1390 replies to this topic

[Sarkikos]

The TPL 12.5's are practically glued to my BT-100 at this point. You're right about the AFOV. it is narrow and I do notice it when compared to the Pentax but the quality of the view is incredible. More than makes up for it. That being said, the biggest advantage IMHO is the smaller size which make them super comfortable to use for me. While I have the TPL 25's they see the least time since I like the 12.5 so much. 

 

TL;DR, don't buy another focal length. Buy another 12.5

 

 

Oh, if you have access to a 3D printer a hood like the one below makes observing even better by blocking out all stray light (a bino bandit would also work).

TPL_DMH2.jpg

Not good for glasses.  I always wear eyeglasses when viewing through binoculars.  Maybe I could make an exception for binocular telescopes? 

 

Mike

[Christine_Z]

The TPL 12.5's are practically glued to my BT-100 at this point. You're right about the AFOV. it is narrow and I do notice it when compared to the Pentax but the quality of the view is incredible. More than makes up for it. That being said, the biggest advantage IMHO is the smaller size which make them super comfortable to use for me. While I have the TPL 25's they see the least time since I like the 12.5 so much. 

 

TL;DR, don't buy another focal length. Buy another 12.5

 

 

Oh, if you have access to a 3D printer a hood like the one below makes observing even better by blocking out all stray light (a bino bandit would also work).

TPL_DMH2.jpg

hmmmm.....

 

Jordan I guess like you, I find that 40x to 56x ish (14mm to 10mm) range to be where the BTs are most enjoyable for me. I have better optics for higher mags.

There are just too many things in the sky that are spectacular through them, even just panning through rich star fields is amazing.

 

I think Slav bought a full double set of the TPLs, He's going to try out his new TEC 180 on my mount this weekend, weather permitting (neither of us are going to Stellafane this year). I'll ask him to borrow one of his 12.5s and try out in the BTs.

[ji4m]

Eyepiece comparisons are never single blind, let alone double blind, but I get your point.

Sometimes it takes multiple nights with an eyepiece to truly appreciate how it differs from others.

(you have to admit, those difference must be subtle to not be immediately apparent).

 

And sometimes your impression changes over time.

I have one example from my kit--a 12.5mm Morpheus.  My first impression was that it was darker than other eyepieces, and subdued the star images.

But my comparison was with the 14mm, which I had had much longer.  It was the magnification difference that gave me that impression.

Since then, I've used it on many many nights, and it has become one of my favorite eyepieces.  It is incredibly sharp and has superb contrast.

At 147x, it's fine for general use, though a bit low in power for many objects.

I couldn't agree with you more.

 

It's the extensive expertise and experience CN members like you are able to put into words that make me look again and search for that nuance.

[Alan S]

I was going to post my exp. with my TPL 12.5 and M27 through a Tak FC-100...but I couldn't agree more...Normally I wouldn't bother, but I was trying it out on some different objects...One of the best visual views of the dumbbell unfiltered in a small scope I've ever had. The contrast in this eyepiece is superb. Indeed, I was a little surprised by how big and bright 27 was at 59x in the Tak...normally the outer parts are near invisible, but not through the TPL...

 

 

Now granted it was practically at zenith, but still. The view was bright, differential in color although very subtle differences, and I could see well out into the tails which were very defined.

 

I didn't do any comparisons, as I limit myself to only a couple of EPs. But I don't recall my ES 15mm Plossl being this contrasty. And that is one of my favorite eyepieces.

 

I didn't get the longer TPLs, but am now considering the 18s for my dob.

 

I am not sure about these in my BT-100s I just think the field is too narrow and the eye relief too short. Plus I only have one of the them :/

 

EDIT: I did not care for the TPL with doubles. It was fine for big delta rho colorful ones, but then the FOV and eye relief kind of took the experience down a few points. Still evaluating and this weekend I am going to seek out some more planetaries and GCs (but a 4" refractor is not the ideal tool for either) 

Christine,

 

Thanks for your comments here, both regarding M27 and double star observations.  I also have an FC100 and am wondering about trying out this eyepiece.  I do enjoy observing double stars, but am most often using higher power than what the 12.5mm TPL would provide…and your comment about FOV and eye relief taking your experience down got my attention.  Comfort is as important to me as optical quality, to a point….

 

I have a 14mm Delos that I really enjoy, and my color perception is not great in general…I guess what I am wondering is, in your experience, what was different viewing M27 that the FOV/eye relief were less an issue?

 

Alan

[Balkonsky94]

For years I tried to convince myself of what you say.  Then I finally coughed up the "cheese" to buy a 6mm ZAO I.  I was stunned the first time I used it on Jupiter and compared it to the many other 6mm eyepieces I have.  The differences are easy to see, better contrast, less scatter, more detail on the planets surface, etc., etc..  I now also own a ZAO I 16mm, and it's just as good.  I figure with the Zeiss barlow Baader was selling with the ZAOs, I now have 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 16mm, but I still yearn for the 10mm ZAO I, because they are just SOOOOO good.

Yes, I agree. I do not own a ZAO but I have ownership of a B 25x/10 aspeheric ortho from Zeiss since a few weeks back (455046-9901-000). This EP opened up a different door for me when it comes to observing. Stars are incredibly tight, transmission is superb,  stars I can´t detect otherwise flood the view now. Still, most impressive is probably the resolving ability and the 3D effect on DSO. Simply in a different league, only my Leica B 32X WW gives me similiar enjoyment. 

 

For reference, Leica B 32X replaced my Leica ASPH zoom because it does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom, the ASPH zoom in turn replaced my Pentax XW, Morpheus FL´s that previously covered that range. Both EP´s (Leica and Zeiss) beat the competition handily everywhere in the field, Zeiss 10mm ortho especially in the center of the field, since it´s only 57deg. and outer 10% suffer from field curvature and some astig. 

 

From what I´ve tried, only Nikon NAV HW and SW come close in sharpness and tightness of stars which is why i have a 5mm and 7mm SW incoming soon. With Nikon EiC 1,6x and extensions I´ll run som tests with my TOE´s in the future when planets rise earlier. Anyway, these TPL´s also sound promising but i hope more people will venture outside the astro world in search of EP´s, hope to read more comparisons between TPL´s, ZAO´s and similiar in the future.

[Sarkikos]

Yes, I agree. I do not own a ZAO but I have ownership of a B 25x/10 aspeheric ortho from Zeiss since a few weeks back (455046-9901-000). This EP opened up a different door for me when it comes to observing. Stars are incredibly tight, transmission is superb,  stars I can´t detect otherwise flood the view now. Still, most impressive is probably the resolving ability and the 3D effect on DSO. Simply in a different league, only my Leica B 32X WW gives me similiar enjoyment. 

 

For reference, Leica B 32X replaced my Leica ASPH zoom because it does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom, the ASPH zoom in turn replaced my Pentax XW, Morpheus FL´s that previously covered that range. Both EP´s (Leica and Zeiss) beat the competition handily everywhere in the field, Zeiss 10mm ortho especially in the center of the field, since it´s only 57deg. and outer 10% suffer from field curvature and some astig. 

 

From what I´ve tried, only Nikon NAV HW and SW come close in sharpness and tightness of stars which is why i have a 5mm and 7mm SW incoming soon. With Nikon EiC 1,6x and extensions I´ll run som tests with my TOE´s in the future when planets rise earlier. Anyway, these TPL´s also sound promising but i hope more people will venture outside the astro world in search of EP´s, hope to read more comparisons between TPL´s, ZAO´s and similiar in the future.

What is a Leica B 32X WW?  Can you post a link?  So far, it seems to be unobtainium. 

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 17 August 2023 - 06:59 PM.

[Christine_Z]

Christine,

 

Thanks for your comments here, both regarding M27 and double star observations.  I also have an FC100 and am wondering about trying out this eyepiece.  I do enjoy observing double stars, but am most often using higher power than what the 12.5mm TPL would provide…and your comment about FOV and eye relief taking your experience down got my attention.  Comfort is as important to me as optical quality, to a point….

 

I have a 14mm Delos that I really enjoy, and my color perception is not great in general…I guess what I am wondering is, in your experience, what was different viewing M27 that the FOV/eye relief were less an issue?

 

Alan

Hi Alan,

 

While you probably have your favorite DS setup...I do use my FC-100DF for DS and almost exclusively use the Tak TOE 3.3mm eyepiece. I have mentioned this before, if I could only take one eyepiece with the FC100, it would be the TOE 3.3. I got the 12.5 TPL to fill a hole in focal lengths. It was great for Venus at inferior conjunction (but so is my ES15 Plossl), however, Saturn and Jupiter are too small. The Sun is too small, but great detail regardless, but it's not special. The TPL is very enjoyable with the moon, however. I think again contrast was its strong point. So certainly some of those mentioned are FOV important objects.

 

I get eyepieces for specific scopes and travel with a whole set up. As opposed to getting groups of eyepieces. So I have a very eclectic collection. Parfocal is cool, but since I only view with one or two EPs in a night, it's not very important to me. (Plus I have 3D printed parfocal rings for many of my EPs). The 12.5 TPL filled a focal length hole for me for the FC100DF. Mind you, the eye relief is not bad, it is only about 8 or 9mm. For M27 I fold down the eyecup to get the full field, which is easy enough and it is not uncomfortable at all. Indeed this is how I generally used it through the night. By way of comparison, with a TOE, I leave the eyecup up simply because for doubles the FOV is not really a concern for me. Indeed, I can back off considerably with the TOE and loose FOV at a much smaller rate. I can't do this with the TPL. The FOV gets small fast, and plus with the TPL that is a mid power eyepiece in FC100, so FOV is more important. 

 

It is an excellent eyepiece, I will be keeping it. As for the drop off in sharpness on the outer edge, that that is Takahashi's way of saying, it's not sharp for us, but for every other scope/eyepiece combo, we still have you beat. I couldn't detect any decrease in sharpness. (see my comment below about a 25" f/3.5 dob)

 

To be fair, wide eyepieces are not a priority for me, even for general viewing in faster larger aperture scopes. I prefer to see the field stop(s), I know other's prefer wide EPs. So, if you do, this is not your EP of choice. 

 

I would rather get more time with the TPL before I really comment, trying it in my dob and BTs and with a barlows as well. I did try it with my clubs 25" dob on a couple of Globs. Well wow...we have a dedicated set of Ethos for that scope and I preferred the TPL to the 13mm Ethos. But to be honest, a coke bottle bottom is pretty good in that scope too...lol. But is was more contrasty. We have a couple of Mewlons in the club, so I would like to try with them and see how it holds up in deeper scopes especially for color. 

[j.gardavsky]

Yes, I agree. I do not own a ZAO but I have ownership of a B 25x/10 aspeheric ortho from Zeiss since a few weeks back (455046-9901-000). This EP opened up a different door for me when it comes to observing. Stars are incredibly tight, transmission is superb,  stars I can´t detect otherwise flood the view now. Still, most impressive is probably the resolving ability and the 3D effect on DSO. Simply in a different league, only my Leica B 32X WW gives me similiar enjoyment. 

 

For reference, Leica B 32X replaced my Leica ASPH zoom because it does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom, the ASPH zoom in turn replaced my Pentax XW, Morpheus FL´s that previously covered that range. Both EP´s (Leica and Zeiss) beat the competition handily everywhere in the field, Zeiss 10mm ortho especially in the center of the field, since it´s only 57deg. and outer 10% suffer from field curvature and some astig. 

 

...

I can just agree, that these are the exceptional eyepieces:

 

Carl Zeiss W 25x/10  #45 50 46 f=10mm

Carl Zeiss W-Pl 16x/16 #45 50 48 f=15.6mm, 58°

Carl Zeiss W-Pl 10x/23 #45 50 43 f=25mm, 49.4°

 

Leica 40x WW Leica Camera 2208185 f=11mm, 73.6°

Leica B40x   #2060319 f=11mm, 50°

Leica B 32x WW Leica Camera #2081078 f=13,75mm, 75,4°

 

https://www.cloudyni...1917-eyepieces/

 

Best,

JG

 

 

[Balkonsky94]

What is a Leica B 32X WW?  Can you post a link?  So far, it seems to unobtainium. 

 

Mike

Leica B 32X WW (13,75mm, 75deg) is a EP from the previous Televid spotting scope era. It´s been discontinued for a while, it belongs to the same family of EP´s as the praised Leica ASPH zoom but is a fixed focal length EP along with it´s siblings: B 40X(11mm) and B 20X(22mm). It is basically an Leica ASPH zoom on steroids. My above description saying it does "does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom" is me being generous to the zoom (which in it´s own right is a great EP), in reality the slightly part is not fully warranted.

 

Stars are almost as tight as in the Zeiss 10mm ortho but in a 75deg fully corrected to the edge field. When barlowed with the Nikon extender in my apo, it resolves 1,1" doubles with 150x mag, if my memory serves me right, but that is not even the most impressive thing. The color representation is out of this world and contrast it shows on the planets, Jupiter being etched in specific, the number of bands above and below the major ones and the GRS signaling to you in red. I could go further and say how it compares to TOE´s on the planets but I´m afraid I´ll start a riot. 

 

There are two available ones rn, one in Finlad and one in UK, if you´re interested I can pm links, but be careful, the B 32X was so good I bought it´s siblings seccond hand and the 20x was heavily fogged inside with fungus. With all these spotting scope EP from Diascope and Televid, etc. if buying used one must make sure the condition is not compromised from previous field use in harsh elements. Downside to the 32X is possible blackouts if eye is not placed correctly and a shorter eye relief (around 15mm I believe), so not as comfortable as the Zoom.

 

I can just agree, that these are the exceptional eyepieces:

 

Carl Zeiss W 25x/10  #45 50 46 f=10mm

Carl Zeiss W-Pl 16x/16 #45 50 48 f=15.6mm, 58°

Carl Zeiss W-Pl 10x/23 #45 50 43 f=25mm, 49.4°

 

Leica 40x WW Leica Camera 2208185 f=11mm, 73.6°

Leica B40x   #2060319 f=11mm, 50°

Leica B 32x WW Leica Camera #2081078 f=13,75mm, 75,4°

 

https://www.cloudyni...1917-eyepieces/

 

Best,

JG

JG, thanks for the recommendations, you made it possible, much appreciated! 

 

Now please tell me how I too can aquire the Leica 40x WW, I´ve searched the web for months without success  

[Thomas_M44]

Yes, I agree. I do not own a ZAO but I have ownership of a B 25x/10 aspeheric ortho from Zeiss since a few weeks back (455046-9901-000). This EP opened up a different door for me when it comes to observing. Stars are incredibly tight, transmission is superb,  stars I can´t detect otherwise flood the view now. Still, most impressive is probably the resolving ability and the 3D effect on DSO. Simply in a different league, only my Leica B 32X WW gives me similiar enjoyment. 

 

For reference, Leica B 32X replaced my Leica ASPH zoom because it does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom, the ASPH zoom in turn replaced my Pentax XW, Morpheus FL´s that previously covered that range. Both EP´s (Leica and Zeiss) beat the competition handily everywhere in the field, Zeiss 10mm ortho especially in the center of the field, since it´s only 57deg. and outer 10% suffer from field curvature and some astig. 

 

From what I´ve tried, only Nikon NAV HW and SW come close in sharpness and tightness of stars which is why i have a 5mm and 7mm SW incoming soon. With Nikon EiC 1,6x and extensions I´ll run som tests with my TOE´s in the future when planets rise earlier. Anyway, these TPL´s also sound promising but i hope more people will venture outside the astro world in search of EP´s, hope to read more comparisons between TPL´s, ZAO´s and similiar in the future.

If you are interested in on-axis clarity and color rendition, another eyepiece you may want to investigate:

 

 

https://www.astrodog...-eyepiece-copy/

 

 

These are also occasionally in stock in the U.S. for around $230 USD.

 

 

https://telescopes.n...mm.html#reviews

 

https://agenaastro.c...6mm-mop-16.html

 

 

Eye relief is about 10mm, and so presumably reasonably similar to the Takahashi TPL 12.5mm.

 

Off-axis performance is really only nice in scopes of f/10 and slower. 
 

When paired with a high-quality Barlow or telecentric amplifier of 2X or more, the outer-field quality improves greatly when used with average or faster f-ratio scopes.
 

Sense of image purity and color fidelity is what these eyepieces are all about. Faint stars seem to “pop out of nowhere”. 

 

It’s surprising to me this eyepiece remains fairly uncommon/obscure/rare in the U.S.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Thomas_M44, 17 August 2023 - 05:07 PM.

[Balkonsky94]

Thanks Thomas, the new Masuyamas have been on my radar for a long time and are on the top of my list.

 

Luckily, my refractors are F 9.2 and F9.5 so of axis abberations are not a huge concern 

[ji4m]

Ahhh, memory lane! I think our first purchase on time/credit when newlyweds back in ‘81 was at an audiophile shop in Santa Barbara  They had a separate display/sound room loaded with speakers, and you, the shopper, could push a button to cue up the ones you wanted to compare. I loved it!! And my new wife, too, for indulging me!  Well, they had some beauties… but when I pushed the button on the Snell Acoustics speakers, Linda Ronstadt literally jumped off the turntable, grabbed a mic, and started singing for us, personally. The accompanying band joined her in-the-room, where you could distinctly hear EVERY instrument! Funny, too, it didn’t even feel that crowded 

 

And we still have those speakers… they’re absolutely gorgeous!

 

Good speakers, and good eyepieces! 

+1

 

I'm old enough to remember those Snells.  They were special; I had a pair.  My tastes drifted west coast sound tuning and I chased Infinity.

 

Yes, good speakers and good eyepieces. 

[Sarkikos]

Leica B 32X WW (13,75mm, 75deg) is a EP from the previous Televid spotting scope era. It´s been discontinued for a while, it belongs to the same family of EP´s as the praised Leica ASPH zoom but is a fixed focal length EP along with it´s siblings: B 40X(11mm) and B 20X(22mm). It is basically an Leica ASPH zoom on steroids. My above description saying it does "does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom" is me being generous to the zoom (which in it´s own right is a great EP), in reality the slightly part is not fully warranted.

 

Stars are almost as tight as in the Zeiss 10mm ortho but in a 75deg fully corrected to the edge field. When barlowed with the Nikon extender in my apo, it resolves 1,1" doubles with 150x mag, if my memory serves me right, but that is not even the most impressive thing. The color representation is out of this world and contrast it shows on the planets, Jupiter being etched in specific, the number of bands above and below the major ones and the GRS signaling to you in red. I could go further and say how it compares to TOE´s on the planets but I´m afraid I´ll start a riot. 

 

There are two available ones rn, one in Finlad and one in UK, if you´re interested I can pm links, but be careful, the B 32X was so good I bought it´s siblings seccond hand and the 20x was heavily fogged inside with fungus. With all these spotting scope EP from Diascope and Televid, etc. if buying used one must make sure the condition is not compromised from previous field use in harsh elements. Downside to the 32X is possible blackouts if eye is not placed correctly and a shorter eye relief (around 15mm I believe), so not as comfortable as the Zoom.

 

JG, thanks for the recommendations, you made it possible, much appreciated! 

 

Now please tell me how I too can aquire the Leica 40x WW, I´ve searched the web for months without success  

The Leica B 32X WW is a single focal length eyepiece?   Then the Leica Zoom does one thing infinitely better than the Leica B 32X WW:  the Leica Zoom, zooms! 

 

Mike

[j.gardavsky]

The Leica B 32X WW is a single focal length eyepiece?   Then the Leica Zoom does one thing infinitely better than the Leica B 32X WW:  the Leica Zoom, zooms! 

 

Mike

Mike,

 

I have both the Leica Asph. Zoom, and the fix focus eyepieces from the old 77mm Leica APO Televid.

 

Best,

JG

[j.gardavsky]

Leica B 32X WW (13,75mm, 75deg) is a EP from the previous Televid spotting scope era. It´s been discontinued for a while, it belongs to the same family of EP´s as the praised Leica ASPH zoom but is a fixed focal length EP along with it´s siblings: B 40X(11mm) and B 20X(22mm). It is basically an Leica ASPH zoom on steroids. My above description saying it does "does everthing slighly but noticably better than the zoom" is me being generous to the zoom (which in it´s own right is a great EP), in reality the slightly part is not fully warranted.

 

Stars are almost as tight as in the Zeiss 10mm ortho but in a 75deg fully corrected to the edge field. When barlowed with the Nikon extender in my apo, it resolves 1,1" doubles with 150x mag, if my memory serves me right, but that is not even the most impressive thing. The color representation is out of this world and contrast it shows on the planets, Jupiter being etched in specific, the number of bands above and below the major ones and the GRS signaling to you in red. I could go further and say how it compares to TOE´s on the planets but I´m afraid I´ll start a riot. 

 

There are two available ones rn, one in Finlad and one in UK, if you´re interested I can pm links, but be careful, the B 32X was so good I bought it´s siblings seccond hand and the 20x was heavily fogged inside with fungus. With all these spotting scope EP from Diascope and Televid, etc. if buying used one must make sure the condition is not compromised from previous field use in harsh elements. Downside to the 32X is possible blackouts if eye is not placed correctly and a shorter eye relief (around 15mm I believe), so not as comfortable as the Zoom.

 

JG, thanks for the recommendations, you made it possible, much appreciated! 

 

Now please tell me how I too can aquire the Leica 40x WW, I´ve searched the web for months without success  

I've got my Leica eyepieces from the U.K.

https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/

https://www.aceoptic...s/eyepieces?p=2

http://www.birdnet.c...ndhand.html#eps

http://www.at-infocu...t/?orderby=date

 

The best way is to place "wanted". I used to have a good contact with Paul at birdnet, closing the order by telephone.

 

There is also a Leica Forum in Germany, and with a membership, you would eventually find something. (I am a sleeping member in the Leica Forum.)

 

Otherwise,

yes, the Leica optics is from another world.

On my ZEISS West Germany stereo microscope, I have replaced the ZEISS eyepieces with the seldom seen wider field and expensive pair Leica HC Plan 10x/25 #507800.

So far I can remember, I have seen this #507800 only once on the eBay.

 

Wishing you success,

JG
 

[Balkonsky94]

The Leica B 32X WW is a single focal length eyepiece?   Then the Leica Zoom does one thing infinitely better than the Leica B 32X WW:  the Leica Zoom, zooms! 

 

Mike

That it does It was not meant to disrespect the ASPH, it's still probably the best zoom out and if I didn't have myopia, and even worse case of nightmyopia, I would still own it, but refocusing after zooming constantly defeated the purpose of having a zoom so I let it go.

 

My only point was to raise awareness of other gems outside of the astro community. Many know of the Leica Zoom because it somehow caught traction here but not many know of other similar ep's even if they belonged to the same production line. 

 

If I didn't listen to some of the most knowledgeable members here i would not have my two best ep's, both tracing origin from outside the astro sphere. That is all, now let's hear more about TPL's, if they match the likes of ZAO' and Supermonos I'll get in line aswell.

 

 

Edit, thanks JG, I'll look it up 

Edited by Balkonsky94, 18 August 2023 - 05:46 AM.

[Sarkikos]

That it does It was not meant to disrespect the ASPH, it's still probably the best zoom out and if I didn't have myopia, and even worse case of nightmyopia, I would still own it, but refocusing after zooming constantly defeated the purpose of having a zoom so I let it go.

 

My only point was to raise awareness of other gems outside of the astro community. Many know of the Leica Zoom because it somehow caught traction here but not many know of other similar ep's even if they belonged to the same production line. 

 

If I didn't listen to some of the most knowledgeable members here i would not have my two best ep's, both tracing origin from outside the astro sphere. That is all, now let's hear more about TPL's, if they match the likes of ZAO' and Supermonos I'll get in line aswell.

 

 

Edit, thanks JG, I'll look it up 

I have myopia and presbyopia.  Without my eyeglasses - or a telescope or binoculars - my eyes cannot focus sharply at any distance from immediately in front of my eyes to infinity.  I don't think this has anything to do with having to refocus when dialing a zoom eyepiece from shortest to longest focal length, or vice versa. 

 

What makes an observer have to refocus a zoom is their eyes' lack of focus accommodation.  This often occurs as the individual ages.  For instance, years ago the Baader Zoom seemed perfectly parfocal to my eyes (I didn't have to refocus).  Now, the Baader Zoom III is obviously not parfocal for me.  The newer Baader Zoom IV is even less parfocal.

 

Actually, the Leica Zoom is very close to parfocal.  Even for my non-accommodating eyes, I barely have to refocus for the Leica Zoom.  However, the 3-6mm and 2-4mm Tele Vue Zooms are virtually perfectly parfocal for me.  The Svbony 3-8 Zoom also has very good parfocality.

 

For an observer that has poor - or lacks - focus accommodation, using a nonparfocal zoom in a slower telescope or with a Barlow can make the zoom seem effectively more parfocal.  I don't use the Baader Zooms anymore except in a slower scope or with a Barlow.  

 

But I use the Leica Zoom in all my scopes, fast or slow, and without a Barlow.  Like I said, I barely need to touch up the focus when I dial the Leica Zoom.

 

So, I'm surprised to hear you say that you need to refocus much or at all with the Leica Zoom.  If you think the Leica is bad in this regard, try a Baader Zoom some time! 

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 18 August 2023 - 07:50 AM.

[RogerLaureys]

New kids in town. TPL 25,18 and 12,5 for my Zeiss binoviewer. Now waiting to test them on my Mewlons and TOA130. They are designed for these. I will compare them with TMB's and Takahashi Abbe ortho's. 

Edited by RogerLaureys, 18 August 2023 - 09:59 AM.

[Mike B]

I've got my Leica eyepieces from the U.K.

https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/

https://www.aceoptic...s/eyepieces?p=2

http://www.birdnet.c...ndhand.html#eps

http://www.at-infocu...t/?orderby=date

 

The best way is to place "wanted". I used to have a good contact with Paul at birdnet, closing the order by telephone.

 

There is also a Leica Forum in Germany, and with a membership, you would eventually find something. (I am a sleeping member in the Leica Forum.)

 

Otherwise,

yes, the Leica optics is from another world.

On my ZEISS West Germany stereo microscope, I have replaced the ZEISS eyepieces with the seldom seen wider field and expensive pair Leica HC Plan 10x/25 #507800.

So far I can remember, I have seen this #507800 only once on the eBay.

 

Wishing you success,

JG
 

From my own limited exposure to Leica EPs, I’d concur! Otherworldly! Perfect for viewing beyond our world… 

That you’d yank the Zeiss EPs to replace with Leica’s is an astounding testimony!

 

”Sleeping member”??… I love it!    
 

 

….. now let's hear more about TPL's

Edited by Mike B, 18 August 2023 - 10:30 AM.

[Kevin Barker]

I spent a bit of time last evening using a Questar 3.5 (f -14.4) and compared the Brandon 12 mm with the TPL 12.5 mm. (107X and 102 x)

 

I spend a bit of time in a couple of open clusters to see if any stars were easier in one eyepiece over the other and also looking at star colours. Attempted unsuccessfully to split Antares(yet to do it in a Q3.5) and then spent some time enjoying Saturn at 154 and 160 X using the Q3.5's internal Barlow. I let the Q3.5 cool for 30 minutes and observed for around an hour.

 

Views very similar and very comfortable in both although you do notice a slightly wider AFOV with the TPL. One of the faintest Moon's of Saturn was a little easier in the TPL. Belt detail was identical. 

 

The Brandon 12 mm is a decent bit of glass, the 12.5 mm TPL appears to be in the same league.

 

This is a small aperture. I have just got up early to set up a larger scope but the clouds have rolled in. I am very happy with the quality of the images of this wee Plossl/symmetrical last evening.

[SandyHouTex]

I spent a bit of time last evening using a Questar 3.5 (f -14.4) and compared the Brandon 12 mm with the TPL 12.5 mm. (107X and 102 x)

 

I spend a bit of time in a couple of open clusters to see if any stars were easier in one eyepiece over the other and also looking at star colours. Attempted unsuccessfully to split Antares(yet to do it in a Q3.5) and then spent some time enjoying Saturn at 154 and 160 X using the Q3.5's internal Barlow. I let the Q3.5 cool for 30 minutes and observed for around an hour.

 

Views very similar and very comfortable in both although you do notice a slightly wider AFOV with the TPL. One of the faintest Moon's of Saturn was a little easier in the TPL. Belt detail was identical. 

 

The Brandon 12 mm is a decent bit of glass, the 12.5 mm TPL appears to be in the same league.

 

This is a small aperture. I have just got up early to set up a larger scope but the clouds have rolled in. I am very happy with the quality of the images of this wee Plossl/symmetrical last evening.

Thanks for the review.

[Scott99]

I

 

It’s surprising to me this eyepiece remains fairly uncommon/obscure/rare in the U.S.

 

 

I think the new Masuyamas are my favorite all-time for overall build quality, and I've had 'em all.  They're absolutely gorgeous and reek of quality....for example the engraving.   I had the 50mm for my f/9 Tak FC, now that my flagship scope is back to f/9 I may have to try the 50mm again or maybe one of the 85-degree versions, which I found to be OK at f/9.  

 

Last time I checked they were all in stock in Osaka.

Edited by Scott99, 19 August 2023 - 10:30 AM.

[Thomas_M44]

I think the new Masuyamas are my favorite all-time for overall build quality, and I've had 'em al.  They're absolutely gorgeous and reek of quality....for example the engraving.   I had the 50mm for my f/9 Tak FC, now that my flagship scope is back to f/9 I may have to try the 50mm again or maybe one of the 85-degree versions, which I found to be OK at f/9.  

 

Last time I checked they were all in stock in Osaka.

Very close to my sentiments.

 

It’s apparent they are much more widely known and esteemed in Asian and European astronomical communities.

 

For whatever reason/s, they are less commonly encountered or discussed here in the U.S.

Edited by Thomas_M44, 18 August 2023 - 10:36 PM.

[PatientObserver]

Tonight, though the seeing was poor the sky was clear. So although conditions were not ideal, I finally had the opportunity to test my new TPL eyepieces. Disclaimer: I am new to astronomy so my experience is limited.

I spent the first few hours observing Saturn, switching configurations, and scanning the sky with my new Nikon 10x50 AE binoculars. In the scopes, I could see one of the moons of Saturn, but the view on the planet itself was limited in both scopes. After a quick nap while I waited for Jupiter to rise above the tree line, I spent another hour observing the now visible planet.

Final Configuration:
AT102EDL f/10.5 (with Takahashi 1.5X ED)
* Tele Vue Everbrite diagonal
* Pentax XW line

FOA-60Q f/15
* Takahashi Turret with TPL line and TOE 4.0.

I liked the views of Jupiter in the TPL 12.5 and XW 10 mm the best. The 12.5 mm was the only Takahashi eyepiece that I removed from the turret to test in the diagonal. Both eyepieces nicely framed the planet and five of its moons with two bands visible on Jupiter (though these would fade from sight, only to reappear a moment later). The views in the other TPLs showed dark skys and bright views of the planet and moons. The seeing was too poor for the TOE. Tonight, I wished there was a Takahashi eyepiece between the TPL 12.5 and the TOE 4.0.

One complaint with the TPL is that I needed to refocus when rotating between each eyepiece.

I could not say one line of eyepieces was better than the other. I prefer the Pentax in my diagonal and the Takahashi in the turret, but this is purely due to the form factor of each line. I can say that I am pleased with the both lines of eyepieces, and have no plans of replacing them.

Edited by PatientObserver, 19 August 2023 - 03:21 AM.

[jrazz]

I tried the TPL 12.5 on Saturn with the TOA and it's ok. I guess I expected more but at 80x it's not enough magnification. Yes it's sharp and bright but still, the TOE 4mm at 250x blew it away

 

Where the TPL blew me away was again, with planetary nebulas. The Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009) which was conveniently right next to Saturn itself was way more impressive showing intense dark green color. 

 

Another surprise came when I tried to observe η Cyg:

BU 980 AB (Eta Cyg)

19h 56m 18.40s +35° 05' 00.6" P.A. 206.00 sep 7.2 mag 3.89,12.00 Sp K0III dist. 41.37 pc (134.95 l.y.)

 

Notice the magnitude difference of more than 8! Interestingly the TOE was not able to show the secondary but the TPL could! I think again, the central sharpness and superb stray light control made a difference here.

 

 

I looked gain for sharpness across the field and yes, I agree now. If you want to see sharp across the entire field there are better eyepieces. I can see the lack of sharpness at the edges especially with the ƒ/5.6 BT. The field stop is still nice and sharp but yes, the stars at the outer 25%-30% do lose focus. OK, I geddit, super sharp and contrasty at the ecenter and less so at the edge. I am ok with the trade off.