Binoculars have traditionally not lent themselves well to photography as the design of the binoculars do not have enough room for a film. This, of course, has changed a lot with the introduction of the digital binocular.
Late model digital binoculars now have the integrated capability to capture photos and videos. Now Minox (the spy camera maker) and Carl Zeiss (yes, the lens maker) have each forwarded solutions to scopes as photography platforms. Although the product solutions presented by Minox and Carl Zeiss do solve the same problem they are sufficiently different to have their own niche markets.
Minox has the DCM digiscoping system, a Digital Camera Module with monitor and eyepiece combined in one single unit. Minox DCM pairs a lens, LCD screen and camera unit to a high-quality spotting scope to allow for viewing and photographing while spotting. Weighing only 220 grams, the unit takes 5 megapixel pictures in an all-weather, water tight and shock-proof casing. Initially it will be made with different bayonet fittings for scopes from Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski and Kowa as well as the MINOX MD 62 range.
With a convenient folding ‘flip-up’ hood which not only protects the TFT monitor and the operating controls during transportation and storage, it also serves as an antiglare when the DCM is in operation as it prevents interfering reflections on the viewfinder image and gives a better image in bright light conditions. The 2.0-inch color display serves as both a viewfinder for getting the subject into view, and for fine adjustment of the camera functions and for checking the images after shooting.
As an add-on unit, this is quite compact, in line, I guess with Minox being a manufacturer of high quality, rugged mini-cameras. Once Minox releases variants which are mount-compatible with other spotting scopes, this should generate its own market niche. At a $399 value, it’s a great add-on specially if you already own a good quality scope.
The Carl Zeiss Photoscope on the other hand, is a spotting scope with a camera built-in. With a 35mm camera equivalent focal length of 600 to 1800 mm, this spotting scope/camera allows small objects as close as five meters to faraway objects can be captured digitally in high-resolution 7 megapixel quality.
To take a picture, there’s a 7.5 cm OLED screen on the side of the scope, with viewable live image and where camera parameter settings can be entered. A remote control can also be used to make all camera settings and enables vibration-free release. Storage is via an SD card.
Carl Zeiss has always had a reputation for its lenses. A lot of manufacturers depend on Carl Zeiss for their video and still camera lenses. The 85mm flouride coated lens elements guarantee minimal color fringes resulting in a highly brilliant image. Users would enjoy a very bright, razor-sharp and absolutely natural image which can be captured with the built-in camera.
The Carl Zeiss PhotoScope 85 T* FL is due for release in spring/summer 2009.
These two products are natural extension of the needs of bird watchers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Sure, nature photographers already have the equipment to take high-resolution pictures. However, these products from Carl Zess and Minox are a lot cheaper than buying separate cameras. Presenting different solutions to the same problem, these complementary products are worthy of a long hard look by any dedicated nature lover, who needs to use a scope more than a camera.
