Review – Swarovski Universal Camera Adapter (UCA)
June 29, 2010
Article in: Product Reviews
The following is a review of Swarovski’s Universal Camera Adapter (UCA). When coupled to a Swarovski spotting scope and a camera (or video camera) you have a super powerful way to capture excellent shots of birds and other wildlife.
At a mere 12 oz., the UCA will not add any undue weight to your photography and birding gear. At first look the UCA may appear a bit complex (it is pretty innovative) and takes a little while to get used to how it functions. However, the adjustments are intuitive once you start playing with them.
Here’s how to get set up and ready to digiscope:
First, position the “connection sleeve” away from the tripod adapter if your camera is large (like a DSLR or camcorder) or facing inward if the camera is small (point-and-shoot).
For large cameras
For smaller cameras
Second, attach the mount to your camera’s tripod adapter (this is the standard tripod mount for most cameras) and slide it into position on the UCA.
Third and Fourth, adjust the distance of the camera (on the mount) from the connection sleeve while adjusting the height of the sleeve to match the camera’s lens. On point and shoots you’ll want the camera on and the lens out to properly position.
This is what the setup looks like with a DSLR camera
Please note this is just for illustrative purposes and not set up precisely.
Last, slide the connection sleeve over the spotting scope’s eyepiece so the lenses almost touch. Make final adjustments and make sure all adjustments are tightened.
Once your setup is ready you can easily slide the UCA on and off and the adjustments stay in position.
We love how this adapter works because if you use various cameras (DSLR, point and shoot, video camera, one borrowed from a friend) you do not need any other ring or adapter piece. Just reposition with a few twists of the knobs and you’re good to go.
If you only use one camera, Swarovski’s Digital Camera Adapter (DCA) is easier to use. But for functionality, the UCA provides a great tool for multi-purpose recording of images and video through the spotting scope.
All photos are for illustrative purposes. Instructions are our interpretations of how to use the UCA. Please refer to the instruction manual provided by Swarovski to use properly. We received the UCA from Swarovski to review on Birdfreak.com.
New Swarovski EL Binocular With Swarovision
April 28, 2010
Article in: Product Reviews
![New Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 [HDR]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4404461194_04b3eaa89c.jpg)
The new Swarovski EL binoculars
The new Swarovski ELs have “Swarovision” which from using them in the field essentially means “awesome-super-enhanced-vision”. Swarovski’s highly advanced technology, all found in these new bins, consists of the following:
- SWAROVISION: field flattener corrective lenses for unmatched peripheral focus
- SWAROCLEAN: special coating that makes cleaning off dirt, dust, water marks, insect repellents, tree resin, etc. easy and effective
- SWAROBRIGHT: coating for maximum color fidelity over entire light spectrum
New Swarovski ELs with Swarovision photo in high dynamic range [HDR]
![New Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 [HDR]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4404459498_1c4016aa3a.jpg)
The binoculars work exceptionally well in low and bad lighting and even through glass. I spotted a Horned Grebe way across a lake, through the windshield (near the edge) and was spot on. I love this because I often bird from the kitchen windows which have quite a bit of imperfections in the glass.
The view is sharp throughout the entire field of vision. You won’t lose quality at the edges!!
I brought the new ELs in to show bird club members and the universal response wasn’t a phrase or superlative adjective but just big smiles. Of course, this quality comes at a high price. But you’ll be hard pressed to find a disappointed Swarovski user. And once you try out the new ELs you’ll be hooked!
The ELs have three eye cup positions to suit eyeglass and non-eyeglass wearers better.
The new Swarovski ELs have a close focus of just under 5 feet; the focus is smooth throughout whether you are watching raptors in the clouds or a hummingbird at your feeder.
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The new Swarovski Optik ELs come in two sizes:
- Swarovski Optik EL Swarovision Binocular, 8.5×42 mm
- Swarovski Optik EL Swarovision Binocular, 10×42 mm
—10x magnification, field of view of 336 ft/1000 yds
Comparison shot between “old” ELs (top) and the new ELs (bottom).
Review of Swarovski EL Traveler Binoculars
February 22, 2010
Article in: The New Birder Experience
The following is a review of the Swarovski EL Traveler Binoculars. Birdfreak.com has an ongoing partnership with Swarovski Optik. A few years ago I purchased a pair of Swarovski EL bins and would never want to use another brand. Since then, Swarovski has been super generous to us in getting awesome equipment in our hands. Our digiscoping rig is completely Swarovski (minus the camera of course) and more recently we’ve gotten a pair of Swarovski EL Traveler.
As part of The New Birder Experience, the Swarovski EL Traveler is Stacia’s (our new birder). This review is based on her opinions of the optics. Since I “officially” introduced her to birding, she has used only Swarovski bins: my ELs and the Traveler. Her view may be considered bias but consider that her impression is based with some purity: she has never had a crummy pair of binoculars!
As expected, the image quality lived up to Swarovski’s high standards providing clear and amazingly sharp images. Focusing on a bird was extremely easy, especially for a beginner and setting up the alignment was simple.
The 8x32s are light-weight and the “thumb” indentations provide for a perfect fit even while wearing heavy gloves. After a few hours of use they did start to feel a bit heavy around the neck (something that could be improved with a “binocular harness”).
The look of the Travelers is stylish yet not intimidating. From the first time of use Stacia was comfortable operating the bins and could tell they were highly durable.
The magnification and field of view were perfect for quickly finding birds when we were out on the Rock Cut Christmas Bird Count. The technical specs on the EL Travelers are 8x magnification and a field of view of 420 feet/1000 yards with a close focus of 7 feet. This close focus is perfect if you plan on getting into “butterflying” as well as birding.
The bins are 100% waterproof and fogproof and withstood -5 degrees Fahrenheit without any fogging.
Such high quality optics come at a premium price. But if you are serious about birding, getting high-end optics is a great way to go because of their durability and supreme quality. You really will never need another pair as they will last a lifetime.
The EL Travelers come with a Snap Shot adapter which slides over one barrel’s eyepiece and provides a quick and easy way to take a photo with a point-and-shoot camera without a lot of hassle. This added feature is a nice way to capture diagnostic or “proof” shots without carrying a full digiscoping rig or large camera.
Digiscoping Definition
July 7, 2009
Article in: Photography
Digiscoping is the combination of a spotting scope and a digital camera to take long-range photography.
The technique is best done with high-quality optics because they have better coated glasses which help increase clarity and reduce light loss. However, just about any scope and digital camera will work for at least identification/proof shots, so long as the camera’s lens size matches as close as possible to that of the scope’s eyepiece. (more…)
Digiscoping Comparison: Swarovski Digital Camera Adapter vs. Swarovski TLS800 Camera Adapter
January 3, 2009
Article in: Photography
The following is a comparison of five variations of bird photography:
- Digiscoping with a point-and-shoot [Nikon Coolpix 5100]
- Digiscoping with a digital SLR camera [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
- Telephoto with Swarovski TLS800 adapter and digital SLR [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
- Telephoto with 100-400mm lens [Canon]
- Telephoto with 100-400mm lens and 2x extender [Canon]
The subject is a stuffed Pileated Woodpecker in our White Pine at about 33 feet. The conditions were sleeting and cold with some wind (perfect for photography!) and the purpose of this is not so much image quality as distance comparison and ease of use. Below the photos are some thoughts on what works best.
Nikon Coolpix 5100 at no zoom [12.9mm]
Nikon Coolpix 5100 coupled with Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 20x zoom
Nikon Coolpix 5100 coupled with Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 60x zoom
Digital SLR digiscoping – Canon EOS Rebel XTi with 50mm lens and Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 20x
Digital SLR digiscoping – Canon EOS Rebel XTi with 50mm lens and Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at approx. 60x
Telephoto with Swarovski TLS800 adapter and digital SLR [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
This is what the TLS800 looks like on the scope [from Swarovski's website]
Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens [100mm]
Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens [400mm]
Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens and 2x adapter [100mm with 2x = 200mm]
Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens and 2x adapter [400mm with 2x = 800mm]
Summary
The Nikon point-and-shoot does a surprisingly good job at digiscoping but has the drawback of not being able to shoot successive shots (quickly) and takes a long time to focus on the subject (an obvious problem with non-stationary subjects).
The Canon SLR method works well especially at lower magnification (on the scope) and allows for rapid shooting and fast-focusing.
The Swarovski TLS800 is a bit hard to use. It requires removal of the spotting scope’s eyepiece making the scope useless for searching for birds. Once the TLS800 is attached to your camera, you have to hook it to the scope which creates an awkward (and comical) bit of maneuvering.
Once the whole setup is ready we found that the camera settings had to be adjusted a great deal more than with digiscoping. We never could get the settings right and the photo shown was the best we could get after numerous attempts.
The shots with the 100-400mm lens are more for comparison. This method of bird photography is better for general hiking or birds in flight shots as it allows for free movement and less adjustments.
Overall, we prefer the “true” digiscoping setup over the TLS800 telephoto adapter. The Swarovski Digital Camera Adapter can be used with virtually ANY camera so even if you upgrade, you’ll be ready to digiscope.
TLS800 Rating: 3 of 10
Swarovski Digital Camera Adapter Rating: 10 of 10
Phriday Photo (and Video) – Pine Siskin & American Goldfinch
January 2, 2009
Article in: Photography
Side-by-side comparison of an American Goldfinch (left) and Pine Siskin who were hanging out on our thistle feeder. This was digiscoped with the Birdfreak Swarovski Digiscoping Setup through a window. Camera was our Nikon Coolpix 5100 (point-and-shoot).
Video clip also through the scope and Nikon camera.
View all our videos which include not only birds but the world famous, Arizona Doberman (and some other stuff as well).
Review of Swarovski Carbon Fiber Tripod [CT-101]
November 8, 2008
Article in: Photography
As the saying goes, “your spotting scope is only as good as your tripod” or something to that effect. This statement holds a lot of truth but finding the “perfect” tripod is a lot more difficult than finding the perfect scope.
Swarovski Carbon Fiber Tripod CT-101
There are an unbelievable amount of tripods on the market, as paging through any birding magazine will show you. The tripod we wanted most was Swarovski’s carbon fiber CT 101 model with accompanying FH 101 head. This gorgeous tripod is incredibly easy to use and packs a lot of versatility in a pretty compact package.
The tripod’s legs are broken up into two movable segments which slide silently and are locked in place with durable latches. The height is perfect for all but the tallest of birders and the legs can spread low for extreme low-angle viewing. No matter what terrain you are birding on, the tripod can be adjusted accordingly.
Swarovski FH 101 tripod head
The FH 101 head attaches seemlessly to the tripod and provides super easy movement with one hand. The head locks two ways independently: one lock stops panning motion and the other lock holds your scope in vertical position. Both locks are located ideally and require little effort to operate.
With the locks open, you are free to move the scope in any direction, perfect for following birds and especially useful for digiscoping. 
The mounting plate can be ejected in order to attach other plates such as the Swarovski balance rail (sold separately). The balance rail (shown at left) is much appreciated when digiscoping with a large camera such as a digital SLR as the weight is much better distributed. The tripod easily handles the weight of the scope and camera (about 7.1 lbs).
Weighing in at 4.3 lbs and nearly impossible to break, the Swarovski Carbon Fiber Tripod is wonderful for digiscoping and birding in general.
Review of Swarovski 80 HD Spotting Scope
November 1, 2008
Article in: Photography
Swarovski Optik is well-known for high quality birding optics and their High Definition (HD) spotting scopes are at the top of the list for most birders. Our scope of choice is the STS 80 HD version with the Swarovski 20-60x zoom eyepiece. (more…)
