Three months ago, I tested out a new Russian super-telephoto lens, the MC MTO-1100, on my Nikon Df. And although the results were okay, I couldn’t remove the lens from the camera without taking the entire lens assembly apart.
Nertz.
On Sunday, after Allen at CameraWorks repaired the Russian lens, I tested it out one more time.
I wanted to capture some fall foliage this year, and I heard that some amazing fall foliage existed at Glass Lake, a little hamlet near Averill Park. I drove there, hoping to find some beautiful shoreline where I could set up my gear and take lots of photos.
Nope. Apparently 97.5% of Glass Lake is surrounded by private beachfront property. No trespassing.
No big deal. I hear there’s a spot on Glass Lake Road where one can access the lake from a public fishing spot –
Nope. The fishing boat launch is under repair. More “No Trespassing” signs.
Nertz.
Okay. Guess I’ll skip over photographing this lake and go find another … hey … what’s that in the water?
It looks like a tiny, rocky island. And there’s – is that a flagpole on that island?
Nertz. Nothing in my camera arsenal is going to help me photograph that …
Except …
Okay, camera lens. You get one more chance. Either you work for me … or you’re going back to Vladivostok or wherever you were built.
I attached the lens to my Nikon Df and hoped for the best.
Breathe. Deep…
Take the photo…

Pow.
Now this Russian lens is a telephoto prime lens – I can’t zoom in or out – but I can turn the photo from portrait, as you see here, to landscape.
And let’s see what a landscape photo looks like with this supertele.

All right. Now for the big test.
I pressed the lens release button on the Nikon Df and slowly twisted the camera lens.
Pop. Simple disconnect.
Whew.
Okay, you monster Russian lens … you get an additional reprieve. Especially with photos like that.
Now show me that you can get me a “Competition Season” photo…
I mean it. I’m counting on you.