34 replies to this topic

[macdonjh]

Something for ericb760 to watch out for: the Plossls, Kellners, Konigs, and Erfles won't do well in fast scopes.  Years ago I tried my Orion Optiluxe (Konigs) in a friend's f/5 Obsession and it was awful.  Seagulls wall to wall.  After that, I kept these eye pieces in my scopes, generally f/10 and slower where they perform very well to my eye.

 

Looking at ericb760's signature, this is not likely a big consideration for most of his scopes.  

 

Side note: apart from being the prettiest eye pieces ever to come from Chester, NY in CHASLX200's opinion, Tele Vue smoothie Plossls were popular in their day because they performed well even in fast scopes.  I don't remember what was considered fast in the early 80s, f/6?

[CHASLX200]

Something for ericb760 to watch out for: the Plossls, Kellners, Konigs, and Erfles won't do well in fast scopes.  Years ago I tried my Orion Optiluxe (Konigs) in a friend's f/5 Obsession and it was awful.  Seagulls wall to wall.  After that, I kept these eye pieces in my scopes, generally f/10 and slower where they perform very well to my eye.

 

Looking at ericb760's signature, this is not likely a big consideration for most of his scopes.  

 

Side note: apart from being the prettiest eye pieces ever to come from Chester, NY in CHASLX200's opinion, Tele Vue smoothie Plossls were popular in their day because they performed well even in fast scopes.  I don't remember what was considered fast in the early 80s, f/6?

They had F/4.5's pretty much in Newts.

[deSitter]

Something for ericb760 to watch out for: the Plossls, Kellners, Konigs, and Erfles won't do well in fast scopes.  Years ago I tried my Orion Optiluxe (Konigs) in a friend's f/5 Obsession and it was awful.  Seagulls wall to wall.  After that, I kept these eye pieces in my scopes, generally f/10 and slower where they perform very well to my eye.

 

Looking at ericb760's signature, this is not likely a big consideration for most of his scopes.  

 

Side note: apart from being the prettiest eye pieces ever to come from Chester, NY in CHASLX200's opinion, Tele Vue smoothie Plossls were popular in their day because they performed well even in fast scopes.  I don't remember what was considered fast in the early 80s, f/6?

Good question.

 

Eyepieces in the day were made for either wide field, or accurate (orthoscopic) field. That means no barrel or pincushion distortion. An Erfle was known to be highly "anorthoscopic" but the wide field was the point.

 

Plossls are outstanding general purpose eyepieces, which are fairly wide field but also more or less orthoscopic.

 

-drl

[Terra Nova]

I love Ron Wood’s work, (Wood Wonders). He made me a small custom case for my best classic 0.965” eyepiece set several years ago. I also got one of his larger cases for my TeleVue eyepiece collection. A couple of weeks ago, I asked him to make me a custom case for my vintage 1.25” (T) volcano-top orthos. I just received it. As usual, it’s just beautiful.

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Edited by Terra Nova, 01 September 2024 - 11:05 AM.

[Terra Nova]

Open:

 

Back row, left to right: 25mm, 18mm, 12.5mm
Back row, left to right: 9mm,6mm, 4mm

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Edited by Terra Nova, 01 September 2024 - 11:07 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

Well, my pockets aren't that deep. Do you have any suggestions grounded in reality?

Sure...

 

- 1970s TANI Volcano Tops (1.25" & .965") - Lots of Brands, including Meade (T) Series 2 MAs / Orthos.

- Edmund RKEs (work with just about any scope type). [28mm Space Walk is a Must.]

- University Optics OHI Orthos. [RARELY see these pop up - owners must hang on to them!]

- Vixen LV Series ~ 20mm eye relief per EP & near-Ortho resolution.

 

 

For a bit more, the Meade Research Grade Series (T) - some are thought to be Nikon-made.  AND, the .965" Takahashi Orthos.

 

Very Rare - my 1980s spectros (Swiss) Set:

 

 

Poor Man's Zeiss - rumored to have CZJ Glass!

Edited by Bomber Bob, 01 September 2024 - 11:51 AM.

[bjkaras]

Last year I completed my set of UO Circle T orthos, and got a Galoc Barlow. I use those with my 6” f/8 scope. I have what I need for the 10” f/5 as well. I don’t know that I need anything else for now.

[davidmcgo]

Pretty much set on vintage eyepieces but liking that little Wood Wonders case!

 

I have:

full set of TeleVue smooth side Plossls, plus 32 wide field and 4.8 Nagler

full set of Tak 0.965 Orthos, 25-12 are regular and 9 down to 2.8 are the MC plus the 32mm Erfle

set of Meade Research Grades 28, 16.8, 10.5, 7 mm Orthos and the 20mm Wide Angle

Brandons from 32 down to 8 in the walnut case

 

The Takahashi set is my favorite, the clarity and sharpness is stunning.  The 4mm and 2.8 Hi Orthos are comfortable to use too, and fantastic on Mars.  The 5mm Ortho is a bit clearer and sharper than my Pentax X0 5.1 mm.  I don’t see much difference in use between the TV Plossls, Brandons, or RG Orthos in use.  
 

Dave

[PawPaw]

I too found the Tak .965 eyepieces to be excellent.  My set came with a TS-80 circa 1973....I have since added the 5mm Ortho and it is on par with some Nikons I own.  These are true Abe Ortho designs and are parfocal.  The coatings are in pristine condition, although pre-MC coated they are top tier .965 eyepieces in my opinion.  

 

Don

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[Bomber Bob]

Last year I completed my set of UO Circle T orthos, and got a Galoc Barlow. I use those with my 6” f/8 scope. I have what I need for the 10” f/5 as well. I don’t know that I need anything else for now.

Kinda embarrassing, but in 50+ years, I've never owned any Galoc eyepieces; or, Clave, for that matter.  I literally stumbled on spectros because of one German eBay Seller -- and he had only one, the PL 7.5mm.  It was Xavier here on CN that sold me the Big Set...

 

FYI:  I get the most noticeable performance boost from my TV Radians with my FC-100 & 130SL -- my Meade 826 is more agnostic about eyepiece type.  (Or, I'm seeing some sort of confirmation bias; that is, I know how well it resolves fine details, even before I test an eyepiece in it.)

 

I too found the Tak .965 eyepieces to be excellent.

 

Yes, IMO, used at $100 a pop is well worth it for .965" scopes.  IF you find 'em cheaper, buy 'em!  The "heavy" 1970s Vixen Orthos pop up often on ZEN at $50 or less, and are an excellent alternative.  I have several, and they're as heavy / heavier than my TAK versions.  Either way, Great Glass.  Remember:  We got Planets coming to Prime Time...

Edited by Bomber Bob, 02 September 2024 - 12:18 PM.