Telescope Reviews: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's?

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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Scanning4Comets]
#5115074 - 03/10/12 12:19 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have the 28mm SWA which is a great eyepiece, but I often grab the RKE because it offers up quite a different view. In my opinion, it shows brighter images. Can't say that would be for everyone though. This is for either older or newer with grippy band. They are identical when taken apart, and I can't tell the difference.

This says SHOOT OUT all over it !!!

Looking forward to this!

Best,

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Vondragonnoggin]
#5115076 - 03/10/12 12:21 PM

Quote:

..the most excellent Meade 28 SWA..

+ 1

Best,

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Bob Clift]
#5115081 - 03/10/12 12:26 PM

Quote:

You're welcome Hernando

There's another thread worth trying to find in the eyepieces forum, "Favorite eyepieces" or something similar. Lots of mentions of the usual multi-$$$$$ high-end suspects, as you'd expect, but also a lot of mentions of the RKE 28, including from the high-end-owners.

Thanks again Bob; wow, for something that I paid $42 for, it sure is a comforting thought that the RKE 28mm is among the pantheon of "Favorite eyepieces," walking tall with expensive hi-end EP's!

Best,

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Bob Clift
sage

Reged: 03/22/05

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5115155 - 03/10/12 01:05 PM

Oh, you got a goodie and no doubt

just don't expect a flat-field view, and you'll be fine, the RKE will distort at the edges, but you won't care

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Bob Clift]
#5115175 - 03/10/12 01:20 PM

Quote:

Oh, you got a goodie and no doubt just don't expect a flat-field view, and you'll be fine, the RKE will distort at the edges, but you won't care

Thanks, nicely put, I'm liking it already!

Best,

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5146096 - 03/28/12 08:36 PM

After some anguished wait for the internationally shipped package, finally received the RKE 28mm:

RKE 28mm with the accordion rubber boot

It's the "Scientific" version, posted more pics & initial impressions here.

Best,

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pftarch
sage

Reged: 09/21/07

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5146223 - 03/28/12 10:16 PM

You absolutely, positively, definitely HAVE to try it without the boot to get the true "I've lost the eyepiece and all I see is the universe on my deck" feeling.

Feel free to use or not use the funky boot later on (I like mine for solar viewing during the day) but regardless of excessive eye relief and having to cup the bootless eyepiece to block out your neighbors lights, the view without the boot at night is the magic part. Less than great coatings, unblackened edges, no lens caps, less field of view than a cheap plossl, too much eye relief, IT DOESN"T MATTER. Point it at the Orion Nebula, you'll see..............

p.s. buy two and put 'em in a binoviewer....I did

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: pftarch]
#5146502 - 03/29/12 03:58 AM

Thanks for the tips about the rubber boot! I do have a WO binoviewer, we'll see, if it works out right for me, I just might go double on these 28mm's, thanks!

Best,

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5154021 - 04/02/12 11:56 PM

Finally, skies partially cleared up last night to enable use of the RKE 28 briefly, posted some findings on a new blog post here.

Meade SWA 28mm 5K; RKE 28mm

Best,

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Jaimo!
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/11/07

Loc: Exit 135 / 40° North

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5154357 - 04/03/12 09:16 AM

Lovely review Hernando!

Jaimo!

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Vondragonnoggin
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/10

Loc: Southern CA, USA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Jaimo!]
#5154362 - 04/03/12 09:22 AM

Yes, great review. I particularly liked the picture of the conga drum to explain the floating effect. That was right on the money! Shows you obviously experienced the full effect too. I too like it barlowed, but mostly barlowed in a Telecentric as the eye relief is already long enough.

Anyways - great write up.

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: Vondragonnoggin]
#5155235 - 04/03/12 08:06 PM

Jaimo!, Vondragonnoggin, thank you very much!

Best,

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BKBrown
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5155319 - 04/03/12 09:02 PM

Great review Hernando, right on the money with your description. I experienced the same very entertaining "floating" effect...as well as the less-than-stellar off axis performance. One of my big take aways has been the need for very exact eye placement if you want to hold the image. A novel and interesting ocular, but the jury is still out for me on whether or not it will make the cut in the long run.

Clear Skies,
Brian

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: BKBrown]
#5155414 - 04/03/12 10:33 PM

Thanks Brian, very glad you like the review (I'm a big admirer of your exemplary lunar & planetary images). Yes, the RKE 28mm does require some getting used to with regards to exact eye placement because of its rather long ER; like all other EP's the RKE isn't perfect and has its limitations, but I understand now the reason why so many are enamored with and rave about it, although it's not for everyone too; I do intend to keep it though if only for the charm and novelty of the floating views it is able to regale its user.

Best,

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ErnieM
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Reged: 06/13/04

Loc: Phoenix,AZ

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5155454 - 04/03/12 10:59 PM

Thanks for the review Hernando.I am with you in that the 27 PAN is also my favorite but far more expensive.For the big difference in dollars the RKE is a great option for someone just starting out.

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ibase
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Reged: 03/20/08

Loc: Manila, Philippines 121*E 14*N

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ErnieM]
#5155505 - 04/03/12 11:36 PM

Thanks and right you are Ernie! For $62, it's one of the true "best buy" bargains in this age and millennial of high-priced oculars, unique not only for its prized jaw-dropping views, but at the same time, also a winner in its affordable price point.

Best,

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Simoes Pedro
sage

Reged: 02/03/09

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5155744 - 04/04/12 07:33 AM

Hi Hernando,

I can guarantee yours is not in the most recent housing. Yours reads Edmund Scientific. That brand ceased to exist in the 70's.

I have purchased a set of RKE's from Edmund optics. They came in three different barrel types. I have only kept the 28mm, which was the only one in a modern barrel. By the way, the 8mm arrived chipped.

15, 12 and 8mm models have too tight eye relief to have any use.

28.7mm model(28mm) feels special, due to the famous "eyepiece vanish effect".

I have read on you blog - nice blog by the way - it exhibited field curvature on your f5.9 scope. Do you have a higher focal ratio scope to try it on?

I have a f8 scope and the field curvature problem is not that prominent.

I will post pictures of mine as soon as I can.

I am tempted to machine to field stop to meet the barrel inner diameter. this will yield about 60º of AFOV.

ATTENTION: Do not unscrew the barrel with the field lens facing down. The optics will fall on the floor.

Congratulations on your purchase. It will be a future classic

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BillB9430
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Reged: 12/02/06

Loc: Illinois

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? new

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[Re: ibase]
#5155843 - 04/04/12 09:15 AM

I bought an Edmund 1 1/8" "Kellner" new nearly 50 years ago (still have and use it) and now just received a new 28 mm RKE. Both are nice eyepieces, but I do like the defined field stop in the RKE instead than the rather reflective inner barrel visible in the old "Kellner". I will use the RKE without the rubber eye guard that was sent in the package, but offer this caution for those who try that guard. In applying the rubber eye guard to the eyepiece, I carelessly allowed the forward edge to brush the field lens. Big mistake! Apparently there is some material on the rubber that transfers to the glass, making a mark. It was NOT removable with my standard lens cleaner! Fortunately, a little acetone on a Q-tip removed the mark completely. If you don't have acetone handy, be very careful. -Bill

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Vondragonnoggin
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/10

Loc: Southern CA, USA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? [Re: BillB9430]
#5155867 - 04/04/12 09:31 AM

Hernando, keep using the RKE. It will grow on you the more you use it. The eye placement issue becomes a non-issue very fast. I thought it was a cool eyepiece when I first used mine, but after some time using it, I moved it to the "must keep" category and it has become one of my most used eyepieces. Sometimes I just go out and view with a 2x barlow, a 5x Powermate, and the 28mm RKE. Three magnifications all with that floaty effect and barlowing it gets rid of any edge artifacts.

I am waiting for Explore Scientiics barlows to come out. I think they are reintroducing the Meade 5000 series teleXtenders in 1.25". I have a 2", 2x TeleXtender, but really want the 1.25" 2x, and 3x teleXtender telecentrics. With a 2x, 3x, and 5x Telecentric design, I'll get the 28mm RKE in 4 magnifications and no added eye relief. Hmmmm, maybe a 2.5 Powermate is in order to make the 28 RKE an eyepiece case application.

I also saw you noticed the 45 degree AFOV appears wider in use. I think it does too.

Now that I'm thinking about this, all those telecentrics plus my 28 RKE and 35mm Parks Gold would be just about everything I'd need to be happy with my views and make the rest of my eyepieces collect dust.

I think I just created my list for purchases....

Edited by Vondragonnoggin (04/04/12 09:37 AM)

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BillP
Postmaster

Reged: 11/26/06

Loc: Vienna, VA

Re: RKE 28mm on the way! What to expect vs. 27-36mm's? [Re: BillB9430]
#5155941 - 04/04/12 10:28 AM

Quote:

I bought an Edmund 1 1/8" "Kellner" new nearly 50 years ago (still have and use it) and now just received a new 28 mm RKE.

If you take the 1-1/8" apart, you will find it is not a Kellner but an asymetrical Plossl design, perhaps a Clave-style Plossl. So it is 4 elements in 2 groups.

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