Digital Focus: Special Effects With Text and Photos

Dave's Favorites: LE-Adapter

Have you ever wanted to connect your digital camera or digital video camcorder to a high-powered optical system like a telescope or microscope? You may remember that if you've got the appropriate T-adapter, you can attach a 35mm SLR camera to a telescope. So why not a digital camera?

LensPlus sells a little $155 gadget called the LE-Adapter that acts as a docking port between your digital camera or camcorder and other optical gadgets like telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, and microscopes. It works with a wide variety of cameras--all you need is a set of threads on the front of the lens to screw on the adapter.

The LE-Adapter comes ready to screw onto cameras with either 37mm- or 52mm-diameter threads. If your camera has a different-size lens, you can buy a step ring that goes from your camera's threads (the size is usually inscribed right on the front of the lens) to either 37mm or 52mm. If you go shopping for a step ring, make sure you get the right type. If your camera's lens is larger than 52mm--say, 62mm--you'll want a 62mm-to-52mm step-down ring. A step-up ring has threads that go the wrong way, so the distinction is important.

Once you screw the LE-Adapter onto your camera, you attach the other end of the adapter onto your telescope, binoculars, or other optical system, and start taking pictures. In most cases, your digital camera should be able to auto-focus right through the new optics.

I love the idea of the LE-Adapter, and you should be happy with the results as long as you understand that the optics won't be as bright and sharp as you're used to with your ordinary lens. A set of binoculars, for instance, may give you a lot of magnification, but the optics aren't designed to take professional-caliber photos. I've had a blast photographing the moon through my 6-inch reflector telescope, though, and it's a way to capture photos that would be otherwise absolutely impossible to take with a digital camera alone.

Your results will vary depending your camera. I found that my Nikon CoolPix 990 works fine, for instance, while my Sony PC110 DV camcorder suffers from terrible optical degradation. If in doubt, talk to the folks at LensPlus. I found them knowledgeable about how a number of different cameras work with their product. The LE-Adapter is available for $155 from LensPlus.