Author Topic: camera lens help! (Read 2002 times)

dead_eye · « **on:** February 19, 2003, 04:34:52 PM »

Hi

I have a older 35mm Vivitar 220/SL it has the "universal threaded lens mount." I am trying find telephoto lens that will fit but having trouble...

Does anyone know anything more about the"universal threaded mount?"

Has anyone use spotting scopes or telescope with any luck with there camera?

THANKS!!!

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2003, 12:36:37 PM »

Here's something you might check out on the universal screw mount:

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~coreya/yashica/dealers.html

I've taken pictures using a Bushnell Discoverer spotting scope and an Olympus SLR. The results are not as clear as a camera lens but for some wildlife that you can't approach otherwise it's an option especially if you don't have the money for a professional lens in that range. Another thing to consider is the f-stop. It's basically one choice with this setup and it's not a really low number probably something around f8 if you are lucky. That means no low light photography. My Olympus is also automatic with aperature priority so I could use it on automatic exposure with this setup.

Some people have problems with vignetting with add-on lens like this. I did not with this setup but it's another consideration.

dead_eye · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2003, 02:02:57 PM »

jack,

Thanks for the sight, it does well explaining it and its different names.
My old vivitar has a internal light meter so playing with film speed and shutter speed I should do OK.

Was it a hard too get your focal distance right. At one time I had the calculation for this. This may be why your pictures are not quite that sharp. If you want I will see if I can find that!?!

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2003, 03:04:28 PM »

Thanks but I think the pictures aren't that sharp simply because this is not the same quality as a true camera lens. I've also noticed when using this scope at the range that it is a little shaky on high magnification, on the tripod I have it on, even when I'm not touching it. Of course, I use a cable release when using it with the camera but there still may be some residual motion. Focal distance isn't a factor because it's an SLR.

dead_eye · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2003, 06:10:57 PM »

Jack or anybody,

Can I get your opinion on a lens?

ZM-6A 6,3/500 Russian Lens Zenit M42 #34#

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2003, 12:25:37 PM »

I don't know anything about Zenit.

This type of lens is nice because it is compact for the magnification but since it's a reflector you can get donut shaped highlights that put off some people. The f stop of 6.3 doesn't seem too terrible for a lens in this price range. Another thing I'd think about is the filter size. I didn't see that anywhere. If it's not standard and you want to use filters you may have a problem or may have to find an adapter.

My best advice is to buy it with a return guarantee and try it out.

dead_eye · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2003, 06:12:19 AM »

Jack,

Here is a photo of the setup, It comes with 4 filter. I can get it all for $80.
Is that a good price? :?

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2003, 05:28:56 AM »

Sorry, for some reason my browser doesn't find your photo.

I'll say the same thing. If it comes with a money back guarantee, it try, if it doesn't give good results return it. Keep in mind that with this lens you are more than likely going to need a good tripod if you don't have one and a cable release.

dead_eye · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2003, 04:23:12 PM »

sorry Jack, :oops:

My site where my picture is only lets me post thumbnails vs full size photos. It looked OK to my computer because the file was already in my computer and didn't have to go to the web site....

sorry.....

A plus is that it comes with 4 filter, I have never used filters...
Do you have a site that explains filters?

Thank again...

savageT · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2003, 07:32:05 AM »

Deadeye,
I've been reading your post string and have a few questions....First off, if you're still interested in taking photos through a spotting scope or binoculars I have some experience there. If I recall, since it was years ago, I had my 7X50 binoculars mounted with an adapter to my camera tripod and a rubber cup over the binocular eye-piece. Initially, I focused the binoculars with my eyes then placed the camera up to the rubber eye-piece adapter and focused on the ground glass on the camera (although, you can set the camera focus ring on infinity and just focus through the binoculars. Because I was hand-holding the camera, I had to shoot at a high speed: 1/500th sec. or faster. As a result, I had to use a very fast ASA film because with the binocular lense,the resultant f/stop is quite small (ie. f/14.......7x divided by the front lens dia. 50=f/14). Results were decent using an Ektachrome color slide film.

Any filters you want to use can be placed over your normal 50mm lense. I wouldn't use a zoom lense for this set-up as any additional glass is bound to cause further loss of resolution and blurriness. I would suggest setting the aperture on your 50mm lense to mid-point at about f/8 just to illiminate any distortions from the vignetting. I've used this technique on binocular microscopes as well and auomatic exposure 35mm camersa and digital camera with excellent results. If you want filter info I can handle that issue at some other time. Using a spotting scope should be basically the same kind of set-up....you will mount the telescope on a sturdy tripod and hand-hold the camera. The rubber eye-cup is so you don't scratch the glass surfaces on the camera and scope and also to seal out extraineous light. Good Luck!

Jim

Charlie Detroit · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2003, 04:10:55 AM »

It's been many years since I looked at camera ads & reviews, but as I recall, "universal thread mount" is the same as "Pentax thread", and almost anyone who hopes to sell lenses to a mass market will find a way to design his mount to fit this thread. Likewise with camera mfrs; if they hope to get the guy who wants to put any lens he chooses on his camers, they'll figure a way to accept Pentax-type lenses.

savageT · « **Reply #11 on:** April 10, 2003, 06:29:18 AM »

Quote from: Charlie Detroit

It's been many years since I looked at camera ads & reviews, but as I recall, "universal thread mount" is the same as "Pentax thread", and almost anyone who hopes to sell lenses to a mass market will find a way to design his mount to fit this thread. Likewise with camera mfrs; if they hope to get the guy who wants to put any lens he chooses on his camers, they'll figure a way to accept Pentax-type lenses.

Charlie,
True! Before Pentax copied the design, it was the post war East-German Practica Threaded mount.

Jim

Ironwood · « **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2003, 06:04:24 PM »

Dead-eye....... I happen to have some lens with Univeral threads, if you are still interested? I have a 90-230MM Zoom, a 2X, and a 28MM wide angle. I also have a 200MM fixed lens with the Pentax U threads. Maybe we could work out some kind of swap or something. That is if you are still wanting some. Oh yes and I also have an adapter to hook up the U thread to a Simmons spotting scope. Come to think of it, I also have a bellows extension with Universal threads. I guess you have figured out by now that I've been taking photographs for a long time.