A scope from 80mm binos

[xelasnave]

I have an 80mm 400mm scope and a pair of triplet binos. I tried to get the lens out of the binos but the holding ring appears to be glued in.. maybe not? but the ring wont turn so before I try real hard to get them out can I run this idea past you. The idea is to get the objective out of the binos place it in the scope, so as to use the tube and focuser of the old 80 x 400 and hopefully get better widefields than the current lens which seems to have rather poor colour. I enjoy the ease of use of an 80mm for fotos and had set my sights on a Williams Optics scope but if this works it would be an inexpensive way to get a tripplet scope. Even if the ring is glued I would be prepared to cut the bino tube, easy to do from inspection.. the remaining binos tube probably wont take the old lens but one bino tube would make a good spotting scope. The fact that the binos were $200 has me wondering if the lens would do what I hope it may do.
Possible or stupid..
alex

[sheeny (Al)]

Alex,

Do you have any idea of the focal length of the bino objective? Or can you get the EP out of the binos to check its focal length any easier than the objective lens just to check the objective is somwhere near the FL you want/need?

Maybe I'm over complicating this... maybe you're happy to cut the scope OTA to suit the bino lens anyway???

Al.

[xelasnave]

Thanks for helping me consider the proposition Al I really appreciate that.
By the eye they may have the same focal lenght , but in truth I did not measure it as I fully expected that the objective would come out.. When it did not I loss my focus on the little things I was going to check. i HAVE HAD THE ep,s out as another idea was to mount web cams in each tube, another idea was to get another set and mount 4 web cams all up ... each with its own colour filter plus a HA or the like..however I thought to get the old scope out and dismantle it , when the objective came out of it easy as and not the binos all enthusiasm stopped. If it works I would build a new tube if that is what it takes but I feel the binos lens may drop right in and the travel in the focuser would take care of any difference in F/L.
I brought them to Sydney to cut them up but got to thinking I should seek an expert opinion, but the ATM thing always appeals I get as much fun out of building stuff as using the same.
At $200 I wonder if they are ok but price is not always a good indicator these days as there is cheap stuff around that is very good.
I have seen a kit "replacement triplet" and I even wonder if someone has figured out what I suspect.
I lent the binos to my Son so I cant look into the matter , he should return them tomorrow..but again if suitable I can make the rest of the scope from scratch.
alex

[astroboy]

Hi Alex
If the lens cell seems difficult to remove it may well be glued in to stop the likes of us messing with it , sometimes you can see shinny spots on the threading.
Acetone will often soften the glue for long enough to remove the cell but don't use so much that it can get between the lens elements , you may find the objective to be quite fast , a very old pair of 20 x 80s I worked on turned out to be F3.6 but these new ones may well be longer .

Zane

[xelasnave]

Thank you for your help Zane . It sounds that the hack saw may well be safer than trying to work on the glue problem. I had thought of inducing something but had not considered the possible damage you suggest...shudder . I think I will try and do some fotos with a jury rig to place a camera which at least will tell me if there is any improvement or reveal they have a problem if used for photography.
It really boils down that I cant help myself when it comes to making things at my age I should move on and just buy one (a Williams) they are only the price of going without a case of beer a week for a year and I dont drink so I can justify it I suppose .
Thanks again.
alex