Where can I buy a device to convert my camera’s telephoto lens into a telescope, and how much would it cost?
Deborah asked:
I have several telephoto lenses (with the old screw thread fitting) which I don’t use much on my camera. I know it is possible to get an eyepiece to fit on to the back of the lens, to turn it into a high quality telescope.
Does anyone know where I can buy this device in the UK, and how much would it cost?
If I used such a device with a 135mm lens, what magnification would it give me when operating as a telescope?
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I have several telephoto lenses (with the old screw thread fitting) which I don’t use much on my camera. I know it is possible to get an eyepiece to fit on to the back of the lens, to turn it into a high quality telescope.
Does anyone know where I can buy this device in the UK, and how much would it cost?
If I used such a device with a 135mm lens, what magnification would it give me when operating as a telescope?
February 8th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Try
However, you are going to be *very* disappointed with the view quality.
There is no way to turn a camera lens into a “high quality” telescope. Telescope objectives and camera lenses are made for different purposes and to different standards. A camera lens can get by with poorer quality of image because the image is not going to be magnified 200x by an eyepiece. At the same time, a telescope doesn’t need to project an image that is flat and large enough to cover the fil, size.
If you really want a telescope I have two different suggestions to try instead. Go to astromart.com and watch the used telescopes. But the best suggestion is to go to and find your local astronomy club. They will have public nights. Go to a public night. You will get to look through a lot of different telescopes. By the end of the night you will know what you want. And, you are likely to come across a very good deal from someone who wants to sell their telescope and upgrade.
Chuck Taylor
February 8th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
^
Ditto.
You’d probably be better off buying a spotting scope–some of which can easily be converted into telephoto lens–rather than the reverse process.