More Views
Farpoint Bahtinov Focus Mask for DSLR Camera Lens w/ 52mm Filter Thread # FP438
| Brand | Farpoint Astronomical |
| Part Number | FP438 |
| Availability | |
| Share |
Product Info
Manufacturer Description
Snap-in Bahtinov focus mask for DSLR camera lenses with 52mm filter thread. Manufacturer part number FP438. Requires user to provide a UV or other filter for their camera lens (not included).
Please Note: The Bahtinov focus technique, when used with camera lenses, works best with longer focal lengths. It gets less useful and harder to focus with shorter focal lengths. The practical useful limit for this is around 100mm lens focal length or longer.
About the Bahtinov Mask:
Farpoint Bahtinov Masks are by far, the easiest, fastest and most consistent manual focusing aid available to the amateur astrophotographer. In 2008, Pavel Bahtinov, a Russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, published an ingenious new way to easily focus your DSLR camera, webcam or CCD camera for astrophotography. The method is simple, very intuitive, and the device has universally been named after the inventor: The Bahtinov Mask.
Prior to the innovative design of the Bahtinov Mask, astrophotographers could spend ten minutes or more just obtaining a reasonable focus. Problems with seeing, exposure length, and camera noise all increased the difficulty of and time spent finding perfect focus. With the Farpoint Bahtinov Mask, the process of finding the perfect focus whether it be through a DSLR, CCD or a WebCam takes a matter of seconds because the process is unaffected by seeing, noise and allows short exposure lengths!
Using the Bahtinov Focus Mask for DSLR Camera Lenses:
Focusing with your Bahtinov mask for DSLR camera lenses is simple. Start by snapping the Bahtinov mask into an inexpensive UV or Skylight filter that fits your camera lens [FILTER NOT INCLUDED; MUST BE PROVIDED BY BUYER]. Center a fairly bright start in your camera and achieve a rough focus, then loosely screw the filter holding the mask onto your camera lens.
Take a short exposure. The image of the star will show diffraction spikes. The “center” set will most likely be shifted to one side or the other. This is showing the defocus.
Adjust the focus of your camera and re-expose the star, once again showing the diffraction spike pattern. Iterate the process until you get the central diffraction spike centered against the star and the other spikes. When you achieve a symmetrical pattern, you have achieved the best possible focus. Remove the mask, center your target object and take your images!
Additional Information:
These masks are designed to snap onto a UV filter. The Farpoint snap-in Bahtinov Masks do NOT include a filter. Typically, photographers keep a UV filter on their lens permanently just to protect the lens. Since camera lens filters are stackable, Farpoint recommends that you keep a UV filter permanently on your lens and then LOOSELY thread a second UV filter with the snap-in Bahtinov onto your protective UV filter. That way, your lens will always be protected and you will be able to easily remove the Bahtinov to take your photos. In addition to DSLR camera lens Bahtinov masks, Farpoint also makes Bahtinov masks for telescopes (sold separately).
Farpoint manufactures this "lifesaving" astrophotography tool out of virtually indestructible ABS plastic in a range of sizes for DSLR camera lenses. The Farpoint Bahtinov Mask will ensure that you spend more time imaging and less time focusing for years to come! Whether you focus manually or electronically, the Farpoint Bahtinov Mask is an essential tool for any astrophotographer.
Reviews
-
Nov 17, 2018
Works Very Well
Pros: Cons: Comments:The mask works as advertised and helps me to focus when using my Canon T2i and 135mm lens. With the smaller FL lens, I use a higher than normal ISO (3200) and have the aperture wide open (F/2.8) and focus on a bright star. I don't bother shooting a test photo anymore, I simply use live focus and zoom in.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I have used it on several photo sessions and I'm pleased to report that blurred images might be a thing of the past now.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 10, 2018This thing just works!
Pros: Cons: Comments:I had purchased another mask/focusing aid from another online source where the pattern was etched (laser I presume) into clear acrylic. It then needed to be mounted into a square filter holder and attached to the lens. While it worked, this product is so much easier at 1/4 the price. It was a bit difficult to snap into a 77mm filter, but I just leave it attached to the filter as I don't shoot with any filters in place anyway unless I need a light pollution filter. The filter/mask combo is thin enough it fits back into the original filter box. Another benefit to this aid, is its easy to rotate the filter on the front of your lens to orientate the movement of the center diffraction spike to coincide with the way your lens focuses. If I need to move the spike to the left, I twist the focus ring on the lens to the left and so on. If it doesnt match your focus movement on your lens, rotate the filter/mask combo 180 degrees. Just one more convenient thing while you're out in the dark. Highly recommend this. I use it on a 135mm Rokinon on my Nikon D7100. I haven't tried it on a different lens to see how it produces the diffraction spikes. Again..highly recommend!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
fredsanfelipe New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by Fred E.
Jan 23, 2016Good product!
Pros:Easy to Use,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:I use this for astrophotography, and it makes focusing much easier. It fit my lens perfectly.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sort by
