103 replies to this topic

[russell23]

I figured since we have a thread for the 17.5mm Morpheus with binoviewers it would be a good idea to have a thread for regular observing with the 17.5mm Morpheus.

 

My 17.5mm Morpheus arrived yesterday and tonight I had some clear skies to test it.  The sky contrast was ok tonight -  subjectively a 3/5 if a 5 is the best sky contrast I have seen at my house.

 

The scope used is the SW120ED with which the magnification is 51x and the TFOV is 1.5 deg.  I also used it with the 1.6x Nikon barlow which gives 82x.

 

I observed M42 and numerous open clusters ranging from fully resolved clusters to partially resolved clusters.

 

In short I am thrilled with the 17.5mm Morpheus. It is very sharp across the field and sharp right to the field stop.  I can't see any field curvature.  There is no EOFB - and if there was the lower contrast of tonight's skies would have made it visible. 

 

The comfort level of the 17.5mm matches the other Morpheus eyepieces.  I had no problems with blackouts and the field has the same natural feel as the others.

 

This eyepiece has been worth the wait and is the eyepiece I have been looking for in this FL range.  I've tried the 20mm XW, 18.2mm DeLite, 17.3mm Delos, 17.5mm Nikon NAV, 18mm APM UFF,  17mm LVW, 17mm Astrotech AF70,  16mm ES68.   All of those eyepieces had some reason that it did not suit my tastes.  The 17.5mm Morpheus is exactly what I have wanted. 

 

I am so glad Baader delayed its production to get it right - and they did get it right! 

 

I'd get into more specifics about my observations but I dislocated multiple fingers on one hand last week and typing is making them throb. 

Edited by russell23, 18 February 2018 - 11:28 PM.

[vkhastro1]

Yes, the Baader Morpheus 17.5mm fits nicely with the other Morpheus series eyepieces.

A definite winner - very comfortable.

Terrific report.

Edited by vkhastro1, 18 February 2018 - 11:40 PM.

[rowdy388]

I still have a hard time believing you can get one for $175 on sale now.

I thought sure they would cost more than the other focal lengths. Makes

me wish I still needed this focal length. How do you like the new version

of the eyecup?

[vkhastro1]

The new thread on (metal ring) is much superior to the original.

I replaced my originals (on my other Morpheus focal lengths) with the Agena Astro rubber eyecup.

The new version is superior to the Agena version.

It would be nice if Baader would provide the new eyecup "free of charge" to previous Morpheus eyepiece purchasers (with proof of purchase).

 

Edited by vkhastro1, 19 February 2018 - 12:03 AM.

[BillP]

I was out with the 6" Apo last night doing some monoview testing of the Morpheus 17.5mm and it was quite a treat.  The Flame nebula was so much more visible in the 6" than in the 4" with the 17.5mm Morpheus.  Was a pretty obvious target to see actually.  Star points wonderful across the FOV too...so was going cluster crazy with the 6" -- NGC 1981, M38, M41, M46, M47, NGC 2360, Melotte 25, M45.  Then of course the same nebula action in Orion with M42, M43, NGC 1973/75/77, Flame, M78, then over to the Rosetta Nebula.

 

Everything was quite phenomenal and didn't put another eyepiece in all night when done testing except for a brief stint to split 14 Ori which is very close these days (12mm Tak LE with 2.5x Powermate - for some reason this was providing a tighter star point and easier split than just the 5 LE).  The contrast was phenomenal at this magnification - 69x and 2.2mm exit pupil using the 17.5mm.  The Orion Nebula was an incredible view also -- it looked so bright in the field it came across like a neon sign in space!  All those open clusters were quite spectacular as well it was such a dark and steady night and the eyepiece was a perfect match for the 6" Apo.  Going to remember that evening for a long long time!

Edited by BillP, 19 February 2018 - 06:26 PM.

[russell23]

Here are a couple photos of the 17.5mm Morpheus next to the 9mm and 6.5mm.

Attached Thumbnails

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[Crow Haven]

I'm hoping to receive my 17.5 Morpheus today!   I bought the 9mm, 12.5mm (ordered another of these too), and 14mm last year and have enjoyed them a lot!

[jeffmac]

I was out with the 6" Apo last night doing some monoview testing of the Morpheus 17.5mm and it was quite a treat.  The Flame nebula was so much more visible in the 6" than in the 4" with the 17.5mm Morpheus.  Was a pretty obvious target to see actually.  Star points wonderful across the FOV too...so was going cluster crazy with the 6" -- NGC 1981, M38, M41, M46, M47, NGC 2360, Melotte 25, M45.  Then of course the same nebula action in Orion with M42, M43, NGC 1973/75/77, Flame, M78, then over to the Rosetta Nebula.

 

Everything was quite phenomenal and didn't put another eyepiece in all night when done testing except for a brief stint to split 14 Ori which is very close these days (12mm Tak LE with 2.5x Powermate - for some reason this was providing a tighter star point and easier split than just the 5 LE).  The contrast was phenomenal at this magnification - 69x and 2.2mm exit pupil using the 17.5mm.  The Orion Nebula was an incredible view also -- it looked so bright in the field it came across like a neon sign in space!  All those open clusters were quite spectacular as well it was such a dark and steady night and the eyepiece was a perfect match for the 6" Apo.  Going to remember that evening for a long long time!

 

How about it Bill? Dave didn't see any EOFB in the 17.5mm. How about you? And don't say "I wasn't looking for it". I'm sure you would have noticed it had it been present. 

[Edrow10]

I'm not having much luck finding a weight on the 17.5.  Anyone know?

 

Thanks.

[starbase25]

I'm not having much luck finding a weight on the 17.5.  Anyone know?

 

Thanks.

13.9 Oz (395g). See link below, then scroll to the bottom where it says "weight"

 

https://agenaastro.c...ce-2954217.html

[Edrow10]

Ah ha. Thank you Starbase25.

 

Regards,

[starbase25]

Ah ha. Thank you Starbase25.

 

Regards,

[NiteGuy]

 

I'm not having much luck finding a weight on the 17.5.  Anyone know?

 

Thanks.

13.9 Oz (395g). See link below, then scroll to the bottom where it says "weight"

 

https://agenaastro.c...ce-2954217.html

 

That is old information and incorrect according to the very latest Morpheus spec sheet from Baader (this is the sheet that shows the 2.5mm difference in the 17.5mm reference plane from all of the others). Weight for the shipping version of the 17.5mm is 415g/14.6oz. Also, the height seems to have changed a bit on the final version too, 100.5mm or 111.5mm with the dustcap attached and extended. Width is unchanged at 55mm and eye relief also remains unchanged at 19mm.

[russell23]

In terms of edge performance this is how I rank the Morpheus eyepieces:

 

best: 17.5mm and 6.5mm (tied)

 

Very small gap

 

9mm

 

small gap 

 

12.5mm

 

large gap

 

14mm

[SteveG]

In terms of edge performance this is how I rank the Morpheus eyepieces:

 

best: 17.5mm and 6.5mm (tied)

 

Very small gap

 

9mm

 

small gap 

 

12.5mm

 

large gap

 

14mm

So the 14 is the worst in the series, followed by the 12.5? I'm thinking about either one of those 2. How bad is the 14?

[russell23]

 

In terms of edge performance this is how I rank the Morpheus eyepieces:

 

best: 17.5mm and 6.5mm (tied)

 

Very small gap

 

9mm

 

small gap 

 

12.5mm

 

large gap

 

14mm

So the 14 is the worst in the series, followed by the 12.5? I'm thinking about either one of those 2. How bad is the 14?

 

The 12.5mm would be my choice over the 14mm.  In my 120ED the 14mm fell off in the outer 20-25% of the field and had some field curvature and EOFB.  The 12.5mm is much better - falling off  in the last 10%. This was with my 120ED.

[jakecru]

I just "Finished" my current eyepiece lineup at 4.5, 6.5, 9, 12.5 Morpheus, 22 Nagler T4 and 30 ES 82. However... that 17.5 mm Morpheus does like mighty tempting at $175.00. 

[areyoukiddingme]

 

In terms of edge performance this is how I rank the Morpheus eyepieces:

 

best: 17.5mm and 6.5mm (tied)

 

Very small gap

 

9mm

 

small gap 

 

12.5mm

 

large gap

 

14mm

So the 14 is the worst in the series, followed by the 12.5? I'm thinking about either one of those 2. How bad is the 14?

 

 

My 2 cents . . . I had the 14mm Morpheus for a few months to try out. I really quite liked it. I used it with a paracorr in my F5 12.5" dob mostly. In that configuration, I found it sharp to the last 5-10% of the field. There was a little lateral color, but nothing terrible. 

 

But when I tried it in my 80mm F6 apo, the edges were quite poor indeed. 

 

I compared several ~14mm eyepieces. Delos 14, XW 14, Morpheus 14, Leica zoom at approx. 14, and also 13 Ethos and 14 Nikon HW.

 

Of the lot, I found the Nikon HW was first, followed by the leica, then Delos, then Morpheus.

 

I should add that the Morpheus really worked very nicely (sharp to the edge) in my old 6" F8 refractor. 

 

My conclusion was that the 14mm Morpheus works best with relatively long focal length/slower F-ratio scopes, and/or with a coma corrector in place.

Edited by areyoukiddingme, 21 February 2018 - 03:46 PM.

[MrJones]

Anyone have a Nagler 16T5 comparison report?

[Starjedi]

In terms of edge performance this is how I rank the Morpheus eyepieces:

best: 17.5mm and 6.5mm (tied)

Very small gap

9mm

small gap

12.5mm

large gap

14mm

Gosh. I ordered 17.5 and 6.5 several days ago:-)

[Edrow10]

 

 

I'm not having much luck finding a weight on the 17.5.  Anyone know?

 

Thanks.

13.9 Oz (395g). See link below, then scroll to the bottom where it says "weight"

 

https://agenaastro.c...ce-2954217.html

 

That is old information and incorrect according to the very latest Morpheus spec sheet from Baader (this is the sheet that shows the 2.5mm difference in the 17.5mm reference plane from all of the others). Weight for the shipping version of the 17.5mm is 415g/14.6oz. Also, the height seems to have changed a bit on the final version too, 100.5mm or 111.5mm with the dustcap attached and extended. Width is unchanged at 55mm and eye relief also remains unchanged at 19mm.

 

Thanks for the update. I couldn't get the spec sheet to download  on Alpine Astro's site last night.

 Glad they took time to make the 17.5 as best as possible. Even though I'm mostly a TV, Tak LE user, I'm going to order this one and give it a fair shake.

[Starman1]

I've got a bunch coming in, so I'll weigh one and post the result here in grams.

[nicoledoula]

russell23, what exactly about the ES 16/68 didn't you like? Something besides the less than optimal eye relief?

[BillP]

How about it Bill? Dave didn't see any EOFB in the 17.5mm. How about you? And don't say "I wasn't looking for it". I'm sure you would have noticed it had it been present. 

 

I'm getting a nice uniform FOV...with superb contrast.  In many ways, the character of the view through the 17.5 Morpheus is reminding me of how I react to the 30XW, which is my favorite eyepiece.  Just something about the view that impresses me enough to consider it one of those "special" eyepieces.  So now, for me, the 17.5 gets added to the 30XW.  If I had to go minimalist, I would use 30XW, 17.5 Morpheus, 10XW, 2.5x Powermate.  I've been doing that with recent outings and quite satisfying.

Edited by BillP, 22 February 2018 - 06:52 PM.

[nicoyenny]

You guys are forcing me to order a couple of them Morpheus 17.5mm sad they are backordered for mow ...