Plane from the 1970's taken with a home made telephoto....

[DavefromCt]

I guessed it was the equivalent of a 450mm. Taken with a film camera as it headed toward Westover AFB in Chicopee, Ma. right next to Ludlow where I used to live. The telephoto was just a pvc pipe with a telescope objective lens and an aperture I purchased and mounted it inside. To kee internal reflections down, I spray painted some coarse sandpaper black and lined the inside. It was a simple focus system.....two pieces of pvc, one coated in felt to manually slide the tube in and out. Had made two different ones out of old optics and sold them later...wish I had them back. The aperture was controlled with a post sticking up through a slot in the tube.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

would work on a digital camera too? How did you mount it to the camera?

Making a lens like this would make a nice project for students in a high school photography class because most of them use film cameras. Have you ever given any thought of volunteering to teach a class for making the lens?

Thanks for sharing, was most enjoyable learning about your lens making adventure. Kelley (Texas)

 

[DavefromCt]

Yes it would work on a digital camera. I mounted it by using a mount from an old lens then epoxying it onto the pvc tube. In those days I'd save a lot of old parts like from telescopes and lenses etc. which would come in handy. Someday I might try it again...the most expensive part would be the telephoto objective lens.....a large objective is usually expesive unless I could find a junked scope. I should look on Craig's list or something.

 

[fmurphy]

great photo with a homebrew lens...simply fantastic work on the lens..VERY creative.

 

[Nancy-IL]

Amazing....Just totally amazing.

 

[DavefromCt]

Thanks guys for your nice comments!