Author Topic: Bausch & Lomb 60mm telescope (Read 5187 times)

riffmax · « **on:** November 29, 2022, 10:26 »

Hello, all. It's been a very, very long time since I've been here. In fact, I'd have to say most of the names I see now are unfamiliar to me.

That being said, life as I now know it is vastly different than it used to be. That includes my employer. I now work for a non-profit. We have recently had this telescope donated and I am wondering if it's something I can use. I know NOTHING about telescopes and am not specifically searching for this, so I don't even know if it's a thing. So, I have tons of questions.

I seem to have learned that it is possible to shoot with your camera through a telescope. How is that done? I would presume it would require some sort of adapter. If it's true that you can use them together, is that ANY camera? I'm not that interested in astrophotography per se (although I wouldn't discount it if given the equipment and opportunity). I was wondering if (assuming this IS a thing) it could be used for daytime nature photography?

I guess the last initial question I have is about quality. I think it is a vintage lens, but I'm not sure.

If it's a dumb idea and no one in their right brain would be fool enough to even ask, just know that I am not making any claims about my brain nor foolishness!

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2022, 12:41 »

Kind of yes any camera but something you can see through like a SLR or one with a nice viewing screen. There's all kinds of "stuff" up there that you don't need special equipment to photograph.

Personally my telephoto lenses are better than a telescope for photos, but a telescope is better for seeing far away. Some of each one has their own advantages.

Simple adapter, just a hollow tube, you'll have to search. I found this one on eBay. The one end is the diameter of the eyepiece tube and there is an eyepiece still in that, the other is a Canon EF mount. Everything is going to be manual. It wasn't expensive, under $30.

Mostly, have fun!

riffmax · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2022, 13:58 »

Thanks Pete. I guess it will depend on how much they want for the telescope. One thing that HASN'T changed since I was last here is my budget (or rather, the fact that I have none!).

I've been hunting online since I posted my question, and it looks like I would need something called a T adapter that would work on my D7000. Not very expensive at all.

Again, I am more interested in getting daytime nature shots.

I guess I should bring my camera in to work and fiddle about a bit.

Zero Talent · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2022, 15:08 »

Quote from: riffmax on November 29, 2022, 10:26

Hello, all. It's been a very, very long time since I've been here. In fact, I'd have to say most of the names I see now are unfamiliar to me.

That being said, life as I now know it is vastly different than it used to be. That includes my employer. I now work for a non-profit. We have recently had this telescope donated and I am wondering if it's something I can use. I know NOTHING about telescopes and am not specifically searching for this, so I don't even know if it's a thing. So, I have tons of questions.

I seem to have learned that it is possible to shoot with your camera through a telescope. How is that done? I would presume it would require some sort of adapter. If it's true that you can use them together, is that ANY camera? I'm not that interested in astrophotography per se (although I wouldn't discount it if given the equipment and opportunity). I was wondering if (assuming this IS a thing) it could be used for daytime nature photography?

I guess the last initial question I have is about quality. I think it is a vintage lens, but I'm not sure.

If it's a dumb idea and no one in their right brain would be fool enough to even ask, just know that I am not making any claims about my brain nor foolishness!

I don't have experience with telescopes, but I experimented on the other end of the Universe, connecting cameras to microscope objectives. I can imagine you will also need a specific combination of adapters and/or tubes, to properly focus the image on the camera sensor.

This may only be the first step, because you may also need a star tracker mechanism and/or to learn specific techniques to combine multipe images in post-production.

Surely the internet is your friend. I'm pretty certain that similarly to microscope photography, there must be a good dedicated forum out-there, for specific questions.

pancaketom · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2022, 15:09 »

If you have a decent telephoto I am guessing the telescope will not be any better. In my limited experience with higher magnification (during the day) for distant objects (500mm) the image quality is somewhat limited by the fact that the air distorts the image, especially if shooting over sun-heated ground. Maybe this would be less of an issue with shorter exposure times - but you probably won't get that with a telescope. I'd do a bit more web research - it could be fun to play with even if there are not a lot of technically great images produced.

riffmax · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2022, 15:17 »

Noted. Again, it boils down to the price, especially if it's just a plaything.

I don't have a "decent" telephoto. I mean, it's OK, but I still have to get too close to birds and butterflies and such to be able to pull off a stealth shot.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2022, 12:40 »

Quote from: riffmax on November 29, 2022, 15:17

Noted. Again, it boils down to the price, especially if it's just a plaything.

I don't have a "decent" telephoto. I mean, it's OK, but I still have to get too close to birds and butterflies and such to be able to pull off a stealth shot.

If it's a Bausch & Lomb 60mm Balscope - that's a spotting scope, smaller than a reflector but it's optical glass, not a mirror. Probably better images. Zoom or fixed? Does it include the tripod mount or stand? Is it clear not getting fogged or growing mold?

I've had the same experience as above, telescopes are not as sharp or bright as a real lens. Adapters are inexpensive. If you can get it for about hlf of the usual Sold For price on eBay, then off to the party and have fun. From the guess at what this is, it's kind of like a long lens without any settings, and you could possibly mount it on a tripod and move around pretty easily. Maybe even hand held.

Outside of the fun aspects, and unless you get it for a very good low price, you are more likely to get better results and value, with a used lens at the same price. There are some very nice manual lenses out there and depending on the camera, with an adapter, you'll be right in the same place as trying to make a telescope into a lens?

Just on an odd note. Years ago there were adapters for camera lenses that made them into scopes, by adding the eyepiece to the camera mount on the back end of the lens.

riffmax · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2022, 12:44 »

It doesn't say anything about Balscope. It just says Discovery Bausch & Lomb 60mm zoom telescope. And I am quite sure I will get it for a very good low price (I bought an upright piano for $15 here) because staff get 50% off whatever the managers put on it for a price. And since everything is donated, they don't have to worry about margins.

SpaceStockFootage · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2022, 05:39 »

Are you sure it doesn't say 'Discoverer'?

riffmax · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2022, 07:49 »

Quote from: SpaceStockFootage on December 02, 2022, 05:39

Are you sure it doesn't say 'Discoverer'?

Yes. Sorry. Discoverer.

Android Marvin (formerly mb) · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2022, 10:13 »

T-mount is the name of the game.
If (tele)scope model has T-mount adapter available for you DSLR/mirrorless mount than it is possible to take good quality images with it.
T-mount adapter is usually selling as a separate accessory from manufacturer or 3rd party and it is not expensive.
Is some cases it already comes with a scope.
Read scope specs for T-mount adapter.

riffmax · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2022, 14:04 »

I just found out I can get it for $10 USD. I just wish I could see it work before I buy it.

So torn.

Stock4Me · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2022, 10:36 »

Quote from: riffmax on December 07, 2022, 14:04

I just found out I can get it for $10 USD. I just wish I could see it work before I buy it.

So torn.

Buy it.

riffmax · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2023, 09:47 »

I'm leaning that way, although still undecided. I can't figure how much it would cost me to get the attachments for the camera.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2023, 10:27 »

To capture the stars, you also need to buy an add-on that moves the tripod head at the speed of the earth.

riffmax · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2023, 19:35 »

LOL

Well, I bought it. Now I need to find a manual, a foot for the tripod, the adapter and whatever else I might need.

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Author Topic: Bausch & Lomb 60mm telescope (Read 5187 times)

riffmax

Uncle Pete

riffmax

Zero Talent

pancaketom

riffmax

Uncle Pete

riffmax

SpaceStockFootage

riffmax

Android Marvin (formerly mb)

riffmax

Stock4Me

riffmax

stoker2014

riffmax

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