TAL Finderscope - Need Advice!

[Manx Engineer]

Hi All!

Have recently acquired a rather nice TAL 8 x 50 Finderscope. Optics look OK but the objective lens is VERY dirty & dusty. Wondered if I should attempt to clean it (or not!). Any advice appreciated ... don't want to damage either the lens or its rather fetching purple multicoat!

Also, its dewshield is missing. Anyone know where I might be able to get a replacement (TAL or otherwise)

Many thanks!

Gary

[AndyH]

Take the lens out, if you think it'll make cleaning easier.

Take out the retaining grub screw in the front side of the tube, then unscrew the lens locking ring. The lens should then come out.

[AndyH]

The supplied dewshields are a bit too short in my opinion. Mine dew up in no time.

I've got a couple of these 8x50's and am going to look to get some aluminium tube. 2.5"x16swg should be a decent fit. A bit of flocking inside should make it snug.

Andy.

[Manx Engineer]

Thanks Andy - will give that a try.

How far from the end of the finder scope should the dew shield extend do you think? Am thinking 75mm (1.5 x Aperture) should be enough but don't want to get tunnel vision through the finder!

Was thinking of using Forward Metals (Ebay) for the tube since they will cut to size - have you any experience with these guys?

Thanks for the quick reply to previous posts by the way - much appreciated. Sorry for delay in response!

Gary

[AndyH]

That's the guys I use for my small bits n pieces. Great service. If they don't have any items you need on their page, they can get it for you.

Yeah, I'd think 3 or 4" from the end of the finder, would be fine. So perhaps 5 or 6" of tube should work nicely ?

Cheers,

Andy.

[Manx Engineer]

Thanks Andy

I'll order a 10" length from them and ask them to cut it into two pieces - they should be able to cut it squarer than me!

Gary

[sungazer]

Hello, you could use a plastic bottle, and cut it down to about 1 .5 times the diameter of the lens, all sorts of plastic containers are bound to be in the larder May not be popular with the cook. !! Good luck, John.

[AndyH]

I made a cracking dewshield with screw on lid for my Carton 60/1000 refractor.

A tin of Illey coffee.....

Became this....

Brilliant !!

Andy.