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My Digiscoping Journey
Hello… I’m Paul. It started on the Upper Back Bay in Newport Beach, California when I looked through a spotting scope for the first time. Amazed with the sharp, crisp, close-up views, I went all-in with Swarovski Optiks. Then by coupling my Nikon, I was photographing the zoomed-in views! Amazing! That's Digiscoping. Friends wowed the images and encouraged me to enter contests. I entered my first bird images and won Honorable Mentions with the California Coastal Commission, spotlighted in Orange County Fair and Swarovski OPTIK Austria later featured my work on their global website. Grand recognitions. Today I film and photograph the rich bird and wildlife of the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville, Texas.
Published Photography First Images submitted and Getty / iStock acceptances in May 2026. View current published work.
Published Photography First Images submitted and Getty / iStock acceptances in May 2026. View current published work.
My Gear Bag; Swarovski + Nikon gear coupling for impressive digiscoping distant view photo capture results:
Includes — Swarovski spotting scope + Nikon camera = classic digiscoping setup. That’s a very solid combination. Swarovski scopes (especially the ATS/STS, ATX/STX, or the newer NL Pure / ATX series) are widely regarded as top-tier for digiscoping because of their excellent optics, high eye relief, and bright, flat fields. Pairing them with a Nikon camera (mirrorless like the Z series) works extremely well.
• Direct projection / afocal method (most popular and simplest). Use a Swarovski digiscoping adapter (TLS APO, DCA, or the newer ones that fit the ATX/STX/NL) ... Attach a Nikon camera body via a suitable T-ring or the Swarovski-to-Nikon adapter ring. Popular Nikon bodies for digiscoping Nikon Z6 / Z6 II / Z7 / Z8 / Z9 (excellent for this because of high-res sensors, silent shutter, and good live-view focusing) Key accessories that make the combo smooth; Swarovski TLS APO or Universal Camera Adapter + Nikon T-ring, a good ball head or fluid head on a sturdy tripod (Gitzo, Really Right Stuff, or Manfrotto), remote shutter release or Nikon SnapBridge / Camera Control Pro for vibration-free shots.
Lights Cameras Action ... Into the Field to explore, observe and film!
• Direct projection / afocal method (most popular and simplest). Use a Swarovski digiscoping adapter (TLS APO, DCA, or the newer ones that fit the ATX/STX/NL) ... Attach a Nikon camera body via a suitable T-ring or the Swarovski-to-Nikon adapter ring. Popular Nikon bodies for digiscoping Nikon Z6 / Z6 II / Z7 / Z8 / Z9 (excellent for this because of high-res sensors, silent shutter, and good live-view focusing) Key accessories that make the combo smooth; Swarovski TLS APO or Universal Camera Adapter + Nikon T-ring, a good ball head or fluid head on a sturdy tripod (Gitzo, Really Right Stuff, or Manfrotto), remote shutter release or Nikon SnapBridge / Camera Control Pro for vibration-free shots.
Lights Cameras Action ... Into the Field to explore, observe and film!