DSEP_FAQ

EagleEye Digiscoping Eyepiece
for most leading brands of Spotting Scope

Frequently Asked Questions

If there is anything else that you would like to ask please feel free to e-mail us and we will be pleased to answer your questions.

Will the DS Eyepiece fit any type of spotting scope ?	We have manufactured Scope Adapter Rings to allow the DS Eyepiece to be used with most of the leading spotting scopes. Initially we will have Scope Adapter Rings for Leica, Swarovski, Nikon, Opticron, Kowa, Meade, Pentax, 1.25". Additional Scope Adapter Rings will be added in due course. The Scope Adapter Ring is first screwed into the DS Eyepiece and then the DS Eyepiece is fitted to the scope body as normal. If at any time you change your scope to another manufacturer then all that is needed to allow the use of the DS Eyepiece on the new scope is another inexpensive Scope Adapter Ring. The DS Eyepiece does require simple configuring for your particular set-up and instructions on how to do this are supplied.
Why do you quote the DS Eyepiece power as being 10x / 12x ?	Because the DS Eeyepiece will fit on many scopes, there are factors specific to each individual combination of scope body / eyepiece set-up that determines the actual magnification power. The DS Eyepiece is adjustable and so the magnification power can be varied very slightly on each given scope body as can the close-up focus capability of the scope, if required. Due to these available permutations the magnification power is quoted as a 'range' rather than as an absolute figure. On some of the latest ''micro' body type spotting scopes the magnification factor may even be around 7x / 8x.
What are the main benefits of using the DS Eyepiece ?	The DS Eyepiece is a low power eyepiece with large diameter, high quality optics producing bright, crisp images and will generally improve the Digiscoping results otherwise obtainable with a normal eyepiece. It has been specifically designed to help you overcome the 6 main problems encountered in Digiscoping with regards to the equipment used :- - Vignetting ( dark edges / corners surrounding the image ) and its consequent restriction on the useable camera zoom range. - Excessive magnification ( with the complications this brings for Digiscoping, such as sensitivity to vibration and consequent image bluring ). - Restricted 'depth of field ' ( where only part of the subject is in good focus - The difficulty of being able to achieve a good focus of the subject - The problems associated with working in overcast and lower light conditions - The restricted range of cameras / camcorder models that can be used for Digiscoping. For Camcorders: With most camcorders vignetting ( edge darkening / circle on the image ) is present until the camcorder is zoomed forward to approx 5x. This means that even using a relatively low-powered normal 20x eyepiece the minimum useasble magnification would be 100x ( i.e. 5x20 ). This magnification is far too high for most Digiscoping applications and makes the technique more difficult to perform simply because of the high magnification being used. Using the DS Eyepiece with the same camcorder settings will result in a magnification of 50x / 60x ( i.e. 5x 10 / 12 ) which is far more useable for Digiscoping purposes. Being able to use loer, more manageable magnifications reduces the liklihood of problems with equipment vibration and consequent image blurring, as well as simplifying critical focussing. In many circumstances the subject is either big or relatively close and working at 100x would mean that only part of the subject can be fitted into the shot. Zooming the camcorder back to a lower zoom setting ( say 2x ), may fit the entire subject in but brings back the vignetting which spoils the image. The DS Eyepiece will allow many camcorders to operate at a lower zoom setting ( say 2x ) without this severe vignetting problem. It can also be adjusted to slightly improve the close-focus capability of the set-up which may prove useful in many situations. See some sample images showing the reduction in vignetting
Will my camcorder or digital still camera benefit from using the DS Eyepiece for Digiscoping ?	The DS Eyepiece has been primarily designed to benefit camcorders ( as described above ). It will in many cases also benefit larger diameter lens digital still cameras and allow them to be used for Digiscoping with greater success than using normal eyepieces. It can also be used with smaller lens digital still cameras ( e.g. Nikon Coolpix 4500 ) to provide a lower magnification power range ( e.g. 10x / 12x to 40x / 50x ) than that provided by a standard 20x eyepiece ( 20x to 80x ), which is ideal for 'fitting in' to the photo either closer or bigger subjects. Achieving good focus on the subject is also generally easier and because of the incresded 'depth of field ' it provides, generally more of the subject will be in focus as well - see some sample images taken with the Nikon CP4500 It is a low-power eyepiece with large diameter, high quality optics producing bright, crisp images and will generally improve the Digiscoping results otherwise obtainable with a normal eyepiece. Because of the many optical function design differences found amongst the large number of different models of camcorder and digital still cameras there will always be a proportion of equipment where the results obtained from using the DS Eyepiece will not produce any significant improvements to otherwise achieveable Digiscoping results. As such we cannot comment on the sort of results each possible combination might produce nor do we warrant the results.
You mention that the DS Eyepiece is adjustable, what does this mean ?	The DS Eyepiece consists of 6 separate parts forming the fully assembled eyepiece : - The main Eyepiece Lens. - The Outer Casing. - 2 Locking Rings. - An adjustable 'Stand-Off' / Eye Relief Ring. - The Scope Adapter Ring. The reason for this versatility in design is to provide the maximum flexibility in the eyepiece so that it can cater for as many operational / equipment permutations as possible. Initially, the eyepiece has to be set-up for your particular scope and camcorder / camera. This is a very simple process and once done does not need to be repeated unless you change your scope or camcorder / camera. Full instructions on how to do this are included with the eyepiece. The possible adjustments that can be made are : Change the Scope Adapter Ring Allows the DS eyepiece to be used on different scope bodies 'Tune' the eyepiece to your particular scope body. Ensures close-focus / infinity parameters of the combination are correct Vary the magnification power. Enables a slight adjustment to the magnification power Vary the close-focus capability. Enables a slight adjustment to the close-focus capability Vary the camcorder / camera 'stand-off' / eye-relief. Allows the gap between the DS eyepiece lens and the camcorder / digital still camera lens or the eye to be varied for best results.
What do I get when I purchase the DS Eyepiece ?	Included is the assembled DS Eyepiece, comprising of : - The main Eyepiece Lens - The Outer Casing - 2 Locking Rings - An adjustable anodised aluminium Eye Relief Ring Also supplied is : - padded eyepiece protection case with zip - 2 lens caps - full instructions - presentation box You will have to purchase separately the Scope Adapter Ring for your particular scope. There are special Packages available which offer significant savings.
Is the DS Eyepiece suitable for normal eye use as well as for Digiscoping ?	Yes it is. Because the DS Eyepiece is configured primarily for use with camcorders and digital still cameras with larger diameter lenses, when being viewed by eye it has a very long eye relief. Additionally, the viewed image may not be completely circular on some scopes. Because the DS Eyepiece has such a large diameter lens and the way it is configured can mean that it exceeds the normal performance limits of some scope bodies. This can result in the normal ''viewable circle' having flat edges instead of round ones. This phenomenon only results in a very slight loss of the overall viewable area, does not affect quality or use and only occurs on a small number of 'micro' scope bodies.
How good is the optical quality of the eyepiece ?	The DS Eyepiece gives a bright, crisp, sharp image comparable or superior to most leading eyepieces. Whilst it is extremely difficult to describe optical performance in words, many of the experienced optics users and optics dealers that have had the opportunity to try the DS Eyepiece have commented that the optical quality is superior to many other leading brand eyepieces on the market. Mr Paul Hackett ( one of the leading UK Digiscopers ) has been trialing a pre-production prototype of the DS Eyepiece for us and is extremely impressed both with its quality and also the practical advantages it provides for Digiscoping. see some sample images taken with the Nikon CP4500
I already have a DigiMount Adapter, can I use it with the DS Eyepiece ?.	Yes, the DS Eyepiece requires a Type L5 DigiMount Adapter. It is also possible to use a Type L4 DigiMount Adapter, at it's maximum setting, although you will need to tighten the thumbscrews more to do so. If you need to purchase a new Insert Collar ( Type L5 ) so that you can use your DigiMount Adapter with the DS Eyepiece, these are offered at a reduced price if purchased at the same time as the DS Eyepiece in one of our special Packages.