Maksutov 1000mm lens - what camera to get for it? (1 Viewer)

[NhazUl]

Hi. Recently, a relative of mine who has been practicing photography for nearly 80 years gave me a huge Maksutov telephoto lens (MTO) to shoot with. The lens is a reflector with 1000mm focal length, minimum focusing distance of 8m and fixed apperture of f/10. What camera (for under $500) would you recommend me if I am to use it for birding? Thanks in advance.

This is what the lens looks like:

 

[iveljay]

This lens was equipped with an M42 mount as standard, though its always wise to be cautious as some lenses from this period were modified by specialists for other mounts. You will need to purchase a M42 to your chosen camera mount adapter.
Remember that this lens is manual focus, quite dim to focus and fixed aperture.
As it needs a heavy tripod and takes time to manually focus you will not be using it for bif.
There are a lot of items on the internet from users of this lens, mainly Canon users, but any camera with a suitable adapter and a bright, large viewfinder that is good for manual focus should be OK. Remember that the camera exposure meter may not be entirely accurate with this lens.
This is a thread from birdforum showing some results.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=113730

The most important feature of any camera will be its ability to focus manually with a dim, low contrast lens. Full frame will be best as any cropping will make the whole exercise even more challenging.

Just been checking when I last used a mirror lens, back in Feb 2007. A 500mm f8 on a 4/3 body. I was using a predecessor of a Manfrotto 055 to support it, however your lens is heavier. The angle of view would approximate to your lens on a full frame slr, the weather was sunny and only a faint breeze, however this was enough for the bird to drift in and out of focus as its perch was slightly moved. As the camera in question was first sold back in 2004 I guess its time for another try with more modern kit!

 

[NhazUl]

Thanks for the feedback. I actually looked for bird photos taken with MTO 10/1000 and found some great pictures from a Canon 30d:

Osprey

Flamingo

Little white egret

Marsh harrier

The little egret is captured with ISO 400 and 1/640 shutter speed, which is something I could manage. So I'm definitely going to give it shot if I find a Canon 30d or 40d (saw some 40d on a local photo forum for around $300).

 

[NhazUl]

Well, here are the first test shots with the MTO plus Canon 450D, taken at Kerkini, Greece. The lighting was good (a bright sunny day), but I had to hand-hold the lens because I was in a boat (which was moving!). The adapter has a focus confirm chip, but in my ignorance I had turned off the beep (to not waste power), not knowing it was the actual focus confirmation, thus most of my shots are out of focus. However, I dare say I'm quite pleased:

The first image is taken from ~300 meters at 1/256, ISO 100. The second one is from a slightly larger distance, at 1/200, ISO 200. What do you think, is that of sufficient quality?

I'm thinking of ripping the image stabilizer out of the Canon 450D 18-55mm kit lens and attaching it somehow to the MTO. Do you think it's possible or is it too risky for an amateur to do? I don't believe there are any stand-alone lens image stabilizers for sale anywhere, and I do need some stabilization.

 

[iveljay]

Since no one else has replied, these are my thoughts.
Focus with this lens is critical, certainly in the first shot the lens is focussed closer than it should be.
Any haze will degrade the shot considerably.

Dismantling any lens requires correct tools, the IS component will be fragile and has been designed to work at certain focal lengths at a carefully calculated location in the beam path. It also needs a power source etc.

In short my advice is to stick to a decent tripod with a remote release so you dont have to touch the camera, and practice focussing.

However this web link may provide encouragement if you havn't already seen it.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1558919