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Post by Chris B on Dec 18, 2013 12:23:14 GMT 1
Wasn't sure where to post this one but does anyone use either of these for spotting?
76x700 reflector
50x600 refractor telescope
I know these are tri-pod mounted but was thinking of getting one or the other for
spotting at LHR viewing area to read off regs from furthest runway.
Any advice would be appreciated
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Post by viscount on Dec 18, 2013 13:53:54 GMT 1
Yes, your post fits in this section fine.
Perhaps an unexpected answer to your question, but don't bother with any direct optical aid: binoculars, monocular, telescope etc. I have several taking space in the back of a cupboard ever since my first digital camera.
A carefully selected compact digital camera will have a reasonable x 20 or more optical lens magnification, backed up with a further x 30 or more digital zoom magnification. The additional digital magnification will work in the viewfinder in many £120-160 cameras, you don't need a PC to process the image, but one does help to store images. Advantages are that you can examine and study the registration at leisure, not take a snap judgement as the aircraft moves across your field of vision. Clearly though you have to ensure the regn is always in your picture! The log can be compiled at home afterwards at leisure - I've done this at MAN a couple of times when I could not be bothered with paper and pen, and found at Air Shows I get regns and codes that I would have certainly failed to get with binocs. Just look at the photos of OTT trailing aircraft with readable under-wing regns, try getting those with a telescope, even on a tripod. Heat haze can be a pain - but then it is with a telescope too, with a camera several images can often produce an answer. Auto focus and auto exposure mean that rarely would you miss recording a particular aircraft. True there is a short gap between pressing shutter button and the image being recorded, but with regular use you get to anticipate the right moment to click the button. A decent memory card will record hundreds of images and can be cleared and re-used.
If you have the cash, then a Canon or Nikon SLR with a zoom unto 400mm and photo processing programme on a PC would give the greatest flexibility, but require a much deeper pocket than a digital compact.
Anyway, my thoughts on the issue, others are free to agree or disagree, there is no one answer!
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Post by maverick on Dec 18, 2013 17:33:22 GMT 1
Yes, your post fits in this section fine. Perhaps an unexpected answer to your question, but don't bother with any direct optical aid: binoculars, monocular, telescope etc. I have several taking space in the back of a cupboard ever since my first digital camera. A carefully selected compact digital camera will have a reasonable x 20 or more optical lens magnification, backed up with a further x 30 or more digital zoom magnification. The additional digital magnification will work in the viewfinder in many £120-160 cameras, you don't need a PC to process the image, but one does help to store images. Advantages are that you can examine and study the registration at leisure, not take a snap judgement as the aircraft moves across your field of vision. Clearly though you have to ensure the regn is always in your picture! The log can be compiled at home afterwards at leisure - I've done this at MAN a couple of times when I could not be bothered with paper and pen, and found at Air Shows I get regns and codes that I would have certainly failed to get with binocs. Just look at the photos of OTT trailing aircraft with readable under-wing regns, try getting those with a telescope, even on a tripod. Heat haze can be a pain - but then it is with a telescope too, with a camera several images can often produce an answer. Auto focus and auto exposure mean that rarely would you miss recording a particular aircraft. True there is a short gap between pressing shutter button and the image being recorded, but with regular use you get to anticipate the right moment to click the button. A decent memory card will record hundreds of images and can be cleared and re-used. If you have the cash, then a Canon or Nikon SLR with a zoom unto 400mm and photo processing programme on a PC would give the greatest flexibility, but require a much deeper pocket than a digital compact. Anyway, my thoughts on the issue, others are free to agree or disagree, there is no one answer! I agree with the biscuitman - with a scope at range it is difficult keeping it steady whereas most cameras have stabilization.. and with a camera you have a record too! |
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Post by Biggles on Dec 23, 2013 22:11:40 GMT 1
If you needed proof to support the answers already given just looking at some of the OTT dots uploaded should be enough to sway you towards either a DSLR and suitable lens.
The latest Panasonic Lumix which I just purchased from PC World comes with a image stabilised lens with an optical zoom of...........60x, incredible at £369 when compared to say a Canon DSLR with an 100-400 is lens.
No competition.
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