17 replies to this topic

[Bart]

Hi Folks, 

 

What would I expect to pay for a complete set of University Optics Volcano Top Orthoscopic eyepieces in boxes? 

 

Thanks

Edited by Bart, 24 June 2025 - 03:43 PM.

[SeattleScott]

I generally feel like they go for around $40 individually. Typically one offers a discount when selling multiples, because it saves shipping, and there is an assumption that the buyer might not need everything and will likely part out some of it. Now when talking about a full set of vintage eyepieces, who the heck knows. You are potentially getting into collectors territory. Especially if the set is in great condition, it might sell for more than $40/piece because you can buy the whole set at once. UO isn’t exactly Takahashi or Brandon. But if someone grew up using them, they might pay more out of nostalgia. Just in terms of performance, relative to other available used options, yeah, probably around $40/piece. But if there is a collector specifically looking for UO Orthos out of nostalgia, and prefers to grab a whole set at once rather than spend nine months stalking CN Classifieds and eBay, they might pay a significant premium. So if I was a seller and had such a set in great condition, I would probably start out high with the hopes of finding a collector. If that doesn’t pan out, no offers for a few days, then either offer them individually for around $40, or offer them as a set only and maybe charge $25-30 per piece, basically selling at a discount for convenience and let someone else mess with parting it out for you.

So ultimately there are a couple dynamics: generally what the eyepieces are worth relative to the competition, and what a collector might be willing to pay. Some are willing to pay a premium for a complete set of the same thing, or for nostalgia. Others aren’t. It just depends on if there is a collector looking for a full set at the time.

[NinePlanets]

I'd expect to pay a bit more, especially if in pristine condition. Also if they were the later, multicoarted versions.

Edited by NinePlanets, 24 June 2025 - 04:28 PM.

[Lensman]

Grab them

[John Rose]

Last years Stellafane swap tables I bought a really nice University Optics 25mm multicoated Orthoscopic in box with caps for $50.  Seller had been asking $60. 

[photoracer18]

For about 20 years I had a set of the UO Professional Series Orthos which I and they considered their best eyepieces. In the 90's Gary Hand gave me double what I paid for them originally in the early 70's which was over $200. These were the flat top Orthos, 4mm, 6.8mm, 10.2mm, and 28mm plus the set included the 16mm Konig. And they were so early they were not even the later multicoated versions. These were the ones that came in their own little individual leather cases. These were not made by Towa but instead by Nihon Seiko. There is one of the 16mm Konigs for sale in Ad #413010 asking $94. The Orthos look exactly like this Konig.

[azure1961p]

I generally feel like they go for around $40 individually. Typically one offers a discount when selling multiples, because it saves shipping, and there is an assumption that the buyer might not need everything and will likely part out some of it. Now when talking about a full set of vintage eyepieces, who the heck knows. You are potentially getting into collectors territory. Especially if the set is in great condition, it might sell for more than $40/piece because you can buy the whole set at once. UO isn’t exactly Takahashi or Brandon. But if someone grew up using them, they might pay more out of nostalgia. Just in terms of performance, relative to other available used options, yeah, probably around $40/piece. But if there is a collector specifically looking for UO Orthos out of nostalgia, and prefers to grab a whole set at once rather than spend nine months stalking CN Classifieds and eBay, they might pay a significant premium. So if I was a seller and had such a set in great condition, I would probably start out high with the hopes of finding a collector. If that doesn’t pan out, no offers for a few days, then either offer them individually for around $40, or offer them as a set only and maybe charge $25-30 per piece, basically selling at a discount for convenience and let someone else mess with parting it out for you.

So ultimately there are a couple dynamics: generally what the eyepieces are worth relative to the competition, and what a collector might be willing to pay. Some are willing to pay a premium for a complete set of the same thing, or for nostalgia. Others aren’t. It just depends on if there is a collector looking for a full set at the time.

Back when I got them they were $50 individually. This goes back to... 2012 maybe? 2014?  Brand new if they were sold today, probably $80.00

 

Pete

[SeattleScott]

Back when I got them they were $50 individually. This goes back to... 2012 maybe? 2014? Brand new if they were sold today, probably $80.00

Pete

Looks like Fujiyamas are $95 now, so that feels about right. So $50 individually used seems reasonable.

[dmgriff]

I have a UO 12mm ortho and a 12.5mm Tak Abbe that I consider equal in performance.

[cst4]

I have pairs of the 12.5mm, 18mm, and 25mm UO volcano-top orthos.  Nice eyepieces... quite sharp.  These vintage UO orthos are collectables that many seek out and will pay a decent price for.  If they are near mint with box then I would expect them to sell even at $70 or $80 a piece.  

[helpwanted]

I have a UO 12mm ortho and a 12.5mm Tak Abbe that I consider equal in performance.

I will add to this the Fuji Orthos. At one point I had all three but sold the Tak & UO because I have a complete set of Fujis. Otherwise I felt they were all the same eyepiece. 

[Scott99]

I will add to this the Fuji Orthos. At one point I had all three but sold the Tak & UO because I have a complete set of Fujis. Otherwise I felt they were all the same eyepiece. 

To me it seems like the Fujis are equal to the UO HD orthos - best coatings - and so therefore a touch above the volcano-tops in performance.  The Fuji's are wonderful eyepieces IMO.  They have better coatings that all UO eyepieces except for the very last years when they were selling UO HD orthos IMO.

[Refractor6]

  Back when I got my complete set of orthos what the local shop didn't have in UO they had from Antares in the volcano tops. Both look identical except the company names on them and both were made by the same Japanese maker back then around 2001-2002.

 

 Can't find a UO volcano top...look for a  Antares from around the same period in time. Price wise in Can. dollars no idea...mine are not for sale...

Edited by Refractor6, 25 June 2025 - 11:49 AM.

[cst4]

I compared my UO volcano-tops to the Fuji orthos several times.  I couldn't ever tell a lick of difference between them.  But the volcano-top design is more comfortable than a flat top, especially in shorter focal lengths, so I ended up selling the Fujis and collecting the UO's.  I wish modern day manufacturers would adopt the volcano-top design... seems like a no-brainer to me as it allows you to get in a little closer when the eye relief is short. 

[Scott99]

I compared my UO volcano-tops to the Fuji orthos several times.  I couldn't ever tell a lick of difference between them.  But the volcano-top design is more comfortable than a flat top, especially in shorter focal lengths, so I ended up selling the Fujis and collecting the UO's.  I wish modern day manufacturers would adopt the volcano-top design... seems like a no-brainer to me as it allows you to get in a little closer when the eye relief is short. 

That was my thought on the Fuji's as well - I wish they'd gone with a volcano-top versus the flat top.  Still, I like the Fuji's better than the UO HD ortho body which is also flat and I believe they all came with the infernal safety groove

[Mike Allen]

The price you will pay will certainly depend on condition.  An ocular without original dust caps and box in average condition might command up to $40.  With box and caps, and multi-coatings of the newer version, in collectible condition, I would expect to pay up to $60.  Three in my collection are near mint and have a gold colored 50th anniversary sticker on the box, and I would expect pay a little more for such an item.

 

When the Fuji University orthos were first offered, I called Mr. Seyfried and asked about their performance.  His comment was basically that he could not tell much difference from the Tani volcano tops, except some people felt the newer orthos were somewhat better on the planets.  Even though I owned a complete collection of University multicoated volcano top orthos, I ended up ordering an 18, 12, and 9mm Fuji.  I’m no expert, but over the years since then, I have compared them extensively in many scopes, and have not yet seen a difference in my eye, even on the planets.  The Fuji’s now sit in a separate case of unused backup oculars.

 

Mr. Seyfried deserves great credit for providing the amateur astronomy community with very high quality products at a reasonable price, that have stood the test of time into the 21st century.  Those of us who have had the chance to talk to him, and use his offerings, have had our time under the starry night sky greatly enhanced.

[Scott99]

Mr. Seyfried deserves great credit for providing the amateur astronomy community with very high quality products at a reasonable price, that have stood the test of time into the 21st century.  Those of us who have had the chance to talk to him, and use his offerings, have had our time under the starry night sky greatly enhanced.

Amen to that!  Another huge UO fan here.  It seems he always sought out the best coatings & glass from Japan and you count on that.  Without any hype or fancy branding and advertising.  When Tele Vue eyepieces came out during the 80's and 90's, I found they were not using the best coatings and glass of the era, not at all.   That was clearly judged lower priority for them during those years.  Wide field and edge sharpness was #1, but with more reflective coatings and a yellow tinge to the views in my experience.
 

[John Anthony]

Happiness is two sets of University Optics Volcano top Ortho’s 

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