Digiklemme1 - Universal Digital Camera Adaptation for Telescopes, Spotting Scopes, ...
Take photographs through your teleskope or spotting scope
The problemMost compact digital cameras have an integrated objective lens which cannot be removed. If you want to take pictures through a telescope with such a camera, firstly you can´t use a T2 ring and secondly you always need an eyepiece, otherwise you won´t get an image.
The solutionThe Digiklemme offers an easy to use adaptation that works with most compact digital cameras and most eyepieces for telescopes, spotting scopes, microscopes etc. Each compact digital camera has the 1/4" camera thread needed for this adaptation.
The Digiklemme is attached to an eyepiece using a bracket that works for variable eyepiece diameters. The entire device can be operated without tools.
Further below we explain in more detail how the Digiklemme 1 is used.
Which cameras can be used with the Digiklemme 1
The Digiklemme 1 universal digiscoping adaptor is compatible with all compact digital cameras and camcorders up to a weight of about 500 g. The camera only needs a thread for camera adaptation which every common camera has.
On which instruments can the Digiklemme 1 be used?
The Digiklemme 1 can be used on telescopes which can accept standard 1.25" eyepieces. The eyepiece can have a physical diameter of about 30-40 mm.
The Digiklemme can also be used on spotting scopes, microscopes etc. It only needs eyepieces with a physical diameter between 30 and 40 mm, regardless of the barrel or bayonet size.
A rubber-lined metal bracket is put around the eyepiece and then tightened with a thumbscrew. Under normal operating conditions, this causes no scratches and provides a firm grip as long as the eyepiece has the proper diameter.
Working with the Digiklemme1 from TS-Optics is as simple as this:
Use the bracket to attach the eyepiece to the Digiklemme
We recommend to use your eyepiece with the longest focal length. For best possible field illumination it is particularly important that the "eye lens" of the eyepiece is as large as possible in diameter.
Insert the eyepiece into the bracket and tighten the bracket with the thumbscrew. Make sure that the bracket has a firm grip of the eyepiece - the entire load of the camera will be concentrated at this point!
The eyepiece barrel needs to point away from the camera adapter. If a rubber eyeguard is present we recommend to remove or retract it so that you can get closer with the camera.
Attach the camera to the Digiklemme
Attach the camera to the universal digital camera bracket by means of the supplied 1/4" screw. The lens of the camera should point towards the eyepiece. At first keep some distance between the eyepiece and the camera.
Now attach the eyepiece to your telescope or spotting scope, if it is not permanently installed.
Next, switch on the camera. In most models the lens will now extend to some degree. (This is why it is so important to keep a distance at first, in order to avoid a collision.)
Tip from Teleskop-Service: We recommend to remove the carrying strap from the camera before attaching it to the Digiklemme. The strap tends to get tangled up.
After switching on the camera move the camera as close as possible to the eyepieceThe Digiklemme 1 has an elongated hole in which the 1/4" screw runs. This allows you to move the camera axially.
Change the vertical position of the camera by unlocking the large star screw and then just sliding the bar up or down as desired. The knob can be seen on the bottom of the image to the left. In the latest version of the Digiklemme there are two large knurled screws. Make sure to always tighten only ONE of these two screws! If you tighten both of them you will reduce stability significantly!
Cameras with lenses that are not in line with the tripod thread: Many cameras do not have the tripod thread directly under the center axis of the lens. This is no problem at all with the Digiklemme. Just rotate the metal bar on which the camera sits a little to the side to compensate the offset. This movement will also move the camera closer to the eyepiece, so you need to compensate for this.
Practical tips from Teleskop-Service:
always move the camera as close as possible to the eyepiece to maximize the illuminated field of view. But be careful not to actually touch the eyepiece with the camera! use the optical zoom of your camera for best possible illumination. if possible switch off the autofocus function of your camera! You should rather focus with the telescope (or spotting scope, microscope etc.) use an eyepiece whose exit lens is as large as possible in diameter. This is usually the case with long focal length eyepieces. use the timer of your camera to avoid vibrations when pushing the trigger. A remote control is equally suitable.