Pentax K-x and Celestron Ultima ED 65 spotting scope
Posted 26/06/2012 - 20:02
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Hi Ken, I have used an Acuter 80mm with a K-x attached. If the eyepiece is similar to this then under the rubber there is a T2 thread. The K to t2 adapter will screw on here and then the camera fixes to the adapter. You can then zoom in with the zoom on the eyepiece for the required picture.
Sounds simple which it actually is, but from what I found its better to adjust the zoom Not with the eyepiece zoom but with extention tubes. Simple pentax K tubes will suffice with no electrical contacts.
My reason for going this route is to make better use of the optics available. With a spotting scope the centre of the image is much clearer than the edge but if you zoom with the eyepiece then you get a similar picture. But with extention tubes and the eyepiece zoom set at the lowest then you are in effect cropping the centre of the picture and using the better part.
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzr1ZpL
Have look at these in this set. In pix 22 the middle is fair but at the edge you see that it looks out of focus, it probably is but even when you look through the scope a small focus change brings the edge in but then puts the centre just out of focus These were not taken with Dslr but with a 35mm film camera so never had many goes at this time. ££ per pictures a bit too much.
Being honest you probably would be better off in the finish buying a long lens for your K-x then at least you are using optics designed for taking photos rather than just looking through like a scope. The human brain does make lots of compromises in what we see with our eyes and its not always correct. If you are just buying a scope because it seems a cheaper option than a long lens, then I think it would be a mistake. If your location is anywhere near me you could have look through my scope to see the downfalls. And You could try my sigma 150-500 or an old Paragon 500mm
Pat
Sounds simple which it actually is, but from what I found its better to adjust the zoom Not with the eyepiece zoom but with extention tubes. Simple pentax K tubes will suffice with no electrical contacts.
My reason for going this route is to make better use of the optics available. With a spotting scope the centre of the image is much clearer than the edge but if you zoom with the eyepiece then you get a similar picture. But with extention tubes and the eyepiece zoom set at the lowest then you are in effect cropping the centre of the picture and using the better part.
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzr1ZpL
Have look at these in this set. In pix 22 the middle is fair but at the edge you see that it looks out of focus, it probably is but even when you look through the scope a small focus change brings the edge in but then puts the centre just out of focus These were not taken with Dslr but with a 35mm film camera so never had many goes at this time. ££ per pictures a bit too much.
Being honest you probably would be better off in the finish buying a long lens for your K-x then at least you are using optics designed for taking photos rather than just looking through like a scope. The human brain does make lots of compromises in what we see with our eyes and its not always correct. If you are just buying a scope because it seems a cheaper option than a long lens, then I think it would be a mistake. If your location is anywhere near me you could have look through my scope to see the downfalls. And You could try my sigma 150-500 or an old Paragon 500mm
Pat
Posted 28/06/2012 - 13:31
Link
Thanks for the info Pat. I would have liked a larger lens for my K-x, but the price put me off, then I came across a link for digiscoping that got me interested. I tried the Celestron Ultima 65 standard glass and was blowing away when I tried it outside a local shop. I'm hoping that it will take a decent photo, but I will also use it as a spotting scope. My main corncern was that it may be costly to connect to the camera, but I think you have eased my concerns there.
Ken
Ken
Posted 28/06/2012 - 13:32
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Sorry for any confusion with 'user-names' but I had to re-register under a new user name as I could log on with Kenspot.
Ken
Ken
Posted 29/06/2012 - 22:08
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I did wonder what had happened with the person replying. Puters always seem to go wonky even when they are fine!
As I said under the rubber is the T2 thread. This is actually a M42 thread, as is the old pentax /practika M42, BUT it is a different pitch. The T2 thread is 0.75 pitch and Camera Threads are 1.0 pitch. Just a warning as you could make an easy mistake and screw on the wrong thing, and mess up the eyepiece thread.
If you had the bits, A T2/ To M42x1.0 adapter,possibly off an old lens, and old screw thread extention tubes and then a M42x1.0 / Pentax K adapter does the job.
I did try some of these at one stage as my film camera was a thread fitting.
Also tried just having the extention tubes on, about 30mm, focus by eye and then hold an old fuji digi compact on the tubes and then took pictures that were acceptable, whilst just experimenting.
Best to just try anything that could work. Lots to learn, only a life time to fit it all in!
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzE9oPM
http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2012/index.php?formType=list&f_action=refresh&...
This was another use for extention tubes.
The pix arent dead clear but at a small size you can see what things are like with absolutely no Glass lens.
Just remembered another reason for buying a long lens is that you would then have control over the aperture. With a scope or a mirror lens you have to adjust the shutter or iso settings even whilst on a tripod.
Good luck Ken, and anyone else trying this.
Pat
As I said under the rubber is the T2 thread. This is actually a M42 thread, as is the old pentax /practika M42, BUT it is a different pitch. The T2 thread is 0.75 pitch and Camera Threads are 1.0 pitch. Just a warning as you could make an easy mistake and screw on the wrong thing, and mess up the eyepiece thread.
If you had the bits, A T2/ To M42x1.0 adapter,possibly off an old lens, and old screw thread extention tubes and then a M42x1.0 / Pentax K adapter does the job.
I did try some of these at one stage as my film camera was a thread fitting.
Also tried just having the extention tubes on, about 30mm, focus by eye and then hold an old fuji digi compact on the tubes and then took pictures that were acceptable, whilst just experimenting.
Best to just try anything that could work. Lots to learn, only a life time to fit it all in!
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzE9oPM
http://www.pinholeday.org/gallery/2012/index.php?formType=list&f_action=refresh&...
This was another use for extention tubes.
The pix arent dead clear but at a small size you can see what things are like with absolutely no Glass lens.
Just remembered another reason for buying a long lens is that you would then have control over the aperture. With a scope or a mirror lens you have to adjust the shutter or iso settings even whilst on a tripod.
Good luck Ken, and anyone else trying this.
Pat
Posted 30/06/2012 - 10:14
Link
I looked into this in detail and almost bought a Celestron. However due to the difficulties involved I am now contemplating buy a Pentax Q, a Q to K adapter and a Pentax Red Dot.
There is a guy on the other forum that has posted his set-up (actually more than one guy) and example pics - stunning ! Beauty of the set-up is that you can choose what lens to use and what mm you are looking for. The Q gives you 5.5. times the focal length of the lens in 35mm terms.
The shots posted with the 55-300 were very good (effective 1,650mm !) but I'm really waiting for the shots with his DA*300. However add this rig to a sharp 100mm and there is an instant 550mm - the perfect length for birding.
Of course you also now have a great little camera for other uses too.
All that said if you are buying the Celestron for star-work then ignore me !
There is a guy on the other forum that has posted his set-up (actually more than one guy) and example pics - stunning ! Beauty of the set-up is that you can choose what lens to use and what mm you are looking for. The Q gives you 5.5. times the focal length of the lens in 35mm terms.
The shots posted with the 55-300 were very good (effective 1,650mm !) but I'm really waiting for the shots with his DA*300. However add this rig to a sharp 100mm and there is an instant 550mm - the perfect length for birding.
Of course you also now have a great little camera for other uses too.
All that said if you are buying the Celestron for star-work then ignore me !
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
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