MTO 11CA . In Germany commonly simply called “Die  Russentonne” which means the “Russians Ton”. A mirror lens. A full meter of focal length. At a 1.6 crop factor (like APS-C has) 1.6 meters equivalent focal length. Focussing this lens is difficult, even with a very steady tripod 🙁 In the viewfinder you can see the shimmer of the air. Mirror lockup and self timer are mandatory. Even on a solid tripod it takes several seconds until the construct becomes stable after the last touch . . .

A good friend has left me this part, not for free, I’ll probably take it off the for the actual market value . The front lens had some mist, the mirror some dust. I dismounted the piece and cleaned it. Needed a good half a pack of glasses towels from a well known German discounter. Just after that I’ve read that you shouldn’t clean the mirror in any case. Too late, but contrary to popular opinions it has taken no damage (up to two, three tiny scratches which do not interfere at all). And according to a pre – after comparison , I find that it is now a tick more crispy and more defined. But definitely not worse as before cleaning!

The castle Teck, photographed from about 8km away, taken a few meters from our house,

Castle Teck

Here a 100% crop:

Castle Teck – 100% Crop

Doesn’t look really crisp but my (cheap) EF 75-300mm has no chance against it.

Highway A8 Aichelberg from a 12,4 km distance

Highway A8 at the Aichelberg.

The A8 Aichelberg tunnel.

Water tower in Kirchheim Teck

The water tower is 3,8 km away.

A comparison betwenn the MTO 11CA and the AF 75-300mm

The MTO:

Electricity pole

And the Canon EF 75-300 as a crop:

Electricity pole with te EF 75-300, crop.

Even it the “Russians Ton” is not a miracle regarding sharpness, the difference is unambigous 😀

MTO 11CA – The Russians Ton

MTO 11CA – The Russians Ton

I think, I’ll keep this thing 🙂