it or not like it? Would you recommend it? post some pictures of it too if you have some...

Any info would be great.

Thanks!!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I have a Tines Up adapter for my Vortex Razor HD and it is the bee's knees! I have used a Minox DCM as well, and it is not good ... especially next to a Tines Up setup. As far as the TU adapter, I have mine connected to a Sony WX1 point-and-shoot camera, that also takes HD video. This has worked well for me. Compact cameras are much smaller and more field-friendly than video cameras. All of the telephoto video in this Mtn Goat video was taken with my setup:

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/575-2010-Montana-Mountain-Goat-Hunt

The moose was about 1000 yards away. The bedded goats were about 350.

Is your Swaro the ATM 80 or ATM 80HD. If it is the standard definition model, you will see some chromatic aberration in your videos.

 

[hubba20]

Ya I think the best way to go is the tines up set up for sure... Did you just order the kit that comes with the base ring and the adapter, and then put it on your camera by yourself or what? I don't want to spend the $365 to get the setup that comes with a new camera, so I'm just gonna attach the adapter to my camera myself...
And I have the standard definition model... So you're saying that my video quality won't be too great because it's not an HD?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I ordered the 37mm model for camcorders. I put an inexpensive 37mm accessory adapter on my Sony WX-1, and I was in business. What kind of camera are you planning on using?

This is my setup:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX1-Stabilized-2-7-inch/dp/B002IPHIFA

http://www.amazon.com/Zeikos-Universal-Adapter-Attaching-Converters/dp/B002RBMZTE

http://swfa.com/Vortex-20-60x85-Razor-HD-Spotting-Scope-P13265.aspx

I think your video will be pretty good with the non-HD Swaro, it is still an awesome instrument. I just wanted you to know that you will probably get a bit of CA in the form of color fringing around high-contrast objects, though. I noticed it often when digiscoping through non-HD/ED/APO/FL type spotters.

 

[hubba20]

I have a Canon A2200. So you just ordered the adapter for the camcorders from tines up right? And then bought that accessory adapter for your point and shot...? How much did all of that cost you?

 

[hubba20]

This the adapter for the camcorder that you bought right? http://www.tinesup.com/catalog/item/7381735/7696183.htm

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I have a Canon A2200. So you just ordered the adapter for the camcorders from tines up right? And then bought that accessory adapter for your point and shot...? How much did all of that cost you?

The Canon A2200 should work really well. The best digiscoping cameras have a max zoom of 4x to 5x. I also like the Canon A series for their quality of video, and the A2200 will do 720P HD video. I think the Zuikos adapter I linked should work with the camera, but you won't know until you try it.

I bought the Zuikos adapter through Amazon for $18. I bought the Tines Up adapter right through their website. I think it was $85 or so shipped w/ tax. I do not know why they charge tax to out-of-state online customers, but they do. The camera was about $250, but you can find them a little cheaper now.

With the Zuikos adapter, it has a 37mm extension ring that I removed to get the spacing right.

This the adapter for the camcorder that you bought right? http://www.tinesup.com/catalog/item/7381735/7696183.htm

That is the one. Their point-and-shoot adapter is pretty much for their camera setup only.

 

[hubba20]

Do you have any pictures of your setup that I can see? I would like to see what it looks like. If you can put it on the spotting scope and take a picture that would be sweet too!
Thanks

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I will see what I can do.

 

[hubba20]

Alright. Thank you. I appreciate it very much!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Here ya go!

 

[hubba20]

That looks like a sweet setup! Thank you for all your help. I think I'm gonna try that setup out and see if it works with my Canon. I'll let you know how it goes once I get it.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Glad I could help. The only hiccup I can see is if the outside diameter of the extending part of the Canon's lense is too big to fit in the 37mm adapter tube. If it fits, it looks like a great setup as well. If not, I am sure you can find a way to get an adapter to work.

 

[hubba20]

Ya it should work though. Your camera's lens looks bigger than the camera I have, so I don't think there will be any problems with it.

 

[goathunter]

sorry to bring up an old thread. bitterrootbulls - what do you get with the $70 Tines Up adapter - just the plastic ring bottom left in your first photo?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Yes you get the adapter marked Tines Up in the first photo. It is not plastic, however, it is anodized aluminum.

 

[goathunter]

thanks. do you think this would be worth doing on a nikon ed-50 (50mm) spotting scope or if I'd need a bigger objective lens? I have the 13-30x/20-45x/25-56x MC zoom eyepiece, that has the flip down rubber eye cup, so I don't even know if it would work. I know they make separate eyepieces for digi-scoping.

 

[shedhead]

Bitterroot,
I wish I would have noticed this thread earlier. I have a Canon S95 that I have been trying to figure out a good system for without buying a whole point and shoot kit from Tines Up. Do you think the Zeikos adapter will work with my Canon? I live the simple set up you got there.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Goathunter,

Shoot them an email and see if they can do it. A 50mm spotter will work, you just end up with slower shutter speeds and other light-related challenges.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Shedhead, If the outside diameter of the barrel of the lens will fit inside the 37mm threads it should work well.