Optical Scope

DIY telephoto?

Hello,

I have a cannon s2 IS with a built in 10x optical zoom. I'd like to beef this number up substantially. I know there is an add-on lense but its only 1.5 or 2x and they want $100 for it. Could I take the lense out of a projector or photocopier and add it on? Do I need a plano or convex or ? I saw where a guy strapped a spotting scope onto his camera. Not my preferred route but could that work? Would the cameras built in zoom be non-functional if I did that?

I'm wanting to be able to get some amateurish photos of the moon on the horizon. I know I could just go out and get a digital scope but I'm stubborn

This is theoretically possible, but you'd have to do an amazing amount of fiddling to make it work right. The basic idea would be to affix a long-focus lens in front of the camera lens, such that the focal plane of the long lens lies far enough in front of the built-in lens that the built-in lens will focus on that focal plane. Most point-and-shoot cameras won't focus closer than a couple of feet, so the apparatus would be huge.

Tuff Scope $40 RM Tuff Scope. Transform your Tuff Cam into a digital microscope with our new Tuff Scope. Portable and simple to use, you can take magnified digital pictures either attached to or away from the PC. The microscope can be used with the Tuff Cam attachment as a digital microscope or without the attachment as a normal microscope. The imaging head can be removed from the stand to make it hand held. Magnification 50x 100x 100x 200x 200x 400x 2x Continuous Optical Zoom Storage Draw Transmissive and reflective LED Lighting Powered by 3xAA batteries (not supplied)

X-Scope™ 7 Function LED Lighted Optical Pocket Tool $14.11 The CP-11 X-Scope™ from Carson Optical is a 7-function, multi-use optical pocket tool. The X-Scope™ contains a 30x Microscope, 8x Telescope, 9x fold-out Magnifier, LED flashlight, signal whistle, directional compass and digital clock. It is compact, lightweight and easy to use. This multi-use pocket tool will provide hours of entertainment and fun. Magnification: 8x / 9x / 30xWeight: 1.9 oz.Dimensions: 1.625" x 1.75" x 4.75"Batteries: 2 AAA (not included)

TK2 Scope $119.95 Embark on a guided journey through the microscopic world, revealing its hidden creatures and unseen structures with the TK2 Scope. First, learn how to use the microscope and all of its parts. Next, becomes familiar with your scope by examining some prepared slides. Now, you are ready to take off on a guide investigation of plant and animal speciimens that you gather and prepare yourself. This kit gives you the tools, knowledge, and skills you need to view virtually any specimen you can find.The microscope is a dual light 40-, 100-, and 400-power metal and plastic microscope. The two battery-powered LED light sources allow for both the viewing of large or opaque objects lit from above and the viewing of thinly sliced or translucent specimens lit from below. It has a 10-power ocular lens; 4-, 10-, and 40-power objective lenses; and an aperture wheel. The lenses are all professional-quality optical glass. The microscope is durable and powerful, permitting years of continued observations. The full-color, 48 page manual guides you through set-up, usage, and dozens of fascinating observations of biological specimens.

Golf Scope $29.95 Precision optical instrument determines pin placement quickly, easily and accurately. Compact and easy to use - fits in pocket. Comes with handle strap, carrying case and cleaning cloth. No more hunting for yard markers.Focus-free, waterproof and fog-proof.Helps golfer make the right club choice.Magnifies up to 8x (22mm objective lens).Ruby-coated optics for UV protection.Ergonomic design is easy to grip and hold.

GeoSafari Tuff Scope $34.95 Explore images up to 400x their original size with Tuff Scope! This two in one microscope is perfect for classroom projects or magnification on the go! Simply set up as a classroom station or remove the microscope from the base and send kids outdoors to explore. When used with the GeoSafari Tuff Cam digital video camera, GeoSafari Tuff Scope transforms into a digital microscope, projecting magnified images onto a computer screen or projector. Also features 2x continuous optical zoom, transmissive and reflective LED lighting, and a storage drawer.

Geosafari Tuff Scope $1000 Explore images up to 400x their original size with Tuff Scope! This two-in-one microscope is perfect for classroom projects or magnification on the go! Simply set up as a classroom station or remove the microscope from the base and send kids outdoors to explore. When used with the GeoSafariTuff Cam digital video camera, GeoSafari Tuff Scope transforms into a digital microscope, projecting magnified images onto a computer screen or projector. Also features 2x continuous optical zoom, transmissive and reflective LED lighting, and a storage drawer.

Sightron 10-50x60lrmd Scope 10-50x60lrmd Scope $1047.26 Since 1993 Sightron Scopes have built a reputation for excellent optical quality and reliably repeatable adjustments. These scopes feature the ZACT-7 sevenlayer multi-coat on their precision-ground lenses and Sightron's unique ExacTrack windage and elevation adjustment system. Your choice of either the MOA-2 or standard Mil-Dot reticle both indexed at 24x. The MOA-2 reticle has stadia lines at 1-MOA increments on the vertical and horizontal crosshairs. These scopes feature windage and elevation target knobs with 1⁄8 MOA click adjustments and side focus. After sighting in the knobs are resettable to zero. 30mm main tube; matte black finish. Mfg: Sightron Inc. SPECS: Finish Matte Black. Magnification 10-50x. Objective Lens 60mm. Tube Diameter 30mm. Reticle Mil-Dot (indexed at 24x). Field of view 9.6-2.2 ft@100 yds. Length 16.90 inches. Eye relief &ndas

15-40x50 Colorado Spotting Scope $28.99 Barska Colorado 15-40x 50 Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope, Black, w/ Tripod & Case CO11500 Specifications: Model # CO11500 Magnification 15-40x Objective Lens 50mm Prism type Porro Eyepiece System Straight Exit Pupil 3.5mm@15x Optical Coating Fully Coated Field of View (ft@1000yds/m@1000m) 150ft/45m@15x Close Focus (ft/m) 26.24/8@15x Eye Relief 13-10mm Included Accessories Mini table top tripod and soft carrying case Warranty Limited Lifetime

Celestron 52250 Ultima 80mm Spotting Scope $219.96 A great all-around optical instrument. The Ultima 80mm spotting scope is designed for nature observation and long-distance viewing. Its green rubber optical tube allows for subtle observation in any nature environment. From Celestron.

ATN Corp. NVWSMRS6WP Night Vision Rifle Scope $5431.73 Every optical lens on the ATN MARS6xWPTT Scope is individually fitted and calibrated to achieve optimum performance. WPT is a registered trademark of American Technology Network Corp.

25X30 BLUELINE,SPY SCOPE $29.99 25x30 Blueline Spy Scope, There is nothing that expresses classic elegance and traditional sophistication more than brass. BARSKA's Classic Connoisseur Collection is in a class by itself. This precision-made, high quality brass optical product makes a stunning addition to any décor and are as functional to use as they are beautiful to look at. Brass spyscope with high power collapsible focusing eyepiece, Includes leatherette case Specifications: Model # AA10200 Magnification 25x Objective Lens 30mm Prism type Roof Prism Glass BK-7 Exit Pupil 1.2 mm Optical Coating Fully Coated Field of View (ft@1000yds/m@1000m) 105/35 Close Focus (ft/m) 1.8/6-2.4/8 Eye Relief 8 mm Weight 9.86 oz. Included Accessories Leatherette Case and Lens Cloth Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty

22-67X100 BLACKHAWK STRAIGHT SPOTTING SCOPE $429.99 22-67x100, Blackhawk Spotting Scope: -Straight, MC, Green Lens -Tripod and Premium HC -100% Waterproof and Fogproof -Zoom magnification -Shock absorbing armor -Glare reducing extendable sunshade Performance that soars beyond your expectations. This Blackhawk spotter set the standard for portability, optical performance and value.

Gladiator 20-60x90 Waterproof Spotting Scope with Spotting Scope $435.75 Big news! With crystal clear clarity and extreme ruggedness, nothing rivals the impact of Gladiator’s unparalleled performance. Thanks to large objective lens sizes and Gladiator’s superior coated optical systems, these scopes reveal ever detail in optimum contrast, vivid color and sharp resolution. 100% waterproof and housed in a rubber armor covering to protect them from harsh weather conditions, these scopes are ideal for long-range big game stalking. Includes table top tripod or mount the scope to a photo tripod. Backed by the manufacturer's Limited Lifetime WarrantyFEATURES:20-60x magnification with large 90 mm objective lens with dry Nitrogen-purged and sealed to prevent fogging and moisture damage, and O-ring sealed for complete waterproof protectionMulti-coated optics maximizes light transmission and massive objective lens increases light gathering ability thus delivering brighter images in low-light conditions.Porro prism type spotting scope with straight eyepiece systemMaximum functionality in all weather-conditionBonus accessories includes fully functional micro-adjustable tripod with quick release platform, compact and lightweight design Max. height: 17.4 inch Min. height: 11 inch.PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:Specifications:20-60xField of View (ft@1000yds/m@1000m) =99.5/33.2@20x,52.5/17.5@60xExit Pupil (mm): 5.1@20x~1.7@60x Close Focus (ft/m) 32.8/10Eye Relief (mm) 2.6@20x18.7@60x

20-60X90WP GLADIATOR,STRAIGHT SPOTTING SCOPE $209.99 20-60x90 WP, Gladiator Spotting Scope: -Straight, large objective lens -Multi coated optical systems -100% waterproof and fogproof -Housed in a rubber armor covering -Built-in extendable sunshade -Inlcudes quick release platform table top tripod and carrying case Thanks to large objective lens sizes and Gladiator’s superior coated optical systems, these scopes reveal every detail in optimum contrast, vivid color and sharp resolution. Ideal for long-range big game stalking.

Nikon Monarch 8438 Rifle Scope $320.99 11.50 ft 11.50" Length 13.40 oz 2 - 8x 32 mm 4 mm 4" to 96.52 mm 46 ft - 11.50 ft @ 100 yard 8438 Monarch 8438 2-8 x 32 BDC Rifle Scope Lens Caps Windage Elevation Caps From carbine, to mountain rifle to deer rifle, this is a sweet little scope for any rifle with its wide power range, wide field of view and compact, lightweight size. Nikon has engineered the entire optical system to provide the shooter with a bright, sharp, incredibly flat sight picture and light transmission up to its theoretical maximum 95%. Fogproof Hunting Lifetime Matte Black Monarch Monarch 8438 2-8 x 32 BDC Rifle Scope Nikon Nikon Corporation Rifle Scope Shockproof Shooting Waterproof www.nikon.com

Celestron Travel Scope 70 Telescope $84.95 This telescope was designed with traveling in mind while offering exceptional value. The Travel Scope is made of the highest quality materials to ensure stability and durability. All this adds up to a telescope that gives you a lifetime of pleasure with a minimal amount of maintenance. Featuring a compact and portable design with ample optical performance, the Travel Scope is ideal for terrestrial as well as casual astronomical observation. 70 mm (2.8") diameter refractor400 mm focal length (f/5.7)5x24 finderscopePhotographic tripod - full size20 mm eyepiece (20x) - 1.25"10 mm eyepiece (40x)Erect image diagonal - 1.25""The SkyX" CD-ROM Backpack holds everythingMetallic charcoal black tube color

Orion 20-60x60mm Zoom Spotting Scope $99.99 Zoom in on the action with this powerful and portable spotting scope! The Orion 20-60x60mm Zoom Spotting Scope features a big, 60mm diameter objective lens which is fully coated with anti-reflection coatings for bright, crisply detailed daytime views. The spotter’s zoom range of 20-60x power lets you get close-up views easily by rotating the eyepiece to adjust the magnification setting. You can use the 20-60x60mm Zoom Spotter on a reasonably clear day to inspect subtle plumage details of birds over 50 feet away, read signs and license plates at over 200 yards, and more. Its near focus distance of approximately 23 feet lets you inspect nearby targets up close. This spotting scope is pleasantly lightweight at just 1.2 lbs. (19oz.), making it a great grab-and-go daytime optical instrument.

Yukon 12-36x50 Spotting Scope Kit $182.85 Yukon Firefall spotting scope is perfect for hunting, camping and other sporting eventsSpotting scope features a practical, yet elegant design for comfort and ease of useOptical device showcases fully multi-coated lenses framed in a durable body constructionFeatures a powerful 12-36x50 optical rangeComfortable rubber eyepiece with quick focus and zoom knobs help you zero-in on your target at short or long distancesIncludes a heavy-duty tripodStows easily and securely into a durable nylon carrying case with shoulder strapNitrogen filled and O-ring sealed ensure 100-percent waterproof, fogproof and dustproof construction

Optical Scope (Getamped)

Choosing a Rifle Scope

With there being literally thousands of rifle scopes on the market today, choosing the one that's right for you can sometimes be a confusing task. The best scope for deer hunting will not necessarily be the best scope for competition target shooting. Once you understand the various terms that manufacturers use, and understand the basics about scopes, you'll be in a better position to choose the scope that's right for you.

The Basics

The first consideration should be the quality of the glass. Unfortunately, while optical quality can be measured, there's no specifications published that will tell you which scope lenses are of better quality than others. You'll need to compare one scope to another by looking through them to judge the sharpness and contrast of the lenses. In general, you should buy the best quality scope that you can afford.

The quality of the lenses isn't entirely due to the glass itself, though. Lens coatings aid in contrast, light transmission and glare reduction, and there are terms that describe the type of coatings on a scope. A "coated" lens has a coating on the exterior surface of the lens. A "fully coated" lens has a coating on all lens surfaces exposed to the air, both front and rear. "Multi-coated" lenses have multiple layers of coatings on at least one surface of the lens. "Fully-multicoated" lenses have multiple coatings on all front and rear lens surfaces. The quality of the lens coatings can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, or even from one model to another by the same manufacturer, so you'll want to compare the image quality of various scopes.

Another initial consideration when selecting a scope is its construction. If you anticipate using your scope in inclement weather, you'll want to make sure that the interior of the scope is filled with a substance such as nitrogen, which keeps air from getting into the scope and causing moisture condensation on the interior surfaces of the lenses. You'll also want to make sure that the scope body is weatherproof or at least weather-resistant.

Yet another factor in your selection process is the magnification of the scope. There are variable magnification scopes and fixed power scopes. A scope that's marked 3x30 will have a fixed magnification of 3 (the 30 is the lens diameter, which we'll get to shortly). A scope that's marked 3-9x30 is a variable power scope, with the magnification adjustable from 3 power to 9 power. The magnification of a scope is usually referred to with an X, as in 3X. A 3X scope will make the target appear 3 times larger than it would be with the naked eye.

How much magnification do you need? That depends upon your intended use for the scope. Those who hunt at relatively short ranges, such as deer hunters, usually will want a lower magnification such as 3X. A higher magnification would make it difficult for them to see the entire deer and would also make the field of view too narrow for them to scan the area looking for deer. Whether you need a fixed power scope or a variable power scope is your personal preference. Years ago variable power scopes were slightly inferior to fixed power scopes; that's no longer the case today. Variable power scopes also offer flexibility for different shooting situations.

Varmint hunters, benchrest shooters and other long-range shooters will often want the highest magnification they can afford. For these users, a 20, 30 or even 40X magnification isn't unusual.

There's also the light-gathering ability of the scope to consider. Generally speaking, the larger the diameter of the front ("objective") lens, the more light it gathers, which means that your target is visible at lower light levels. A 30 millimeter objective lens is fine for shooting during the daytime, but if you're planning on shooting at the break of dawn or the last light of the day, a larger objective lens will be a significant help. 40 or 50 millimeter objective lenses are the most common large objective lens sizes.

The Options

Scope manufacturers are providing a wide variety of options for specific needs. Included in these are turrets, reticle patterns, adjustable objectives, and more. Again, what you need depends upon your specific use for the scope.

The turrets are the adjustment knobs, usually located on the top and right side of the scope, that allow you to adjust the point of impact of your shot up or down and left or right. The most basic turrets are almost flush with the scope tube, and allow you to make adjustments using a screwdriver or a dime. Some of these flush turrets will have click adjustments. The flush-mounted turrets are probably the most commonly used for hunting, since most hunters don't make adjustments to their scopes once the rifle/scope combination is set for a particular distance.

Target turrets protrude from the scope body, sometimes significantly, and allow the user to make quick adjustments for windage or elevation. These are popular with benchrest shooters, varmint hunters, snipers and other long-range shooters for whom a small adjustment will make a big difference in the point of impact downrange. Target turrets usually have click adjustments in either 1/4 or 1/8 Minute of Angle (MOA). Minute of angle is an expression of the number of degrees in an arc. For example, a 1/4 minute of angle adjustment will result in a point of impact change of 1/4" at 100 yards, 1/2" at 200 yards, 1" at 400 yards, and so on.

Your choice of reticles, or "crosshairs," is now so great that it would be impossible in this article to describe all of the options. They range from fine crosshairs to thick crosshairs to illuminated reticles, and more. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For hunting, the combination of thick crosshairs on the outside edge of the reticle and thin crosshairs in the middle seems to be the most popular. Mil-dot reticles have become increasingly popular. These have dots regularly spaced along the reticle lines, and allow the user to gauge the distance to the target. Other scopes offer even more advanced rangefinding options than mil-dot reticles.

A popular option for precision shooting is the adjustable objective lens. Scopes without adjustable objective lenses are affected by what is called parallax. Parallax is the apparent difference in position of the target relative to the reticle at different distances. With a fixed-objective scope, if you move your eye left or right the barrel is no longer pointing to the same spot on the target as the reticle. You can see this if you mount your rifle solidly and look through the scope; move your eye slightly to the left and right, and you'll see that the reticle isn't in the same position on the target. While the parallax shift may be subtle, at longer distances it can make a significant difference in the point of impact. An adjustable objective scope allows you to correct for parallax for a particular distance by either turning a ring on the front of the scope or by a turret on the side of the scope. Fixed-objective scopes are generally set to be parallax-free at 100 yards; the adjustable objective allows for more fine-tuning.

The Technicals

When you're shopping for a scope, you'll encounter all sorts of technical specifications, some more important than others.

Eye relief is an important technical consideration. This is the distance from your eye to the rear ("ocular") lens at which you can see the full target picture. The eye relief measurement will determine where on your rifle you'll be mounting your scope. If the amount of eye relief is too short or too long, you won't be able to properly position your cheek on the stock.

Field of view is another important factor. Field of view is the amount of area you're able to view at a particular distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. For example, with a 3 power scope you would be able to view roughly 30 feet of terrain from left to right at 100 yards. The field of view becomes smaller as the magnification of the scope increases. Hunters typically prefer a wide field of view, while precision shooters usually want to narrow in on the target.

You'll often see "Exit Pupil" as one of the technical specifications on a scope. This is the size of the circle of light on the rear ("ocular") lens that is visible to you from arms length, and is usually expressed in millimeters. The size of the exit pupil is a factor of the magnification of the scope and the size of the objective lens. On high magnification scopes the exit pupil size can become so small that your eye must be directly in line with the scope in order to see the entire circle of view.

Technical specifications will often include the adjustment range of the scope, usually measured at 100 yards. Adjustment ranges vary from as little as 25 inches to as much as 150 inches or more. If you use your scope at moderate distances, and your scope has been properly mounted so that it's on target at the middle of the adjustment range, a smaller adjustment range isn't generally a concern. However, for long-distance shooters a wide adjustment range is a necessity, as bullet drops begin to be measured in feet rather than inches.

An often-overlooked technical specification is the mounting length. If the mounting length of the scope is too long or too short, you may not be able to put the mounting rings in the proper spots on your rifle, or you may wind up having to get a special scope mount.

With advances in technology, there's almost no such thing as a bad scope today. Even the least expensive models give better performance than scopes made decades ago. But, when you consider that you may be using the scope you buy for years to come, it's a good idea to get the best model you can afford that suits your particular needs.

About the Author

Richard A. Baker is the owner of
GunShopFinder.com
. Further information about sports optics can be found at
Bushnell Scopes
and
Bushnell Rangefinders.
Copyright 2008, Richard A. Baker. Reproduction of this article without inclusion of the above links is expressly prohibited.