Flying High: Justin Carr’s Journey into DSLR Digiscoping
What begins as a simple love for nature can evolve into something much deeper. For Kowa ambassador Justin Carr, a childhood hobby turned into a lifelong journey of mastering the art of digiscoping. From filming birds with a camcorder in the 90s to capturing seabirds in flight with professional gear, Justin’s dedication to his craft shines through in every frame. We met with him in the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Attenborough Nature Reserve and he shared insights, tips, and personal stories that offer both inspiration and guidance for aspiring digiscopers.
From Weekend Walks to Wildlife Films
Justin's first birdwatching experiences came courtesy of his grandparents, who took him out on weekends and evenings. That early exposure sparked something enduring. In the mid-90s, a chance purchase of a camcorder led him to an unexpected realization: a video camera paired with a spotting scope could produce surprisingly sharp footage. That discovery marked the beginning of his digiscoping journey.
The Challenge of Birds in Flight
It wasn’t just the beauty of birds that drew Justin in - it was the difficulty of capturing them on the move. Birds in flight present a unique challenge: there’s no autofocus to rely on, no second chances. It's all manual focus, requiring intense concentration and practiced reflexes. Filming fast-moving subjects, whether it's a bird slicing through the sky or a hare sprinting across a field, demands precision and patience.
Some memories stick with you forever. For Justin, one highlight was capturing a butterfly in flight using nothing more than a pair of binoculars and a camera. Another unforgettable moment was filming a Black-browed Albatross — a rare sight in UK waters — as it flew just meters from a crowd of stunned birders. These are the kinds of encounters that make the long hours and early mornings worthwhile.
The Kowa TSN-88 PROMINAR: A Crucial Piece of the Puzzle
At the center of Justin’s setup is the Kowa TSN-88 PROMINAR spotting scope. This scope is equipped with a pure fluorite crystal objective lens, which delivers unrivaled optical clarity - even at full magnification. Its dual focus system (quick and fine focus) is key when transitioning between distances, making it easier to lock onto a moving bird and keep it in sharp detail. The straight-body design, which mimics the handling of a DSLR and long lens, also supports faster subject acquisition - something Justin appreciates when shooting unpredictable wildlife.
All of Justin’s work is done in manual focus. To help track his subjects, he uses focus peaking in his camera settings, a visual aid that adds a colored halo to in-focus areas. He prefers blue, since it stands out against green backgrounds. The key, he explains, is to maintain that blue halo around the moving subject, especially during flight. His technique involves using the TSN-88’s quick focus wheel to get close, then fine focus for precision - a method that’s become second nature through years of repetition.
Gear That Gets the Job Done
For his camera, Justin favors the Micro Four Thirds system, specifically Panasonic Lumix models like the GH5. These offer a 2x crop factor, bringing subjects closer without sacrificing image quality. His Kowa digiscoping TSN-DA10 adapter ensures a stable, precise connection between scope and camera, while a gimbal tripod head allows for smooth, fluid movement. He also uses an external microphone to cut down on wind noise — a small touch that makes a big difference when recording sound in open spaces.
Light, Wind, and the Perfect Shot
Timing is everything in wildlife photography. Justin prefers shooting early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is low and shadows add depth to the image. These times also tend to have less wind, which means calmer water and better reflections. Midday, with its harsh light and stronger breeze, is something he tries to avoid. The absence of heat haze in the morning also makes it easier to get crisp footage of distant subjects - another reason to set that early alarm.
Digiscoping for Beginners: Start Small, Aim Big
Justin’s advice to newcomers is simple: start with your smartphone. With a good adapter, even a phone can deliver surprisingly strong results, especially for stationary subjects. As smartphone cameras continue to improve, they’ve become a fantastic entry point for digiscoping. That said, when it comes to tracking movement, a dedicated camera system offers significantly better control, speed, and image quality. Justin encourages beginners to use what they have, get comfortable, and then gradually level up to more advanced gear.
When asked how he consistently gets great footage, Justin credits muscle memory. Years of practice have refined his reflexes, allowing him to spot, focus, and track in one smooth motion. But he’s quick to stress that anyone can do it. Digiscoping is about showing up, putting in the time, and learning to see through both the lens and the eye of a birdwatcher.
Justin's Kowa gear:
