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How To

What is Digiscoping?

Are you wondering how to get started in digiscoping or what it is? Digiscoping is using your camera phone to view and shoot photos and videos through a spotting scope or a set of binoculars.

Digital cameras with telephoto lenses can be expensive and are dedicated to taking photos and shooting videos.  A person who is not a professional photographer with pro gear can use their spotting scope or binoculars, which they use for viewing, and their camera phone to capture moments shooting high-quality telephoto photos and videos through their magnified optics.

Using a MagView digiscoping adaptor, one can simply attach a camera phone to a spotting scope or set of binoculars and then view, take photos, and shoot videos on their phone.

A MagView Digiscoping adaptor is a very useful tool for capturing moments on the fly with your camera phone without lugging around a DLSR camera with a telephoto lens. One of the reasons hunters and many other outdoor recreationists really enjoy digiscoping is that it is very portable. The MagView adaptor stays attached to the optic, and when a person sees something they want to digiscope, they can quickly attach their phone to the optic.

A hunter digiscoping game animals.

What are the advantages of digiscope photography?

There are several advantages to digiscope photography, but the biggest reason, I would say, is its portability for multitasking while enjoying nature, such as hiking, fishing, hunting, going on a drive in the country, or even sitting on a beach.

I don’t want to lug around an expensive camera with a telephoto lens because my main goal is to catch fish. Still, if the fish are not biting, it gives me something else fun and relaxing, even exciting to do. I can set up my spotting scope, and if I see wildlife, I can record it and share it on my social media pages.

Digiscoping while enjoying other outdoor activities.

A good example is the last time I went fishing. I set up my spotting scope with my MagView. While waiting for a bite, I saw movement in the distance. I put my camera on my MagView and captured footage of a kingfisher with a fish, followed by a deer and then a turtle. This added some excitement to a relaxing day of fishing.

Digiscoping while fishing. Spotting scope with cameraphone and a fishing pole.

This is only one of the many times something like this has happened. I am not a professional nature photographer with pro gear for that purpose. I enjoy shooting videos, and I love the outdoors.

Using the MagView adaptor, which allows me to use my cameraphone with a spotting scope or binoculars, allows me to capture content while enjoying nature casually. I will admit it’s fun capturing footage in the wild.

We have adaptors for spotting scopes and binoculars. The nice thing about them is that they are sleek, lightweight, and easy to use. They do not protrude when left on. The magnet part goes on the optic, and an ultra-thin steel plate goes on the phone. The phone with our steel plate will fit on either one, so if you have one on your spotter and your binoculars, the phone will attach to either.

Also, additional steel backing plates are available to share during the fun.

Who enjoys digiscoping?

Digiscoping is enjoyed by many. Here are just a few: nature lovers and bird watchers who want to capture footage without disturbing what they love, whale watchers who can capture footage from the beach, hikers, hunters, sport shooters for spotting hits, parents who record their kids’ sporting events, and anyone who wants to capture footage from a distance.

Digiscoping at the beach whale watching sipping wine.

Some may think that digiscoping is just for nature lovers and hunters, but many hobbyists can enjoy it. I was able to capture some great footage of surfers and whales from the deck of a vacation rental. Hikers can spot wildlife at a distance while enjoying scenic views and capturing it without disturbing it, and the list goes on.

What other gear should I get for digiscoping?

There really is not much else to get, but I highly recommend a tripod from which you can hang weight to help stabilize the optic; even a backpack full of gear could be used for that. The higher the magnification, the more vibration the image will get because the slightest movement is magnified, and that is it.

How can I improve my digiscoping videos and photos?

I suggest subscribing to our YouTube channel or newsletter. We post tips and tricks to improve images and videos.

One of the things I would like to mention is that there are many free apps, some of which you probably already have on your phone or PC, where you can edit videos and photos. You can adjust the color, saturation, and crop. One of my favorite free apps is Google Photos. I save my photos and videos in Google Photos, and once they are in there, I can edit the colors and even stabilize my videos. We have tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Person using a Magview while digiscoping at dusk.

MagView Digiscoping adaptors are Made in America.