Rubinar (MAKSUTOV) lenses with various cameras
Suggestions for using the Rubinar (MAKSUTOV) lenses
with various cameras.
These suggestions apply equaly to the Rubinar
10/1000, Rubinar
5.6/500 and the Rubinar
4.5/300 lenses.
These lenses all are fitted with the standard 42mm male
threaded mount which makes them compatible with most "T" ring adapters as well
as extension tubes of many maufactureres including Zenit.
The lenses were designed around cameras with a flat frontpiece
such as the Zenit
122. The built in flash of most popular cameras protrudes forward sufficiently
to block the lens from mounting with the JOLOS "T" mount except for the Zenit
which does not have a protruding flash and uses the standard 42mm lens mount.
There follows a series of suggestions with instructions
to overcome this mounting difficulty with nearly all SLR cameras with the built
in flash.
ZENIT
122 and similar cameras.
The 42mm thread and receptacle on the camera are matched,
no adapter is required. The exposure meter system in the Zenit works well but
is somewhat limited in range requiring the use of neutral density filters to
bring the brightness within range of the meter, film speed and shutter speed
range.
Zenit 122 camera and Rubinar 5.6/500 lens
Canon Rebel 2000 film camera
The Rubinars can be mounted directly to this camera
but the camera must first be slightly modified. The under side of the flash
protrusion is a simple plastic shield for the flash bulb. Removing it can easily
be done with a fine jewlers saw and doing so does not harm the camera in any
way. With the plastic underside of the flash protrusion removed all the Rubinars
can be mounted directly to the camera using the JOLOS
"T" ring adapter as sold by RuGift. The automatic exposure system of this
camera functions normally if set to aperture priority and the viewfinder gives
excellent finding and focusing ability. If you wish to use a film camera with
these excellent lenses this is an inexpensive way to do so and the modification
to the camera does not produce any harm to the camera for its normal useage.
However either of the techniques following can also be used with the Rebel 2000
without any modification to the camera.
Canon Rebel 2000 film camera and Rubinar 500mm
lens with Jolos ring
Canon Digital Rebel 300D and all other EOS models
using JOLOS mounting rings
All the Canon EOS cameras and other brands as well can
be used with the Rubinars by way of the JOLOS adapter ring and the shortest
Zenit extension tube.This combination moves the lens forward sufficient to clear
the flash housing though with the 500mm the flash head must be flipped up. Moving
the lens forward a few millimeters also moves the infinity focus forward and
the lens may not focus at infinity though it will focus to about 100 meters
as is. To correct this issue refer to the final section of this document. The
camera is set for aperture priority and the automatic exposure systems performs
normaly. The aperture will read 0.0 which should be ignored.
Canon Digital Rebel D300, Jolos ring, Zenit short
extension tube, Rubinar 500mm lens
Canon Digital Rebel 300D and all other EOS models
using the standard "T" ring adapter
The standard "T" adapter popularly used to match most
SLR cameras to optical devices has an inherent thickness of approximately 10mm
which is sufficient to move the Rubinars forward enough to clear the flash housing
of most cameras. This too moves the focus point forward and may limit distance
focusing to 100 meters more or less. This can be easily corrected by following
the procedure outlined in the final paragraph and photo of this document. The
exposure system should be set for aperture priority and the camera will read
an aperture of 0.0. This should be ignored.
Canon Digital Rebel D300, standard "T"
ring, Rubinar 500mm
Canon Digital Rebel and all other EOS cameras and
the MC TMK-2X
Teleconverter
The quality of the Rubinars is so high that they easily
tolerate the addition of a 2x teleconverter. The TMK-2
which is available from RuGift works well when used with the JOLOS T adapter.
While Sigma, Canon and other teleconverters work equally well they produce some
difficulty in using the auto exposure system of the camera. If the latter are
used it will be necessary to insulate the electrical contacts between the converter
and camera. With the TMK-2 and JOLOS adapter there is no electrical contact
made between the lens and camera which permits the auto exposure system to function
normally in aperture priority mode. The aperture will read 0.0 which should
be ignored.
Canon Digital Rebel D300, Jolos ring, Zenit TKL-2
Teleconverter, Rubinar 500
Correcting the Rubinars for infinity focus when used
with adapters to clear the flash protrusion.
Each of the Rubinars can easily be adjusted so as to
allow deep infinity focusing with either of the extended adapters in place.
Since they each make very high quality astronomical photos adjusting them becomes
a necessity. They are set at the factory with the infinity stop labeled "W"
to go just past the indicating line. The design of the lens however permits
this point to be shifted thus moving the focus point a greater distance behind
the lens mounting flange. The procedure is simple and does not harm the lens
in any way. First remove the flexible plastic band around the lens which is
normally used for a focus grip. This will expose three small locking screws
which can be loosened about one turn each with a find jewelers screwdriver.
The entire focusing ring will then slip off the front of the lens housing. This
will expose the adjustable stop mechanism shown in the photo. Loosen the three
screws holding the aluminum ring and rotate it clockwise (when viewed from the
camera position)about 20mm then retighten the three holding screws. At this
point the lens can be mounted to the camera and check for infinity focus in
the viewfinder. The correct position is when the lens will focus just past infinity.
Place the focusing ring over the assembly, position the "W" at the indicator
line and tighten the screws. Replace the flexible plastic focusing grip and
the job is done.
Note: It is not recommend doing the adjustment
to the 1000 mm lens because of those little ball bearings which fall out and
are impossible to get back in. The lens will function well without them but
changing the back focus on the 1000 is a difficult job and is best done by a
professional and trained person. It is better to use the 2x teleconverter which
works great on all digital cameras.
Information courtesy of Melvin
Shaffer
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