Hello all,
As I have had a few comments about my recent change from the Coolpix 995 to the Canon G3, due to disappointing digiscoping performance from that camera, I thought I would post the set up details here so that people can see that it is possible to use other brands of camera and get good results - albeit with a bit of effort.
Firstly, I have to point out that I believe that the 995 had a fault. I read on other forums that some 995s had been sent back to Nikon for the focus checking. I did this and it came back no better. When I saw other people with cheaper digicams, often hand-holding, getting better photos than I was, I decided that it was time to do something about it. Hence the purchase of the G3, after much research of various cameras and the possiblity of attaching adapters.
I decided on the G3 due to a number of reasons. I narrowed it down to the G3 and the Olympus C5050z and took a CF card to a local camera shop and took a few shots with both cameras. When I reviewed them on the computer, the Canon won hands down for sharpness and colour. Also there were a number of features that swung it in the G3's favour. One that particularly attracted me was the 'focus bracketing'. You can set the camera to take a series of three photos, one at the chosen focus, one a little further behind and one a little closer. Then you can choose the best one. This, I thought, would be an ideal feature, as the 995 always seemed to focus a little in front or behind the subject. As it turns out, I haven't actually used this feature yet.
Here is a series of 4 posts illustrating the set up that I am now using. Below on the left is the adapter - a plumbing joint with one end sawn off and a step ring glued on. You can see the rubber grip ring inside - this hugs my scope eyepiece very well (Opticron ES80/22xWW), eliminating the need for any screws. On the right is the Lensmate lens thread adapter from the USA, which I heard was better than the Canon one. Where the Canon thread adapter has a 58mm thread on the end, this one has a 52mm which makes a smaller step down distance.
On the left is the camera with its normal lens surround. On the right is the camera with that surround removed (it just clips off) and the Lensmate thread adapter clipped on and the lens zoomed out.
I leave this on and put a lens cover on the end. I have also purchased some filters. It is then a simple matter to screw the adapter on, slide it over the scope and it's ready to shoot.
I suppose at the wide angle end of the zoom, you will see the edge of the adapter, but I will not be using that too often, and the original surround is easy enough to clip back on.
On the left is the home made adapter attached to the camera. The cut end of the plastic joint was about the right size for a 52mm - 46mm step down ring after a little sanding down.
On the right is the adapter attached to the scope, with no further adjustment needed - it simply grips the eyepiece with the rubber ring.