Focusing
the Coolpix/telescope combination
by Kees Bakker and Stéphane Moniotte
This page is accompanying the main text written on focusing
by Yves Leduc. Here we present practical examples of some tests made to
improve our skills when focusing the scope and then the camera. Click on
each picture for larger views.
Question: Should we use of the LCD on the camera for focusing?
This method gives very poor results. I know some people use the "Focus
Confirmation" option for Manual focus, which may help.
Q: Should we use the camera's auto focus?
In most of the cases this will produce acceptable results. Only with
disturbing back- or foreground - the camera may pick the wrong subject
to focus on. If you shoot at 0.7 mtr in Manual focus, using F4, this might
be solved. Smaller apertures will hardly improve the depth of field because
of the large lens length.
A Grasswren picture where AF picks the wrong subject...
Q: Should we focus the scope with or without glasses?
It all depends on how good your eyes are. Kees conducted a test with
a friend (who does not wear glasses, but Kees do). They both focused the
scope (Kees took his glasses off) and took a picture. The one Kees's friend
took (on the left) is much sharper. Kees now focus the scope with his glasses
on and this seems to give better results. Similarly, I wear contact lenses,
I always got better results with my lenses on than without any correction.
 
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