How many eyepieces should we have?

Discuss telescope eyepieces.
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Seeker
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How many eyepieces should we have?

#1

Post by Seeker »


I am interested to know what others think on this subject.

My personal opinion is it's OK to own as many as we prefer to afford.

For many I assume eyepieces are a bit like owning gold. They are part of your astronomy portfolio. You may own more or less. The value may go up or down, but you enjoy just knowing you that you have them. You can fall back on them whether needed or not. It's just part of the satisfying acquisitive nature of this or of any hobby.

What do others think? For me the ideal number is as many as you like! Help yourself!
TELESCOPES: GSO 10" Dob, Orion XT8i . BINOS: 15x70, 12x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EYEPIECES: 2" - APM's. 1.25" - APM's, Morphei & BHZ + TV P2.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#2

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Seeker wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:09 pm I am interested to know what others think on this subject.

My personal opinion is it's OK to own as many as we prefer to afford.

For many I assume eyepieces are a bit like owning gold. They are part of your astronomy portfolio. You may own more or less. The value may go up or down, but you enjoy just knowing you that you have them. You can fall back on them whether needed or not. It's just part of the satisfying acquisitive nature of this or of any hobby.

What do others think? For me the ideal number is as many as you like! Help yourself!
I can't disagree with that. :)
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: How many eyepieces should we have?

#3

Post by Bigzmey »


Ideal number of EPs = EPs you already have +1

Same rule applies to scopes. :D
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: How many eyepieces should we have?

#4

Post by MistrBadgr »


Seeker wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:09 pm I am interested to know what others think on this subject.

My personal opinion is it's OK to own as many as we prefer to afford.

For many I assume eyepieces are a bit like owning gold. They are part of your astronomy portfolio. You may own more or less. The value may go up or down, but you enjoy just knowing you that you have them. You can fall back on them whether needed or not. It's just part of the satisfying acquisitive nature of this or of any hobby.

What do others think? For me the ideal number is as many as you like! Help yourself!
That is basically what I think as well. I know people who have told me that all you need is three well thought out eyepieces and a couple of Barlows. The main person who has told me that used to have a lot of eyepieces and spent a lot of time switching back and forth and not really viewing an object. I can understand what she was saying. I may only use a few eyepieces, depending on what kind of objects I am going after. However, I normally have quite a few with me, because I like the option of using them, even if I don't actually do it.
Bill Steen
Many small scopes, plus a Lightbridge 12, LX 70-8R,6R,6M
Many eyepieces, just not really expensive ones.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#5

Post by Ruud »


Forty-two.

That is enough. Less will do, but a proper astronomer has forty-two eyepieces.
7x50 Helios Apollo 8x42 Bresser Everest 73mm f/5.9 WO APO 4" f/5 TeleVue Genesis 6" f/10 Celestron 6SE 0.63x reducer 1.8, 2, 2.5 and 3x Barlows eyepieces from 4.5 to 34mm
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#6

Post by Lady Fraktor »


How about groups of 42? ;)

I agree with you Seeker. I have many but I do rotate through them, some more than others though.
It also depends on which telescope I am using that evening as some work better than others at certain focal lengths/ apertures/ objects
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#7

Post by Seeker »


Seeker wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:09 pm I am interested to know what others think on this subject.

My personal opinion is it's OK to own as many as we prefer to afford.

For many I assume eyepieces are a bit like owning gold. They are part of your astronomy portfolio. You may own more or less. The value may go up or down, but you enjoy just knowing that you have them. You can fall back on them whether needed or not. It's just part of the satisfying acquisitive nature of this or of any hobby.

What do others think? For me the ideal number is as many as you like! Help yourself!
TELESCOPES: GSO 10" Dob, Orion XT8i . BINOS: 15x70, 12x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EYEPIECES: 2" - APM's. 1.25" - APM's, Morphei & BHZ + TV P2.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#8

Post by Seeker »


42 sounds good to me! Even better, 42 +1! As long as I don't have to go to divorce court over it. I DO love my wife!
TELESCOPES: GSO 10" Dob, Orion XT8i . BINOS: 15x70, 12x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EYEPIECES: 2" - APM's. 1.25" - APM's, Morphei & BHZ + TV P2.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#9

Post by John Fitzgerald »


About 23: 4mm,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,22,24,28,30,32,40mm. :lol:
Double and multiple star observer. Over 3,500 unique pairs logged.

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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#10

Post by AstroBee »


I have 6 and that pretty much covers my needs. 4mm is the highest mag and 30mm the lowest.
Greg M.~ "Ad Astra per Aspera"
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#11

Post by Bigzmey »


AstroBee wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:10 pm I have 6 and that pretty much covers my needs. 4mm is the highest mag and 30mm the lowest.
But you are doing mostly AP, right? ;)
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: How many eyepieces should we have?

#12

Post by Ozypic »


Well I have a 10 and a 25 and a Celestron 8/24mm Zoom EP,
I know thats a pretty miserable effort and I have looked into buying others but it all comes back to the same thing.... when I look through them I squint and my eyes tear and go blurry. I just think well whats the use of buying another ? But I keep squinting away... haha..... Phill
Phill. Dreaming of Clear Skys .... :D :D :D
SCOPE : Skywatcher 120X600 ST Achromatic Refractor. 
EP's : 25mm & 10mm Plossl , Celestron 8/24mm Zoom EP,
Filters : Solar filter, Badder Fringe Killer & Moon/Skyglow. 
MOUNT : Skywatcher Star Discovery goto Mount.
CAMERAS : ZWO 120 asi MC. / Sony HX400V 50X Zoom.
Binoculars : Saxon 10x50
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#13

Post by AstroBee »


Bigzmey wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:22 pm
AstroBee wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:10 pm I have 6 and that pretty much covers my needs. 4mm is the highest mag and 30mm the lowest.
But you are doing mostly AP, right? ;)
When I'm by myself, yes. But with our club, we are always doing monthly star parties for the public. But I generally only pull out two eyepieces at those. The 30mm and 6.7mm Explore Scientific.
Greg M.~ "Ad Astra per Aspera"
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#14

Post by Lady Fraktor »


John Fitzgerald wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:50 pm About 23: 4mm,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,22,24,28,30,32,40mm. :lol:
You need to round that set out with a 1.6, 2, 2.4, 2.5, 3, 3.8, 4.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.4, 12.5, 16.5, 25. :D
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#15

Post by Jones »


Do not count eyepieces, count sets of lenses.
You need a planetary set,
An 82 degree set for galactic targets,
An ortho/plossl set, maybe 2 cause you can get a whole lot of lenses in a small case.
A zoom set, maybe 2 of these,
A sun set, do not want to expose expensive lenses to the heat of the sun.
A travel set, sort of a minimal set since you don't wanna travel with a large case.
If you like Barlow's maybe a case just for these.
And then you need a case for your diagonals,
Then there are 2 inch eyepieces,
And on and on you can go...
Arizona- where the sky's are not cloudy all night.

Triple lensed fracs are so yummy when looking at planets.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#16

Post by j.gardavsky »


Jones wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:14 am Do not count eyepieces, count sets of lenses.
You need a planetary set,
An 82 degree set for galactic targets,
An ortho/plossl set, maybe 2 cause you can get a whole lot of lenses in a small case.
A zoom set, maybe 2 of these,
A sun set, do not want to expose expensive lenses to the heat of the sun.
A travel set, sort of a minimal set since you don't wanna travel with a large case.
If you like Barlow's maybe a case just for these.
And then you need a case for your diagonals,
Then there are 2 inch eyepieces,
And on and on you can go...
This is the correct approach to the eyepieces.

What's needed are the sets for the specific observing projects.
Otherwise people end with hoarding too many eyepieces, and eventually missing some eyepieces needed.

Best,
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#17

Post by OzEclipse »


Glib answer: one more than you currently have.

When using my 18" f5.5, I mainly use
Nagler 31mm 17mm and 21mm & 14mm Denkmeiers.

When seeing is excellent, I will occasionally use a Pentax XW10 and 7mm Nagler. A Pentax XW5 will give 500X. Even if the atmosphere is super stable, the push to scope is hard to track along at 500X. I have only owned the 5mm for about a month. Have not yet had an excellent night to try it out, but I think I won't like it.

When using my 6"f7 I only use 1.25" eyepieces
40mm Kellner, 21mm &14mm Denkmeier, Meade 25mm & 12mm Orthoscopics, Pentax XW5 & XW10, and 7mm Nagler.

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Mounts: Takahashi EM-200, iOptron iEQ45, Push dobsonian with Nexus DSC, three homemade EQ's.
Eyepieces: TV Naglers 31, 17, 12, 7; Denkmeier D21 & D14; Pentax XW10, XW5, Unitron 40mm Kellner, Meade Or 25,12
Cameras : Pentax K1, K5, K01, K10D / VIDEO CAMS : TacosBD, Lihmsec.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#18

Post by KathyNS »


N+1
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#19

Post by pakarinen »


I have a 40, 25, two 15s, 12, 10, 9, and a 6. I'm a minimalist wannabe, so I think I could get by with a 25, 15, and a 2X Barlow.
Or maybe one really good zoom? :think: Dunno, never tried one.
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Re: How many eyepieces should we have?

#20

Post by MistrBadgr »


John Fitzgerald wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:50 pm About 23: 4mm,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,22,24,28,30,32,40mm. :lol:
You really need a 26 to keep the order from looking snaggle-toothed and a 36 to keep the 40 from feeling lonesome! ;)
Bill Steen
Many small scopes, plus a Lightbridge 12, LX 70-8R,6R,6M
Many eyepieces, just not really expensive ones.
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