50065 DCC adapter - compatibility with Opticron eyepieces
The following list shows which insert (or set of inserts) are required to fit a particular eyepiece. Prices of recommended eyepieces; HDF T 40810, HDF T 40937 and HR 40812 are are listed in the table below.

HDF T 40862

50067 45.5 HDF T 40810 HDF T 40937 HRHDF T 40872 dis HDF T 40809 HDF 40862 dis HR MM2 409093
500681 41.5 HDF 40810 dis HDF 408093 dis HRHRIS 409183

HR 40812 HR 408133 dis

OTE REMTROL E CONILABL LE AVAE TAB E
50068 insert only fits in combination with 50067 insert 50069 insert only fits in combination with 50068 and 50067 inserts Remove rubber eyecup before connecting DCC adapter dis - discontinued eyepieces

Accessories

Chosen specifically to compliment the camera, camera lens mount and DCC adapter, the following accessories are included in either the Mini or Maxi kits. They are also available separately. SD memory 2Gb
Storage 2Gb: Images 14M (4384x3288 pixels) S.FINE 272 exp FINE 528 exp 10M (4384x2464 pixels) S.FINE 359 exp FINE 692 exp Movies (1280x720HD) 30fps 20mins Code: 50072 SLB-1137D 3.7V 1100mAh. Code: 50133 Includes mains and 12v DC in-car charger and carrier for battery. Code: 50109
Digital Compact Camera Kits for Telephotography
featuring Samsung NV100HD camera with 50064 SDL DCC adapter or 50065 DCC adapter

Li-ion battery

Battery charger kit

Pricing

Code Model 50135 NV100 DCC Mini kit price includes;

SRP inc VAT

NV100HD, 50072, 50131, 50065, 50066 & 50067
289.00 289.00 349.00 349.00 49.00 16.00 34.99 10.99 14.99 10.99 50.00 39.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 129.00 129.00
50136 NV100 SDL DCC Mini kit price includes;
NV100HD, 50072, 50131, 50064
50137 NV100 DCC Maxi kit price includes;
NV100HD, 50073, 50114, 50131, 50133, 50109, 50065, 50066 & 50067
50138 NV100 SDL DCC Maxi kit price includes;
NV100HD, 50073, 50114, 50131, 50133, 50109 & 50064

50068 50069

Camera lens mount NV100 Battery SLB-1137D Digi Charger + carrier Lexar 2Gb SD (or equivalent) Lexar 4Gb SD (or equivalent) Remote control - NV100 SDL DCC adapter (41113 + 41123 model) DCC adapter 51mm insert for 50065 45.5mm insert for 50065 41.5mm insert for insert only fits in combination with 50067 insert 33mm insert for insert only fits in combination with 50068 & 50067 inserts Recommended Eyepieces 40810 HDF T 40937 HDF T
Product Information & User Guide
including Retail Price List May 2009
OPTICRON PO Box 370, Unit 21, Titan Court, Laporte Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8YR, UK Telephone: Facsimile: E-mail: sales@opticron.co.uk
Opticron digital compact camera kits are a high quality, easy to use solution to the problem of choosing a suitable compact camera for high magnification telephotography (digi-scoping). NV100 kits are available in Mini or Maxi. The Mini kit comprises a Samsung NV100HD camera with 2Gb SD memory card and bespoke camera lens mount plus the option of one of the following: a. DCC adapter and 2 inserts for connection to selected HDF T, HDF, HR2 and HR eyepieces b. SDL DCC adapter for connection to the 40935 SDL eyepiece Maxi kits include a 4GB SD card, remote control, spare Li-ion rechargeable battery and an AC mains / DC in-car charger.

User instructions

1. Choosing an eyepiece (50065 DCC adapter only) For best overall image quality and the widest choice of magnifications at which a full frame image is obtained use any of the following eyepieces: HDF T 40810, HDF T 40937 with 50067 insert or HR 40812 with 50069 in combination with 50068 and 50067 inserts. Depending on the focal length and objective dia. of your telescope, other suitable eyepieces may include; HDF T 40862, HDF T 40872, HDF T 40809, HRand HR2 40930. 2. Initial setup Before connecting everything together, set up your telescope and eyepiece on a tripod as you would for viewing, making sure your chosen eyepiece is screwed firmly into position. Focus on an object in the normal way until the image being viewed comes into sharp focus. Twisttype eyecups should be in the down position and fold down rubber eyecups should be removed from the eyepiece. 3. Preparing the camera and lens mount Loosen the locking ring on the lens mount and slide the mount over the lens housing on the camera until it fits flush against the front of the camera body. [Fig. 1] Holding the camera and locking ring section of the lens mount in one hand, turn the main tube of the lens mount clockwise until the mount is securely tightened. [Fig. 2] 4. Preparing and fitting your chosen adapter Assemble the component parts of your chosen adapter as illustrated on previous page. [Fig. 6] Screw the adapter onto the camera lens mount. [Fig. 3] The camera is now ready to attach to the viewing eyepiece. [Fig. 4] 5. Fitting the combined assembly to the telescope eyepiece [Fig. 5] Place assembly over the eyepiece and push down until the internal wall of the adapter comes into contact with the end of the eyepiece. [a] Hold the main section of the adapter secure and turn the locking ring anti-clockwise until tight making sure the camera remains horizontal. [b] Turn the camera ON, making sure the flash is switched off before taking photographs. For additional guidance on how to operate the NV100HD, please read the instructions supplied with the camera. Tips for taking pictures The NV100HD has no conventional viewfinder so images are composed using the LCD monitor. When the camera is turned on the LCD monitor will show a single rounded picture of the image you originally set your scope and eyepiece to. Once this single rounded picture is obtained you can adjust the zoom function to eliminate any vignetting and make any fine focus adjustments using the telescope. Set shooting mode to either P or M giving you access to the majority of manual functions including; Shooting mode (single, high speed and Mcapture), Metering, Flash ON/OFF, ISO settings and Exposure Compensation.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Product information

Fig. 6
Camera fitted with lens mount

Fig. 3

Samsung NV100HD camera 14.7 mega pixel CCD Schneider KREUZNACH lens f.6.0~21.6mm 3.6x optical zoom
35mm equivalent; 28mm to 102mm Magnification; 0.56x to 2.04x
F2.8~F5.9 TTL auto focus (multi, spot, face) Macro: 5~80cm (wide) Shutter 1~1/2000 Exposure - Control: Program AE, Metering: Multi, Spot - Compensation: 2EV 1/3 EV steps - ISO: auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Shooting - 16 scene modes, continuous, high speed & multiple capture AVI MPEG-4 1280x720HD 30 fps 3.0 hVGA Touch Screen WxHxD: 94.9x59.5x19.9mm Weight: 138g (w/o battery & card)
50064 SDL DCC adapter (41113 + 41123 model) This adapter comprises an aluminium tube & locking ring fitted with a delrin insert manufactured to the diameter of the 40935 SDL eyepiece. Camera side, the adapter is fitted with a 28mm thread for connection to the lens mount supporting the camera. Eyepiece side, the push-fit connection over the 40935 SDL eyepiece has anti-clockwise lock down. Important note: To get the best image adjust magnification setting on the eyepiece to; HR 66 38x, HR 80 48x, GS 665 32x, GS 815, ES 80 40x
50065 DCC adapter The DCC adapter comprises an aluminium tube & locking ring that can be fitted with a number of delrin inserts of different diameters. Camera side, the DCC adapter features a 28mm thread connection to the lens mount supporting the camera. Eyepiece side, the push-fit connection over specific HDF or HR eyepieces has anti-clockwise lock down. Inserts are available in a choice of internal diameters to suit different eyepieces; 50066 51mm 50067 45.5mm 50068 41.5mm33mm2

Fig. 4

Fig. 5
Supplied complete with 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable battery, charger and software

50069 50068

insert only fits in combination with insert. insert only fits in combination with and 50067 inserts.

A new digiscoping combo takes Richard Bonser out of his comfort zone, but its quality and value for money soon win him over.
Additionally, manoeuvring the set-up while trackino a movina obiect was fluid and a welcome step up from my current handheld technique. There are, however, some limitations. As with any telescope, Opticron did not design the ES80 GA ED with digiscoping as the main aim. Therefore, there is an inevitable degree of vignetting on images, and while increasing optical zoom reduces this, there is a compromise on sharpness and picture quality. I found that cropping out the vignetting on the final image in Photoshop back at home achieved the best results. For those like me with big fingers, the NVIOO HD touchscreen menu may be a bit tricky to use, particularly when trying to manually alter shutter speed and IS0 settings while concentrating on a constantly moving image. There was also a slight time lag between pressing the shutter and the picture being taken, but this is true of many other cameras, and with a bit of practice, the multiple capture fealure on the NVIOO HD could help to overcome this problem. The total cost of the telescope, eyepiece. camera and adapter is less than 800, so if you are considering entering the wondetful world of digiscoping, 1 would certainly recommend doing some serious research into this package. This piece of kit really does provide a genuinely affordable option to take decent images with an easy to assemble and even easier to use digiscoping set-up.
shots of this first-winter Kumlien's Gull. A degree vignening is unavoidable, but is easily fixed in Photoshop.
WHEN ASKED TO review Opticron's latest digital compact camera klt, I was immediately taken out of my comfort zone and away from the dig is cop in^ set-up I am so used to. However, I was p,easanlly surpr sed at now au~cltlv 001 ,sed to th s new P ece of I. equipment. I had high expectations in terms of quality too, so Iwas keen to put the scope and camera combination through its paces. The overall feel is one of quality. The ES8O GA ED scope has been on the market for a couple of years now, and needs little introduction as one of the most popular midrange options out there. It is a sturdy, smartly built piece of equipment, but weighing in at 1.8 kg it is also relatively large and heavy. The 23x wide-angled eyepiece performed consistently well, producing a clear and sharp image in all but the dullest of light conditions. Samsung cameras have, in the last couple of years, become afavoured option for diaiscowers. As a satisfied NV3 user, it was an exciting and relatively smooth transition to the NVlOO HD. With 14.7 megapixels, a 3. 6 ~
Price: Opticron ES80 GA ED body: 499; Opticron 23xWW eyepiece: 129; Opticror 50065 DCC adapter: 39; Samsung NV100HD camera: 200 More details from Opticron at: www.opticron.co.uk (tel: 01582 726522)
optical zoom and an aperture range of f2.85.9, this camera puts Samsung's cutting-edge technology to good use. The camera benefits from touch navigation and a large screen; the mage Inat you are laklng (or have taken1 s more c early o sp aye0 by the hVlOO HD lnan its predecessors. Additional fealures include a macro function, particularly useful for photographing flowers and insects. Preparing the adapter and camera was a very simple exercise. The NV100 HD screwed easily onto the camera lens mount and, when assembled, sat tighlly on the eyepiece of the telescope. As the-~c% adapter is made of aluminium, there is no obvious weight gain added to the already light NVIOO HD camera. AS well as testing it out locally in both sunny and overcast conditions, I could not resist taking the kit with me on a weekend birdino trip to Ireland. As a benchmark, I oflen look at a product's abll~ry capl-re wn'te objects to ( g ~ l l in th s case) Thls s e l - ~ p s produce0 crosply dei nea mages tnal were a Ir-e reflection of real lifecolour. The NV100 HD has three main settings auto, program and manual. The automatic mode is excellent as vou can literally. Point and shoot, while the ability to control both IS0 and shutter speed settings on manual mode is an important leap forward from the NV3.

BIRDWATCH MAY 2009