If you’ve ever been out birding or scanning a ridgeline for elk and thought, “Dang, I wish I could get a photo of that!” — digiscoping might just be your new obsession. It’s the ultimate mash-up of photography and spotting scopes, and let me tell you, with the right gear, it’s a game-changer.
What the Heck is Digiscoping?
Simple. Digiscoping is using a spotting scope and a camera (usually your smartphone) to snap super-zoomed photos or video via an adapter. It’s kind of like giving your phone a 60x zoom lens — without dropping a small fortune on one of those giant telephoto rigs.
Why Use a Spotting Scope?
A good spotting scope can bring the world real close. We’re talking crisp details on a hawk’s feathers from half a football field away. And when it comes to scopes, Vanguard has really nailed the sweet spot between price and performance.
The Endeavor, VEO, and Vesta spotting scopes are perfect for digiscoping. Great glass, solid construction, and built to handle anything the trail throws your way. Whether you’re parked at the edge of a marsh watching sandhill cranes or glassing for mule deer on a windy hillside, Vanguard scopes won’t let you down.
Get Stable or Go Home
Now here’s the kicker: stability. You can have the best scope in the world, but if it’s shaking like a leaf in the breeze, your photos will look like Bigfoot sightings. That’s why a good tripod is non-negotiable.
Vanguard’s Alta and VEO series tripods are absolute workhorses. Lightweight enough to pack, sturdy enough for heavy optics, and smooth when panning across the landscape. You can even get ball heads or pan heads depending on your preference. (Tip: A tripod with a smooth pan or video head is money for slow, steady video.)
If you're looking for a travel-friendly optics tripod, then look no further than the Vesta Go series.
Hooking Up Your Phone
Some Vanguard spotting scopes are sold in bundles that come with adapters that let you mount your smartphone right over the eyepiece. It’s a little finicky the first couple times, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be filming ducks like David Attenborough.
Pro tip: Use your camera’s timer or a Bluetooth remote shutter to avoid vibrations when you hit the button. Even the tiniest tap can throw things off at high magnification.
A Vanguard VEO spotting scope bundle, complete with tripod and digiscoping adapter.
What Can You Shoot?
Here’s the fun part. Digiscoping opens a whole new world of photo ops:
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Birds — warblers, raptors, shorebirds, you name it
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Moose and elk — safely from a distance
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Celestial stuff — yep, the moon looks insane through a scope
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Nature close-ups — butterflies, frogs, lizards, even flowers
Honestly, it’s addictive.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a professional photographer or a tech wizard to get into digiscoping. Just grab a Vanguard spotting scope, throw it on a solid Vanguard tripod, clip your phone in, and start capturing the wild world around you — up close and personal.
So next time you’re out and spot something worth remembering, don’t just say, “I wish I could’ve taken a picture.” You’ve got this. Get digiscoping.