Hi,

I read that you are looking at spotting scopes.

I am considering the Eagle Optics Raven 78mm 20-60($400) along with the Bushnell Spacemaster 60mm 15-45($270)and possibly the Kowa 601 or 661 (around $700).

What have you been looking at?

Good luck.

I have also been looking at the Eagle Optics Raven mainly because it had been recommended by someone else. Please let me know which one you get and how you like it. We are building a new home with a view of a huge bluff with lots of resident birds, mainly hawks and buzzards. There is a river below with wood ducks, herons, etc. I am also tryng to start a prairie with native grasses and wildflowers hoping to attract even more wildlife. I am so excited but in no hurry because they are just framing the house now. I would really be interested in your experience with the scope. Thanks, Andrea

I use the bushnell Sentry
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Look at some of the Post started by me,Here and in the bird fourm.I love this scope. Its in the $120 range.Ill post a few pics I took with it.
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Dear Hillbilly,

Sorry so late to respond. We've been out of town. Love the pics. Thanks so much for them and the advice!

amluplow:

Unfortunately, the best spotting scopes can't be purchased for under $400.00. If you want the "best spotting scope" I would suggest that you explore the Spotting Scopes at Leica Camera USA at the link below.

I don't have one of the Leica scopes nor do I have any other brands, but I've been a Leica photographer for more than several decades and nothing surpasses their optical or mechanical qaulity (or the prices).

FYI - I have been to two Leica Photographic Seminars several decades ago - as well as those of other 35mm camera manufacturers, i.e. Nikon, Canon, and Pentax. At the Leica seminars, one could still easily seen fantastically sharp details with great clarity, extraordinary rendition of color; exceptional tonal ranges and color differentiation of their 35mm slides projected on 8 X 12 foot screens. Of course, the 35mm slides were projected on Leica projectors as well - thus insuring that one's slides were projected with the same quality as the taken Leica image.

In addition to exploring the Leica spotting scopes, I would urge you to do your "homework" in greater depth by reading the literature, actually visiting a store with medium and high end optical scopes, making and comparing notes and then making your decision.

One of the better places to see all of this in one stop, is the Canadian National Park at Point Pelee. At their annual bird watching event, I am told - by one who attended - that many of the optics manufacturers bring their equipment to the event and you can look through them and speak endlessly with their representative.

The web site to this Canadian park is

http://www.canadianparks.com/ontario/ppelenp/index.htm

The 4th annual Pelee Island Bird Race/Baillie Birdathon is scheduled for Friday, May 13th and Saturday May 14th.

Additonal information about this event and other related information can be found at:

http://www.pelee.org/

When Sue and I visited Point Pelee last spring, we enjoyed this little store with its wide range of photographic and optical merchandise. One you arrive at the link, scroll to the bottom and you'll note that the annual optics expo is schedule around the same time as the annual birding event.

Here's the link:

http://www.peleewings.ca/bno.html

Hope you find this useful and helpful.

Bill

Here is a link that might be useful: Leica camera

I have the Bushnell Spacemaster 15x-45x, 60mm that I like. I got it free as a retirement gift from my company. At the time I didn't even know that I wanted a spotting scope, but I didn't see much else on the list that I wanted more. It came in a package that includes a small table top tripod and a backpack. I talked to a guy that had selected the same thing and he liked it then I found a user review on Epinions where the user gave it 4 out of 5 stars. (See the link). I think it usually retails for around $300. I'm sure you can pay twice as much but I don't think I would. I ended up buying a full sized tripod that I really like that will fit in the backpack instead of the tabletop one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Epinions Review

Bought a scope yet?
you have to comprimise if cost factors in at all.
I shot all the bird photos at my site with a Celestron 15-45x60 ($250 ish) if you can spend the extra money for an 80mm objective you won't be dissapointed.
www.optics4birding.com is probably the most helpfull store.
the most important thing is you like it. (my Celestron is the best scope I've ever looked through, and until I have an extra couple of grand, I refuse to look through any of my friends Swarovskis).

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos from the Edge, of Tennessee

Try www.porters.com I got a 1000mm scope for under 4 hundred. With a digital camera it gets out to 1500mm. The f stop is fixed at f-11. put a 1.4 tele converter on it and really reach out and touch someone. With a 2x tele converter its alsome but with an f stop of 22 yoou need a high iso and good light.

www.digitalfoto.com is a great place to look. Many varities and lots of prices. Look up by brand. The one I have is a Meade. 1000mm at f-11. It is currentely for sale for 374 dollars.

opps! That is www.digitialfotoclub.com