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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm
#5641333 - 01/24/13 07:47 PM

Hi,

I would like to hear your suggestions and opinions on the highest contrast wide field eyepieces in the 20mm to 30mm range. 1.25", or 2" eyepieces. Vintage, or new. Thanks for your help, and clear skies!

Best,
Joe

"I am just trying to optimize my moments under the night sky"

Post Extras:

Magnitude7
sage

Reged: 10/10/10

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5641531 - 01/24/13 09:24 PM

Hey Joe. A 21mm Denkmeier is my choice. Not only does it deliver very high contrast, but it is also a comfortable eyepiece to look through.

In addition, it is very light (8 oz), and it is also the most Barlow-friendly eyepiece I have ever tried. Seriously.

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Magnitude7]
#5641590 - 01/24/13 09:53 PM

Hi, there. The 21mm Denkmeier sounds like a great choice. What is its apparent field of view, and eye relief? Are these still available for sale, and where can I buy one? I don't normally barlow eyepieces as a general rule, but I would definitely give it try. Thanks very much for your input!

Best,
Joe

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daniel_h
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/08/08

Loc: VIC, Australia

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5641933 - 01/25/13 04:40 AM

Er is 20mm, fov 60-65, Denk still sell them

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Erik Bakker
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/06

Loc: The Netherlands, Europe

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5641941 - 01/25/13 04:53 AM

Hi Joe,

The TV 22mm T4 Nagler comes to mind. It really is a great eyepiece. Sharp, contrasty, very immersive and just a plain comfortable view to take in.

Post Extras:

coutleef
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/21/08

Loc: Saint-Donat, Québec, Canada

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5642235 - 01/25/13 09:58 AM

Quote:

Hi,

I would like to hear your suggestions and opinions on the highest contrast wide field eyepieces in the 20mm to 30mm range. 1.25", or 2" eyepieces. Vintage, or new. Thanks for your help, and clear skies!

Best,
Joe

"I am just trying to optimize my moments under the night sky"

of all the EPs i owned in that range including orthos, panoptics, naglers, plossls, the ones with the best contrast are the pentax 20 and 30 XW.

i have never looked through a brandon or an ethos 20mm however

Post Extras:

Damo636
sage

Reged: 08/16/11

Loc: Ireland

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: coutleef]
#5642249 - 01/25/13 10:03 AM

I find the Ethos 21 shows excellent contrast.

Post Extras:

Magnitude7
sage

Reged: 10/10/10

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5642267 - 01/25/13 10:18 AM

Quote:

The 21mm Denkmeier sounds like a great choice. What is its apparent field of view, and eye relief? Joe

Eye Relief is 20mm - more with a Barlow. The AFOV definitely feels less than 65°. But I have done drift measurements, and it really does work out to 65°, IF the eyepiece is really 21mm. I strongly suspect the focal length is really more like 21.5mm, so the AFOV is a little less than 65°.

In any case, looking through either of my Denkmeiers makes me feel like I am looking through a wide-field Brandon.

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csrlice12
Postmaster

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Magnitude7]
#5642361 - 01/25/13 11:17 AM

ES82* 24mm oldstyle, before they waterproofed them. They're beasts alright....and the views are worth it.....

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MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: coutleef]
#5642515 - 01/25/13 12:44 PM

Quote:

of all the EPs i owned in that range including orthos, panoptics, naglers, plossls, the ones with the best contrast are the pentax 20 and 30 XW.

I'm with Frank, the first time I looked into the XW's I almost got sucked into that scrumptious black vacuum of space. It was immediately apparent.

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Lance1234
member

Reged: 11/01/12

Loc: Santa Clarita, CA

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5642565 - 01/25/13 01:12 PM

Quote:

I'm with Frank, the first time I looked into the XW's I almost got sucked into that scrumptious black vacuum of space. It was immediately apparent.

+1 on the XW.

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MAURITS
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/22/09

Loc: Diksmuide (Belgium)

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Damo636]
#5642573 - 01/25/13 01:18 PM

Quote:

I find the Ethos 21 shows excellent contrast.

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: daniel_h]
#5642678 - 01/25/13 02:14 PM

Hi Daniel,

Where can I buy this eyepiece? Thanks.

Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Erik Bakker]
#5642684 - 01/25/13 02:18 PM

Hi Erik,

I do really like the Televue 22mm Nagler Type 4, but I do have a minor problem with blacking out with which is why I switched to the Televue 20mm Nagler type 5. Thanks for your input!

Best,
Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: coutleef]
#5642700 - 01/25/13 02:23 PM

Hi Francois,

I agree the Pentax XW eyepieces are amongst the highest contrast wide fields ever made. I just recently bought the 20mm, but I have not used it as of yet. I cannot find the 30mm for sale anywhere, and it's price is astronomical! In it's place I have the Baader 31mm aspheric which is high in contrast, and has an eye relief (I believe) of 18mm. I find ultimate comfort levels between 12mm - 18mm. I do not wear glasses when I observe. Thanks for your input!

Best,
Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Damo636]
#5642706 - 01/25/13 02:26 PM

Hi,

I know how nice the Televue 21mm Ethos would be, but the price and weight make it prohibitive for me to use, and especially the price, but thanks for your input.

Best,
Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: Magnitude7]
#5642718 - 01/25/13 02:33 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the information on the 21mm Denkmeier. Just out of curiosity has anyone compared it to the Televue 20mm Type 5 eyepiece, or the Vixen 22mm LVW eyepiece? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Best,
Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: csrlice12]
#5642721 - 01/25/13 02:36 PM

Hi,

I have never tried the ES 24mm 68 degree eyepieces, but I do have the Meade 5000 34mm, 28mm, and 24mm eyepieces. They are all great eyepieces, and I believe made by the same company which makes the Explore Scientific eyepieces, but someone can correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5642725 - 01/25/13 02:40 PM

Hi John, Lance,

I agree with you on the Pentax eyepieces. Fantastic. I have five right now: Pentax 40mm XL, Pentax 20mm, 10mm, 7mm, 5mm XW eyepieces. I might want to pick up the 30mm if I can find it. Anyone have a pristine example they are willing to sell? Thanks!

Joe

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JMorey
member

Reged: 11/27/06

Re: Highest contrast WF eyepieces in the 20mm - 30mm new

[Re: JMorey]
#5642742 - 01/25/13 02:50 PM

Hi guys,

I guess I have to come clean: I just bought a Vixen VMC 260L OTA as my grab and go scope, and you know as well as I when you buy a new scope, you have to optimize your eyepieces for that scope, hence, why I want the highest contrast WF eyepieces. With a 3000mm focal length the highest useful magnification on a good night would be a 10mm eyepiece. Here is my current list:

Pentax XW 10mm

Televue 12mm Delos

Televue 16mm Type 5 Nagler

Televue 20mm Type 5 Nagler

ES 24mm 82 degree eyepiece

Baader 31mm Aspheric eyepiece

I know. This is a darn good combination, but I challenge the rest of you to come up with something similar, or a better choice of eyepieces. The 21mm Denkmeier sounds like a great possible choice to make this a better set. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and thank you!

Best,
Joe

Post Extras:

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