Maximizing potential or using a screwdriver to pound a nail?
I'm not sure how to react to this
story at Gizmodo, but I guess the value depends on the optical quailty of both devices.
If you really need some up-close-and-personal shots using a cellphone camera, Brando of Hong Kong offers its 6x telephoto attachment that works with certain Nokia 6000- and 7000- series cellphones.
The lens is held in place by a replacement battery door, and then you focus the lens using the view screen of the cellphone. If you think your cellphone camera shots look crappy now, wait until you try holding this still. Good luck. It's $19. – Charlie White
USB Web Cam With Telescope
The
title says it all:
If just peeping on your neighbors isn't enough, there's the USB Web Cam with Telescope from Brando. The telescoping feature probably isn't useful for regular webcam conferences unless you want to show the other side how great (or lousy) your pores are. The scope has 7x magnification and can record at 30fps in 320x240 resolution. Perfect for incriminating evidence on what Mrs. Olsen's been doing to Mr. Sandoval's Petunias. – Jason Chen
Naive story on (lousy) digital camera binoculars
I'm reporting on this
story ONLY to rebut it! It presents the all-too-common initial enthusiasm about new products, when in reality they aren't all they should be.
Digital camera binoculars are convenient and let you take a photo of what you see, but the binoculars and camera are usually of poor quality. Furthermore, on the large majority of models the camera lens doesn't "see" through the binocular tubes. The net result will be a photo that's far worse than what you'd get from a high quality 10x or 12x zoom digital camera, and a binocular viewing experience that will pale in comparison with better products.
With optics you get what you pay for!
Wow! This is one of the coolest gadgets I’ve seen lately. Yet another case of ‘Why was this not invented already?’ It’s a pair of digital binoculars with a built in digital camera!
Perfect for when you are watching wildlife, now you can take a picture of the close up image and show other people of what you have seen. Gone are the days when you have to take a picture though a telescope!
Now for all those technical people out there, here are the specs. It has a 42mm quality objective, 8x magnifier and the viewing area is 112m x 912m. The light sensitivity is 27.6 and the focus is 5m – indefinite. The camera itself is a 2 Mega pixel camera with TFT display, SD card slot and a USB connection for your pc or notebook. If you understood all those details, you really are a gadget geek!
Because of the pop up LCD display screen, you wont have to squint into the binoculars whilst straining a muscle in your closed eyeball. The 8x magnifier will bring the object into perfect vision and then you just press and button and there you have it, a digital picture.
These digital camera binoculars won’t cost you the world either. This item only costs £109.95 which in my opinion is an absolute bargain and would make a great Christmas gift for the dad who has everything.
Not that I’m promoting spying on people, but that’s another use I could think of. Maybe it’s a good item for a private investigator! Whatever your use for this Binocular cam, it’s sure to open your eyes to a whole new world out there.
Binoc advice - Orlando Sentinal
The Orlando Sentinal provides
advice on choosing binoculars:
The expert: Mark Briskin, general manager, Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center in New York. On a clear day you can (almost) see forever . . . stargaze, watch birds or just get a spectacular 360-degree unobstructed view.
The product: Binoculars.
What I want: Lightweight with anti-reflection coating, waterproof and/or anti-fog.
I must have: Binoculars that are hinged in the middle to allow adjustment for eye width. While some models may have both the right and left lens adjustment, they must at least have a right diopter -- meaning the right lens can be adjusted for your right eye independent of the central focus.
What I hate: Knowing that no matter what type you buy, it will not be the best for every use (bird-watching, sporting events, stargazing, etc.).
The savvy shopper: Know exactly your purpose for use. Understand any vision issues you or a family member has before you purchase -- if you wear glasses, you need 14-mm to 25-mm relief (distance between the eyepiece and your eye to see clear and complete images). Shop at a reputable dealer (camera shop or outdoor retail operation) that offers a return policy. Larger does not mean better.
My pick: You can go from $20 for young members of your family up to $500 or more for the homegrown astronomer. Design of the Swift-Optics Audubon 820 is based on criteria from some of the world's leading ornithologists. Equipped with a five-lens ocular system, multicoated optics and pop-and-lock eyecups for eyeglass-wearing comfort (about $300, Optics planet.com).
Next best thing: Pentax UCF-X 8X25 is a good general purpose binocular.
