Howsit,
So im looking at spending $750-$1000 on a spotting scope, was wondering if it worth getting a camera instead for that money? Anyone have a decent camera under $1000? Then i can record our hunting trip as well.
Cheers, Marshall
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Howsit,
So im looking at spending $750-$1000 on a spotting scope, was wondering if it worth getting a camera instead for that money? Anyone have a decent camera under $1000? Then i can record our hunting trip as well.
Cheers, Marshall
I use a Panasonic video recorder with bloody good results
Got it from Harvey Norman ....... Good zoom and video quality, cheap as chips too.
Digital Camera, Sony Camera, Video Camera, Video Recorder | Harvey Norman New Zealand
Cheers
Pete
I videoed a hind at 1.1kms the other week.
Worked out pretty good.
Got some vids on you tube, like this one
https://youtu.be/YPvJCQIWXRw
Cheers
Pete
$500 will get you a camera with 50 optical zoom, take a photo using the tripod and then digital zoom from there. Good to around a km
Great thread topic. I was also in this position 3 years ago and went down the camera route, but I don't then also have a spotting scope to compare resolution. Though very pleased to have a zoom camera for trip photography and its versatility over a scope, I have my doubts now that the resolution is as good, even for budget spotting scopes of equal cost around $500. As an example of resolution I can use the camera (Canon SX50) to see 6.5mm bullet holes at 200m on a target, by taking a photograph and then inspecting the image on the LCD with zoom, but for me at least it doesn't work beyond 200m.
Maybe if you have both camera & scope you could let us know which models these are, and what each is capable of please ? At the OPs $1000 price point is the situation the same as at the low end, and what about for the top end scopes around $5000 vs top camera optics ?
For me it is simply a matter of portability. I have a camera I take hunting to take photos with and it can double as a spotter (long range magnifier) if need be. It is not ideal in this role but then I don"t use it enough for that purpose to warrant carrying another couple of kgs of spotting scope with me. I already carry enough crap around on my back that I don't use.
what do you do with your cameras on the damp days?
@bigbear
I use a custom designed high tech polymer covering similar to this one
Attachment 65290
;)
Cheers
Pete
Yep Canon SX50 for me, does the job beautifully for me.
Heres some footage from 1155 yards, didnt have the tripod with me, just rested over my knee. https://youtu.be/y7srE77cJWk
Just under 1500 yards cannon sx60hs
While we couldn't be certain how many points, where you maybe able to with a 5k spotter we could see enough to warrant more walkies...
If your budget is 1k then definitely camera.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c870618e48.jpg
1000 yards with a 4k spotter and phone adapter
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...19a6545627.jpg
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I use a Nikon p900. Was $800, put a tripod under it and she's sweet as a spotter. Filmed out to and past a km no worries
Yep just found myself a nikon p900 that im gonna purchase and use as a double. 83x zoom. Theres some pretty impressive vids on youtube of the camera zoom. Thanks guys.
Bought a Panasonic HC-V380 full HD video camera for under $1000 last year. It has a 90X zoom. Took it away goat hunting in october. While sighting in the rifles my buddy and I had the camera set up next to us on the bench. With the camera turned on ( but not recording) we were able to use the zoom function to see bullet holes on paper out to 400m+ with the 204 , 22-250 no problem. It has the ability to take still shots as well if you want.
Bought a MeFOTO mini tripod to use with it. Camera with tripod attached fits in my pack. The tripod is small enough to brace on my chest while filming to stop the shakes. Only takes about 30 seconds to get it out of the pack and ready for filming.
Now it has become essential equipment when a range trip is scheduled and the spotting scope stays at home.
As mentioned, no point buying a high zoom camera without a decent tripod. I've always used a slik tripod with my cameras. Same as this, it's older but taken the abuse I have thrown at it being strapped on the side of my pack.
Tripods - SLIK Compact-XL - SLRgear.com!
Also, similar to other guys, for me a camera essentially does two jobs and is pretty lightweight. I'd love a big spotter, but cost/weight/bulk takes them off the list for me.
Here's a pic of the big old 10 I shot last week, which verified straight away we needed to get closer. This photo is taken from 4.6kms away according to Google Earth.
Attachment 65427
A trick to getting clearer shots is to set your camera on a 2 second self timer, so you are not moving it at the same time you hit the shutter button. Also, only use the optical zoom, take a shot, then zoom in on the picture itself. Rather than use digital zoom at time of taking the photo.
I've also found having the camera in video mode and recording while zoomed right in will help with keeping the camera in focus and clearer to watch/see for longer.
Another way to steady the tripod is to take a small stuff bag, but a few rocks in it an hang it off the tripod. This will increase the mass of the tripod and make it steadier, not much use of no rocks around though.
how do these cheap ultra zooms fare in low light though? they seem to good to be true considering theres not much glass and they use tiny sensors? ive never played with one though
I think the Sx 50 is f3.4 at best and reduces with full zoom. Not the best just on dusk but ok most of the time.
Once you start getting really high mag then everything must be perfect for a good photo. Often it is the air quality/mirage that wrecks the high mag photo quality. I'd be looking at the make/quality of the lens and the maximum aperture size. The Sx 60 has a max aperture range of 3.4-6.5 while the P900 has 2.8-6.5. All things being equal the wider aperture range will be better at low light levels for the P900 (from my limited photographic memory/knowledge)
Is any using a Nikon P610 or lumix FZ72
Am blaming you guys on here. Went and brought a canon sx60 today up graded from my sx30. Any settings you reccomend using @JoshC ? Also recommended camera cases that add a bit of protection?
Nice one, im still awaiting mine via postage, hopefully it arrives this coming week so i can have a play!
Same camera as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prLIGThxn3Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYfJMZcAyYg
Have a look on youtube to learn how to tweak settings for best results, that's how I'm learning to use mine.
Found these the other day - thought it'd be worth trying out;
https://bushbuckoutdoors.com/collect...oof-camera-bag
Anyone using or looking at the Panasonic FZ80? Compared it with the SX60 in Harvey Norman today and think I'd look at the FZ80. Might be too new of a model to have many reviews.
Great thread, SX60HS it is... May try find a second hand one. Should save me $4500 on a spotter haha
I'm changing my ideas on this after my last trip. Had sx50 and Leupold 60x spotter with a phone. Phone through scope was getting WAY better shots than my camera @silentscope could chuck up a pic of that chamoi and I'll find the one I took
I don't think people are suggesting you will get better results with a zoom camera, just that you can use one instead of carting around a huge spotter in your pack. And the cost is a lot less.
Interested in this as am currently looking at getting a swaro spotter
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My thinking is binos are for glassing then super zoom camera or spotting scope to assess
Plus is some of the super-zooms have more zoom that the spotter but not waterproof or robust but you can take video or stills
spotting scopes cost silly money generally robust as hell, have better optical performance but you still need to take a camera or video
I along with a mate have been doing a heap of both lately.
Sx60 camera and swaro 20-60 spotting scopes.
You really need to have the camera steady as possible to get a good enough pic at distance to determine if you are looking at a shooter. Not all the time but it helps. (Also taking in to account I suck at photography)
We have found a Spotter is way easier and faster to assess an animal. Especially when they're moving around.
If you have to zoom in on a pic to assess a trophy you are only looking at one frame and angle.
Depending on animal your hunting it can take a while to make a D.
I try to score the animal when looking at it thru the scope.
Usually get it within a couple points on reds. Thar and chams within an inch.
I don't do as well looking at pics for some reason.
Fallow I usually get within 5-10 as I find them the hardest due to body size varying in the herd we normally hunt, length and width can be deceiving.
Both work but I prefer the scope.
Especially on a cold damp misty morning and you're in a hurry.
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Quite a price difference between a Swaro spotter and a Canon SX60 though. I may be wrong but would imagine a spotter of similar price to a SX60 would not give any better image than the camera video.