DIY adapter for the Kodak DC4800 digital camera

Importan note: this is a first version of the DIY adapter. I have now a improved version of this adapter. I will post details as soon as possible

This is intended for its use with the Zeiss Diascope series of spotting scopes and a Kodak DC4800 digital camera. These scopes have a eyecup in the eyepiece that can be pulled upward and locked by turning it clockwise. This makes a space suitable to fit the adapter. The Kodak DC4800 camera has an objetive that moves forward and back when zoom is activated. This makes impossible to use an adapter to fix the camera to the scope.

Pictures will be more clear that my words..

Here you can see the adapter. It is a ring made with a (green) flexible rubber or plastic foam that fit in the space that the eyecup forms when it is pulled out. External diameter of the ring is a little wider that the internal diameter of the eyepiece space. This helps in holding tightly the ring in it. The central aberture is a little narrow than the camera objective diameter. This helps in holding the camera there. Notice that you can use the scope with the ring in it

Here you see how the ring fit nicely in the camera objective. Since it is a flexible (although somehow rigid as well) foam, it stuck to it nicely, without any possibility of damaging the objective surface.

Here you can see how the only presence of the foam ring is capable of holding the camera against the eyepiece. And aligment is correct !!

Another view..

Benefits:

• Inmediate availability
• Price
• It holds the objective as close to the eyepiece as you can. It is flexible. No space in between. No vignetting..
• It is a flexible, "live" attachment. If the camera zoom is activated, the camera can move freely. In this case you will maintain the objetive always close to the eyepiece. This is important for this type of camera objective, as zoom is not internal. Remember, the objective moves back and forward.
• An extra benefit: you do and undo the assembly in less than a second. You can follow the bird with the scope and then take the picture just a moment afterwards.
• You can see through the scope with the ring in it.
• You can have the ring set in the camera if you want.
• No worries in damaging the scope eyepiece. No scratching of any surface. We are talking about foam.
• No limits in the size of the ring.
• No worries about threat sizes..
• you don't have to take out the eyecup protector.

Drawbacks:

• This is not actually a very tight attachment. Not at least as the commercial adapters. You can not leave the camera without expecting to fall out if you accidentally hit the tripod, or it is windy outside.
• It is needed an internal space where the ring must fit.

Hints:

• I'll try to use a rubber cap for this purpose. I mean one of these caps used in labware that can be found at various diameters. I understand that rubber will be still flexible enough and at the same time rigid enough to better hold the camera there..