Is there a place to rent a telescope that I can use to shoot the eclipse?

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 05:37 AM

As title says, is there such place? I would really like to shoot the eclipse, but the longest lens I have is 70-200, seems it's not long enough. Or is there a cheap-ish long vintage lens I can try to buy just for this? Is sharpness critical for eclipse photography? I know samyang has that mirror lens, 500mm I believe, very cheap, but I hear very soft)

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 05:46 AM

you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ???

I would also suggest you look at this thread

So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com

pay attention to all safety issues please

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ???

I would also suggest you look at this thread

So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com

pay attention to all safety issues please

I bookmarked that thread, very comprehensive! I just need a longer lens or a telescope I can attach my k-1 to. I'll look up lens rentals, although I remember looking there and not seeing the longer Pentax lenses there.

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by awscreo

I bookmarked that thread, very comprehensive! I just need a longer lens or a telescope I can attach my k-1 to. I'll look up lens rentals, although I remember looking there and not seeing the longer Pentax lenses there.

Unless they are out I think you can get the 150 - 450 mm zoom from them

Not a Number · 08-05-2017, 07:53 AM

I just did a google search on "telescope rentals" and came up with half a dozen hits, most of them local to me.

It might be late in the day to reserve a scope for the eclipse.

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

Unless they are out I think you can get the 150 - 450 mm zoom from them

Longest they have is the 300mm f4 currently, if I'll see the 150-450 I'll definitely rent one for the event.
LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by awscreo

Longest they have is the 300mm f4 currently, if I'll see the 150-450 I'll definitely rent one for the event.
LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

i clicked on the link you posted and it was the first thing listed

??????

now I didn't check on or near the date of the eclipse

Is that what you mean, their 150 - 450 mm zooms are all rented for that date???

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

i clicked on the link you posted and it was the first thing listed

??????

now I didn't check on or near the date of the eclipse

Is that what you mean, their 150 - 450 mm zooms are all rented for that date???

oh dang, I swear it wasn't at the top when I first checked. Now it's there, I sense a conspiracy.

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by awscreo

oh dang, I swear it wasn't at the top when I first checked. Now it's there, I sense a conspiracy.

be aware

I rented the 150 - 450 mm and the 1.4 rear converter from them

and then I bought them from other sources

you could get hooked

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

be aware

I rented the 150 - 450 mm and the 1.4 rear converter from them

and then I bought them from other sources

you could get hooked

Price is too steep for me right now

I might have to sell a kidney to fund this lol

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by awscreo

Price is too steep for me right now

I might have to sell a kidney to fund this lol

you might find a used one,

I did

awscreo · 08-05-2017, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

you might find a used one,

I did

I'm not sure I'll need such a long lens often. The only reason I was interested in it for rent is for the eclipse. But maybe you're right and I'll fall in love with it if I rent one)

**aslyfox** · 08-05-2017, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ???

I would also suggest you look at this thread

So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com

pay attention to all safety issues please

This thread will give an idea of its capabilities

Post your HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW pictures! - PentaxForums.com

**Bob 256** · 08-05-2017, 01:23 PM

jet.com has some 500mm f8 T mount lenses for sale (need a T to K adapter) at about $90US. These usually beat the cheap mirror lenses hands down, and with a x2 teleconverter you'd be in a good position for the partial phases with the equivalent of f16 (add a solar filter for sure). That would probably work for totality with a higher ISO.

The downside is it's a manual lens that is pretty slow, but in this case, it might fit your requirements.

Also, just Google "500mm manual K mount" and see what shows up. You might be able to land a pretty fair manual lens for around $250US. Check ebay as well.

timw4mail · 08-05-2017, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by Bob 256

jet.com has some 500mm f8 T mount lenses for sale (need a T to K adapter) at about $90US. These usually beat the cheap mirror lenses hands down, and with a x2 teleconverter you'd be in a good position for the partial phases with the equivalent of f16 (add a solar filter for sure). That would probably work for totality with a higher ISO.

The downside is it's a manual lens that is pretty slow, but in this case, it might fit your requirements.

Also, just Google "500mm manual K mount" and see what shows up. You might be able to land a pretty fair manual lens for around $250US. Check ebay as well.

A moon shot with a similar T-mount lens (500mm / f8):

08-05-2017, 05:37 AM	#1
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Is there a place to rent a telescope that I can use to shoot the eclipse? As title says, is there such place? I would really like to shoot the eclipse, but the longest lens I have is 70-200, seems it's not long enough. Or is there a cheap-ish long vintage lens I can try to buy just for this? Is sharpness critical for eclipse photography? I know samyang has that mirror lens, 500mm I believe, very cheap, but I hear very soft)

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08-05-2017, 05:46 AM	#2
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ??? I would also suggest you look at this thread So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com pay attention to all safety issues please

08-05-2017, 06:59 AM	#3
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ??? I would also suggest you look at this thread So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com pay attention to all safety issues please I bookmarked that thread, very comprehensive! I just need a longer lens or a telescope I can attach my k-1 to. I'll look up lens rentals, although I remember looking there and not seeing the longer Pentax lenses there.

08-05-2017, 07:06 AM	#4
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	Originally posted by awscreo I bookmarked that thread, very comprehensive! I just need a longer lens or a telescope I can attach my k-1 to. I'll look up lens rentals, although I remember looking there and not seeing the longer Pentax lenses there. Unless they are out I think you can get the 150 - 450 mm zoom from them

08-05-2017, 07:53 AM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	I just did a google search on "telescope rentals" and came up with half a dozen hits, most of them local to me. It might be late in the day to reserve a scope for the eclipse.

08-05-2017, 09:33 AM	#6
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox Unless they are out I think you can get the 150 - 450 mm zoom from them Longest they have is the 300mm f4 currently, if I'll see the 150-450 I'll definitely rent one for the event. LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more

08-05-2017, 10:04 AM	#7
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	Originally posted by awscreo Longest they have is the 300mm f4 currently, if I'll see the 150-450 I'll definitely rent one for the event. LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more i clicked on the link you posted and it was the first thing listed ?????? now I didn't check on or near the date of the eclipse Is that what you mean, their 150 - 450 mm zooms are all rented for that date???

08-05-2017, 10:55 AM	#8
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox i clicked on the link you posted and it was the first thing listed ?????? now I didn't check on or near the date of the eclipse Is that what you mean, their 150 - 450 mm zooms are all rented for that date??? oh dang, I swear it wasn't at the top when I first checked. Now it's there, I sense a conspiracy.

08-05-2017, 11:03 AM	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	Originally posted by awscreo oh dang, I swear it wasn't at the top when I first checked. Now it's there, I sense a conspiracy. be aware I rented the 150 - 450 mm and the 1.4 rear converter from them and then I bought them from other sources you could get hooked

08-05-2017, 11:17 AM	#10
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox be aware I rented the 150 - 450 mm and the 1.4 rear converter from them and then I bought them from other sources you could get hooked Price is too steep for me right now I might have to sell a kidney to fund this lol

08-05-2017, 11:19 AM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	Originally posted by awscreo Price is too steep for me right now I might have to sell a kidney to fund this lol you might find a used one, I did

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08-05-2017, 11:54 AM	#12
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aslyfox you might find a used one, I did I'm not sure I'll need such a long lens often. The only reason I was interested in it for rent is for the eclipse. But maybe you're right and I'll fall in love with it if I rent one)

08-05-2017, 12:19 PM	#13
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,579	Originally posted by Aslyfox you could try LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more for photo equipment, spotting scopes other ??? I would also suggest you look at this thread So you wanna photograph the Eclipse - what you need to know in (sorta) a nutshell - PentaxForums.com pay attention to all safety issues please This thread will give an idea of its capabilities Post your HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW pictures! - PentaxForums.com

08-05-2017, 01:23 PM	#14
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	jet.com has some 500mm f8 T mount lenses for sale (need a T to K adapter) at about $90US. These usually beat the cheap mirror lenses hands down, and with a x2 teleconverter you'd be in a good position for the partial phases with the equivalent of f16 (add a solar filter for sure). That would probably work for totality with a higher ISO. The downside is it's a manual lens that is pretty slow, but in this case, it might fit your requirements. Also, just Google "500mm manual K mount" and see what shows up. You might be able to land a pretty fair manual lens for around $250US. Check ebay as well.

08-05-2017, 01:37 PM	#15
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by Bob 256 jet.com has some 500mm f8 T mount lenses for sale (need a T to K adapter) at about $90US. These usually beat the cheap mirror lenses hands down, and with a x2 teleconverter you'd be in a good position for the partial phases with the equivalent of f16 (add a solar filter for sure). That would probably work for totality with a higher ISO. The downside is it's a manual lens that is pretty slow, but in this case, it might fit your requirements. Also, just Google "500mm manual K mount" and see what shows up. You might be able to land a pretty fair manual lens for around $250US. Check ebay as well. A moon shot with a similar T-mount lens (500mm / f8):