77 replies to this topic

[APM M.Ludes]

New product just under review by Mike Harvey

 

APM new Ultra-Flat Eyepieces 15 mm and 18 mm , 1.25", 65 degree FOV

 

Order UF 15 mm here > http://www.apm-teles...tml?info=326099

Order UF 18 mm here > http://www.apm-teles...ece-65-fov.html

 

 

The 1.25 UltraFlat Field Eyepiece features a high quality standard and a very compact design, which is designed to remove the field curvature at the edge, resulting in a flat, distortion-free image up to the edge of the visible field of view. The eyepiece has over - sized eyepiece lenses for the largest possible field of view and a 16 mm eyerelief for the 15 mm and 20 mm eye relief for the 18 mm - also suitable for spectacle wearers, the adjustable eyecups allow a comfortable view.All lenses (8 lenses in 5 groups) have a braod-band-multicoating (FMC) and blackened lens edges. The plug-in sleeve is equipped with a thread for 1.25 "filters.

 

 

Specifications:
Type of eyepiece: Ultra Flat Field eyepiece
Field of view: 65°
Eyegard: Rubber foldable for eyeglas wearers
Lenses / groups: 8 / 5
Coating: FMC
Barrel size / Filter thread: 1 1/4" with filterthread

 

[Mike Harvey]

Y'know...my wife just asked me (tongue-in-cheek) if Markus had

"offered me a job" yet!  

I didn't know he was going to post this, but I'm happy to comment.

 

NO! I do not work for, nor receive any compensation from Markus!

I simply appreciate his products and contributions to amateur astronomy

and have found him to be brilliant, honest, reliable and the kind of person you'd welcome as a friend. In over 20 years of doing business with him

(i.e. "buying his stuff") I've never had a bad experience.

 

I already commented on the new 18mm eyepieces in the Binocular forum, and will try to re-post those comments here.

For now, let me just add that the 18's were a pleasant surprise. They are simply excellent and, for the price, almost unbelievable. When you try them, you'll see.

 

I also used them in shorter focal ratio Dobs (the binos are f/5.5) and found that they work equally well down to f4. I did not have the opportunity to try them in a "sub-4" scope.

 

The new 18's have found a new home in my eyepiece case, replacing a "classic" that I thought would never be equalled.

[Mike Harvey]

Here's the earlier comment, regarding the 18mm, I had originally posted in the Binocular section:

 

BUY THEM! Quickly, before Markus realizes he could sell them for 4X what he's charging. These are a "whole different animal" from the eyepieces that came with the 100's!
I don't even know where those are anymore...I never used them after the first night.
The 18mm is truly a Flat Field ocular. I can detect no field curvature at all. The background is velvety black and stars are absolute steely PINPOINTS edge-to-edge.

[ybor]

What are the  prices currently of these eyepieces in US Dollars. ?

 

Thank you 

[APM M.Ludes]

by current exchange rate $ 82 each

[Mike Harvey]

I didn't want to quote a price, because it is Markus' business.

But, when he told me the price, I was stunned!

I used them before I knew...and just assumed they would be in the same price range as the 19mm TeleVue Pan Optics!

Both the visual and build quality are outstanding.

[APM M.Ludes]

to everybody who read the forum discussion : the Ultra Flat have zero to do with the old edge on. The diffrenc eis like day and night. The UF is a complete new design , special developed for the fast F/5.5 binoculars. You can compare the performanc eof the edge on to an oldstyled erfle and the ultra flat to a modern ethos, such big is the optical diffrence.

 

It is not a edge on in new housing Gentlemen.

 

right now we thiking about making also a UF 24 mm

 

if the UF is to cheap for your guys, I am happy to make them more expensive :-)

[Mad Matt]

to everybody who read the forum discussion : the Ultra Flat have zero to do with the old edge on. The diffrenc eis like day and night. The UF is a complete new design , special developed for the fast F/5.5 binoculars. You can compare the performanc eof the edge on to an oldstyled erfle and the ultra flat to a modern ethos, such big is the optical diffrence.

 

It is not a edge on in new housing Gentlemen.

 

right now we thiking about making also a UF 24 mm

 

if the UF is to cheap for your guys, I am happy to make them more expensive :-)

 

Hi Markus,

 

This is excellent idea (the additional eyepiece focal length, not making them more expensive   )

 

Without knowing the design of the 18mm and knowing the field stop size, I speculate that the field stop at 24mm would be a little smaller then the FS of the ES and Panoptic due to the slightly smaller AFoV. You might want to consider making them slightly longer (i.e. 25mm or 26mm) so the FoV for 1.25" format is maximized. The market for 24mm 65°-68° AFoV is pretty crowded but there are not a lot of binocular friendly 25-26mm 65° flat field eyepieces out there 

 

EDIT: Having thought about this for an additional minute... 8/5 elements/groups sounds like a Smyth lens (Barlow) design which means the diameter of the forward most elements (being limited to roughly 27mm) most likely restrict the maximum FoV. 24mm is then probably the longest you can do. 

Edited by Mad Matt, 03 November 2016 - 02:39 AM.

[APM M.Ludes]

Mad see my privat mail to you, the 24 mm is maximum, possible in that design, it use max aperture fitting in 1.25" barrel

[Mad Matt]

Markus confirmed the Smyth lens design which is a very positive aspect of the design and make 24mm the longest focal length for a 1.25" eyepiece. 

 

It is an interesting 2 (Smyth) -> 2 -> 1 -> 1 -> 2 design that I have never seen before and looks very promising. I really hope these make it in to production!  

[Mike Harvey]

I just confirmed with Markus that the 18mm UF's are being INCLUDED WITH the 120s AND have been supplied with the 100APOs for "the past couple of months". So...there should be more input coming soon.

Knowing this, I put the pair in MY 100s for the first time.

Same as with the 120's. Perfect!

There is NO curvature...even at the actual edge.

No distortion of any kind!

I even placed the heavily cratered region around Petavius in the center of the field...focused it to razor-sharpness and then moved the area to the top, bottom, left and right edges.

The image was not degraded at all. There wasn't even a "softening" in the focus.

These are excellent eyepieces. In a completely different league from the old edge-on!

[rockethead26]

The price has gone up. I went to order a pair of the 15's but they're now at 119 Euro instead of 89. Quick question. The VAT doesn't come off the total in the cart or on the final PayPal screen, so I'm reluctant to hit buy. How does this work? Haven't bought directly from APM before.

[APM M.Ludes]

If you enter in the shop your country , USA , than Vat should go automatic off

 

if you have a problem , drop me a email please

[Mark9473]

The price has gone up.

 

I think we have Mike Harvey to thank for that. 

You sure you're not an APM stockholder, Mike?  

[rockethead26]

The price has gone up. I went to order a pair of the 15's but they're now at 119 Euro instead of 89. Quick question. The VAT doesn't come off the total in the cart or on the final PayPal screen, so I'm reluctant to hit buy. How does this work? Haven't bought directly from APM before.

Markus,

 

Sent you a PM. Can't find where to set USA as country.

[rockethead26]

Markus,

 

I figured it out. I had to create an account and then the price showed up without the VAT. We're all set. Sorry for the hassle, but decided to wait. The price increase and about $38 shipping put me off. I'll wait until they are available from a dealer in the USA..

Edited by rockethead26, 13 November 2016 - 08:07 PM.

[ybor]

Is the price originally quoted now higher ?

 

If yes , what is the new price ?

 

 

Thanks

[rockethead26]

Was 89 Euro, Now 119 Euro.

[APM M.Ludes]

The original lower price was a error I noticed . I it was not the real price ,  but a upgrate price on the binoculars from the SWA 20 mm to the UF . 

I noticed that when I ordered now the UF eyepieces without the binocular , sorry about that

[rockethead26]

The original lower price was a error I noticed . I it was not the real price ,  but a upgrate price on the binoculars from the SWA 20 mm to the UF . 

I noticed that when I ordered now the UF eyepieces without the binocular , sorry about that

Thanks for the explanation. It was a very good deal and still a good value at the current price.

[vkhastro1]

Just listed on AM.

Sale prices on 15mm and 18mm

either eyepiece - $110 US funds + shipping

order either pair - $200 US funds + $30 US shipping

order both a pair of 15mm & 18mm - $400 + free shipping

[Mike Harvey]

 

The price has gone up.

 

I think we have Mike Harvey to thank for that. 

You sure you're not an APM stockholder, Mike?

 

It was just a  "figure of speech"! I pay the same prices you do!

[Jeff B]

I've a pair each of the 15mm and 18mm for bino-viewing headed my way.  

 

There is a very nice discount for doing that.

 

I'm really forward to them and I'll let you know what I think.  However, if there is anything about them I don't care for, it'll be Mike's fault.  

 

Jeff

[Mike Harvey]

I'll never live this down......will I?  

[rogeriomagellan]

Hi to everyone. In my humble opinion, these brand new APM eyepieces do not cost an arm and a leg if they fit easily into the category of premium eyepieces. If these eyepieces are top quality like Mike Harvey states above, those out there who are not on a tight budget yet and are looking for a 15mm and/or 18mm eyepiece should give them a try.