I'm looking to buy a zoom .

[messier 111]

hi all ,
I'm looking to buy a zoom lens for my new friend Lunt 80mm Solar MT.
several people tell me about the zoom, Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68°.
Is there something better or is this the one I should use?
Thank you in advance for your advice.

[OzEclipse]

The Baader has a pretty good reputation. I have not seen through one myself.

I have the Pentax XF zoom 6-19mm is nice and sharp but is only 40 degrees at 19mm up to 60 degrees at 6mm. It is much cheaper than the Baader, I got mine new late last year for about USD 70 (AUD111). Even so, at 6mm in my 6" f7 scope, when seeing cooperates, I get a nice sharp contrasty image of planets at 170X.

I bought it in main part for my 6" telescope and also to use in a smaller refractor for example during eclipses. The zoom mechanism is quite firm, so that it does not slip. Normally a good thing.

However, the focuser on the 6" is a friction twist and slide focuser. Beautiful smooth focusing motion, as good as any Feather Touch or Moonlight, but no locking mechanism, everything held by light friction.

.


Hence I can't just twist the zoom to change mag in that scope. I have to pull the eyepiece out, hold the base and adjust it. But in any other standard compression ring lock focuser, (all my other scopes), it adjusts very easily with a simple twist of one hand.

Joe

[Bigzmey]

Baader Mark IV is the best zoom among those I have tried. Very comfortable to use, good image quality, wide angle as far as zoom EPs go and plenty of eye relief. With 2x barlow it covers full EP FL range for my 80mm ED scope.

Are there better zooms? TV 3-6mm has a good following. But I would say it is more specialized (planetary) zoom. A few people I trust swear by Leica zooms, but those are priced accordingly.

[Lady Fraktor]

The Baader is a good choice as well as the APM zoom. Both are about the same price at David Astro and I would also recommend the APM/ TMB 1.8x add on lens for either.
The Leica is amazing but expect to pay half as much again of the APM/ Baader.

The TeleVue 2-4/ 3-6 mm variables are good as well as the Speers-Waler 5-8 mm Series 1 or 2.
Variable means the AFOV stays the same instead of changing like a standard zoom.
Other than the 3-6 mm you would have to check used equipment sites for the others.

[AstroBee]

My Lunt 80mm came with a zoom eyepiece. It's pretty decent. Actually, since I do mostly imaging, it is the only eyepiece I have ever used in the Lunt.

[messier 111]

The Baader has a pretty good reputation. I have not seen through one myself.

I have the Pentax XF zoom 6-19mm is nice and sharp but is only 40 degrees at 19mm up to 60 degrees at 6mm. It is much cheaper than the Baader, I got mine new late last year for about USD 70 (AUD111). Even so, at 6mm in my 6" f7 scope, when seeing cooperates, I get a nice sharp contrasty image of planets at 170X.

I bought it in main part for my 6" telescope and also to use in a smaller refractor for example during eclipses. The zoom mechanism is quite firm, so that it does not slip. Normally a good thing.

However, the focuser on the 6" is a friction twist and slide focuser. Beautiful smooth focusing motion, as good as any Feather Touch or Moonlight, but no locking mechanism, everything held by light friction.

IMG_1589 copy.jpg.


Hence I can't just twist the zoom to change mag in that scope. I have to pull the eyepiece out, hold the base and adjust it. But in any other standard compression ring lock focuser, (all my other scopes), it adjusts very easily with a simple twist of one hand.

Joe

thx Joe for the input .

[messier 111]

The Baader is a good choice as well as the APM zoom. Both are about the same price at David Astro and I would also recommend the APM/ TMB 1.8x add on lens for either.
The Leica is amazing but expect to pay half as much again of the APM/ Baader.

The TeleVue 2-4/ 3-6 mm variables are good as well as the Speers-Waler 5-8 mm Series 1 or 2.
Variable means the AFOV stays the same instead of changing like a standard zoom.
Other than the 3-6 mm you would have to check used equipment sites for the others.

Thank you for the information, I will take note of it.

[messier 111]

Baader Mark IV is the best zoom among those I have tried. Very comfortable to use, good image quality, wide angle as far as zoom EPs go and plenty of eye relief. With 2x barlow it covers full EP FL range for my 80mm ED scope.

Are there better zooms? TV 3-6mm has a good following. But I would say it is more specialized (planetary) zoom. A few people I trust swear by Leica zooms, but those are priced accordingly.

thx Bigzmey , noted also .

[messier 111]

My Lunt 80mm came with a zoom eyepiece. It's pretty decent. Actually, since I do mostly imaging, it is the only eyepiece I have ever used in the Lunt.

thx Greg , Thanks for the info, I'll take note of it.

[Richard]

Ok I dont observe the Sun much but as its bright why expensive Zooms ? will a cheap celestron 8-24 (other makes of same available) not work as well ?

[messier 111]

Ok I dont observe the Sun much but as its bright why expensive Zooms ? will a cheap celestron 8-24 (other makes of same available) not work as well ?

I already have 2 Orion 8-24 for my binoviewer, but I was looking to see if there was something better.
To tell the truth, I think that the Orion zooms are not difficult to beat.

[Bigzmey]

Ok I dont observe the Sun much but as its bright why expensive Zooms ? will a cheap celestron 8-24 (other makes of same available) not work as well ?

I already have 2 Orion 8-24 for my binoviewer, but I was looking to see if there was something better.
To tell the truth, I think that the Orion zooms are not difficult to beat.

Not sure about solar, but for nighttime observing Baader Mark IV would be a big difference from Orion 8-24.

[messier 111]

Ok I dont observe the Sun much but as its bright why expensive Zooms ? will a cheap celestron 8-24 (other makes of same available) not work as well ?

I already have 2 Orion 8-24 for my binoviewer, but I was looking to see if there was something better.
To tell the truth, I think that the Orion zooms are not difficult to beat.

Not sure about solar, but for nighttime observing Baader Mark IV would be a big difference from Orion 8-24.

I just read a review on the baader zoom and apparently it is excellent for solar observation.
I found this report on a site dedicated to solar observation. I am continuing my research on the subject, thank you for the feedback.

[OzEclipse]

Ok I dont observe the Sun much but as its bright why expensive Zooms ? will a cheap celestron 8-24 (other makes of same available) not work as well ?

A better quality eyepiece with higher transmission may show fainter details especially fainter stars due to tighter focussed points but that's only part of the story.

A better quality eyepiece, providing the objective is of good quality, allows optics to achieve and display their best resolution. Nothing to do with the brightness of the subject, sun, moon, planets or deep sky. Although a premium eyepiece is always a joy to use, if anything, I find that a good quality eyepiece makes a bigger difference and is more important on bright solar system objects to eliminate flare, maximise contrast and resolve fine detail.

Joe

[Mike Q]

I have run the Baader and Orion's 8 to 24 Lanth side by side. Is the Baader better? It is brighter to be sure, but not 100 bucks brighter. Neither were truly parfocal but they were both close. The Baader had positive stops at each power setting, the Orion is just a smooth turn, it's a personal choice as to which one you like. Also involved in the test was the Celestron model, we all agreed that it was the worst of the bunch. Three of us spent a couple hours with them and we all agreed the Baader was the best optically but the Orion was only a half step behind it.

[messier 111]

I have run the Baader and Orion's 8 to 24 Lanth side by side. Is the Baader better? It is brighter to be sure, but not 100 bucks brighter. Neither were truly parfocal but they were both close. The Baader had positive stops at each power setting, the Orion is just a smooth turn, it's a personal choice as to which one you like. Also involved in the test was the Celestron model, we all agreed that it was the worst of the bunch. Three of us spent a couple hours with them and we all agreed the Baader was the best optically but the Orion was only a half step behind it.

thx Mike,
The more I think about it, the less certain I want a zoom.
As I already said I already have 2 Zoom Orions, so if I have the chance to see what it can do with my lunt [the Baader], I will make my decision afterwards.

[Mike Q]

I have run the Baader and Orion's 8 to 24 Lanth side by side. Is the Baader better? It is brighter to be sure, but not 100 bucks brighter. Neither were truly parfocal but they were both close. The Baader had positive stops at each power setting, the Orion is just a smooth turn, it's a personal choice as to which one you like. Also involved in the test was the Celestron model, we all agreed that it was the worst of the bunch. Three of us spent a couple hours with them and we all agreed the Baader was the best optically but the Orion was only a half step behind it.

thx Mike,
The more I think about it, the less certain I want a zoom.
As I already said I already have 2 Zoom Orions, so if I have the chance to see what it can do with my lunt [the Baader], I will make my decision afterwards.

One thing I have noticed is I don't use it like I used to, while the images are good in the variables they are no match for a fixed power eyepiece. Now days I use for alignment and that's about it.

[Lady Fraktor]

I am not sure how different the coatings are between the Lunt and Coronado offerings but using the Coronado I have found the Vixen LV series has always put up one of the best views.
If you check online reviews there are many others that agree.
I did use the Vixen 7-21mm zoom but normally preferred fixed focal lengths.

[messier 111]

I am not sure how different the coatings are between the Lunt and Coronado offerings but using the Coronado I have found the Vixen LV series has always put up one of the best views.
If you check online reviews there are many others that agree.
I did use the Vixen 7-21mm zoom but normally preferred fixed focal lengths.

I'll look into that, thanks for the info.

[Don Pensack]

Zooms can be sharp, but they have very narrow fields of view in general.
The Leica Aspherical and the APM Super Zoom are two exceptions.
The Svbony 3-8mm Zoom also has a wider field than most.
Here is a page of Zoom measurements taken in a lab:
https://astro-talks.ru/forum/viewtopic. ... 83#p101290
yellow = exceptional image quality.
Blue = poor image quality