Page 49 - BBC Wildlife - August 2017 UK

RUTLAND SPECIAL

The TSN-883 angled
The basics spotting scope is
There’s never been a better Kowa’s bestseller.
choice of telescopes for wildlife
watching, and there’s no better
place than Birdfair to familiarise
yourself with what is available.
Scopes can be ‘straight’, with
the eyepiece in line with the
objective (front lens), or ‘angled’,
with it pointing up. Angled
scopes take some getting used
to, but provide comfortable
viewing, allow a shorter tripod
and make it easier to share with
people of different heights.
Objectives – the big lens at
the front – range from 50mm
to 100mm across. A good small
scope does the job in most
situations and is lighter and
easier to carry, which is worth
considering if you travel and
walk a lot, but it won’t perform binocular eyepiece will give a LOOK FOR Some scopes have both fine and
as well in low light. Larger different visual experience to a coarse focusing wheels – this
objectives let more light in and single eyepiece. A SHARP, is particularly useful at higher
are recommended if you want to BRIGHT IMAGE magnifications.
take photos through your scope. Try before you buy Other features to look for
Many scopes have several You can’t beat testing kit in THAT SNAPS include rotating collars, which
eyepieces available, but bear the field – and this is where INTO FOCUS.” help when sharing the scope or
in mind these are normally Birdfair’s optics marquee really viewing from an awkward
sold separately so can be an comes into its own. Ideally try position, and lens hoods. A
additional cost. Zooms (such as the optics in different lighting close-focus – some eyepieces stay-on case should allow easy
20x–60x) are popular, but good conditions, including poor light. focus to under 3m, which is access to the lenses and focusing
ones can be expensive. If you Look for a sharp, bright, natural great for insect-watching. wheel, and the rotating collar.
choose a fixed magnification image that snaps into focus and Make sure the eyecup stays in
eyepiece, which will tend to be has minimal colour fringing position and isn’t too wobbly, and DAVID CHANDLER is a
less expensive, around 30x is (look for yellow/purple around that the zoom ring and focusing natural-history writer and
good. If it’s a wide-angle, even pale objects, poles, wires and wheel(s) move smoothly with environmental educator.
better. Swarovski’s new BTX building edges). Check the acceptable resistance and travel. Turn over for scope guide ➤

ESSENTIAL TELESCOPE ACCESSORIES Camera/phone
Three handy pieces of kit to use with your new optics. attachment
Surprisingly good photos can
Tripod Hide clamp be taken through a telescope
Every telescope needs a This is an easier-to- nowadays, using a conventional
decent tripod.This should carry alternative to a digital camera or smartphone.
be stable,portable and tall tripod that takes up There are many adapters on the
enough,ideally without you less space in a hide, market to make this easier. If this
having to extend the centre but isn’t as versatile. interests you, make sure there’s
column.If you want to sit Simply tighten the an appropriate adapter to connect
on the ground to use the jaws onto the hide’s your camera or phone to the scope
telescope,check that it viewing shelf and in which you’re interested,
bfore you buy.
goes low enough with adjust the column bef b
the scope on.Choose a height. Can be
pan-tilt head or,if it’s bought as clamp
for photography as only (add your own
well,a 3-way head, column and head),
ideally with a quick- clamp and column,
release plate. or as the complete
package.

August 2017 BBC Wildlife 49