Telescope Reviews: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field

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Equipment Discussions >> Eyepieces

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andydj5xp
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/27/04

Loc: 52.269 N/10.571 E

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Bob S.]
#5501973 - 11/03/12 05:27 AM

Quote:

Johnny, I had put a +1 and am totally rescinding it! This morning, Jupiter was really struting its stuff with a plethora of white ovals, the GRS and red dot below it in my 12.5" f/5 Zambuto/Starstructure. I initially was using the Mark V's with the 1.7 GPC and 24mm Pans. The views were nice but when I put my Leica ASPH zoom in coupled with a Baader/Zeiss 2x Abbe Ortho Barlow, Katie bar the door! The zoomed views were between 178x-358x. The Leica provided the best views of the planet this year.

Bob, since it's always fun to spend other people's money

: how about additionally getting two Leica 22-7.3mm zooms for binoviewing. They are even less expensive than the Meopta zooms and they are available from Markus with 2" or 1.25" adapters. Their outer diameter is only 53mm.

They deliver AFOV's between 38° (at 22mm) up to 69° (at 7.3mm). The optical quality is from my experience every bit as good as the Leica ASPH zoom.

Andreas

@Sgt:

Quote:

I seriously think Markus Ludes owes you a Christmas present

I'm afraid he doesn't think so.

Post Extras:

Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: andydj5xp]
#5502122 - 11/03/12 09:38 AM

Andreas, I went to the German Leica website and was able to get a good translation of their instructions for the Leica 22-7.3mm zooms that are used with their spotting scope. It appears that it is continuously variable zoom. Without click stops, I wonder how one gets them to precisely the same magnification for binoviewing? I have inadvertently placed to different focal lengths into a binoviewer and the views are a hoot with something not being quite right

I have no experience using zooms binocularly so this remains a real dilemna. Bob

Edited by Bob S. (11/03/12 10:13 AM)

Post Extras:

Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Bob S.]
#5502227 - 11/03/12 11:16 AM

Andreas, Not to derail this thread but I just received a Baader Herschel Wedge White Light filter with a 2" ep receptical and so put the wedge on my TEC 160 and then put in the Leica Vario ASPH zoom and OMG! I was able to zoom in on our closest star at just the right magnification for the conditions and the presenting sunspots. If you do not have one of these filters, you MUST get one and place it in your TEC 140 and look at the Sun with your Leica zoom. The views are priceless. My bank account is running on fumes

Bob

Post Extras:

andydj5xp
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/27/04

Loc: 52.269 N/10.571 E

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Bob S.]
#5502436 - 11/03/12 01:47 PM

Quote:

Andreas, I went to the German Leica website and was able to get a good translation of their instructions for the Leica 22-7.3mm zooms that are used with their spotting scope. It appears that it is continuously variable zoom. Without click stops, I wonder how one gets them to precisely the same magnification for binoviewing? I have inadvertently placed to different focal lengths into a binoviewer and the views are a hoot with something not being quite right I have no experience using zooms binocularly so this remains a real dilemna. Bob

Bob, from earlier discussions I've learned that it's easy to choose the same magnifications with two zooms in a bino.

If you have a look into the ASPH review I've described my method for easily choosing the wanted focal length: "The white markings seen on the eyepiece body are little pieces cut from a nylon cable binder and glued onto small strips of transparent selfadhesive tape. They enable "feeling" the chosen magnification and are placed such that they give with my TEC140 magnifications of 60x, 80x, and 100x unbarlowed, and the corresponding magnifications multiplied with the barlow factors. Thus click-stops aren't missed.". The 22.3-7.3mm zoom can be prepared similarly.

The inscriptions on the zoom's body and the corresponding focal lengths are as follows:
20x=22mm; 30x=14.7mm; 40x=11mm; 50x=8.1mm; 60x=7.3mm

Thanks for the Herschel wedge advice. I'm using this scheme since 2005. Simply magnificent.

Andreas

Post Extras:

Bob S.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/14/05

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: andydj5xp]
#5505048 - 11/05/12 07:53 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Andreas, I went to the German Leica website and was able to get a good translation of their instructions for the Leica 22-7.3mm zooms that are used with their spotting scope. It appears that it is continuously variable zoom. Without click stops, I wonder how one gets them to precisely the same magnification for binoviewing? I have inadvertently placed to different focal lengths into a binoviewer and the views are a hoot with something not being quite right I have no experience using zooms binocularly so this remains a real dilemna. Bob

Bob, from earlier discussions I've learned that it's easy to choose the same magnifications with two zooms in a bino.

If you have a look into the ASPH review I've described my method for easily choosing the wanted focal length: "The white markings seen on the eyepiece body are little pieces cut from a nylon cable binder and glued onto small strips of transparent selfadhesive tape. They enable "feeling" the chosen magnification and are placed such that they give with my TEC140 magnifications of 60x, 80x, and 100x unbarlowed, and the corresponding magnifications multiplied with the barlow factors. Thus click-stops aren't missed.". The 22.3-7.3mm zoom can be prepared similarly.

The inscriptions on the zoom's body and the corresponding focal lengths are as follows:
20x=22mm; 30x=14.7mm; 40x=11mm; 50x=8.1mm; 60x=7.3mm

Thanks for the Herschel wedge advice. I'm using this scheme since 2005. Simply magnificent.

Andreas

Andreas, You have not steered any of us wrong in your very detailed experiences with zooms. I just ordered the 22.3-7.3mm Leica zooms for binoviewing in my two BV's with 1.25" adapters. I think I will be able to sell a lot of ep's that the three zooms have replaced. We are talking on the order of almost 20 eyepieces that can be replaced by three. That is an unbelievable accomplishment. A great testament to German engineering. Bob

Post Extras:

BradleyB
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/01/06

Loc: Olympia, WA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Bob S.]
#5524315 - 11/17/12 12:46 PM

Any astro views through this eyepiece yet?

Brad

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: BradleyB]
#5524335 - 11/17/12 01:03 PM

Post Extras:

Astrojensen
Post Laureate

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Bornholm, Denmark

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5524535 - 11/17/12 03:02 PM

*pops a can of coke open and grab some of Mike's popcorn*

Yeah, I'm curious, too.

Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark

Edited by Astrojensen (11/17/12 03:02 PM)

Post Extras:

BradleyB
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/01/06

Loc: Olympia, WA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Astrojensen]
#5544811 - 11/28/12 11:24 PM

Tammy,

From the photo you posted of this it looks like the bayonet flange on the bottom is greater than 1 1/4" across. Can you measure and confirm this measurement?

If it is larger, one would not be able to make a 1 1/4" adapter unless it is below the bayonet flange, similar to what you did by adding a 1 1/4" adapter to the bottom of your 2" adapter. This would make it much harder to use in a 1 1/4" diagonal or binoviewers for most scopes.

Thanks,
Brad

Post Extras:

Tamiji Homma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/24/07

Loc: California, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: BradleyB]
#5544820 - 11/28/12 11:32 PM

Quote:

From the photo you posted of this it looks like the bayonet flange on the bottom is greater than 1 1/4" across. Can you measure and confirm this measurement?

Hi Brad,

The diameter of the bayonet flange is 33.80mm. So it is larger than 1.25" (31.75mm).

Tammy

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astrodon
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/07/05

Loc: Portland, OR, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Tamiji Homma]
#5544912 - 11/29/12 01:21 AM

what are the specs on the 20-70x in astronomical use?

Post Extras:

BradleyB
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/01/06

Loc: Olympia, WA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Tamiji Homma]
#5545212 - 11/29/12 10:04 AM

Thank you Tammy.

Post Extras:

BradleyB
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/01/06

Loc: Olympia, WA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Tamiji Homma]
#5554822 - 12/04/12 11:09 PM

I confirmed with APM that their 1 1/4" adapter extends beyond the bottom of the eyepiece. That will make it hard for focusing in 1 1/4" mode. I could use it in 2" mode so it would not be as much of an issue for me. I'm just hoping it does well in astro viewing. If so, I will be seriously tempted to try it out.

Brad

Quote:

Quote:

From the photo you posted of this it looks like the bayonet flange on the bottom is greater than 1 1/4" across. Can you measure and confirm this measurement?

Hi Brad,

The diameter of the bayonet flange is 33.80mm. So it is larger than 1.25" (31.75mm).

Tammy

Post Extras:

Tamiji Homma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/24/07

Loc: California, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: BradleyB]
#5554949 - 12/05/12 12:58 AM

Hi Brad,

Yes, you need ample inward focus distance with 1.25" mode.

Here is photo, Baader #T2-14 (T-thread ->1.25" nosepiece) is attached to bottom of 2" adapter:

#T2-14 is removed:

Tammy

Post Extras:

mkothe
super member

Reged: 03/08/07

Loc: Boston, MA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Tamiji Homma]
#5556632 - 12/05/12 11:00 PM

How are the views?

Michael

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field [Re: mkothe]
#5557178 - 12/06/12 09:59 AM

Yes, that's what I'm waiting to hear ... especially when used in an f/5 or so Dob.

Mike

Post Extras:

BradleyB
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/01/06

Loc: Olympia, WA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5581546 - 12/20/12 10:12 PM

Still no views through this eyepiece under the stars?

Brad

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: BradleyB]
#5581552 - 12/20/12 10:16 PM

I think I'll keep my Baader Zoom.

Mike

Post Extras:

Niels2011
member

Reged: 06/09/11

Loc: UK

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5594890 - 12/29/12 06:45 PM

I'm also looking forward to hearing - but I guess full moon at the moment means that dark transparent night for the DSO contrast comparison is still a little while off. I'm contemplating buying one or other of the Leica ASPH or Meopta so it would be a big deal if they are similar in contrast - or to know the trade-offs; many thanks in advance Tammy.

Clear skies
Niels

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: New 16mm - 8mm Zoom with constant 66° field new

[Re: Niels2011]
#5594898 - 12/29/12 06:53 PM

I've since ordered and received a Baader 2.25x Barlow for my Baader Zoom. If I ever take a chance on one of these high-end Zooms, I'll see if and how well the Baader Barlow works with it.

Mike

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