My friend Tammy Holmer texted me a photo she took using her iPhone and her Swarovski spotting scope:
That’s a pretty cool shot of an adult peregrine falcon, especially when first testing out the technique! And since I know this question will inevitably come up in the comments, here’s a basic tutorial on iphonescoping. Tammy and I aren’t the only ones. A quick search of iphonescoping shows BogBumper giving it a go and Monterey Seabirding coming up with an interesting adaptor using a flex tripod.
I’ll be in Nebraska this weekend for The Rivers and Wildlife Festival giving a Techno Birding program on Saturday. I’ve done this program several times and every time I give it, the program is different because technology is constantly changing. I remember early on when I would give it, some would balk and say, “I don’t want to take extra stuff in the field.”
However, with the smartphones now, I take less in the field. I’m now just going with my iPhone, binos and scope. The phone as bird reference books, a speaker (if I choose to use bird calls for programs or personal use), a camera, maps and of course the ability to actually call someone should I need help.
I’ve been practicing with my iPhone and scope at bird feeders and I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to get some fun shots in Nebraska this weekend and Tweet them or post them on Facebook. Are you iPhonescoping? If so, let me know who it’s work for you. You can link to shots in comments or tag me in links on Twitter (@Birdchick) or post them to my Facebook Page.
I’m not iphonescoping yet, but I have at last figured out how to use the iphone with my binoculars (“iPhonebinning”?). When out with other birders I have tried using their scopes but haven’t had much luck. I can never quite get the right angle and the scope owner usually starts to get a bit nervous after a minute or so
Way to go Tammy!
My sister gave me her old iPhone 3 that has a half-dead battery. I can’t take very many pictures with it at any one time, but I’ve been doing some digiscoping with it, particularly after my good camera died back in January. I still have some issues with getting it to focus properly, but I’m getting better at that.
My first attempt at iPhonescoping involved White-tailed Kites while I was in California in January. I just had to have pictures of them and my camera and totally stopped working the day before, so I tried pointing the iPhone through my scope. The results were surprisingly good. http://files.myopera.com/kknight/albums/10573482/white-tailed%20kites%203.jpg and http://files.myopera.com/kknight/albums/10573482/white-tailed%20kite%202.jpg .
Here’s another of my recent attempts – http://files.myopera.com/kknight/albums/59642/cackling%20goose%20with%20snow%20geese.jpg (A Cackling Goose in a flock of Snow Geese)
Hi Sharon,
I just upgraded to iPhone 4S – one of the major reasons I did so, rather than getting the cheaper 4 model was not so much for Siri, as for the better camera. MUCH better camera, that might replace need for a smaller Point and Shoot.
I will check out your tutorial and see if I can make it work as a digiscoping tool.
Thanks! Larua
WOWOWOWOW! Do I need to buy an iPhone now? My husband has one and can’t imagine conducting a day without its assistance.
Thanks for this!
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island