Nikon | Sport Optics | Introduction to Digiscoping

•	It is a good idea to learn from more experienced people.
	If you go out into the field with a more experienced person, you can ask him or her to show you the best way to find birds and take good pictures. This will also help you to quickly solve small problems. You could also try joining a digiscoping interest group.
•	Getting information in the field
	If you are not out with a more experienced person, talk to a nearby person who is involved in digiscoping or has binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens. By making such acquaintances, you can share important information on the day's conditions while also enhancing your enjoyment by making new friends.

It is possible to shoot images of wild birds without frightening them. It is essential to take pictures quietly and gently.
•	After becoming familiar with the behavior of the birds, wait where they are expected to congregate. By getting there first, you can get closer and are less likely to startle them. Less timid wild birds might even approach you.
•	When searching for the best locations to view birds, be careful not to scare them by approaching in an abrupt manner. Close in on your subjects slowly.
•	Listening for birdsong is another way to find good locations. Do not approach abruptly. Close in on your subjects slowly.

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Shooting under front lighting

Shoot with the sun to your back. Better results can be generally obtained by photographing subjects lit from the front.

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Start by using a lower-magnification eyepiece.

Use a low-magnification eyepiece and a wide-angle setting on the camera to reduce the risk of failure when taking pictures. If the distance between your camera and subject is short, you can capture close-up images.

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Use a higher-magnification eyepiece to capture close-up images.

For super-telephoto shooting, use a higher-magnification eyepiece instead of a telephoto setting. Use a wide-angle setting to improve the ratio of better images. Be careful of vignetting when shooting at a wide-angle setting.

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Creatively framing pictures

While it's OK to place your subject in the center of the frame, a better composition is possible by leaving some space ahead of the bird.

You could also include the beautiful natural surroundings behind your subject by using a slightly wide-angle setting, in combination with close-up images.

•	This image demonstrates a better composition that leaves some space ahead of the subject.

•	It is interesting to include natural surroundings behind the subject.

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Using background surroundings creatively

You can effectively show a bird's fine colours by framing it against a slightly darker background. Target a bird in the shade to better capture its colours. When taking a photo of a subject against a bright background such as the sky, the background appears brighter than the subject, so use plus exposure compensation. Check your captured images immediately after shooting. If needed, you can then make the necessary exposure compensation and reshoot.

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Using the continuous capture mode

Using the camera's continuous capture mode and patiently taking as many pictures as possible will help you to capture the best images of moving subjects.

•	If you have no special sighting device on hand, turn the ED82 hood's line of sight to the proper position and bring the subject within the viewfield.

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Until you are fully used to your equipment, particularly the camera, carry the instruction manual at all times.

STEP.1

What is the Nikon Digiscoping System all about?

STEP.2

Equipment

STEP.3

Before going out into the field (exercises)

STEP.4

Going out into the field

STEP.5

Enjoying your digital images

STEP.6

Shooting etiquette

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