leonard
member
Reged: 10/19/07
Posts: 46
Loc: West Virginia
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Hello Brooklyn ,
You wrote :>>>Leonard i think one of the biggest skills an amateur astronomer learns over years and years of heavily experiencing this hobby is cleaning optics.
It seems to me all the older gentlemen who have had decades of experience don't even hesitate or think twice when it comes to cleaning optics, even the ridiculously expensive ones that they own.<<<<<
Hi , I'm one of the older "gentlemen" your talking about and I can tell you its always good to think twice .
Decades of experience ? To do what , use a Q-tip and cleaning fluid ? Cleaning eyepieces is not a skill but a process . And as such is open to flaws ,flaws that can turn a fine eyepiece into less than desirable in one stroke.
I do feel some people are a little to timid about it but when your talking about an eyepiece that is not replaceable it may lead one to think twice . 
Leonard
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mike bacanin
sage
Reged: 03/19/07
Posts: 272
Loc: united kingdom
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I would say to all those who have ordered zeiss abbe II's that they will be superb,and something to treasure for years. i myself am not in a position to purchase a set unless i sell all my eyepieces which include the tmb 14mm and 16mm supermonos, 18mm pentax smc ortho, and 12mm AP SPL,which have taken much effort (and money!) to acquire.
but i don't mind, because at least 2 of the zeiss would be too high mag for my Tak sct at 2700 f.l.
but regardless,congrats to the owners to be!
mike
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1064
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Leonard,
I read Mark's post. The 1st paragraph answered Mark's question and the 2nd paragraph satisfied my insatiable ego and my need to pontificate.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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JimP
sage
Reged: 04/22/03
Posts: 305
Loc: South Carolina
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"Heck, I passed on getting a full set of AP SPLs the day they were first sold and instead opted for just two, the 5mm and the 12mm and I do regret not getting the entire set"
Mark you are so right. I did the same thing and now I only have a 5mm SPL instead of the entire set. The Zeiss Abbes are very expensive but anyone who buys a set now will probably never regret it as they will either be the planetary eyepieces of you dreams or not. If they are you will be very happy that you purchased them. And, if not, I have no doubt they will be able to be sold very easily.
Jim Phillips
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leonard
member
Reged: 10/19/07
Posts: 46
Loc: West Virginia
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Hi Steve ,
It all makes sense to me now.
BTW , which eyepiece brand is the most usefull for you and your scope on the planets ? When I used the TEC 140 I had, I found the TMB mono's to be excellent . Not to say other eyepieces would not be as good or for some even better .
Leonard
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pstarr
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/17/04
Posts: 767
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
"Heck, I passed on getting a full set of AP SPLs the day they were first sold and instead opted for just two, the 5mm and the 12mm and I do regret not getting the entire set"
Mark you are so right. I did the same thing and now I only have a 5mm SPL instead of the entire set. The Zeiss Abbes are very expensive but anyone who buys a set now will probably never regret it as they will either be the planetary eyepieces of you dreams or not. If they are you will be very happy that you purchased them. And, if not, I have no doubt they will be able to be sold very easily.
Jim Phillips
There are two complete sets of AP SPL's on Astromart if your still interested. web page
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Paul
10" F-6 Eq planetary Newt. w/Zambuto mirror
fully flocked aluminum tube
curved spider, Antares 1/30 wave secondary
12'x12' roll-off roof observatory
6" f-6 Newt. w/Parks mirror on CG-5 Eq. mount
4.5" Orion Starblast on Eq. mount
TV Radians 5,6,8,10,12mm
Pentax XL 10.5mm
Baader Hyperion 17mm
3.2mm TMB planetary
13mm Ethos
TV 2.5x barlow
My equipment philosophy... If it ain't broke, fix it anyway.
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1064
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Leonard,
Lots of EPs have come and gone, mostly in the $80-$200 range. I still hang on to Monos for planetary viewing.
I have a set of Pentax SMC orthos, which I'm finally just getting around to evaluate. I'd love to be fortunate to own the ZAO II's or original ZAOs, for that matter, for comparison. I picked up a couple Zeiss Monos that should make my nights interesting, but there will be no more purchasing before my son graduates from college.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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mike bacanin
sage
Reged: 03/19/07
Posts: 272
Loc: united kingdom
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Hi Steve,
quite a few times i've seen it stated that the zeiss monos are the absolute pinnacle,maybe surpassing the abbes.
so even if you don't have the ZAO's you may indeed have the ultimate planetary eyepieces!
mike
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JimP
sage
Reged: 04/22/03
Posts: 305
Loc: South Carolina
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Nope. They SPL's on astromart are too expensive for me. Everyone has his/her limit and everyone's is different. But, because they are not available, if you want a set, this is what you may have to pay. Just more reason to buy when limited sets like the ZAOs come along instead of having to pay the "going price" later...
JimP
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Mark Jenkins
super member
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 169
Loc: Wisconsin
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The AP SPLs represented a fantastic price to performance ratio when they were sold new.
Only the buyer can now determine if the current asking price is too much or acceptable for them.
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AP 105mm f6 APO (Traveler)
TEC MC200/15.5
AP Mach1 GTO
AP Eagle 6 Pier w/extension
AP 12mm, 8mm, 5mm SPL
Pentax XP 3.8mm, 6mm Orthos
TeleVue 17mm Nagler 4
University Optics 12.5mm Orthos (Pair)
William Optics 28mm UWAN
Zeiss ABBE II Orthos 4, 6, 10, 16, Barlow Due in October.
Zeiss "25mm" 1.25" Focusing (Matched Pair)
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Brooklyn
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/24/08
Posts: 598
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Quote:
Hello Brooklyn ,
Hi , I'm one of the older "gentlemen" your talking about and I can tell you its always good to think twice .
Decades of experience ? To do what , use a Q-tip and cleaning fluid ? Cleaning eyepieces is not a skill but a process . And as such is open to flaws ,flaws that can turn a fine eyepiece into less than desirable in one stroke.
I do feel some people are a little to timid about it but when your talking about an eyepiece that is not replaceable it may lead one to think twice .
Leonard
indeed leonard we share that sentiment. As you can tell im also very hesitant about cleaning optics, luckily i think if i buy:
http://www.giottos.com/Products/CL/cover_l.jpg
Then, my light dusting and cleaning will be far safer.
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Meade 8.25"(209.55mm) LX-90 EMC (SCT)
Albert Einstein =>
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.”
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leonard
member
Reged: 10/19/07
Posts: 46
Loc: West Virginia
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Hi Steve ,
>>>I picked up a couple Zeiss Monos that should make my nights interesting<<<<
Some very knowledgeable people place the Zeiss Monocentric at the pinnacle of planetary eyepieces .
Should be interesting indeed .
Leonard
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Agnosticus
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/12/04
Posts: 988
Loc: Wisconsin
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Quote:
Hi Mark,
I owned the 8 & 12mm SPLs for about 2 years, before selling them. I ranked them tied for 3rd with a few other EPs, including the Radian, for on axis sharpness.
So, what were the other two??
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Kevin
Starting over after a brief hiatus...
Soon to have my MN-76
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1064
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Kevin,
Somebody would have to ask that question. I was stalling because I needed more time to remember which EP came in second. The TMB Monos stood out as clearly the best planetary EPs I owned for sharpness and contrast. Um..............I don't remember. I have a rough idea, but I'm not exactly sure. Very embarrassing, especially since I know some of you have kept meticulous written records since you entered the hobby.
I evaluated the EPs with the IM 715 Mak which was very well colimated during the Summer, Spring, and Fall when thermal issues were not an issue.
Sorry about second place, Kevin.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Agnosticus
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/12/04
Posts: 988
Loc: Wisconsin
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Ah well, no biggie. I would have guessed the Supermonos were somewhere in there -- incredible planetary EPs!
I know they are a considerable financial step lower, but how do UO HD Orthos stand up to Zeiss Abbes?
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Kevin
Starting over after a brief hiatus...
Soon to have my MN-76
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mike bacanin
sage
Reged: 03/19/07
Posts: 272
Loc: united kingdom
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Hello,
i have used zeiss jena ortho 12.5mm and UO HD 12mm and the zeiss are in a different class to UO HD, less scatter and very sharp and contrasty.
regards
mike
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ltha
member
Reged: 11/22/05
Posts: 42
Loc: Long Beach, CA
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Hi Kevin,
I have compared the UO HDs and Baader Orthos to the Zeiss 1.25" Abbes and they stand up well against them. Under average seeing I would guess that most people would see little difference in them. Mike mentions less light scatter and better sharpness and contrast with the Zeiss. All are true but become most apparent when you are using a superb optical system under very good or better seeing.
I have two sets of the original Zeiss Abbes from 4mm to 25mm and two sets of Baader orthos as well.
I could be quite happy with the Baaders for all of my planetary observing and would never feel under gunned. Michael Lalk is quoted on Alpine Astro's site regarding the Baader orthos:
"My result: Baader -Planetarium has succeeded with the Genuine Orthos. They represent a worthy execution of the orthoscopic eyepiece, in my opinion, and make it possible for those who do not possess the Zeiss Abbes to own an equal alternative at a fraction of the price."
Michael and I corresponded about the Baaders and he said pretty much the same thing - under average seeing they were too close to call. Under excellent seeing the Zeiss bested both Baaders and Pentax SMC orthos. If I recall correctly, he was using a Zeiss APQ 130 during the comparison so his primary optical system was optimized as well.
In short, most observers would be very happy with the HDs or Baaders and have a wad of cash in the bank for other uses. A few planetary fanatics, myself included, feel the Zeiss are worth owning for those times when seeing allows them to shine.
Edited by ltha (08/09/08 02:40 PM)
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1064
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Kevin,
I'd love to get my hands on a Zeiss Abbe to get an impression.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
Edited by SteveC (08/09/08 11:35 AM)
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