EPs as we get older

Discuss telescope eyepieces.
mcolbert
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EPs as we get older

#1

Post by mcolbert »


Browsing various classifieds I came across a few EPs that were of interest; a Tak LE and Pentax XW. On to some reviews, downloading some articles and reading some fascinating things about optics, comparisons (some purely re price) and so on. There were several people who did make the point about individual differences in eyesight, perception or how we observe. This led me to consider how our eyesight deteriorates over time and how we should take those yearly check ups seriously, but to get back on track, the question for me is how do our eyepiece collections change as we get older? Are there aspects of eyepieces that we should perhaps be aware of as we age? Obviously we notice any problems with our eyesight immediately, so are there EPs that we could keep on the back burner so to speak?
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Re: EPs as we get older

#2

Post by Michael131313 »


A very good question. I'll be waiting for someone to answer.
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Re: EPs as we get older

#3

Post by Ozman »


I'm not sure if a particular EP design would make a difference as we age, but exit pupil definitely will. You may find that an EP/scope that yields a 6-7mm exit pupil doesn't work as well for you as it once did, so now it's time to keep it at 5mm or less.
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Re: EPs as we get older

#4

Post by JayTee »


The other thing to consider is eye relief. As we get older and invariably need glasses, for some of us, that means keeping them on when viewing through the EP. So you will need an eye relief that accommodates your new spectacles!

Cheers,
JT

PS when talking about our eyes, I use a big font so you don't need your glasses! :o :lol: 8-) :investigator: jt
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
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Re: EPs as we get older

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


My EP collection just keeps getting fancier with years. :D I started with entry level EPs and traded them up, after a few rounds I am with Pentax XWs and TV Delites now. :lol:
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: EPs as we get older

#6

Post by mcolbert »


so, two practical factors so far;

1. exit pupil

2. eye relief

is there anything else that might need to be considered?

Thanks guys!
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Re: EPs as we get older

#7

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Yes! Transmission of light! The number of lenses and coatings quality definitely affect how much light gets through.

For best detection ability I use TV Plossls.
For best internal detail I use BCOs and KK Orthoscopics.
For wider afov it's TV Panoptic and Delos.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: EPs as we get older

#8

Post by mcolbert »


I was hesitating to raise the issue of perceived quality of the eyepiece as it is open to many perspectives. Thanks. ;)

So now there are three;
1. exit pupil
2. eye relief
3. quality of the ocular transmitting light
Refractor - APQ 130 Reflector - Meade SCT Au coating. Mount - AYOMaster (on order)
Cameras - Blads, D70s, D3300, Lunar and Planetary Cameras (2)
DIY Glass - German military and opthalmic sourced items, AGFA AVIPHOT DIA C
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Re: EPs as we get older

#9

Post by Bigzmey »


Don't forget sharpness and good contrast. Some EP designs (Plossls other than TeleVue, and Erfles for example) have soft focus and some like Orthos are very sharp.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: EPs as we get older

#10

Post by mcolbert »


So now there are four;
1. exit pupil
2. eye relief
3. quality of the ocular transmitting light
4. sharpness/good contrast.

Once we have a list together then perhaps there could be links to various eyepieces for people to consider the pros and cons of?
Refractor - APQ 130 Reflector - Meade SCT Au coating. Mount - AYOMaster (on order)
Cameras - Blads, D70s, D3300, Lunar and Planetary Cameras (2)
DIY Glass - German military and opthalmic sourced items, AGFA AVIPHOT DIA C
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Re: EPs as we get older

#11

Post by helicon »


I've noticed a bit of a decline in the length of exit pupils when using lower powered eyepieces in order to get a satisfactory view. It seems to occur at the edge of the field of view so I have to hold my head closer to the eyepiece than I used to. Darn aging!
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
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Re: EPs as we get older

#12

Post by Burris »


I have to wear reading glasses now days because my eyes don't FOCUS like they used to. I have noticed that I have to keep adjusting the oculars on my rifle scopes, backing them out. Some have hit their stops! Lol! Leupold told me to send them in and they will reset the ocular cell assemblies for me. Thank goodness our telescopes have enough focus adjustment! Did discover that a simple pair of 1.5 readers help while watching TV! Lol!
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Re: EPs as we get older

#13

Post by ab1963 »


The Docter 12.5mm is the best eyepiece on the planet at the moment IMO, I am 56yrs old and wear glasses and contact lenses and whether i wear either the Docter delivers it is like viewing through a premium ortho with 20mm er and 88deg fov and barlows flawlessly , I know they say it is 84deg but this is understated , Just works in any scope you put it in and is a marvel in optical correction....
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Re: EPs as we get older

#14

Post by mcolbert »


good recommendation there. Anyone else find them suitable?
Refractor - APQ 130 Reflector - Meade SCT Au coating. Mount - AYOMaster (on order)
Cameras - Blads, D70s, D3300, Lunar and Planetary Cameras (2)
DIY Glass - German military and opthalmic sourced items, AGFA AVIPHOT DIA C
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Re: EPs as we get older

#15

Post by Don Quixote »


The Doctor 12.5 is the "king" in my collection.
My first EP were the Pentax XW. They are the knights at the round table

"Comfort" of the view is a big deal for me. Relaxing at the scope helps. If I am pressed to get a view to beat the clouds or for some other reason find myself "rushing" to the view I don't see as well.

I am noticing that it seems to take longer to acquire dark adaptation than it ised to even two tears ago, but I don't think this has anything to do with the EP.

I have received recently a Meade 10 inch SCT and I am looking forward to discovering which EP work best behind this big glass.
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Re: EPs as we get older

#16

Post by Chich »


Astigmatism is an issue for some of us no matter what age.

Tele Vu (and maybe others) make a line of adapters to compensate for this.
http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=54
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Re: EPs as we get older

#17

Post by AntennaGuy »


If you have a lot of floaters in your eyes, then you don't want to let the exit pupil be too narrow either, since it makes the floaters stand out. A minimum of 1mm helps. I suspect that 1.0 - 5.0 mm is probably a good range for old eyes, and perhaps 0.4 - 7.0 mm works for young eyes.
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Re: EPs as we get older

#18

Post by Bigzmey »


Don Quixote wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:33 am The Doctor 12.5 is the "king" in my collection.
My first EP were the Pentax XW. They are the knights at the round table

"Comfort" of the view is a big deal for me. Relaxing at the scope helps. If I am pressed to get a view to beat the clouds or for some other reason find myself "rushing" to the view I don't see as well.

I am noticing that it seems to take longer to acquire dark adaptation than it ised to even two tears ago, but I don't think this has anything to do with the EP.

I have received recently a Meade 10 inch SCT and I am looking forward to discovering which EP work best behind this big glass.
Your EP collection will work great in 10" SCT. Maybe add a Plossl or wide field in 30-50mm range?
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: EPs as we get older

#19

Post by Don Quixote »


Bigzmey wrote: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:32 am
Don Quixote wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:33 am The Doctor 12.5 is the "king" in my collection.
My first EP were the Pentax XW. They are the knights at the round table

"Comfort" of the view is a big deal for me. Relaxing at the scope helps. If I am pressed to get a view to beat the clouds or for some other reason find myself "rushing" to the view I don't see as well.

I am noticing that it seems to take longer to acquire dark adaptation than it ised to even two tears ago, but I don't think this has anything to do with the EP.

I have received recently a Meade 10 inch SCT and I am looking forward to discovering which EP work best behind this big glass.
Your EP collection will work great in 10" SCT. Maybe add a Plossl or wide field in 30-50mm range?
Thank you Andrey.
I have a 40mm plossl and a 2 inch ES 35mm. I have been thinking about this very thing. They work OK in my 8 inch Sct. I have yet to blood the 10 inch. But soon I hope. I am in the process of acquiring mounting hardware.
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Re: EPs as we get older

#20

Post by allen g »


Galileo had cataracts and as we age it is probable most of us will as well. Today's surgery makes a big difference. I few years ago I had my cataract surgery at ucla. The surgeon developed a technique called astigmatism management and what a difference the entire procedure made in my viewing - like a new set of eyes.
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