www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi. After watching butterflies in my garden and at a few local sites in Cambs, I have become interested in solving an unsolved problem. I have used a small number of optical instruments (binoculars and modified spotting scopes) in order to follow the butterflies and look at them at close focus. It appears that no-one has ever properly designed a dedicated butterfly (and other insect) scope. A close focus binocular or monocular is fine but (as optics is my field) I know that a power of 8X or 10X is OK some of the time, but the appearence of a butterfly is transformed at powers of 20X and over, with a stationary instrument that is corrected for close focus spherical aberration. So, I intend to design the ideal butterfly-watching scope. It will have a magnification range of 10X to 30X (or more if required), a close focus down to 1m and with a flat field, apochromatic, and a very low level of spherical aberration at close focus. I can also make use of visual polarizer filters as part of this instrument, as this help to see colours better and reduce reflected light.

What I need from you guys is a little help from experienced field observers.
e.g. What is it you would like the perfect butterfly scope to be able to do. What are the pitfalls of using conventional instruments for watching butterflies (i.e. modern birdwatching optics). Is waterproofing required, i.e. exactly what proportion of insect observing is carried out when it is raining or extremely humid? How many UK butterfly enthusiasts travel to tropical and sub-tropical environments in order to see more exotic species? (this plays a part in whether or not waterproofing is important). Just what level of detail would you like to see on a butterfly.
Other aspects of butterfly watching that need to be taken into account when designing a dedicated instrument.
If you don't have the answers I need, perhaps you can put me in touch with a group, or individuals who can provide the answers I need.

Many thanks for your co-operation.

Best wishes

Rubystar

Since three months have passed and no one has replied, I thought I'd venture my opinion.

Aesthetically, butterflies are best admired with the naked eye, though occasionally binoculars are useful for species that hang around in trees. I do also usually carry a close-focus monocular for identification purposes, but I never 'watch' with one, in the way I watch birds through binoculars. My 8x magnification is perfectly adequate and I have never needed more.

For crucial species in difficult groups, like Pyrgus and Erebia, I carry a net. Netting is quicker and less stressful to butterfly and habitat than chasing an insect to get a good view through optics. Thus, I for one would not invest in more powerful, dedicated butterfly optics if they were available.

Guy

i do not have any special optical equipment... i find that my camera which has a x12 optical zoom & additional x5 digital zoom enables me to watch butterflies high up in trees ( the butterflies that is, not me )

charles