MEGA Lenses for DIY Photography?

[CharlieJ]

As if I don't have enough on my plate, I've been reading quite a bit about DIY photography gear. This article prompted my wild, little mind to come up with a question for a much larger lens... and a DSLR camera.

I have two mac-daddy lenses, very similar to the ones pictured below.

Photo source: dgibbons.members.sonic.net

I think these came from a Toshiba 50HDX82 RPTV, but it might have been a different model. Mine are not the same make/model (Delta Digital 265), but are manufactured exactly the same. I don't have one in front of me, but I think the outer diameter is approximately 4" and the length is 6"-7" or so. They have moving optics (note the thumb screws and slots on the barrel), so I assume it's possible to "focus" them.

Do any of you enterprising DIYers know what I might be able to use these lenses for, in the area of digital photography?

[jml79]

Look through them, what do you see. These lenses are designed for spreading a small beam onto a large surface so they will likely have a major fish eye effect and may not focus well beyond a few feet. I am really only guessing here so pick one up and tell us what you see. Does moving it get things into focus. Are they fisheye.

You could use them in 2 ways. Shoot through them as a modifier with a regular lens attached to your camera or figure out a bellows focus/zoom system. Let us know what type of pictures they make if at all.

[sk66]

uhmmmm....
Macro attachment filters?

[CharlieJ]

Originally Posted by jml79

Look through them, what do you see. These lenses are designed for spreading a small beam onto a large surface so they will likely have a major fish eye effect and may not focus well beyond a few feet. I am really only guessing here so pick one up and tell us what you see. Does moving it get things into focus. Are they fisheye.

jml79,
I'll check them out and let everyone know the answers to your questions. THANKS!