1123 replies to this topic

[obrazell]

Anybody seen one of these yet. The specs look interesting but it is not clear to me that they are actually shipping.

 

Owen

[Echolight]

I saw that they went up $100 before any were even distributed.

[betacygni]

There is a thread on them in the vendor forum. Last update seems to indicate they are about 2-3 months out from shipping.

[thecelloronin]

I saw that they went up $100 before any were even distributed.

That’s not true though. The price will go up this august along with most/all other APM products, but preorders and initial sales will still be at the stated price.

 

(unless I missed an update!)

Edited by thecelloronin, 01 August 2021 - 04:11 PM.

[Echolight]

That’s not true though. The price will go up this august along with most/all other APM products, but preorders and initial sales will still be at the stated price.

 

(unless I missed an update!)

It is now listed at 395 Euros. Wasn’t it lower when it was initially introduced?
I believe it was 295 Euros.

Edited by Echolight, 01 August 2021 - 06:49 PM.

[sevenofnine]

An 8mm-15mm flat field 1.25" zoom is Super? I was expecting a 2" 5mm-30mm. Now that would be worth some money $$$$ 

[Bkoh]

It is now listed at 395 Euros. Wasn’t it lower when it was initially introduced?
I believe it was 295 Euros.

It was originally listed as USD / EUR 295 but soon went up to USD / EUR 395. Presumably cost increases due to Covid etc.

 

An 8mm-15mm flat field 1.25" zoom is Super? I was expecting a 2" 5mm-30mm. Now that would be worth some money $$$$ 

The big deal is the claimed constant 75-degree AFOV at a still-reasonable price compared to its main rival the Leica 8.9-17.8mm (57-74 deg AFOV). APM sells the Leica for EUR 755 (export price), B&H sells it for USD 899. The Leica also requires an additional adapter for use in telescopes.

 

There is a price (and performance) gap between the Baader Hyperion Zoom and the Leica, which this new APM zoom could fill.

 

Previous (long) threads about the APM zoom:

 

https://www.cloudyni...°-constant-fov/

https://www.cloudyni...-apm-superzoom/

Edited by Bkoh, 01 August 2021 - 08:44 PM.

[Echolight]

It was originally listed as USD / EUR 295 but soon went up to USD / EUR 395. Presumably cost increases due to Covid etc.

 

The big deal is the claimed constant 75-degree AFOV at a still-reasonable price compared to its main rival the Leica 8.9-17.8mm (57-74 deg AFOV). APM sells the Leica for EUR 755 (export price), B&H sells it for USD 899. The Leica also requires an additional adapter for use in telescopes.

 

There is a price (and performance) gap between the Baader Hyperion Zoom and the Leica, which this new APM zoom could fill.

 

Previous (long) threads about the APM zoom:

 

https://www.cloudyni...°-constant-fov/

https://www.cloudyni...-apm-superzoom/

I’m thinking that it cost more to produce the design than they originally thought. COVID or not.

 

Originally, I had considered it. I understand the appeal. But I’m pretty happy with the versatility of the Baader. As a grab and go single eyepiece, it’s pretty versatile in a little scope. The bigger 24mm comes in handy sometimes for finding and reacquiring targets.
And I like the 3.2 to 9.6 range in my 2.5x 2 inch barlow. The Baader is a proven performer for me. It fits my needs and is easy to look through. Pretty smooth and very sharp. Lightweight enough also. I have a few 80 to 100 degree eyepieces when I need them.

Edited by Echolight, 01 August 2021 - 10:16 PM.

[betacygni]

 

The bigger 24mm comes in handy sometimes for finding and reacquiring targets.

I’m a big fan of the baader zooms as well, but if APM pulls it off the larger 75 degree AFOV will put the 15.4mm setting in the baaders 24mm narrow AFOV true field of view ballpark (at least according to the math in my head, which is always dubious).

[thecelloronin]

It is now listed at 395 Euros. Wasn’t it lower when it was initially introduced?
I believe it was 295 Euros.

That prices takes VAT into consideration, I believe. Americans won’t pay VAT, though we will shell out more for shipping. I believe when I added it to my cart, all in it was 385 euro which is pricey, but still a good deal if it is what it promises to be.

[Shneor]

An 8mm-15mm flat field 1.25" zoom is Super? I was expecting a 2" 5mm-30mm. Now that would be worth some money $$$$ 

 

Yeah, and it will weigh a ton, too.

 

[Deadlake]

From an APM dealer:

 

"APM are being sent some production samples to confirm. If OK I am told September. I might be able to get a sample to look at but the pre-production stuff has all been very good.:
 

Fast scope testing:

 

"The Zoom has been designed with fast optics in mind. A version will be offered for the APM spotting scopes and there will be a fixed Zoom EP Binocular models. The Binos are F5.5 so F6 should present no problems."

[25585]

I'll let others be the guinea pigs. No eye end photos of the zoom yet.

[bbyrd]

APM has pictures up on their web site showing partial eye end photos

 

https://www.apm-tele...-connector.html

[Starman1]

The rubber eyecup looks like the same design as the one on the 12.5mm Hi-FW 84°.

A Warning: if you remove it, it is nearly impossible to reinstall it.  It takes a small screwdriver and a LOT of patience.

[havasman]

It is now listed at 395 Euros. Wasn’t it lower when it was initially introduced?
I believe it was 295 Euros.

Yes, the prototype price was projected at 295 Euro but way back in April on the string Markus started about the eyepiece the corrected price was set at 395 Euro. Markus' supplier has delivered kinda slowly over time with several products in the past and there was considerable uncertainty with the final configuration early in the program. Some of this relates to how he polls CN members and likely others for their configuration and features preferences. I didn't see how 295 was going to hold. And 395 for what he's apparently offering seems a bargain. The Leica is more dear and more complicated to implement - adapters, etc.

 

This looks to be a potentially worthwhile zoom that could get me to overcome my resistance to them. But that decision is going to come after they are in the market.

[havasman]

Fast scope testing:

 

"The Zoom has been designed with fast optics in mind. A version will be offered for the APM spotting scopes and there will be a fixed Zoom EP Binocular models. The Binos are F5.5 so F6 should present no problems."

f5.5 cannot be considered a fast focal ratio today and if the zoom cannot perform well at considerably faster FR's it will not apply well to a large part of the scope market. None of my scopes are as slow as f5.5 for instance and I do not consider any of them to be fast scopes. The target needs to be at least f4. This is the major uncertainty with this zoom from my POV.

Edited by havasman, 02 August 2021 - 12:27 PM.

[25585]

On the telescope model, will focal lengths be on its zoom dial? 

[Deadlake]

He could be writing for me, knowing my fastest scope is a F6 APO. I can imagine that a DOB F4 is getting quite common, no ladder required just a parrcor. Which is opening another can of worms….

[25585]

f5.5 cannot be considered a fast focal ratio today and if the zoom cannot perform well at considerably faster FR's it will not apply well to a large part of the scope market. None of my scopes are as slow as f5.5 for instance and I do not consider any of them to be fast scopes. The target needs to be at least f4. This is the major uncertainty with this zoom from my POV.

Your average commercial Dob is F5 max. Most refractors will be OK, & any Cassegrain, though the FL range of the zoom may be too limiting. For €395, too many uncertainties to buy blind.

[thecelloronin]

On the telescope model, will focal lengths be on its zoom dial? 

The pics in the link bbyrd posted seem to suggest so, but who knows how final it all is. Couldn't imaging Markus requesting to remove them!

[Oscar56]

The rubber eyecup looks like the same design as the one on the 12.5mm Hi-FW 84°.

A Warning: if you remove it, it is nearly impossible to reinstall it.  It takes a small screwdriver and a LOT of patience.

Yep, made that mistake when cleaning this EP.  I could not figure why the eye guard was so difficult to remove.  I finally got it back on using jeweller's screwdriver over 3 day period.  Just had to put it down in frustration and try again the next day.

[areyoukiddingme]

The rubber eyecup looks like the same design as the one on the 12.5mm Hi-FW 84°.

A Warning: if you remove it, it is nearly impossible to reinstall it.  It takes a small screwdriver and a LOT of patience.

From the picture with the cup removed, it looks like the same system as the Docter, which is easy to replace.

[Starman1]

From the picture with the cup removed, it looks like the same system as the Docter, which is easy to replace.

Take it from me and Oscar 56--if it is the same design as the Hi-FW 12.5mm, it isn't easy to replace.

It could be different, but it looks exactly the same.

I looked at the design and it looks like the crenelated/knurled ring would have to be removed to easily reinstall the eyecup.

And that would require a special tool.

Edited by Starman1, 02 August 2021 - 02:54 PM.

[areyoukiddingme]

Interesting, APM no longer has the picture up with the cup removed.