21 replies to this topic

[Ric Whatley]

If you are of a certain age, you will probably remember a song called “Classical Gas.” If you’re an old music fan like me you might, at least once known that it was played by classical guitarist Mason Williams and the orchestral accompaniment was provided by The Wrecking Crew. The other Saturday I was making breakfast when my music player spit out this timeless classic. As I was dancing and flipping pancakes my wife came in and asked what the name of that song was. Since I was thinking about an eyepiece that was coming in the mail that day, my response was “Classical Glass, no wait, Classical GAS.” At that moment I knew that classical glass might make a good topic for a discussion. So without further delay I present to you my rendition of “Classical Glass.” I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to yours.

 

 

 

 

Meade 4000s

               Celestron Silvertops

                                 Televue Circle NJs

Edited by Ric Whatley, 11 April 2025 - 07:06 AM.

[MisterDan]

Very nice!

 

The Tele Vue logo actually references "U" - not "J" - but that doesn't make them any less "superbulous." 

 

Thanks for sharing!

Dan

Edited by MisterDan, 10 April 2025 - 11:58 PM.

[eblanken]

Hi Ric,

 

I love your taste in music . . . and it eyepieces too . . . 

 

Best,

 

Ed

[Highburymark]

I’ve always thought that visual astro gear is for looking through rather than looking at. But whatever happened to the aesthetics of eyepiece design? This collection looks Art Deco-influenced to me. So much more attractive than most modern EPs.

[desertlens]

With reference to my UO volcano tops, the phrase 'cold dead hands' comes to mind.

 

Edited by desertlens, 11 April 2025 - 05:14 PM.

[25585]

Oldish eyepieces:

 

Pentax XL range

Vixen LV range

Vixen LVW range

Vernonscope 40mm Erfle

TV 40mm Wide Field

TV 24mm Wide Field

TV 20mm type 2 Nagler

TV 40mm circle-NJ Plossl

TAL 25mm symmetrical

Meade 40mm SWA 4000

Meade 32mm SWA 4000

Meade 24mm SWA 4000

Takahashi 32mm Erfle

Vixen 32mm Erfle

Vixen 40mm Ortho

Circle-T 20mm Erfle

Meade 56mm 4000 Plossl

Celestron 32mm Erfle

Celestron 35mm Ultima

Baader 35mm Eudiascopic

[scotsman328i]

With reference to my UO volcano tops, the phrase 'cold dead hands' comes to mind.

 

UOvtop.jpeg

Yeah man! I love UO Ortho Circle-T volcano tops! I still curse the day I let my 25, 18 and 12.5 go! 

[Ric Whatley]

With reference to my UO volcano tops, the phrase 'cold dead hands' comes to mind.

 

UOvtop.jpeg

Now that's what I'm talking about. That's a rendition of Classical Glass! I do understand the reluctance to remove them from the case but c'mon. Get that one family portrait that you can share forever.

Edited by Ric Whatley, 11 April 2025 - 05:35 PM.

[desertlens]

In the case seemed the best way to present them. The only thing you'd learn otherwise is that these are late models with safety cuts. The last 2 were bought weeks before the demise of University Optics.

[Ric Whatley]

I’ve always thought that visual astro gear is for looking through rather than looking at. But whatever happened to the aesthetics of eyepiece design? This collection looks Art Deco-influenced to me. So much more attractive than most modern EPs.

I totally agree. this is Classical Aesthetics and they were once the thing to impress with when someone got to look through it. The sadest part is that the being looked through nights for of these eyepieces is for the most part over. Too many too precious to take a chance with. Most will not see starlight again until after I'm gone and my wife has to sell my collection. I know that's heartbreaking but I also have scratch and dent duplicates that can be used without worry. I just can't think of a good reason to ever take that 30mm Silvertop out of it's capsule again. Even the capsule is in bubble wrap.

[desertlens]

One should avoid any piece of equipment becoming too precious to use. There is a reason for the respect that many of these vintage eyepieces have garnered. That reason is made manifest in the image presented to the eye.

[Highburymark]

I totally agree. this is Classical Aesthetics and they were once the thing to impress with when someone got to look through it. The sadest part is that the being looked through nights for of these eyepieces is for the most part over. Too many too precious to take a chance with. Most will not see starlight again until after I'm gone and my wife has to sell my collection. I know that's heartbreaking but I also have scratch and dent duplicates that can be used without worry. I just can't think of a good reason to ever take that 30mm Silvertop out of its capsule again. Even the capsule is in bubble wrap.

I can think of a good reason. Do it. Use them! They may be beautiful and in pristine condition, but regretfully they’re not worth a huge amount on the used market.

[desertlens]

I love a good Latin quotation. In this case 'fac nunc' or 'do it now'. Life's too short to reserve your best stuff. Highburymark is on 'the mark'.

[scotsman328i]

Never understood that. Why would someone purchase something to put in a curio cabinet or keep in a case to look at, instead of look through? 

[Ric Whatley]

One should avoid any piece of equipment becoming too precious to use. There is a reason for the respect that many of these vintage eyepieces have garnered. That reason is made manifest in the image presented to the eye.

I get it, that's why I kept the scratch and dent ones that I picked up along the way. I have scratch and dent ones because people used them instead of putting them up for future generations to enjoy. Who knows how many of these will be around in 100 years. My collection will only have protection for a decade at the most. Familial early onset Alzhiemers will ensure someone gets my collection before too long. Even if they aren't put up, no one comes to look through my scopes and I don't go to star parties so I'm the only one that might miss out. Truth is, those circle NJs don't really present an image as good as we wish they did. Certainly not as good as the later circle Rs. The Silvertops are pretty but the silver top makes them reflect any ambient light. I love my Meade 4000s but when I put that legendary 14mm UWA in the focuser it's not long before I pull it out and put that 100° 14mm in. I still look through them occasionally but my enjoyment is mostly nostalgic thinking about the good old days. There's so many options these days and very little upside to taking a chance on dropping the unbelievably rare 30mm in the dark and cracking a lens on a tripod foot. I dropped a 26mm the other day in broad daylight on the concrete. I know why putting a collection up is heartbreaking to some. I really do. I also know that if someone doesn't make the sacrifice they won't be around for ever, and what a shame that would be.

Edited by Ric Whatley, 11 April 2025 - 07:16 PM.

[Ric Whatley]

Would it make ya'll feel better if you knew that this set gets used? Only a few are put up. The really pristine ones and the very rare.

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[scotsman328i]

Would it make ya'll feel better if you knew that this set gets used? Only a few are put up. The really pristine ones and the very rare.

Beautiful collection of classics! 

[TayM57]

Would it make ya'll feel better if you knew that this set gets used? Only a few are put up. The really pristine ones and the very rare.

I'm a wide field EP kind of guy, but even I can appreciate a collection of glass like that.

 

Hats off to you.
 

[Highburymark]

Would it make ya'll feel better if you knew that this set gets used? Only a few are put up. The really pristine ones and the very rare.

Wow - beautiful!

[SteveC]

If you are of a certain age, you will probably remember a song called “Classical Gas.” If you’re an old music fan like me you might, at least once known that it was played by classical guitarist Mason Williams and the orchestral accompaniment was provided by The Wrecking Crew. The other Saturday I was making breakfast when my music player spit out this timeless classic. As I was dancing and flipping pancakes my wife came in and asked what the name of that song was. Since I was thinking about an eyepiece that was coming in the mail that day, my response was “Classical Glass, no wait, Classical GAS.” At that moment I knew that classical glass might make a good topic for a discussion. So without further delay I present to you my rendition of “Classical Glass.” I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to yours.

 

Neighbors.jpg

 

 

 

Meade 4000s

               Celestron Silvertops

                                 Televue Circle NJs

Ric,

Those eyepieces are not made of gold, take them out of the box and use them. At this moment,  I have my TEC140 waiting in the garage with 6mm & 12mm Supermonos, 10mm & 16mm ZAO II's, and a 18mm TAO loaded in my TEC turret. I'm gonna get my money's worth of viewing before I leave this world. 

[doug mc]

My favourite barlow 

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[RichA]

Ric,

Those eyepieces are not made of gold, take them out of the box and use them. At this moment,  I have my TEC140 waiting in the garage with 6mm & 12mm Supermonos, 10mm & 16mm ZAO II's, and a 18mm TAO loaded in my TEC turret. I'm gonna get my money's worth of viewing before I leave this world. 

I know people who treat camera equipment they buy like religious icons.  Most never produce any images worth seeing.  Nice to have good sets of eyepieces and using them is even better.  You end up finding one will be the apex of the set using in a specific scope.  I remember being able to compare the TVs with the newly (then) released Meade Series 4000 Super Plossls.  Both were excellent with differences.