520 replies to this topic

[SteveC]

I don't categorize serious and casual planet observers by their mounts.  Very good observations - and even sketches - are accomplished by planet observers without mounts that track.  Don't be an anti-mountist. 

 

If an eyepiece has a narrow usable AFOV, with outer field astigmatism and field curvature, those aberrations are definitely in the eyepiece, not in the mount.  I've never heard of a mount yet that had astigmatism or field curvature. 

 

Mike

True, but a tracking mount is a great prescription for treating the problem. 

[Sarkikos]

True, but a tracking mount is a great prescription for treating the problem. 

Actually, the tracking mount doesn't treat the problem.  It allows the observer to more easily ignore the problem.

 

Mike

[emilslomi]

For those serious about wanting to give minimal glass a try: the Burgess Ultramonos are back in stock. The Burgess Ultramono 6mm is a bit better (sharpness a little and scatter a bit more) than my KK Fujiyama 6mm ortho, which is quite good to begin with. The 10mm barlowed was much appreciated by BillP. Yes, AFOV 30odd, I know.

 

Emil

Edited by emilslomi, 24 January 2022 - 01:39 PM.

[luxo II]

Back on topic … there’s a set for sale, this time $10k. That’s one - not two sets.

NB I’ve tried a Burgess ultramono 10mm and imho the Fuji HD ortho 10 and the TMB SMC 10 were both better. I sold the Burgess and the complete Fuji set over 2 years ago.

Edited by luxo II, 19 February 2022 - 06:09 AM.

[stevenwav]

The set available is a double set - 8 eyepieces, 1 Barlow and the box.the seller has posted pics on Astromart. I think he will get his price- mint never used set with original packing materials. I would classify this as a ‘collector” set in my opinion. I recently sold some “useable” ZAO’s for much less per eyepiece.

[luxo II]

Ah ok I saw it before the pics were added... two sets indeed.

 

Mmm… if you’re never going to use it… pink diamonds take up less space in the bank vault, and are appreciating faster..

Edited by luxo II, 19 February 2022 - 06:32 PM.

[csrlice12]

Legos are doing better than diamonds....raid the kids toy box.

[turtle86]

The set available is a double set - 8 eyepieces, 1 Barlow and the box.the seller has posted pics on Astromart. I think he will get his price- mint never used set with original packing materials. I would classify this as a ‘collector” set in my opinion. I recently sold some “useable” ZAO’s for much less per eyepiece.

 

I agree there's a good chance he'll get his price, probably at least 9K. 

[Jeff Morgan]

Back on topic … there’s a set for sale, this time $10k. That’s one - not two sets.
 

Inflation.

[vahe]

Not Zeiss but the next best, I see that Pentax SMC Orthos are now entering stratosphere, two are offered for $495.00 + $60.00 shipping by APM on AM.

.

Vahe

[helpwanted]

With Tak Abbes getting discontinued, they may be the next to get crazy prices! 

[CrazyPanda]

With Tak Abbes getting discontinued, they may be the next to get crazy prices!

With all the dust issues, I doubt people will want to take a risk unless the seller can show that the eyepieces they are selling are clean.

[Darren Drake]

Why does the A mart add show 2 sets but is advertising 1?  And why is it $10,000???

[John Anthony]

I guess I'll ramble for a minute.  The question for me when considering these outrages prices for eyepieces is what am I getting?  A rare collectors set or eyepieces that can actually offer me something in performance I don't already have.   The truth of the matter is among the best eyepieces made today what will determine the very tiny differences (if any) in what one can see won't be the eyepiece but will in fact be the atmosphere.  It would be so nice to own a set of ZAO's but there is nothing you can see with those that you can't see with others and you would spend a lifetime trying to notice the differences if you think they did offer you more because the differences under perfect conditions would be that insignificant. Patience at the eyepiece with what you have will be your reward.  

Edited by John Anthony, 21 February 2022 - 09:58 AM.

[helpwanted]

I guess I'll ramble for a minute.  The question for me when considering these outrages prices for eyepieces is what am I getting?  A rare collectors set or eyepieces that can actually offer me something in performance I don't already have.   The truth of the matter is among the best eyepieces made today what will determine the very tiny differences (if any) in what one can see won't be the eyepiece but will in fact be the atmosphere.  It would be so nice to own a set of ZAO's but there is nothing you can see with those that you can't see with others and you would spend a lifetime trying to notice the differences if you think they did offer you more because the differences under perfect conditions would be that insignificant. Patience at the eyepiece with what you have will be your reward.  

I couldn't agree more! It's like being offered an Alvan Clark Refractor. While historically significant, I doubt it would show anything better than a modern coated and figured equal size lens from Tak, AP, Stellarvue, TEC...

[Thomas A Davis]

Why does the A mart add show 2 sets but is advertising 1?  And why is it $10,000???

The set shown is a double set for binoviewing (2 of each focal length) in a larger box than a single set. The single set has 4 eyepieces and one Barlow in a smaller box.  The double set (but in one larger box than the single set) has 8 eyepieces and 1 Barlow.  

 

Tom

[SteveC]

I guess I'll ramble for a minute.  The question for me when considering these outrages prices for eyepieces is what am I getting?  A rare collectors set or eyepieces that can actually offer me something in performance I don't already have.   The truth of the matter is among the best eyepieces made today what will determine the very tiny differences (if any) in what one can see won't be the eyepiece but will in fact be the atmosphere.  It would be so nice to own a set of ZAO's but there is nothing you can see with those that you can't see with others and you would spend a lifetime trying to notice the differences if you think they did offer you more because the differences under perfect conditions would be that insignificant. Patience at the eyepiece with what you have will be your reward.  

The rarity and exorbitant prices for the ZAOs makes discussions about performance rather moot. Most amateur astronomers will probably never look through one, never mind ever owning one. I've always said about any piece of telescope equipment - "love the one you're with".

 

I would never buy a set at today's prices. I had to sell off a bunch of stuff and scrounge up the rest to buy the set I have now at the original price. I couldn't afford it now.

 

I just joined a club down here in central Florida,  so at some point the members will get a chance to observe with mine. I would like to hear their opinions and compare them with the eyepieces they have.

[SteveC]

I couldn't agree more! It's like being offered an Alvan Clark Refractor. While historically significant, I doubt it would show anything better than a modern coated and figured equal size lens from Tak, AP, Stellarvue, TEC...

My high school had an 8" Alvan Clark built around 1890, I believe, and probably equally as old eyepieces. My memory of those observing nights may be a bit foggy(1970-1972, not 1890 ), but my TEC140 puts up a better view. Who knows how often the objective and eyepieces where cleaned though, so that has to be considered. 

[csrlice12]

Denver has a 1894 Alvan Clark-Saegmuller 20-inch that was cleaned about 2 or 3 years ago that is open to the public.  https://www.denverastro.org/

[noisejammer]

I guess I'll ramble for a minute.  The question for me when considering these outrages prices for eyepieces is what am I getting?  A rare collectors set or eyepieces that can actually offer me something in performance I don't already have.   The truth of the matter is among the best eyepieces made today what will determine the very tiny differences (if any) in what one can see won't be the eyepiece but will in fact be the atmosphere.  It would be so nice to own a set of ZAO's but there is nothing you can see with those that you can't see with others and you would spend a lifetime trying to notice the differences if you think they did offer you more because the differences under perfect conditions would be that insignificant. Patience at the eyepiece with what you have will be your reward.  

Don't fool yourself, many of the original customers bought them to use. Mine come out on good nights, but usually for shallow space targets. Since I binoview, I don't bother with the 4mm and 6mm ZAO II ... I've kept these because I want to keep the set complete.

 

The short answer is these are still the best lunar & planetary eyepieces ever made. You can look through my collection (here) and decide whether it's complete enough to convince you. Of course, you are always sky limited. I find that patience helps, even under sub-arcsec seeing.

 

From 13 years in Toronto - if you live under the jet stream - I'd not bother.

[jimandlaura26]

Interesting thread. That said, I’m happy observing with my modest Baader Classic, Fujiyama, University, and Takahashi Starbase Orthoscopics; together with my Tak. Starbase Kellner and Edmund RKE EPs. Collector or observer its all good and retro-nostalgic.