Take a look at video footage taken through a Kowa spotting scope, a video camera, and a video adapter.

[Broadband Size：640x480pix　　Narrowband Size：320x240pix] White-backed Woodpecker　[27 Sec.] Broadband 10.3MB Narrowband 3.5MB Oriental Turtle Dove       　[39 Sec.] Broadband 14.9MB Narrowband 5MB Varied Tit  [11 Sec.] Broadband 4.3MB Narrowband 1.5MB Great Tit  [52 Sec.] Broadband 9.6MB Narrowband 6.6MB Narcissus Flycatcher          [37 Sec.] Broadband 14.3MB Narrowband 4.8MB Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker  [22 Sec.] Broadband 8.5MB Narrowband 2.9MB Common Kingfisher               [ 39 Sec.] Broadband 15MB Narrowband 5MB Brown Dipper  [18 Sec.] Broadband 7.3MB Narrowband 2.5MB The contents above require the use of WindowsMediaPlayer to be viewed. If you do not have Windows Media Player download it here for free.

△ TOP

To eliminate color aberration we recommend using the PROMINAR models. ※The TS-500 Series can not be used. The size of your spotting scope determines the maximum size of the video camera that you can attach to the TSN-DA3.                                            Click here for allowances by scope. （28/30/30.5/37/43/46/52/55/58/72mm） Select the adapter ring that matches the filter thread size of your camera.

Can I Use The Video Camera I Have? Kowa offers 10 sizes of adapter rings（28/30/30.5/37/43/46/52/55/58/72mm）to allow adaptability of a wide variety of video cameras.  When the filter diameter of your video camera does not match the adapter ring sizes Kowa offers, you may be able to use a step-up or step-down ring to adjust the size. Click here for camera filter thread sizes.                  The use of the universal mount system does not require the use of an adapter ring, but you must align the optical axis of the video camera and the video adapter. Some large video cameras can not be used with the TSN-DA3 as they exceed the maximum size allowances of the product.  Click here to check allowances

△ TOP

Leave the focusing to the auto focus function of the video camera! Unlike digiscoping with a digital camera, "digivideo" does not require fine focus adjustment. ※Rough focusing can be done on the spotting scope. The use of the TSN-VA1 allows you to enjoy video taping the scenes around you at an appropriate focal length.  Since the TSN-VA1 has an integrated eyepiece of only 8x (8.7x TSN-820M Series), the effective focal length of the system is brought down to a manageable length. Since most video cameras can be used with the adapter from approximately 2x, all the way to the tele angle, recording without vignetting can begin at a little less than 1,000mm, making finding the object you wish to record easy.  It is possible to video tape a wide range of objects from as close as 10 meters to as far away a several hundred meters. (Video cameras with large objective lenses may have darkening or vignetting at the edges of the image.) Effective Focal Length: Camera Focal Length × Eyepiece Magnification ＜Example＞　Camera's Tele Angle 420mm × 8X ＝ 3,360mm 　※35mm Equivalent 1000mm Image 3000mm Image The image enlarged by the excellent optical performance of the Kowa spotting scope is captured on the video camera through the collimation method.  The collimation method allows you to record amazing high-resolution images without the price of professional equipment. The pure fluorite crystal lens found in the TSN-823M/824M spotting scopes is especially recommended for this type of digiscoping as it eliminates color aberration and will maximize the use of available light in low-light conditions. The TSN-VA2 is for high quality digital video cameras with filter sizes larger than 50mm.  It can also be used to eliminate vignetting in video cameras that have vignetting when used with the TSN-VA1.  The magnification of the TSN-VA2 has been increased from 8x (TSN-VA1) to 12x (13x TSN-820M Series), so a wider range of focal lengths are available. The TSN-VA2 can also be used on high vision camera's like the Sony FX1.

△ TOP

The problem that occurs most often in digiscoping is "vibration".  To eliminate this problem as much as possible, it is important to use a strong and sturdy tripod.  It is also important to have proper balance of the spotting scope and camera to help with vibration problems.  The TSN-DA3 will allow you to find the proper balance of the system and help control vibration. The use of a fluid video pan head is recommended for super telephoto video because of their smooth movement and ease of handling.  It is also recommended to have a  video head with a quick release mount.

△ TOP

Digiscoping is great but it only captures one moment of an entire event.  The appealing points of videotape is the movement and the sounds recorded.  When an entire event is videotaped, you can enjoy the event over and over again.  In some instances you may see or hear something that was missed when the event was first recorded. Images that you recorded can be played back on a television and are perfect for sharing with family and friends. You can also immediately play back recorded  images when on a trip and relive the experience again. Many digital video cameras on the market now will not only record moving objects, but they take still photos as well.  Of these cameras, there are several that can take still photos of 3.0 MP, allowing you to enjoy both "digivideo" and "digiscoping" in one camera. Video is perfect for research and educational purposes.  A scene that is video taped has much more information that a still photo and is a perfect  teaching tool.  The recorded scenes can give insights into behavior and the recorded sound can also be used for sound identifications.  There are many people today that create their own websites.  The movies that you record can be posted on a website where your friends, family, etc. can easily access and enjoy them.

△ TOP

Copyright 2005 Kowa Optimed, Inc. All rights reserved.