Update on cheap lens project.
Feb 10, 2015 02:30:27 #
Finally I have some initial feedback on my project to determine feasibility of using used, cheap, third party telephoto lenses. I acquired 3 lenses. The first was sold on ebay as an Asunama 400mm. It cost me about $22 incl s&h. It also needed a new T-mount. The second was sold as a Spiratone 400mm needing a new T-mount. It cost $24 incl s&h. The third was a gift from an interested UHH contributor. Cost $0 incl s&h. (can you get a better deal?). It was a Vivitar 400mm needing a new TX mount. So 3 lenses at total $46 layout. One proper T-mount would be good for the first two, and a new TX (which I had never heard of) for the third. After an excrutiating long period of time I got the adaptors, $26 for both. OK, now I am ready to start. First, the Asunama and the Spiratone were the same lens with different names! Major bummer. (But I did get an Asunama lens cap!). The Spiratone was in marginally better condition, but they should test out as roughly equal, I would guess. The Vivitar is obviously a better built, heavier product. But tho heavy, it has no lens collar, nor provision for one! Apparently, Vivitar made 2 versions of this, one longer with collar, one shorter without. Nevertheless, I really would like a collar on it. There is a space on it where I could mount a collar with a width NGT 15mm and an inner diameter of about 65mm. If I could find one. There are a lot of cheap collars on ebay, all made for the newer, fatter digital lenses, 70mm or more and with a width GT 15mm. Then the online stores sell them for like $80 or more (WTF, for a collar?). But as soon as the weather clears, I will take some test shots. I have already taken a few, and determined I do get an image, and seemingly an acceptable one, but then we have been in stormy weather lately so will have to wait for clear skies. Also, I have determined that mounting a lens via T-mount or TX to a Hong Kong special $6 M42-EOS adapter ring (with chip) causes no infinity focus problems, and allows you to get a meter reading, so it is just like an old manual SLR, which I am comfortable with altho some of you seem to lump them with box cameras as hopelessly outdated. So more to come. BTW, I am still looking for a Cosina/Phoenix/Vivitar 100-500mm for say $30.
Feb 10, 2015 05:46:38 #
graybeard wrote:
Finally I have some initial feedback on my project... (show quote)
Sounds like a fun project. I'm anxious to see what your images look like.
Feb 10, 2015 13:16:34 #
ebrunner wrote:
Sounds like a fun project. I'm anxious to see what your images look like.
If only the weather would warm up !
Feb 10, 2015 14:48:52 #
graybeard wrote:
I acquired 3 lenses. The first was...an Asunama 400mm. The second was...a Spiratone 400mm needing a new T-mount. The third was a...Vivitar 400mm needing a new TX mount.
What are the apertures of those? I bought a Kalimar 500mm F/8 that I'm using on micro four thirds, and while it shows slight diffraction wide open, it's still acceptable. I can even use it handheld with image stabilization on.
Feb 10, 2015 14:51:23 #
n3eg wrote:
What are the apertures of those? I bought a Kalimar 500mm F/8 that I'm using on micro four thirds, and while it shows slight diffraction wide open, it's still acceptable. I can even use it handheld with image stabilization on.
The Vivitar is 5.6, the others 6.3. Those are off the top of my head.
Feb 11, 2015 07:54:07 #
graybeard wrote:
Finally I have some initial feedback on my project to determine feasibility of using used, cheap, third party telephoto lenses.
As you're finding, price and quality/results do not necessarily go hand in hand.
Feb 11, 2015 12:21:26 #
Once computers started designing lenses they got to be pretty good--they could be faster, but used on a good tripod with mirror lock up, a good lens shade, and a cable release they should do very well.
Stan
Stan
Feb 11, 2015 14:09:26 #
stan0301 wrote:
Once computers started designing lenses they got to be pretty good--they could be faster, but used on a good tripod with mirror lock up, a good lens shade, and a cable release they should do very well.
Stan
Stan
Surprised at the positive comments made by some. At the beginning I was told I wouldn't even get an image! Unfortunately I will not have a first rate TP lens of the same focal length to compare it to, but I do know what an acceptable image is.
Feb 18, 2017 18:08:57 #
OK Folks I am back with the cheap telephoto lens topic I left 2 years ago. Lots has changed. I recently tested six different lenses, all old manual lenses from film days, and all on available on ebay (with a little patience) for $20-$40 max. I recently did test shots with all of them, and I will post them and ask for your feedback when I can figure out how to post pictures here. (somebody let me know). So, the six lenses are 1. Hanimex 80-200 (M42 mount), which I used for years on my Pentax and Mamiya/Sekor cameras. I bought it new, don't remember the cost, but knowing me it wasn't much. 2. Spiratone 400 (M42 T-mount) bought on ebay for 20 some bucks. I had to buy the T-mount separately. 3. Vivitar 400 (M42 TX mount) Given to me by a UHH hogger for $0 but I had to buy the mount on ebay. 4. Samyang 100-500 (Olympic mount) bought on ebay for $30 some bucks from a goodwill store in Seattle. 5. Lentar 500 mirror lens (T mount) for $30 something. 6. Hanimex 750 mirror lens (T mount) for $35 from a goodwill store in San Francisco. The Samyang needed a Oly-Canon adapter, all the others an M42-Canon adapter. I shoot with a Canon T3, and I also included shots taken with my Canon 55-250 and my Tamron 28-300, just for comparison purposes, as I don't consider these as cheap old lenses. I have reached some conclusions, but I would rather not disclose them just yet, as I am curious what you may have to say. So I am leaving for a little while now to see if I can post pix here, and if so will do so soon.
Feb 18, 2017 18:51:41 #
graybeard wrote:
OK Folks I am back with the cheap telephoto lens t... (show quote)
Posting pics is easy. You just hit the "Quote reply" button and then the "Choose File" button and click the store original box. Choose your file (picture) and press the Add Attachment button. Then you have posted your picture.
Feb 18, 2017 19:08:32 #
JPL wrote:
Posting pics is easy. You just hit the "Quote reply" button and then the "Choose File" button and click the store original box. Choose your file (picture) and press the Add Attachment button. Then you have posted your picture.
OK here are 4 pics I took at 100mm. Match the lens to the pictures we will call A, B, C, and D. The lenses are Hanimex 80-200, Tamron 28-300, Samyang 100-500 and Canon 55-250.
Feb 18, 2017 19:10:52 #
You are going to get sick of this chimney. Match the lens with the pic. A,B,C,D from top to bottom.
Feb 18, 2017 19:36:52 #
graybeard wrote:
You are going to get sick of this chimney. Match the lens with the pic. A,B,C,D from top to bottom.
Would have made a better comparison test if all four images were focused on the very same thing within the scene.
Feb 19, 2017 00:10:37 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Would have made a better comparison test if all four images were focused on the very same thing within the scene.
The chimney top is the focal point. At 100mm it is a small part of the picture. At greater lengths (coming up) it will become a bigger part, and finally, at the biggest lengths it will be all of the picture. Also, light varies somewhat as some of these were taken in mid afternoon, others late afternoon.
Feb 19, 2017 01:50:02 #
A looks best to me actually best to worst a b c d i'm guessing the hanimex is the first one. I'm not giving brand any thought but it has the smallest zoom range
hanimex, canon, tamron, samyang how did i do?
hanimex, canon, tamron, samyang how did i do?
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.