iphone digiscoping revisited

The latest new product from Kowa is an updated version of their adapter for attaching iphones to
scopes and binoculars. The TSN-IP5 is based on the previous adapter (the TSN-IP4S) but is made to fit the iphone 5.

Both the adapters are made of tough rubberised plastic and clip on to the phone in the same way that many cases for smart phones do, and has a lug for a lanyard which is provided. The mount that fits on the scope eyepiece is made of anodised aluminium and there are two sizes of felt-lined tube, one to fit binoculars and one to fit the eyepieces of the TSN-880/770 series scopes. The one for the scopes also fits onto Swarovski and Zeiss zoom eyepieces and with the felt removed fits (albeit slightly loosely) the latest Leica Televid 65/82 eyepiece. The binocular tube fits Kowa's own binoculars and the following models form other manufacturers.

Pentax DCF BC 9x42

Minox BL 8x42 and 10x42

Leica Ultravid HD 7x42, 8x42 and 10x42 and the new Trinovid 8x42 and 10x42

Nikon EDG 8x32

Viking ED Pro 8x42 and 10x42.

Barn Owl by Eddie Myers

We have been able to modify these adapters to fit some other scopes not listed above, so it is always worth asking if you have something different. Recently we found that the smaller tube fits neatly onto the 32x wide eyepiece for the now discontinued Kowa 820 series scopes when the rubber eye-cup is removed. These are still very good scopes today and turn up second-hand at good prices.

Kestrel by Eddie Myers

The capabilities of these phones to capture both stills and video have seriously impressed us. One of our regular local customers and birding legend Eddie Myers has been getting jaw-dropping results with his iphone 4s and Swarovski scope that usually provoke the response “What?! You did that with a telephone?”.

Water Rail by Eddie Myers

This is an exciting new area for digiscoping, allowing the capturing of high-quality images in the field with a mobile phone, a piece of equipment that many people are carrying with them already.