Go Back   IceInSpace > Images > Terrestrial Photography
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 28-01-2016, 11:40 AM
astroboof's Avatar
astroboof (Steve McN)
Illusions of adequacy

astroboof is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Fraser Coast
Posts: 136
Testing a $60 telephoto 350mm

350mm f5.5, Kawanon, some third party Japanese lens from the 1970's. ebay $60 from the USA delivered.

Has really surprised me, perfect glass, well built, less false color than expected, a keeper, seems ideal for aps-c.

These pics all handheld, but for the moon.
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (kawabunga lens-0017-2.jpg)
191.8 KB95 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens-0564.jpg)
62.2 KB98 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens-0532.jpg)
160.9 KB92 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens -0630.jpg)
85.3 KB79 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens -0642-2.jpg)
60.1 KB86 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens -0655.jpg)
80.0 KB93 views
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28-01-2016, 12:36 PM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 7,113
I have a similar one (Tamron 400mm f6.3), I got it locally for $30..
It is a Tamron, but no good at all.
But for guiding (and terestrial probably), it's OK.

It seems the optical quality of those lenses are all over the place.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ight=f6.3+lens

I removed the field lens group (the one closest to camera) and it become ~300mm..

Could you do some tests on stars? Middle, of the frame, corners..

Last edited by bojan; 28-01-2016 at 01:58 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28-01-2016, 01:22 PM
gts055 (Mark)
Registered User

gts055 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Mornington Peninsula Victoria Australia
Posts: 337
Hii Steve, especially the second and third images, nice and sharp, excellent buy. Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28-01-2016, 01:31 PM
Somnium's Avatar
Somnium (Aidan)
Aidan

Somnium is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,669
really impressive results! bargain !
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28-01-2016, 05:38 PM
astroboof's Avatar
astroboof (Steve McN)
Illusions of adequacy

astroboof is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Fraser Coast
Posts: 136
Yes cheers fellows, I've been trading vintage glass for months now and in 18 lenses, this is one of the best as value for money.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28-01-2016, 05:45 PM
astroboof's Avatar
astroboof (Steve McN)
Illusions of adequacy

astroboof is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Fraser Coast
Posts: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojan View Post
I have a similar one (Tamron 400mm f6.3), I got it locally for $30..
It is a Tamron, but no good at all.
But for guiding (and terestrial probably), it's OK.

It seems the optical quality of those lenses are all over the place.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ight=f6.3+lens

I removed the field lens group (the one closest to camera) and it become ~300mm..

Could you do some tests on stars? Middle, of the frame, corners..
Well, as a lens that doesn't start to shine before f8, I never really intended it for astro. Although... how nice would 350mm be for the Helix! If I throw it on the back of my tracking newt rig Bojan I may give it a try. However, none of these lenses are good enough for astro, that's why we have to spend at least $500 on an apo.

But it's an old achromat, I think the stars will punish it. I'd expect aberrations like coma to be reasonable, lenses like this are flat, coma should be expected, but ca, dunno, the stars will punish it.

Here is a 100% crop of a contrasty scene to give an idea- CA is not bad in the center but from 50% out becomes more noticable. No corrections in LR6.3 RAW conversion, and neutral sliders all the way down.

Fact is, we have to buy better optics for astronomy, at least one ED element. My Fuji XC50-230mm exhibits remarkably well corrected images and it has one ED element. It cost $200 on special.
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens-0604-2.jpg)
112.2 KB36 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens 100%crop-0604.jpg)
111.2 KB33 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens -0590.jpg)
39.4 KB36 views
Click for full-size image (kawabunga 350-5.5 lens  100%crop-0590.jpg)
95.5 KB36 views

Last edited by astroboof; 29-01-2016 at 10:26 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 01:41 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Astrophotography Prize
Advertisement