Digiscoping bridges the gap between observation and photography, letting you capture distant birds, wildlife, and landscapes using a spotting scope paired with a camera or smartphone. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, wildlife watcher, or outdoor educator, digiscoping opens up a whole new way to document and enjoy your time in the field.
This guide will walk you through the essential gear, best practices, and product recommendations to get you started or refine your setup. You'll learn how to choose the right spotting scope, pick the ideal digiscoping adapter, and stabilize your setup for crystal clear images even at high magnifications.
As with any field optic, the objective lens diameter (the last number in specs like 20×60×80) determines how much light your scope can gather. The more light, the clearer and brighter your images, especially at higher magnifications or in low light conditions.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
50 to 65mm
Compact and great for travel or mobile setups
66 to 80mm
Balanced performance and portability
85mm and above
Maximum detail and brightness, best for stationary setups or pro photography
Angled scopes are more ergonomic for group use and glassing upward
Straight scopes provide faster target acquisition and a more intuitive transition from binoculars
If you're sharing the view with others or glassing from uneven terrain, an angled scope is a solid choice. For solo use or fast action wildlife tracking, go with straight.
Phone digiscoping is now easier than ever thanks to universal adapters that clamp your phone directly to the scope's eyepiece. Look for:
Durable build quality (metal preferred)
Easy alignment and grip
Compatibility with common eyepiece sizes
For more serious photographers using DSLRs or mirrorless systems, T-rings and custom adapters let you mount your camera body directly to the spotting scope, turning it into a powerful long range lens.
Digiscoping requires your setup to be solid. Even the smallest vibration at 60x zoom can ruin a shot. Look for a tripod that’s:
Sturdy enough for your scope’s weight
Lightweight if you're on the move
Smooth pan tilt control
Use a remote shutter or phone timer to reduce shake
Focus manually through the spotting scope before attaching your camera
Turn off image stabilization when mounted on a tripod
Shoot during golden hours for soft, warm light
Clean all optics carefully to avoid distortion
Visit our Understanding Optics Guide to dive deeper into:
Magnification vs. field of view
Why lens coatings and glass quality matter
Learn how magnification, glass quality, and field of view work together.
Discover how to choose the right binoculars and spotting scopes for birding.
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