[p0opstlnksal0t]

Is there a budget way to go about shooting long distance rifle targets (video). I dont know if a Pentax SMCP-FA 80-320mm f/4.5-5.6 will suffice? even with a teleconverter... Im thinking about using a 1000-1200mm refractor telescope with a dslr camera mount? Can anyone offer any advice? I plan on using my k5 with this lens setup as a recordable "spotting scope" out on our gun range. I want to stay around 400 bucks or cheaper... I know Astrotech makes some nice smaller scopes that might work out.



Or how about a 1300mm AT6RC?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Astro-Tech-72mm-f-6-Doublet-Refractor-White-Telescope-AT72WH-/00/s/NDUyWDM3NQ==/$(KGrHqN,!jkFBN81Er8rBQmyVcqv1Q~~60_12.JPG

[Dr_who]

It's probably doable, your won't have snappy auto focus and all that but I'm sure your quite aware of that. If your going to have that as a len and use a dslr tripod, I would make sure to find a way to mount it by the lens as those scopes can get heavy fast. Also something to consider is if your going thru a telescope your view will possibly be inverted upside down. If your not doing alot of panning or moving that might be alright... it may not even apply to refractors but just reflectors...I honestly not sure at the moment but its another thing to consider.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

ya If its inverted then using it as a live "spotting scope" would not work too well.

Ive been doing some heavy googling and have yet to find anyone using one of AstroTechs RC telescopes as a long distance lens.

[VoiceOfReason]

There is a guy selling a Sigma 170-500 for 375 in the sales part of the forum. Maybe that will work for you. If not then that and a teleconverter should.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

thanks, that would would great with a 2x tc... now I need to go on the search for a decent one

[VoiceOfReason]

If I hadn't just got a 150-500 HSM that would have already been on it's way to me.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

what TC should I look at getting with that sigma? its not listed on sigmas "working lenses" list for the 1.4x and 2.0x

[VoiceOfReason]

To tell the truth you're most likely going to have to manual focus on that because as with any of the ones that that aperture it's not going to let enough light in to autofocus. With a 2x teleconverter you're going to find that in addition to doubling focal length it doubles aperture too. Still, with shooting normally taking place in well lit conditions I wouldn't think that would be too much of a problem.

Of course I've seen people who said they have gotten things like this to autofocus with no problem. I've just bought a teleconverter from someone on here for cheap, so when I get it in I can test it on my Sigma 150-500 HSM and if it works I'll let you know what it is and where to get one.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

AF on the TC is a non issue. I will be shooting at targets placed at fixed distances and will manually focus to them... I may even go the Eye-Fi route with a netbook but Im not sure how well that could be implemented with long videos...

[rawr]

If you don't need AF and are shooting static targets, maybe you should get a Pentax Q with a Q to K adapter and a 200 or 300mm prime - instant 1100-1650mm reach, and probably better image quality that a f8 refractor used with a 2x teleconvertor!

Could be cheap too - get a used original Q from the marketplace here or eBay, get a eBay Q to K adapter, get an old Pentax K or M 200 or 300mm prime, or even an old zoom.

The 'reach' of the Q

As an optional extra, plug in a cheap Lilliput field monitor off eBay into the Q to display what you see on a 5 or 7 inch LCD screen.

[Ex Finn.]

How about setting up a wireless target camera, down range closer to the target, so you can get usable video quality.
At close range the refractor idea is good but when you start pushing the magnification for longer distances, you will end up with a jittery, heat-distorted mess.

[gleeman]

Is there a budget way to go about shooting long distance rifle targets (video). I dont know if a Pentax SMCP-FA 80-320mm f/4.5-5.6 will suffice? even with a teleconverter... Im thinking about using a 1000-1200mm refractor telescope with a dslr camera mount? Can anyone offer any advice? I plan on using my k5 with this lens setup as a recordable "spotting scope" out on our gun range. I want to stay around 400 bucks or cheaper... I know Astrotech makes some nice smaller scopes that might work out.



Or how about a 1300mm AT6RC?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Astro-Tech-72mm-f-6-Doublet-Refractor-White-Telescope-AT72WH-/00/s/NDUyWDM3NQ==/$(KGrHqN,!jkFBN81Er8rBQmyVcqv1Q~~60_12.JPG

hello,
a 500mm refractor + 2x will give you 1500mmFL(35) on K5

regards,

?????: Digiscoping

[Ex Finn.]

hello,
a 500mm refractor + 2x will give you 1500mmFL(35) on K5

regards,

?????: Digiscoping

Very nice setup. Like the red-dot. But I doubt that it would do much good at 800 meters or so, looking at sub 1/2 " holes in targets.

[sindbad1]

The refractor from Pentax is nice but I prefer the cheaper ED Refraktors from Sky-Watcher.
On my website are some pictures. Sorry, the language is german. Look at the pitures. They are clear enough.



Skywatcher Pro ED 80 Apo Refraktor


Here is a comparison of what telescopes perform with a DSLR.
Vergleich Teleobjektive Tokina SD 400mm Pentax smc DA 55-300 Sigma Ultra-Mirror 500mm Soligor Maksutov 500mm

Use Google Translate if you want to read the comments under the pictures. On the left side you can see the full pictures and next to them a crop.

Tom