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The Vortex PS-100 is a solid and fairly compact camera adapter for non-threaded cameras. However, the original front plate has only a 37mm threaded hole. Which is fine for the tiny Canon Ixus117HS. Anything with a larger lens "nose" would strike the front plate. Or the, even smaller, 37-42mm, step-up ring which allowed me to purchase a TS, T2 eyepiece/camera adapter "cup."
While endlessly browsing the "digiscoping" dealer's websites I discovered a 50mm threaded front plate. If I wanted to use a camera with a larger, but non-threaded lens [like my Lumix?] I can provide more room for the nose of the lens to reach the optimum position close to the eyepiece. I have just measured the new plate and it is identical to the one I already have: 37mm.
The next problem was balancing the spotting scope in the Manfrotto 500 video head. The short, 500PLONG dovetail plate did not have enough length for balancing the digiscoping system. The PS-100 camera adapter and camera added so much weight that the [bare telescope] balance was completely changed. Which would normally demand the plate be slid through the head to compensate. Except that I couldn't.
So I ordered a 200mm 357PLONG plate online and discovered it won't fit! Far too wide! Grr! There are much cheaper, long plate clones for the 500 head. I could have saved my money instead of buying an oversized Manfrotto original. Never mind. It can be adapted to fit my classic, Bogen 3040 tripod for holding and balancing the Vixen 90mm f/11. I was never happy with the way I had to adapt the Vixen tube rings to the little hexagonal, quick-change plate.
I had bought a Sirui CF monopod for the telescope before discovering they don't work well. They stabilize to some extent but allow free, sideways rocking of heavy telescopes. Which quickly caused me nausea and vertigo.
I tried the monopod again today with my binoculars and Vortex binocular-tripod bracket. Now it worked much better . So that I was able to identify a male pheasant at 1000 yards with my Nikon Monarch 5 8x42s. A 7 mile distant mast was far more detailed with the binoculars resting on the monopod.
I had bought a Sirui CF monopod for the telescope before discovering they don't work well. They stabilize to some extent but allow free, sideways rocking of heavy telescopes. Which quickly caused me nausea and vertigo.
I tried the monopod again today with my binoculars and Vortex binocular-tripod bracket. Now it worked much better . So that I was able to identify a male pheasant at 1000 yards with my Nikon Monarch 5 8x42s. A 7 mile distant mast was far more detailed with the binoculars resting on the monopod.
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