182 replies to this topic

[Castor]

Hi,

 

While searching for another item, I found a few days ago a Tele Vue 26mm Type 5 Nagler being auctioned on eBay.  Having being discontinued a few years ago, I was curious to see what kind of attention it would elicit, so I followed the auction to its deadline (today) and was really surprised to see the winning bid: USD $1,176.00.  Wow!

 

As a visual observer using mostly small telescopes from my light-polluted backyard, I have a strong preference for the 26mm Nagler T5 over the 31mm Nagler T5, mostly because of its smaller size, lighter weight and the smaller exit pupil when used with my fast refractors that result in a darker background that is more aesthetically pleasing.  But I have always being aware that I’m mostly the exception to the rule and that given the choice, most observers would pick the 31mm Nagler T5 over the 26mm T5 in a heartbeat.

 

It was interesting to see that the 26mm T5 Nagler still has some die-hard fans out there!

 

Edit: Link removed for brevity.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by Castor, 27 August 2022 - 12:47 PM.

[desertlens]

Interesting, but for a bit less money you could have a 21mm Ethos which offers almost exactly the same TFoV as the 26mm T5 at an even smaller exit pupil. Admittedly there's a weight penalty but...

[JeremySh]

I’m a fan on the N 26T5, too. As you see it’s a relatively compact package and the higher mag compared to the 31mm helps darken the background if there is some light pollution.

But that was a crazy price.

[tony_spina]

Wow. Maybe I should put my 26mm Nagler up for sale!..... Not!

 

but that is a crazy price to pay

[Astro-Master]

I did a comparison test between my friend Bob's 26mm Nagler and my Astro-Tech 28mm UWA  with my 18" Dob F/4.5 with no Paracorr a few months ago.  We both agreed the contrast was about the same in both eyepieces, but the edge correction was much better in the AT 28mm UWA.

 

Bob was thinking of selling the 26 Nagler and getting the AT 28MM, I should tell him to auction it on eBay for a crazy price.  

[Brian Schmidt]

I was able to pick up one not that long ago (not for that price) and was really happy to find it.  I remember seeing the advertisement in Sky and Telescope when that came out when I was in high school and thinking, I wish I had one of those one day. 

 

For a long time, I had the 31 and 20 Naglers, which worked well for my low-power viewing.  However, I usually ended up using the 31 to find things, then dropping to the 20 most of the time rather quickly.  I have since switched to longer eye relief eyepieces and moved. Around a year ago or so, I was debating if I wanted to try a 22 Nagler when a used 26 became available.  I'm really glad that I took advantage and picked it up.  Despite having the limitation of not being to view with my glasses on, it has become my favorite eyepiece.  Of course, having choices is always good, but I can observe deep sky for the entire night with the 26 and a 10 and be content when the weather makes switching eyepieces often more trouble than it's worth.   I prefer 26 since I observe from less than ideal sky conditions and also because it doesn't cause balance issues in my smaller scopes.  One really needs dark skies to get good views out of 30mm and higher. Large exit pupils are really more of a specialist endeavor for specific situations.

 

I've heard that it never really sold well, which is kind of surprising since it's such a useful focal length to have around.  I think most just skipped over it and got the 31.  I also think that a lot of people got the 22 due to eye relief.  I would prefer to have more eye relief, but have always been nervous about buying the 22. I have owned all of the Type 5 naglers at one time or another and they are all fantastic, although I'm sure that the Ethos are a little better.  I just find the weight really inconvenient in smaller scopes.   I have corrected vision for distance seeing and a .25 correction for astigmatism.  So sometimes I leave my glasses on and view.  I have some delos' and a 35 pan that can be used with glasses.  But I've become a really big fan of the 26 since being able to pick one up.          

[Castor]

Thank you for your comments!

 

What was interesting about the particular ‘crazy price’ paid, is that in an auction it takes at least two bidders to achieve this level, so it shows that there’s a demand for it.  For a budget conscious person like me, it would be very hard to justify such outlay in an eyepiece (above $1k), but I can visualize how for the owner of a large boutique telescope (say 14” and above) who has already invested an important sum of money in their scope, it could make perfect sense to pay that much for an eyepiece that in their view would play a key role in their observing program.

 

I’m very lucky to own both of the longer FL Nagler eyepieces (26mm and 31mm T5), so for me it’s not a choice of one over the other, but I can’t help but feel sympathy for a fellow observer on a tight budget on the look for a 26mm T5 Nagler in these difficult times, I wish them the best of luck finding a kindred soul willing to part with their 26mm T5 for a modest price!

 

Fortunately there are other options in the current eyepiece market as mentioned above by some of you!

[Brian Schmidt]

I think that price is crazy high and an outlier.  At the time I bought mine, I thought the price was a little high but gladly paid it.  A search from the classifieds shows that they seem to sell for the mid $500s here on CN.  I really don't see that many people really looking for one.  For that kind of money, there are other options out there now and whomever bought that one should have just bought a 22 nagler or a 21 ethos for that matter.  

[KWB]

I'm appalled by the winning bid. IMHO highway robbery and what's worse, someone gullible enough to pay it. P.T. Barnum had a saying for this scenario.

 

A 21mm Ethos would give me the almost the same TFOV and a little more magnification to darken the sky in my telescopes vs the 26T5.

 

For about $280.00 less I could have the Ethos. I don't care for the larger physical size but still make mine the Ethos.

[Castor]

I was able to pick up one not that long ago (not for that price) and was really happy to find it.  I remember seeing the advertisement in Sky and Telescope when that came out when I was in high school and thinking, I wish I had one of those one day. 

 

For a long time, I had the 31 and 20 Naglers, which worked well for my low-power viewing.  However, I usually ended up using the 31 to find things, then dropping to the 20 most of the time rather quickly.  I have since switched to longer eye relief eyepieces and moved. Around a year ago or so, I was debating if I wanted to try a 22 Nagler when a used 26 became available.  I'm really glad that I took advantage and picked it up.  Despite having the limitation of not being to view with my glasses on, it has become my favorite eyepiece.  Of course, having choices is always good, but I can observe deep sky for the entire night with the 26 and a 10 and be content when the weather makes switching eyepieces often more trouble than it's worth.   I prefer 26 since I observe from less than ideal sky conditions and also because it doesn't cause balance issues in my smaller scopes.  One really needs dark skies to get good views out of 30mm and higher. Large exit pupils are really more of a specialist endeavor for specific situations.

 

I've heard that it never really sold well, which is kind of surprising since it's such a useful focal length to have around.  I think most just skipped over it and got the 31.  I also think that a lot of people got the 22 due to eye relief.  I would prefer to have more eye relief, but have always been nervous about buying the 22. I have owned all of the Type 5 naglers at one time or another and they are all fantastic, although I'm sure that the Ethos are a little better.  I just find the weight really inconvenient in smaller scopes.   I have corrected vision for distance seeing and a .25 correction for astigmatism.  So sometimes I leave my glasses on and view.  I have some delos' and a 35 pan that can be used with glasses.  But I've become a really big fan of the 26 since being able to pick one up.          

Hi Brian,

 

I think you did very well by choosing the 26mm T5 Nagler over the 31mm NT5 as your anchor low power eyepiece if you are concerned about balance issues with your smaller scopes and your sky conditions are less than ideal!  I get your point about the shorter eye relief if you need to wear glasses while observing, that was one of the reasons why I got the T4 Naglers too, but I have noticed that rarely use them (if ever) with my small scopes, mostly because of their weight –at least that’s been the case for my 22mm and 17mm T4.  Like you, my usual lowest power choice when used from my backyard is between a 26mm T5 Nagler and a 35mm Panoptic.

 

As you mentioned, it would seems that the 26mm Nagler T5 was always over shadowed by its larger brother, the 31mm T5 which is a shame considering that the 26mm T5 is an excellent eyepiece on its own right, at least in my humble opinion as a casual visual observer.

[turtle86]

Thank you for your comments!

 

What was interesting about the particular ‘crazy price’ paid, is that in an auction it takes at least two bidders to achieve this level, so it shows that there’s a demand for it.  For a budget conscious person like me, it would be very hard to justify such outlay in an eyepiece (above $1k), but I can visualize how for the owner of a large boutique telescope (say 14” and above) who has already invested an important sum of money in their scope, it could make perfect sense to pay that much for an eyepiece that in their view would play a key role in their observing program.

 

I’m very lucky to own both of the longer FL Nagler eyepieces (26mm and 31mm T5), so for me it’s not a choice of one over the other, but I can’t help but feel sympathy for a fellow observer on a tight budget on the look for a 26mm T5 Nagler in these difficult times, I wish them the best of luck finding a kindred soul willing to part with their 26mm T5 for a modest price!

 

Fortunately there are other options in the current eyepiece market as mentioned above by some of you!

 

The 26mm T5 Nagler is an excellent eyepiece, but I'm also surprised that the bidding went that high. For substantially less than that there are other good choices.  Even the 21mm Ethos is a bit less expensive.  So maybe the bidders are collectors.

 

I had one for a number of years but ultimately sold both it and the equally excellent 20mm T5 Nagler when I got the 21mm Ethos.  My thinking then was that the 21mm Ethos essentially did the work of both.  Plus, I had also acquired the 31mm Nagler, so I was covered for those occasions when I would need a bigger exit pupil, such as when I wanted to use an aggressive filter.

Edited by turtle86, 26 August 2022 - 10:51 PM.

[Castor]

I think that price is crazy high and an outlier.  At the time I bought mine, I thought the price was a little high but gladly paid it.  A search from the classifieds shows that they seem to sell for the mid $500s here on CN.  I really don't see that many people really looking for one.  For that kind of money, there are other options out there now and whomever bought that one should have just bought a 22 nagler or a 21 ethos for that matter.  

 

 

I'm appalled by the winning bid. IMHO highway robbery and what's worse, someone gullible enough to pay it. P.T. Barnum had a saying for this scenario.

 

A 21mm Ethos would give me the almost the same TFOV and a little more magnification to darken the sky in my telescopes vs the 26T5.

 

For about $280.00 less I could have the Ethos. I don't care for the larger physical size but still make mine the Ethos.

Yes, like you say, maybe the high price paid in the auction for the 26mm T5 Nagler it’s an outlier, possibly having to do with the buyers not having access to the used market in astronomy forums.  I don’t criticize them because I have done my share of expensive purchases of out of print astronomy books and other stuff that is no longer made, perhaps not to that level, but still …

[firemachine69]

Once upon a time, when Taylor Swift actually sung country rifts, I hit up Amex front of the line to get tickets for her show for my little sis (then 15) as an xmas present.

 

 

No go. Sold out instantly.

 

 

I then hit up the reseller sites, and even they were sold out (I needed four seats together - Me, sis, cousin, gf at the time).

 

 

So along comes Ebay!

 

I kept hitting that bid button. And bid. AND BID. Yep, we were going, I had serious coin in the bank. AND I WAS MAKING THIS HAPPEN!!! 

 

All I can say is, whoever sold those to me, probably celebrated with a bottle of Dom Perignon.  

Edited by firemachine69, 26 August 2022 - 11:06 PM.

[Castor]

The 26mm T5 Nagler is an excellent eyepiece, but I'm also surprised that the bidding went that high. For substantially less than that there are other good choices.  Even the 21mm Ethos is a bit less expensive.  So maybe the bidders are collectors.

 

I had one for a number of years but ultimately sold both it and the equally excellent 20mm T5 Nagler when I got the 21mm Ethos.  My thinking then was that the 21mm Ethos essentially did the work of both.  Plus, I had also acquired the 31mm Nagler, so I was covered for those occasions when I would need a bigger exit pupil, such as when I wanted to use an aggressive filter.

 

Yes, maybe the bidders are collectors and that was the reason for the strong bidding!  Whatever the reason, I was surprised too that the bidding went that high.

 

I have the 21mm Ethos and the 31mm T5 Nagler too, but most of the time, I pick the 35mm Panoptic or the 26mm T5 Nagler as my lowest power eyepiece because they go easier on the balance of my Alt-Az mounted telescopes.  When I’m using my scopes on the larger EQ mounts then using heavier eyepieces is not an issue and I may reach for them depending on the sky conditions.  It’s nice to have options!

[turtle86]

Yes, maybe the bidders are collectors and that was the reason for the strong bidding!  Whatever the reason, I was surprised too that the bidding went that high.

 

I have the 21mm Ethos and the 31mm T5 Nagler too, but most of the time, I pick the 35mm Panoptic or the 26mm T5 Nagler as my lowest power eyepiece because they go easier on the balance of my Alt-Az mounted telescopes.  When I’m using my scopes on the larger EQ mounts then using heavier eyepieces is not an issue and I may reach for them depending on the sky conditions.  It’s nice to have options!

 

The 21mm Ethos and 31mm Nagler are superb, but they're also a bit hefty.    Definitely nice to have options!  

[CHASLX200]

Interesting, but for a bit less money you could have a 21mm Ethos which offers almost exactly the same TFoV as the 26mm T5 at an even smaller exit pupil. Admittedly there's a weight penalty but...

I would go for the 21mm Ethos before paying 3 times the price of a 26mm Nagler. The 26 is the only Nagler i never owned.

[macdonjh]

I've only had my 26mm Nagler for a few years.  I bought it used, after they were discontinued and specifically to use with the scope I keep in my observatory.  With that scope, it's my favorite eye piece and stays in the focuser probably 80% of the time.  

[Jon Isaacs]

It's eBay.. What do you expect?

 

Probably somebody really wanted it and was bidding against a friend of the seller..

 

Jon

[Castor]

Thank you all!

 

I totally dislike auctions and have no way to know if the buyer was bidding against a friend of the seller or not.  I was just curious to know if the 26mm T5 Nagler is missed by the amateur astronomy community, that’s all.  Just for the record, I have no interest in selling mine.

 

It’s good to know that members who own a 26mm Nagler and have posted here still like them while others have expressed their clear preference for the 31mm Nagler T5 or the 21mm Ethos, as could be expected.

[Jeff Morgan]

I’m a fan on the N 26T5, too. As you see it’s a relatively compact package and the higher mag compared to the 31mm helps darken the background if there is some light pollution.

But that was a crazy price.

 

 

Back in the Day, like most buyers I was into "maximum" everything. So I bypassed the 26 and bought the 31. That big 42mm field stop was the key. Undoubtedly the biggest factor in the demise of the 26.

 

But the weight always was problematic and eventually the hassle of it prompted sale of the 31.

 

Two years ago I picked up a 26. It really has a nice package of attributes, can't say enough good things about it. I keep saying to myself "this is the eyepiece I should have gotten instead of the 31".

 

Glad to have the 26 now - a much better fit in my progression too: 40-26-Leica Zoom.

Edited by Jeff Morgan, 27 August 2022 - 01:34 PM.

[mlyoung83]

I had a 26 Nagler for years but recently sold it. I found a lot of the time I just prefer my 31 Nagler for the wide views. Once I’m done with the 31, I just jump down to my 17 Ethos. I hated selling the 26, but I was almost hanging onto it just for the sake of hanging onto it. It was redundant with my other eyepieces. And I’ll probably grab a 21 ethos sooner or later. At that point, the 17 ethos will probably get sold.

[Jon Isaacs]

As has been mentioned, the 28 mm UWA is like the best of both the 26 mm and 31 mm Nagler. 

 

It's about 2 ounces lighter than the 26 mm Nagler.  I drift timed the field stop at 40.8 mm, it's 35 mm for the 26 mm. 42mm for the 31 mm so it offers nearly the true field of the 31 mm Nagler while providing nearly the magnification of the 26 mm. The true field of the 31 mm Nagler is only 3% greater 

 

I'm using the 28 mm UWA as my low power eyepiece and except for special situations, the 31 mm is staying in the case.

 

I'm looking hard to see off-axis astigmatism but I'm not seeing any.

 

Jon

[Doug Culbertson]

As has been mentioned, the 28 mm UWA is like the best of both the 26 mm and 31 mm Nagler.

It's about 2 ounces lighter than the 26 mm Nagler. I drift timed the field stop at 40.8 mm, it's 35 mm for the 26 mm. 42mm for the 31 mm so it offers nearly the true field of the 31 mm Nagler while providing nearly the magnification of the 26 mm. The true field of the 31 mm Nagler is only 3% greater

I'm using the 28 mm UWA as my low power eyepiece and except for special situations, the 31 mm is staying in the case.

I'm looking hard to see off-axis astigmatism but I'm not seeing any.

Jon

Jon, have you compared the 28mm UWA to the 30mm UFF?

[Bkmiller4463]

Oh my, eBay outdid themselves with this one. Smells like a seller up-bidding his own listing, but what do I know? Someone thought it was worth it, so more power to ‘em I suppose. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Jon, have you compared the 28mm UWA to the 30mm UFF?

 

I have.  The 30 mm UFF is about 4 ounces lighter, more compact and has quite a bit more eye relief. It's very sharp across the field and the entire field s easily seen. It's a fine eyepiece.

 

The 28 mm UWA is quite a different eyepiece. It's still light compared to the 31 mm Nagler but it's somewhat short on eye relief, still very usable. The upper part of the torpedo body is a bit larger than the others, 2.2" instead of 1.9"-2". It works for my narrow eye sockets but just barely.

 

Optically, it has the immersiveness of the 31 mm Nagler. I put it in the focuser of the NP-101 or an F/4.4 Dob with a Paracorr and I feel like I'm getting the full field, I'm not wanting anything more.

 

I measured the AFoV of the 30 mm UFF, the 31 mm Nagler and the 28 mm UWA, ~70°, 82.1° and 84°. 

 

The 28 mm UWA is a worthy competitor to the 31 mm Nagler, the true field is only 3% narrower. The 30 mm UFF is a different sort of eyepiece, certainly a very good eyepiece but with more emphasis on the compactness and less on that ultimate wide field feel.

 

The UWA also feels like it has better transmission with narrowband filters. The Catspaw nebula with an O-lll filter seems more "lively."  The UFF shows the basics but there's more bits and pieces with the UWA and the Nagler. 

 

I'm keeping them both..

 

 

 

Jon