3715 replies to this topic

[CrazyPanda]

Do I understand correctly that these are specialized eyepieces for planets?

The highest contrast is in the center, due to the blurred periphery. 

There's really no such thing as an eyepiece meant for X or Y. Any eyepiece can be used for any task, but different eyepieces have different trade-offs.

 

The TPLs have excellent transmission and light throughput, which means they are also excellent for deep sky observing if you're looking for very faint threshold objects. But yes, their narrow field and poor edge correction in moderate to fast focal ratio telescopes means you're not going to get big immersive vistas of large targets from them. I wouldn't observe open clusters with them, for example.

 

But you could easily observe the pinpoint stars in globular clusters, galaxies, planetary nebulae etc. They're also great for splitting double stars, though you would want a scope that tracks so that the stars can stay centered in the field where the view is sharpest and split will be cleanest.

 

Personally I wouldn't really use these as daily drivers for deep sky because I prefer comfort and wide fields more than 1-2% better transmission, but you could absolutely use them for DSO observing if you wanted. However, I did buy the 33 TPL for use with an H-Beta filter for observing faint H-Beta targets like the Horse Head Nebula.
 

Edited by CrazyPanda, 13 June 2024 - 06:44 AM.

[Scott99]

Do I understand correctly that these are specialized eyepieces for planets?

The highest contrast is in the center, due to the blurred periphery. 

No IMO they are the best oculars for everything

[niki3]

Could you explain?

[Scott99]

Could you explain?

Highest contrast, sharpness, and throughput of any eyepiece.  Will show parts of faint objects that disappear in big widefields.  Will show planetary, globular cluster details that are blurred out in 8-element widefields.  Very small and lightweight body with smooth barrels.  Excellent edge sharpness at f/8.  No bending or warping of view with panning, no false color.

Edited by Scott99, 13 June 2024 - 10:40 AM.

[niki3]

Thank you.

 

And if we compare them not with wide-angles but with Teleview Plössls?

[Scott99]

Thank you.

 

And if we compare them not with wide-angles but with Teleview Plössls?

This is all just IMHO of course  - these types of comparisons should be done by each user for their own needs.  The TV design has better edge sharpness than the TPL's and most other 4-element eyepieces.   For me the TPL's are better in the other areas besides edge sharpness - the other areas I listed above.  

 

And of course, TPL's have no awful groove in the insertion barrel to snag repeatedly on my star diagonal while observing.   But if you need a 4-element eyepiece with better edge sharpness at f/5 or f/6, the TV design has it.  I don't see much need for improvement at the edge in the f/8-f/9 scopes I use.  I would get one of each and compare them in your favorite telescope.
 

Edited by Scott99, 13 June 2024 - 11:14 AM.

[CrazyPanda]

And if we compare them not with wide-angles but with Teleview Plössls?

Well the biggest issue is the focal lengths are quite different except for the 25 and 33 TPLs, which correspond with the 25mm and 32mm TV Plossls.

 

Otherwise it's an apples to oranges comparison IMO and you wouldn't buy a 12.5mm TPL if an 11mm focal length makes more sense. The optical difference between the eyepieces are so small that they irrelevant compared to the differences in exit pupil and magnification created by 12.5mm and 11m focal lengths.

[Scott99]

Well the biggest issue is the focal lengths are quite different except for the 25 and 33 TPLs, which correspond with the 25mm and 32mm TV Plossls.

 

Otherwise it's an apples to oranges comparison IMO and you wouldn't buy a 12.5mm TPL if an 11mm focal length makes more sense. The optical difference between the eyepieces are so small that they irrelevant compared to the differences in exit pupil and magnification created by 12.5mm and 11m focal lengths.

this gets into the "try with your favorite scope" thing....with a 6-inch apo the differences are readily visible with every view.  If TV hasn't changed the glass and coatings since the 90's, they have a distinct yellow/orange color tone.  The sharpness in the middle isn't as good - star points not as tight.  These are things that show up quickly in a 6-inch apo for me.

 

likewise with an f/5 dob, the flatter field thing could win the day instantly.  I know I don't like my Claves below f/7.5, TPL's are the same, I'd probably use the Tele Vue's with short-focus Newt.

Edited by Scott99, 13 June 2024 - 11:41 AM.

[cbowlsby]

Been a while since I updated my collection here:

 

30 XW

17.5 Morp

9 Morph

6 Ethos

4.7 Ethos

 

25 TPL

18 TPL

12.5 TPL

9 TPL

 

 

 

 

I decided to make the Morpheus line my primary DSO set after having a chance to compare Morpheus to XW/Delos at similar focal lengths.  They were all very similar but I just preferred the Morpheus view for my eyes in my scope.  Prior to doing that, I upgraded my higher powers to Ethos last year after getting a taste of 100 degree FoV.  Cruising around the moon with a hyperwide at high magnifications is breathtaking...

 

The new kids on the block are the 4 TPLs.  I mostly use them for solar which they are fantastic for.

 

I don't usually take the full set out, rather I pick 3 and put them in a fanny pack (no shame!) then go see what I can see

Edited by cbowlsby, 13 June 2024 - 07:24 PM.

[firemachine69]

All I hope is someone with the LV collection remembers me when they're hashing out their will with the lawyer. 

 

My eyepiece collection grew in the classic line-up. I added the Meade Series II 18mm Ortho, and (erroneously) the 25mm of the same series, but in .965... Oops.

 

Now I'm thinning out eyepieces. Next to go: my 8mm Delos and 12mm Delos. 

[Lentini]

I thought I’d never sell eyepieces again after regretting selling a couple, as comparisons are fun and it’s nice to revisit. But then my desire to complete collections competed with frugality and shear number of lines I had started. Had to make a decision. 

 

So, at the moment, I’m shrinking variety of lines, but also completing the fewer number of lines in hand. Keeping a line or two in groups by AFOV. My OCD is happy with this so far. 
 

Sticking with:

Takahashi TPLs, Orthos, TOEs.

(Debating keeping the somewhat overlapping Takahashi MC LEs and Hi-LEs.)

Explore Scientific 100 and 92 degrees. 

Televue Panoptics and DeLites and Nagler zooms.

Debating doing Morpheus. I have two. But Pentax XW?

 

I have sundry eyepieces I can’t bear to get rid of, like Meade Series 4000 UWA 14 and 8.8, 20mm Carton Erfle pair, a couple of Celestron Ultima pairs. A token Hyperion zoom. 
 

Really having a hard time deciding if I should sell or finish collecting Meade RG Orthos and WAs. They’re really nice eyepieces.

 

Having a hard time wanting to sell Vixen SLVs and Pentax XWs, but I think I will. 

[Scott99]

Thanxs, I was waiting for such comment

 

I love TPLs so much I had to get all of them in pairs, and 50mms if one day I will use some binoscope.

 

BTW, 2" binoviewers are not good at all, otherwise I would making them.

 

Denis

Have you tried the Siebert Optics 2-inch binoviewer?  I viewed through a friend's many times and it seemed good

[25585]

I thought I’d never sell eyepieces again after regretting selling a couple, as comparisons are fun and it’s nice to revisit. But then my desire to complete collections competed with frugality and shear number of lines I had started. Had to make a decision. 

 

So, at the moment, I’m shrinking variety of lines, but also completing the fewer number of lines in hand. Keeping a line or two in groups by AFOV. My OCD is happy with this so far. 
 

Sticking with:

Takahashi TPLs, Orthos, TOEs.

(Debating keeping the somewhat overlapping Takahashi MC LEs and Hi-LEs.)

Explore Scientific 100 and 92 degrees. 

Televue Panoptics and DeLites and Nagler zooms.

Debating doing Morpheus. I have two. But Pentax XW?

 

I have sundry eyepieces I can’t bear to get rid of, like Meade Series 4000 UWA 14 and 8.8, 20mm Carton Erfle pair, a couple of Celestron Ultima pairs. A token Hyperion zoom. 
 

Really having a hard time deciding if I should sell or finish collecting Meade RG Orthos and WAs. They’re really nice eyepieces.

 

Having a hard time wanting to sell Vixen SLVs and Pentax XWs, but I think I will. 

Sell eyepieces that are currently made, keep those that are rare. I have about 150 +/-, but many are & were hard to find, so they stay. Any I might sell will be my contemporary eyepieces, but I like them all too much. 

[astroclint]

My Eyepiece's are.

Angeleyes Telescope Eyepiece UWA 7mm 

Celestron 15mm Spotting Scope Eyepiece

Maxvision 30mm 82 degree eyepiece.

[Olimad]

I received the 30mm SPL plössl and will recieve 2 Skyrover eyepieces soon, the 4mm 82° and the 5.5mm Premium Flatfield.

 

I sold my 2 TMB Planetary clones eyepieces (2.5 and 4 mm).

 

Net: in total, + 1 eyepiece in my case... - 130 euros in my wallet

Edited by Olimad, 14 June 2024 - 04:03 PM.

[Kefka1138]

Added a 13T6 Nagler to the kit and added illumination. 

[yuji22]

Here is a list of my Eyepiece Addiction, sorry collection.

 

TV The Green Giant Collection. The impress your friends collection with the green lettering.

32mm Plossl my first eyepiece

2 x 25mm Plossl for Binoviewing

18.2mm Delite My all time favourite eyepiece

8mm Radian, the coffee colour thing is overblown

5mm Radian, the coffee colour thing is overblown

4mm Radian, the coffee colour thing is overblown

2 x and 3x TV Barlow

 

XWA The 100 degrees Spacewalk collection: My favourite collection.

20mm XWA Antares

13mm XWA Skyrover

5mm XWA Skyrover

Coming soon: 9mm XWA

 

The man in the middle Collection aka The  love and hate collection. Sometimes I want to get rid of these but can never allow myself to part with them.

24mm ES 68

16mm ES 68

24mm ES 82

14mm ES 82

11mm ES 82

6.7mm ES 82

[HellsKitchen]

Getting that much closer to completing my set. I thought I had basically completed my set with my Delites, but then, I made the "mistake" of trying a Morpheus for the first time I had bought back in 2021 during a session back at the start of this year. Well, that set a cat among the pigeons. Short story long, I have all the Morpheus except 14mm now, and now I'm going to have to sort out my eyepieces. I also just received a Nikon EiC-16, completing a full range of magnifications and exit pupils I could ever need. I just need a 3.7mm Ethos now. That will be it, for real this time. 

 

I have 

 

1.6mm Vixen HR

2.4mm Vixen HR

3mm Delite

4mm Delite 

4.5mm Morpheus

5mm Delite 

5mm Vixen LVW

6mm Radian

6.5mm Morpheus

7mm Delite

9mm Delite

12.5mm Morpheus

13mm Vixen LVW

16mm ES 68*

17.5mm Morpheus

22mm Vixen LVW

26mm Meade Plossl

26mm Nagler

30mm UFF

 

Nikon EiC-16 1.6x barlow

TV 2.5x PM

TV 5x PM

Edited by HellsKitchen, 20 June 2024 - 05:38 AM.

[N3p]

 

I tried a few different things over the last few years (mostly inexpensive wide fields and planetaries) and wound up sticking with my line up from 2020. This could be the “final” eyepiece collection for now.

 

Left to Right: Tele Vue Plössls 32mm, 20mm, 15mm, 11mm and 8mm, plus Fujiyama 6mm Ortho

 

However, I do have a “Dream” eyepiece set that I’ll get someday (likely as a retirement present to myself)…

 

All the DeLites plus a 24mm Panoptic!

 

Clear Skies!

 

Rick

 

I like your dream, all the delites + the 24 Panoptic, awesome selection for a dream IMO. 

[jupiter122]

Ok, got them

 

Here's the EOPs:

eyepiece_collection_EOP.jpeg

 

And here's the whole happy family with TPL, TOE, EOP, ES and Oberwerk eps*:

eyepiece_collection_tpl_toe_eop.jpeg

 

 

* this is a green free household 

"this is a green free household": As in free of a particular brand?

Edited by jupiter122, 22 June 2024 - 02:13 PM.

[ABQJeff]

For each scope set-up & purpose I have sets of eyepieces I use.  For travel set-ups I may do some substutions depending on packing needs.  Organized widest field to narrowest:

 

C11 Edge + 0.7x Reducer 2" Mode (~70% of observing is with this set up)

Pentax 40XW

ES82 30

AT100 20mm

AT100 13mm

Baader Morpheus 17.5mm down thru 4.5mm

 

Phantom 140 F/6.5 2" Widefield Accompaniment Mode

Pentax 40XW

ES82 30

ES82 24

ES82 18

 

C11 Edge Planetary/Lunar (sometimes white light solar) 1.25" Mode with Baader Maxbright II Binoviewers w/2.6xGPC

Pair GSO 32mm Plossl

Pair ES68 24

Pair ES68 20

Pair Baader Morpheus 17.5mm

Pair ES68 16

Pair SV 15mm 82 deg

 

Phantom 140 F/6.5 With Quark Gemini with Maxbright II Binoviewers (or TS Widefield Binoviewers if using MB II's in C11 Edge)

Pair ES68 24

Pair ES68 20

Pair Baader Morpheus 17.5mm

Pair ES68 16

Pair SV 82 deg 15mm

Pair Orion 12mm EFF

Pair AT 82 deg 10mm 

 

Altair Wave 80mm F/6 with Quark Chromosphere and TS Widefield Binoviewers for Full Disc Solar-Ha

Pair GSO 32mm Plossl

 

Phantom 140 F/6.5 1.25" Planet Mode

Baader Morpheus 9mm

Baader Morpheus 6.5mm

Pentax 5 XW

Pentax 3.5 XW

TV Delite 3mm

Takahashi TOE 2.5mm

 

ST120 2" RFT Mode

ES82 30mm

 

Orion 150mm/F12 Maksutov Cassegrain 1.25" Mode for Travel

GSO 32mm Plossl

ES68 24

ES68 20

Baader Morpheus 17.5mm

SV 82 deg 15mm

Baader Morpheus 12.5mm or TV Delos 12mm

AT 82 deg 10mm

Meade 82 deg 7mm or SV 82 deg 8mm

Pentax 5 XW

 

 

Altair Wave 80mm F/6 1.25" Mode Wide Field Accompaniment for Travel

GSO 32mm Plossl

ES68 24

ES68 20

Baader Morpheus 17.5mm

SV 82 deg 15mm

Baader Morpheus 12.5mm or TV Delos 12mm

AT 82 deg 10mm

Meade 82 deg 7mm or SV 82 deg 8mm

Pentax 5 XW

 

Altair Wave 102 mm F/7 1.25" Mode for Travel

GSO 32mm Plossl

ES68 24

ES68 20

Baader Morpheus 17.5mm

Baader Morpheus 14mm

Baader Morpheus 12.5mm

AT 82 deg 10mm

Meade 82 deg 7mm

Pentax 5 XW

Pentax 3.5XW

Delite 3mm

 

Jeff

[hal9500]

My Collection is as Follows, Grouped in Manufacturers

 

Celestron

 

32, 15, 10, 6, 4 - (Taiwan) Plossl's

 

40, 26, 17, 12.5 - (China) Made Plossl's

 

18mm X-Cel

 

45mm Silver Top Circle V Plossl (Japan)

 

Ultima 30mm (Japan)

 

Meade

 

32mm, 26mm, 15mm, 12.5mm, 9.7mm Series 4000's Japanese Made

 

UWA 5.5mm 82 Degree Modern Version

 

Antarres

 

Elite Plossl 10mm (Japan)

 

Omegon

 

56mm 2" Plossl

 

40mm, 32mm, 26mm, 2" Kellners

 

Vixen

 

12.5mm Ortho (Japan)

 

Baader

 

21, 13 mm Hyperion's

 

36mm Aspheric Hyperion 2"

 

Orion

 

38, 32, 26mm Q70s 2"

 

SVbony

 

23mm, 10mm Aspheric 72 Deg Eyepieces

 

Red Line 6, 9, 15, 20mm 68 Deg Eyepieces

 

16mm 70 Degree

 

BST (I believe its Agena in the US)

 

Starguider 5mm

 

OEM

 

TMB Planetary II 4, 7, 8.5mm

 

My scopes include

Meade ACF SCT 8"

Meade SCT 8" (my backup- an LX10 Tube, unmounted and using rings and a vixen Dovetail)

Skywatcher 6" Refractor

Bresser 5" Maksutov

 

Cant seem to upload pics at present

[Olimad]

Now, my set is:

 

I have briefly tested the new 4mm 82 on Saturn yesterday morning. 

Great views, also with 2x FE, but will need better seeing and cleaned mirror to really compare with the best views I had last october (best seeing i experimented so far with, lucky me at that time, cleaned mirrors, the scope newly flocked, with no light leaks and spot on collimation (i Guess) but others eyepieces..)

Edited by Olimad, 23 June 2024 - 01:01 AM.

[ransanjaya]

This is my small collection .....

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by ransanjaya, 30 June 2024 - 08:43 AM.

[Kefka1138]

Added 19 Pan and reorganized the case with some spare foam I found at work.