Long Range Birding setup

New toy. Haven't tried it yet

Q, sighting scope, third party K to Q adapter and DA 300. Will try the Siggy 150-500 too

Interesting

Looking forward to seeing the results!

Alan - I tried the Q with the DA*300 (no sighting scope) and found that in practice it was impractical for my type of bird photography (just far too slow to set up, acquire and shoot - must be on a time or remote) however if used in a hide and pre-focused on a known perch (e.g. kingfishers) then it could be useful.

HI Kevin. Agree, not for the normal stuff. More for out of reach birds on perches. Probably larger, slower moving like owls.

So it will get limited use.

The sighting sscope does speed things up though. Without it because of the crop magnification you can struggle to find the subject

Alan, I've found the scope, which is out of stock. Do you have a link for the mount to the flash shoe?

Think the scope looks quite cool being a Pentax. There are plenty other brands knocking about.

Here you go Barrie

http://www.photosolve.com/main/product/xtendasight/index.html

Interesting - I hope the results are as good as the set up looks

I'm just about to obtain a 400mm prime (M42 mount) which I'll plonk the Q on, and I'm quite excited to play. I'd not thought about using a scope though! I'm very intrigued if that helps.

Out of curiosity, where can they be obtained, and I assume you need a converter to slot it on a hot shoe mount?

Here's the scope I have

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/pentax-1x-gameseeker-rd10-red-dot-sight-matte-p-5253...

and the link for the hot shoe attachment

http://www.photosolve.com/main/product/xtendasight/index.html

Fantastic, thanks Alan!

How does the advertised 30mm focal length of the scope compare in APS-C terms, is there a multiplier you can use to gauge a comparison?

The 30mm is just the diameter of the eyepiece. There is no magnification. It says 1x

Specifications - Pentax 1x Gameseeker RD10 Red Dot Sight Matte

Magnification 1x
Objective Diameter 30mm
Exit Pupil Diameter 30mm
Impact Point Correction per Click 1/3 MOA
Relative Brightness 900.0
Twilight Factor 30.0
Weatherproofing Waterproof/fogproof
Dimensions 3.82" (97 mm) in Length
Weight 0.44 lb (200 g)

Ah, sorry Alan, I'm with you.

So it doesn't offer a great deal in the way of magnification, but it helps to point in the right direction/line up the shot before activating the Q.

Here's how it works Bob

Put the whole thing together

Put the Q on a stable platform (e.g. tripod)

Using the LCD screen on the camera and 400mm lens attached, focus on something at about the distance you would be using it for birding. Make sure it is in the centre of the screen. I used a front door handle over the road.

Look through the scope where you will see a red dot (it is internal. It isn't a laser which puts a spot on the subject)

Adjust the scope (using screw adjusters) so the red dot appears superimposed on the subject (the door handle)

That's it.

When using your 400mm lens you'll find its so magnified you'll struggle to find your subject. All you need to do now though is line up the red dot through the scope, and your subject will be central in the camera LCD screen

Not tried it on any birds yet. Will have to see how it does

Thanks Alan, this is very useful indeed!