DONNA R : Can this be used to bring a star into focus through a 50mm lens or a 14mm lens on a DSLR? Or is it only useful with lenses that are 100mm or greater? ThanksMICHAEL L : It will more than likely work.. The 50mm wouldn't be using the whole mask but it should be sufficient. The 50mm F1.8's are also likely fast enough to use auto focus on a bright star. If you are stacking just let the autofocus do its job then set it to manual.SANDRA G : Don't know what a 14mm is but will definitely work on 50mm. I use it on 80mmJOSE C : While it can be used, I reccomend that you get the smaller version. There is one for the smaller lenses.GONCALO G : Not sure, but I suspect that it should work provided that you focus on a magnified image on screen. Please understand that you will only get pinpoint stars in the middle of the field even when using prime lenses wide open. Better edge performance can be obtained by closing the diaphragm a couple of stops, but then you loose speed. Good luck and have fun!MIKE M : I've used this down to an 80mm. Can't say about anything smaller.JOHN T : I have tried to use this Bahtinov mask on my 18-55mm stock Canon lens at the 18mm setting. It is incredibly difficult because the diffraction spike star pattern is SO tiny that even using the 10X function of LCD finder screen gives an image so small as to be nearly unrecognizable. Technically will it work, yes. Realistically, it depends on how bright you want to make your LCD screen and how good your vision is.
JTDWIGHT S : I have not tried it. I have an 80mm scope I was using it on. I'm going to assume it will be less than optimal, and that the overall ratio of size of slots to size of lens is pertinent to getting results. Also, there would be the problem of keeping it relatively centered, which would not be as big a problem as the previous problem I mentioned. If the size if the glass on your 14mm lens is close to that of my 80mm scope, you might have more of a chance.FRANK P : I only use it on my refractors wherein my DSLR is coupled to the scope without a lens in place. I suspect you would have trouble using it for pinpoint focus unless you are using a telephoto lensCONRAD P : It does a great job but it's actually better with the longer focal length lenses. It's very hard to see the preview image with a 14mm lens. I usually just take test images and magnify the image for sharpness.DANIEL K : There are bahtinov masks that will thread onto the filter threads on your lenses thast would be better. This mask is more for telescopes.
Mike M : Would this mask work with a SLR mirror lens, such as a 500mm f/8 Vivitar Lens?
Thanks,
MikeMARTIN C : Hi Mike,
Most likely it would, as long as the diameter of the front element does not exceed 4.5 inches. However, most SLR mirror lenses have a clear mark for infinity focus, which in general you can trust. At the price Adorama offers it, I would not hesitate in simply trying it out. Hope that helps!
MartinDANA T : In theory yes. In practice, not so well. I have another mask for my 127mm scope and it works wonderfully, but camera lenses in my experience don't have enough aperture to reliably find stars in live view with the mask in front. You can take a short picture and verify focus that way, but it's not as quick.
In the end, it's not an expensive part to experiment with, so go ahead and try it.Javier S : Yes it will once you can find a way to attach it infront of the lens. JEFFREY L : Mike,
I don't see why it would not work as long as the diameter of your lens matches the specs of the mask. I use mine on my 430mm Telescope, so focal length should not be an issue.
I heard those mirror lenses are notoriously hard to focus. Hopefully this mask will help.
Good luck,
JeffKENNETH W : I would say yes, as long your camera has a zoom able live view and the lens has someplace to hang the mask. These masks work wonders if you have some kind of camera control software such as Back Yard EOS for Canon.GONCALO G : I have used Bahtinov masks both on refractor and SCT design telescopes. I think that it should work on a SLR reflector lens, whose optical design is similar to that of a Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. However, you need to make sure that the dimensions of the mask match those of the lens, both when it comes to its diameter and central obstruction. I am assuming that you will be using the mask to fine focus for astrophotography. Good luck and clear skies! G.STEPHEN W : Yes, provided the lens hood will allow the mask to sit flat in front of the aperture opening.DAN B : The Bahtinov mask has 3 rubber grommets that can be moved either inward or outward to vary the fit anywhere within its range. This one will accommodate anything from 2.5" to 4.5". If your lens falls within this range, it'll work just fine. The type of optical system being used with the mask should have no bearing on its performance.SERGIO J : Physically it should be fine. The diameter is widely adjustable. I use the sme one on a 72mm diameter (400mm focal length) and a 120mm diameter (600mm focal length) telescope. Mirror lenses like yours are basically catadioptric telescopes, so there's no reason it should't also work. You may not see the diffraction spikes in Live View on even the brighter stars, so you'd have to take sequential exposures (1 to several seconds), adjusting the focus between until you hit it.WES S : Yes. To be sure measure the diameter of the front of your lens, it is very likely that this will work as most lenses are between 2.5 and 4"STEVE W : Probably - the mirror lens would respond like a catadioptric telescope, i.e. a Schmidt Cassigrain. It might be difficult to focus manually as you usually want to be zoomed in either on a laptop or in live view to see when the pattern aligns.
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?KENNETH C : I think this will fit my 80MM refractor and my guide scope also. This is very important for accurate focus while imagingGARRETT D : This should fit my 60mm Svbony Guide Scope (66m outside)Mario G : For astrophotographyJOHN G : its the right size for camera lens and small telescopesKATSUKO R : price and size were deciding factors in my decisionVICTOR R : need a way to get better focus on starsCASPAR A : For Astro-photography to help with precise focusing on regular SLR lensesCHARLES L : Makes focusing on stars with a telephoto lens a lot easierDaniel U : Reviews from others on lineJohn B : price and size. have other Farpoint products and have had no issuesANTHONY M : astrophotography
