Old lens rig

[traveller]

Not sure if I got the right thread, it could easily go under DIY or astrophotograghy thread.
I have a surplus nikon 80-200 zoom lens (which I had trouble selling), so I got a nikon to Fuji adapter and mounted it to my XE-1 body.
I then clamped the front of the lens with an 80mm split ring (I had to pad the inside slightly to make it a snug fit), and got a long 1/4" threaded bolt for the body. The lens can still be zoomed and focused, manually of course and with aid of a bat mask as well.
The whole kit is then mounted on a 21cm vixen bar.
Should make a nice medium to long astro rig with nikon glass and XE-1 low noise.
Can't wait to test it out.
Bo

[omegacrux]

Nice one Bo
Recycled
Might be a blessing in disguise !

David

[Regulus]

Nice job Bo, and an inspiration.
I am going to buy an old Japanese 300mm f5.5 M42 mount lens from a local pawn shop ($50) and use it for astrophotography too.
At the moment I only have a short Vixen bar that I mount the camera on and have been thinking about the best way to give some support to the lens, which of course is 300mm long. This looks like a solution for me too.
Mind u I don't have a camera near so good as yours :-(
Trev

[traveller]

Thanks David and Trevor,
The rig weighs approx 2.5kgs, with most of that being the lens.
May even try it as a side by side set up with my ed80 if all goes well.
Bo

[ZeroID]

Cool idea ! There's plenty of cheap good old glass out there and I have two spare camera DSLR bodies laying around. The KM 70-300 is cheap as and I wouldn't even have to use an adapter.

[FlashDrive]

Now that's what I call .... ' Improvisation ' very creative Bo.

Col

[traveller]

Thanks Brent and Col,
As they say necessity is the mother of invention, I have a good lens and a good camera and a spare dovetail to fit.
Hope others can do similar mods.
Bo

[DavidTrap]

And no mirror to cause vibration!

Looks great - might consider something similar with my X-E2.

DT