Olivon scopes...are they any good?

[Deano1984]

Hi all
as per my previous post, Digiscope dilemma, i'm looking to buy a scope sub £250.

i've searched the web and cant find any reviews, good or bad about Olivon. Does anyone here have any opinions.

Digiscope diary seems to rave about them but i think he's biased.

[artdemole]

Bristolcameras have Olivon at different prices from £149.00 upwards.The reviews are for the dearer priced.

[allanmacuser]

hi well l am not sure if you have made your mind up yet let me just have my say l bought a T90 works quite well l have had it just a month now but its had to go back it sounds like a screw is lose inside. if you are after high quality photos form the scope don't bother yes it does work but compared to a camera l think you will be disappointed i myself use a canon 5d and a canon 550d with a 100 to 400 zoom now l know what you going to say its a lot o f expense but if you are after high quality photos this is the sort of line you should be thinking about. not just canon there are other brads to chose from.

and by the way l here folk say they can sharpen the images up in photo shop but remember this no matter how much you polish a Terd its still a Terd

hope thats helped oh just one thing l have seen some better results with a high priced scope but its still nowhere near to what you can get

[John D]

This chap seems to have success with Olivon Scope for digiscoping.

Digiscoping - Digiscope pictures, images, techniques, advice, equipment

His site is very informative. Worth a look.

John D

http://johnswildworld.zenfolio.com/

[operanut1972]

I have a Jessops 20-60 x 80 scope, which is I believe made or imported by Olivon. It cost me £89. It does what I want, gets me close on days I just want to spot birds. Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. But seriously good value to be had.

[artdemole]

My Wife and I both have spotting scopes at £90.00.Boght from a local shop in Frome.Both used for wild life and stargazeing.Very happy with them.

[allanmacuser]

hi just checked the meta data off the images on that guys site they have deff not been taken with a spotting scopes check out the meta data for yourself in saying that he does have some nice snaps all the best allan

[John D]

Originally Posted by allanmacuser

hi just checked the meta data off the images on that guys site they have deff not been taken with a spotting scopes check out the meta data for yourself in saying that he does have some nice snaps all the best allan

Hi Allan,

I have just checked out the EXIF for five of his images, Black-headed Gull,Reed Bunting, Tawny Owl,Robin and the Stonechat all were taken with a Nikon 4500. This would indicate to me that to get such images, with that camera, he had to be 'digiscoping'. He does indicate on his website that he does use a Nikon4500 along with his Olivon scope.
However there may be other images on his site where he has used a DSLR and appropriate lens.

John D

http://johnswildworld.zenfolio.com/

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by John D

Hi Allan,

I have just checked out the EXIF for five of his images, Black-headed Gull,Reed Bunting, Tawny Owl,Robin and the Stonechat all were taken with a Nikon 4500. This would indicate to me that to get such images, with that camera, he had to be 'digiscoping'. He does indicate on his website that he does use a Nikon4500 along with his Olivon scope.
However there may be other images on his site where he has used a DSLR and appropriate lens.

Agreed.

When you use a 'compact' camera to take digiscoped photos through a telescope, the camera is not able to record details of the 'scope used because there is no physical connection that allows this. In these cases the metadata recorded by the camera shows that the camera has been used without an additional lens (compacts do not tend to have the facility for a lens o be attached).
It can be different if a dedicated adaptor is used to fix a SLR to a 'scope. In this case the metadata will either show an unidentified focal length for the lens, or a focal length in the region of 1000mm (give or take a few 100mm!).
If the images taken with a Nikon 4500 were not taken through a 'scope (or binoculars at the very least) the bird would be a tiny image, even if the photographer was a few metres away when the shots were taken.



As for the original subject of the thread, you really do get what you pay for. I have been using more expensive 'scopes for many years now, and the drop in image quality when I look through 'scopes like the brand mentioned here is very noticeable. That said, I am very impressed with the image quality that the Digiscope diary seems to be getting with the higher end of the range - and I would think that he would get some superb results if he was able to upgrade to higher quality optics (digiscoping is a photographic technique in its own right, which can be very difficult to master).

[allanmacuser]

yeah well no matter its just a hobby anyway lol its good to get out there l am off to donna nook in a couple of weeks all the best