Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!ncar!ico!ism780c!news From: news@ism780c.isc.com (News system) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: Birding Scopes Keywords: Cost, Magnification, Brand Names Message-ID: <31437@ism780c.isc.com> Date: 11 Aug 89 23:17:49 GMT References: <9893@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> Reply-To: marv@ism780.UUCP (Marvin Rubenstein) Distribution: na Organization: Interactive Systems Corp., Santa Monica CA Lines: 37 In article <9893@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> jklee@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (James Kin Wah Lee) writes: Jim asked about scopes, I thought there might be enough intrest by the readers, so I am posting my response to the net. I have a Celestron C90. This is a reflector with 90mm objective. It produces a much sharper and brighter image than any of the refractors that I have tried. I have been using it for about 9 years and have had no trouble with it. However, I have never used it in the rain so I cannot comment about how it would stand up to moisture. (It doesn't rain in So. California. :-) MY scope came with an 18mm eye piece, barrow lens, and an eye piece extender. In various combinations, you get from 55x to something like 200x. For birding I use 55x. It is a real thrill to be able to see the pupil of a bird's eye at a distance of 50 yards. I have a Slik camera tripod (don't recall the model) that has been quite servicable. I fastened a camara strap to the tripod to form a sling. I sling it over my shoulder like a Sam Browne belt. This makes it easy to tote the scope while on a several hour outing. I believe the scope currently sell for around $380. Plus another $80 or so for a tripod. They are advertized in astronomy magazines and are available through mail order. I was able to buy mine at one of the larger camera stores here in Los Angeles. As to photography, adaptors are available for most every camera. As a lens it is 1000mm with a fixed f11 aperture. At f11, focusing is very difficult unless your camera has a special view screen made for the purpose. Also a rigid tripod is a must. I have tried photography with meger results. However, I have seen photographic work done by others that is very good. The only scope that I have tried that is better than mine is a Questar, and I believe that its price is in the $2000 range. Also the Questar is heaver, making toting more work. I recomend that you try the Celestron for your self if all possible. I am extreemly happy with mine. Marv Rubinstein