How to improve your digiscoping skills

Before you start taking pictures

First, get some practice framing subjects using just a Fieldscope or Spotting Scope. Before you even attach a camera, just enjoy the wonderful images that you can see with the Fieldscope or Spotting Scope. This will also help you to get used to operating the tripod and tripod head.

Example camera settings (for the COOLPIX P5000)

Setup mode	Auto power off: 30 minutes; Vibration reduction: OFF; AF Assist lamp: OFF; Electronic zoom: OFF
Exposure mode	A
Picture quality	FINE	Continuous shooting mode	Continuous shooting
Image size	10M	AF area selection	Manual, or Center
White balance	Choose from Auto, Sunlight, Fluorescent Light, etc.	AF Mode	Single AF
ISO sensitivity setting	64 (or up to 200). Increasing the ISO sensitivity will result in a faster shutter speed, but it can also make the image grainier.	*Please check your camera's manual for operating instructions and how to adjust settings. *The manual that comes with Nikon's FSB-6 Compact Digital Camera Bracket also lists camera settings, so please read this too.
Metering system	Center weighted

Setup procedure (Example: COOLPIX P5000 with FSB-6)

Mount the scope on the tripod and then attach the eyepiece to the scope. Depending on conditions such as the distance to the subject, choose the eyepiece magnification that you need. With the equipment set up this way, look through the eyepiece and practice framing the photographic subject.		Attach the FSB-6 digital camera bracket to the COOLPIX P5000.		Next, set the FSB-6 digital camera bracket onto the scope's eyepiece.		After having firmly fixed the equipment so that it will not move out of line, attach the cable release. You are now ready to take the picture.