Subject: Swarovski STX 95 Scope for Digiscoping [Print This Page] Author: fneil Time: 24/02/2013 13:31 Subject: Swarovski STX 95 Scope for Digiscoping
I've had the scope for about 6 weeks now and am enjoying it very much. The power of the 30-70x zoom eyepiece ( only on the STX 95)comes into it's own out on the mudflats at Mai Po. This is not a scope for back yard or canopy birding, for those the 65/85 mm scopes would be better.
I have the TLS APO adapter for Nikon mount and Micro Four Mount Cameras ( there is a Canon mount also ). As it is a T2 mount I also purchased a Nex mount in Hong Kong for my Sony NEX 7. This adapter works like the old DCA-type adapters and has one locking screw to release it when removing it for viewing. This is much more user friendly than the older TLS adapter. The TLS APO has a built in 30 mm lens which reduces the power of the zoom eyepiece by 30/50 as well as protecting the camera sensor from dust when removed off the scope for viewing. http://www.swarovskioptik.us/en_us/products/camera-adapters
For other digicams that don't have adapters the DCB 11 is very easy to use. For viewing it swings out of the way easily.
I have a Set on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/sets/72157632140430721/
Here is a video taken with the Nikon Coolpix P310 at different magnifications with the STX 95 https://vimeo.com/59963549 at a distance of about 8 meters
and another Mai Po https://vimeo.com/59205121 at a distance of 60 meters.
I have tested the Nikon D7000,V1,8400,6000,P310,D800,Sony NEX 7,RX100,NEX 5,Panasonic GF1. The Full Frame D800 has too much vignetting to be useful and there is a slight shadowing with the NEX cameras but not enough to be a problem most of the time.
The build quality is the usual Swarovski hi standard and is much more solid on the tripod than the Kowa Lens/scope that I've been using for the last two years. It would be hard to tell the difference in optical quality between the two brands though and I haven't done a direct comparison yet, but I prefer the 30-70x eyepiece of the Swarovski over the 20-60 of the Kowa ( Kowa have a new 25-60 eyepiece but I haven't tried it yet as I don't have one )
Neil
ps the Scope and attachments were kindly provided to me by Swarovski
