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M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Alan Birnbaum

July 20, 2003 05:27 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Televue 85 vs Televue 76

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
I believe there may be a subtle balance issue for the Televue 76 vs. the 85, with the latter's longer barrel making balance adjustments much easier, without a supplementary adapter plate. Do consider that in the equation.

August 19, 2003 03:05 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Another hovering osprey pic

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
Consider the hovering osprey photo from the piscine perspective.

Yes, it's a beautiful view, UNLESS you happen to be a trout cruising near the surface of a lake!

August 24, 2003 01:46 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Hairy Woodpecker

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
Perhaps someone more expert than I would wish to offer a consultative opinion as to whether Cal's shot is of a Hairy, or the very similar Downy Woodpecker.

August 29, 2003 04:55 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Info on Pentax DCF SP 10x50's

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
Having rather carefully considered this particular line of higher quality roof prism binocular, may I endorse the 10x43 over the 10x50 for birding, because they are:

- lighter
- more compact
- less expensive
- wider field of view, 6° vs 5°
- closer focusing
- for daytime use, there's no real advantage to a 5.0 mm
exit pupil over a 4.3 mm one

Ergonomics and handling on my pair of the 10x43 has been excellent. I have used mine for casual astronomy, and found them at least adequate; I have a higher power pair I prefer for astronomy. I believe that I likely posted a review on the Anacortes site regarding my impression of the 10x43. These are now my primary pair for birding.

September 5, 2003 08:47 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Sandhill Crane

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
<>

Hmm. Wanna TRADE offices? What I have outside my office seems to be largely scrubjays, whose respect for my newly washed Volvo seems nil!

September 8, 2003 11:57 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

A better black-crowned night heron shot

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
Very nice shot. As I needed something for the cover of my local Audubuon Board of Directors binder, I have printed the shot. Hope you don't mind making this Black-crowned Night Heron a Bird of Director!

November 22, 2003 05:15 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
One of the other sites reviewing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10 notes the availability of:

<>

So the camera equipped with the 1.5X telephoto lens would give an equivalent zoom range of 315-630 mm, which of course is just about right for birds, particularly when equipped with image stabilization. Many people may see this as a reasonable alternative to digiscoping, or perhaps as an alternative to that technique at lower magnifications, and technically, certainly simpler.


November 30, 2003 07:40 PM Forum: Astro Binoculars

FOV of Orion's Belt

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
My PDA program, 2Sky, calculates the distance between the outer two as 2°44'10". I think the signficance of the distance would be that this just about represents the lower limits of what one can readily use as a FOV without a wider angle finder. The lightweight 23x90 that Bill Burgess now wants to make, for example, would likely end up with a field of view right around 2°49".

December 7, 2003 07:17 PM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

Panasonic DMC-FZ10

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
The Panasonic DMC-FZ10, along with the new Minolta DiMAGE A1, offers image stabilization. Big deal.

Well, it IS a big deal! From the reknowned photojournalist Dirck Halstead, here's the difference it makes for the overladen guy on the news beat:

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue9805/cameracorner.htm

Out in the field, dealing with wild birds it wouldn't be much different than imaging politicians. They all preen and pose a lot.

December 17, 2003 04:56 AM Forum: Birding Optics and Photos

A Mother's Love - Merry Christmas

Posted By Alan Birnbaum
Merry Christmas and Happy Osprey offspring to you!

Fine use of a great shot. I saw my first one of these about a week ago, albeit not as close as this view.

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