SLR Magic launched a new MFT lens. Here is the full press release:
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NEW: SLR Magic Monster Lens II 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope for mFT Digiscoping
Hong Kong, China (Mar 28, 2013) – SLR Magic introduces the second edition SLR Magic Monstor Lens 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope lens for Digiscoping and expands their Micro Four Thirds lens lineup.
The SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope for Digiscoping gives you the highest resolution and brightest view possible by three key elements. It features an over sized eye relief, utilized Extra-low Dispersion optics, as well as fully Multi coated glass to help you with spotting the rare bird species. The SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope alsooffers stacked, dual-focus controls, so you can make both rapid and fine-tuning adjustments.
The main difference from the first edition include improvements in image quality due to a new mFT adapter objective offering increased sharpness and contrast over the first edition.
The field of view of this spotting scope on the micro four thirds camera corresponds to a a 840-2520mm lens in 35mm format. The user friendly design allows you to attach your camera by mounting it like any other camera lens. Everything you need comes with the package and there is no need to have a compatible lens to use it. This is the perfect solution for amateur digiscopers who want to take photos or video of wildlife.
The 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers by June 2013.
Technical Data
SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED (Premium Extra-low Dispersion glass) for mFT
Lens Type: Spotting Scope
Compatible Cameras: All micro four thirds mount cameras
Magnification: 12-36x
35mm equivalent focal length: 840-2520mm
Objective: Φ50
Lens Coating: Multi Coated
Close Focus: 15 ft.
Weight (oz./g): 28.2/800, 45.86/1300 (with mFT adapter objective)
Water Resistant/Fog proof: Yes
Eyepiece: Straight Zoom
Eye relief: 23mm
Accessories: mFT adapter objective with tripod collar
MSRP: $799
Andrew Chan
Product Manager
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These are the other SLRmagic lenses for sale on eBay:
Current SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
SLR magic 11mm f/1.4 lens you can preorder on [shoplink 22154 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on [shoplink 14881 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Noktor SLRmagic 50mm on [shoplink 25691 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
17 Responses
f32?
f16.8 – 50.4. People who digiscope may be used to this kind of performance, but…
F/8.4-25.2
Focal ratio is dependant on real focal length, not any field of view equivalents.
Ah. Good point. I thought they were giving mFT equivalents, not 35mm equivalents.
Don’t post comments before your morning coffee, they say. 🙂 Of course, I don’t drink coffee… Maybe that’s my problem.
Dave: I was wondering the same thing. With a 50mm objective, it’s going to be s-l-o-w!
That was fast.
That is some zoom….ETC video of the solar system with the GH2 anyone!
With so dim focal ratio there probably isn’t any details for ETC because of diffraction.
Sounds interesting. I have always fancied the Kowa telephoto lens which converts into a scope and can be used for digiscoping, but the price is eye-watering.
I use an a swarovski atm80 hd with an mft adapter, IMHO it was worth making an investment in quality rather than something you might not be satisfied with.
Which lens did you use with the ATM80? I did not know they made an mft adapter.
Seems like an expensive toy. I wonder if its image quality is any better than what can be had with a half decent mirror lens.
At that price, just buy a used Leica Televid…
Where can I get a used Leica Televid with camera attachment for $800?
I’m certain that this: http://www.optcorp.com/ce-52303-regal-100-f-ed-spotting-scope.html would be a much better deal if you want to get into digiscoping.
Without an eyepiece it’s a 580mm f/5.6 ED lens. If you add a zoom eyepiece, it’ll give you more range and better aperture than the SLRMagic telescope.
Not really sure how useful this will be. At such a crazy slow speed at the long end, even in bright sunlight, you’re looking at a shutter speed of 1/80s at full zoom. Obviously you won’t be handholding this…not only because you’d need ISO 6400 at a minimum to hand hold it (assuming you get one stop from the OM-D’s IBIS, which is iffy at such a long length, and the OM-D’s focal length setting tops out at 1000mm, which is 250 short, so you won’t get full correction anyway).
BUT, even on a tripod, framing at such a long length and the vibrations associated are crazy. I have used my FD 50-300mm f/4.5L with a 2x teleconverter, giving me a 600mm lens, or 1200mm equivalent, and you’ve got to be super careful about vibrations and framing even there, and that’s on a sturdy carbon fiber tripod with an outstanding A/S ballhead.
I do at times use ‘lenses’ with such slow apertures and long focal lengths, even longer also (upto 2400mm, so 4800mm equiv at f/32).
You are absolutely right about needing some pretty serious tripod to get enough stability for framing anything, let alone taking pictures. Typically I use a somewhat large and heavy telescope mount for such things (eq5), but that is mostly an option for taking pictures of the moon, planets etc. Any ‘terrestrial’ telephoto work or DSOs for astro photography will be a challenge.
Oh, and even at f/32, despite diffraction, you get more detail then a similar composition crop will get you with a shorter, faster lens, provided both lenses offer similar performance with regards to (other) aberrations.