Eyepiece poll

Discuss telescope eyepieces.
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Mike Q United States of America
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Eyepiece poll

#1

Post by Mike Q »

So this is for kicks and grins and to satisfy my own curiosity. There are no wrong answers and we dont need to know why, but what are your top two mosted used eyepieces in your scopes by focal length. Dont worry about name brands, just focal length and FOV. I would particularly interested to know if you use them in more then one scope.


Here are my choices

In my dobs scopes it seems the most used eyepieces are almost always a 13/14mm and a 20mm at either 80 or 100 degree FOV.

In the SCT, its seems that a 20mm 80 degree or 26mm 70 degree get used a bunch, but the jury is still out on this one.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#2

Post by messier 111 »

the ones I use the most now are my two Svbony 7-21 zoom, 2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° with my binoviewer .
they are used mainly with my 82mm binoculars and my 80mm ha lunt.
REFRACTORS , . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor . William Optics ZenithStar 81 Doublet APO f/6.9 .
BINOS REFRACTOR , apm 82mm sd .
BINOS , Celestron 7x50 made in Japan .
Seestar S50 Smart Telescope .
EYEPIECES, 26mm Nagler t5 , 2-zoom Svbony 7-21 ,2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° ,2 x 18mm apm flat field , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
FILTERS, Nebustar 2 tele vue .Celestron uhc . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches and 2 x 1,25 inche .
MOUNTS , cg-4 ,MANFROTO 028 B and fluide head 608 .
Starbound Adjustable Observing Chair .

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Re: Eyepiece poll

#3

Post by Mike Q »

messier 111 wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:36 pm the ones I use the most now are my two Svbony 7-21 zoom, 2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° with my binoviewer .
they are used mainly with my 82mm binoculars and my 80mm ha lunt.

Thanks for playing.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#4

Post by Mike Q »

messier 111 wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:36 pm the ones I use the most now are my two Svbony 7-21 zoom, 2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° with my binoviewer .
they are used mainly with my 82mm binoculars and my 80mm ha lunt.
Do you usually end up at a specfic focal length with those two eyepieces?
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#5

Post by StarHugger »

Hands down the GSO Eyepiece Projection 32 & 40mm 1.25's

Like them because they have the largest eye lens of any of the plossls and are the most adjustable for camera work or exit pupil.

My set are adapted with top mounted circular polarizers to allow for use with polararized solar filtering systems such as quarks and solar wedges, an excellent way to add contrast to solar observing for those with impared or missing binocular vision components like myself that are left unable to use binoviewers.

Like alot of old timers here I have a ton of eyepieces but only a handful of favs...
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Solar Kitchen Observatory USA, Est. 2019 - Observation, Imaging, Online Outreach & Cooperative Collaboration Utilizing Commercial, Prototypical, "Atypical" And "Experimental" Solar Filtrations, Equipment, Solutions & Techniques. Specializing In Wavelength Specific Colour Solar Imaging Employing My Own Custom Built Multiple Element Filtering Systems Designed Specifically For In Colour Solar Imaging & Processing. Telescopium - Celestron SkyProdigy 130mm Modified Solar Newtonian / Astro-tech AT80ed / AT70ed / AT50 / Filtra - BP-WL / SH-393nm / SH-430nm / SH-486nm / SH-518nm / BP-540nm / SH-588nm / DS-656nm / SH-720NirNb / Ad Astra Contendere & Optima Fortuna et Caeli Omnibus!
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#6

Post by Thefatkitty »

For me it's my Kokusai Kohki 1.25" Fujiyama HD-OR Orthoscopic Eyepieces. I have the 25, 18, 12.5 and 9mm's. I bought these on recommendations from folks on here (well really the old AF) and am very pleased with them, especially at under $100 USD each.
The 18mm (to me) is such a "perfect" eyepiece I bought two, in case I either A) break/lose one, or B) get a binoviewer one day. Neither event has come to pass yet.

The FOV is only 42*, but it's tack sharp from edge to edge in each one. I use my long f/l fracs with these for visual. The views of the planets are always a Wow moment, and even things like the Pleiades and Orion are just stunning. Not going to get it all in the FOV, but it's fun to cruise around.

I bought these off Agena Astro back in 2018, good luck finding them now. APMTelescopes has a few, but that's all I can find for retailers.

All the best,
Mark

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Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

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Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#7

Post by The Wave Catcher »

I use my 8 mm and 15 mm, 82°, 52°, or 60° the most with my f/7 refractors.
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The best telescope is the one you're going to use. Here is what I use the most:
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#8

Post by Ylem »

My favorite EP is definitely my 24mm 68° (Orion). It gives the maximum FOV in the 1.25 format with more magnification than a 32mm Plossl.

For example it provides the same FOV in a ST80 at 4° and slightly more magnification to darken the LP'ed sky.

In an SCT, which due to it's long focal length and narrow FOV the 24/68 is a blessing :)

I have a few 2" EPs that I use sometimes in the 80ED, but I still reach for the 24/68.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#9

Post by Thefatkitty »

I forgot to mention these, been a while since I've had clear skies for viewing or anything...

Image01.jpg
Image02.jpg


Bought these on a local buy and sell in 2020 for $60 CDN each. The Antares is a total planet-killer at 15mm with its 5 element lens, and the two "volcano-tops" from the early 80's are not far behind for performance. Funny how every good eyepiece I have is made in Japan, much like my fracs.

Well Mike, you're making me yearn for a clear and warmer night and healed ribs. Wonder which will happen first?
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

Solar:
HA - PST stage 2 mod with 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#10

Post by Mike Q »

Thefatkitty wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 1:46 am I forgot to mention these, been a while since I've had clear skies for viewing or anything...


Image01.jpgImage02.jpg



Bought these on a local buy and sell in 2020 for $60 CDN each. The Antares is a total planet-killer at 15mm with its 5 element lens, and the two "volcano-tops" from the early 80's are not far behind for performance. Funny how every good eyepiece I have is made in Japan, much like my fracs.

Well Mike, you're making me yearn for a clear and warmer night and healed ribs. Wonder which will happen first?
If you were in Ohio i would say your ribs will heal before you get a clear night lol
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#11

Post by KathyNS »

Either a 27mm Panoptic if I want to go wide, or a 6mm W70 if I want to go deep.

The 27mm is my Wow! eyepiece. It gives the most awesome rich-field view. It corrects well for my Newtonian by itself and is astoundingly crisp with a Paracorr. It is what I use when giving visitors a peek, and the reaction is always, "Wow!!"

The 6mm is poorly corrected for a Newt, and is not what I'd choose if I were buying one today. But for small targets that need magnification and that only occupy the centre of the FOV, it works fine.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#12

Post by messier 111 »

Mike Q wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 3:42 pm
messier 111 wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:36 pm the ones I use the most now are my two Svbony 7-21 zoom, 2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° with my binoviewer .
they are used mainly with my 82mm binoculars and my 80mm ha lunt.
Do you usually end up at a specfic focal length with those two eyepieces?
with my binoculars yes.
with the lunt no, it depends mainly on the sky conditions.
REFRACTORS , . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor . William Optics ZenithStar 81 Doublet APO f/6.9 .
BINOS REFRACTOR , apm 82mm sd .
BINOS , Celestron 7x50 made in Japan .
Seestar S50 Smart Telescope .
EYEPIECES, 26mm Nagler t5 , 2-zoom Svbony 7-21 ,2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° ,2 x 18mm apm flat field , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
FILTERS, Nebustar 2 tele vue .Celestron uhc . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches and 2 x 1,25 inche .
MOUNTS , cg-4 ,MANFROTO 028 B and fluide head 608 .
Starbound Adjustable Observing Chair .

Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
I am the result of a star that died a very long time ago, And now i am being warmed up by another today.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#13

Post by Mike Q »

messier 111 wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 2:40 pm
Mike Q wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 3:42 pm
messier 111 wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:36 pm the ones I use the most now are my two Svbony 7-21 zoom, 2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° with my binoviewer .
they are used mainly with my 82mm binoculars and my 80mm ha lunt.
Do you usually end up at a specfic focal length with those two eyepieces?
with my binoculars yes.
with the lunt no, it depends mainly on the sky conditions.
So with the binos and the variable, what focal length do you end up at.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#14

Post by messier 111 »

Mike Q wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 2:43 pm
messier 111 wrote: Sun Jan 26, 2025 2:40 pm
Mike Q wrote: Sat Jan 25, 2025 3:42 pm

Do you usually end up at a specfic focal length with those two eyepieces?
with my binoculars yes.
with the lunt no, it depends mainly on the sky conditions.
So with the binos and the variable, what focal length do you end up at.
for the moon about 10mm, the planets at 7mm.
REFRACTORS , . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor . William Optics ZenithStar 81 Doublet APO f/6.9 .
BINOS REFRACTOR , apm 82mm sd .
BINOS , Celestron 7x50 made in Japan .
Seestar S50 Smart Telescope .
EYEPIECES, 26mm Nagler t5 , 2-zoom Svbony 7-21 ,2 x Baader Hyperion Universal Zoom Mark IV 8-24mm 68° ,2 x 18mm apm flat field , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
FILTERS, Nebustar 2 tele vue .Celestron uhc . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches and 2 x 1,25 inche .
MOUNTS , cg-4 ,MANFROTO 028 B and fluide head 608 .
Starbound Adjustable Observing Chair .

Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
I am the result of a star that died a very long time ago, And now i am being warmed up by another today.
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#15

Post by Caldwell 14 »

Nagler 3-6 zoom and my 7mm are my most 2 used eyepieces. 13mm and 32mm when the planets aren’t playy
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Eyepieces: Nagler Zoom 3mm-6mm; Delite 7mm, 9mm, 13mm; Plossl 32mm.
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A few filters, er…. that’s it :Astronomer1:

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Re: Eyepiece poll

#16

Post by Xio1996 »

Now this is strange coming from a guy that just does live stacking, but my two favourite eyepieces of all time are.

The 13mm Nagler Type 5 and the 24mm Nagler Panoptic.

However, if I was to be given a second chance, I would say The SkyWatcher 16mm Nirvana and the APM Telescopes Ultra Flat Field 30mm 70deg FMC 2-inch. Both were amazing.

For a third chance, the Vixen LV Zoom 8mm-24mm. Purchased from New York, and shipped all the way to the Isle of Wight UK!

All married to a Celestron CPC-800.

Anyway, back to live stacking :icon-smile:
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Re: Eyepiece poll

#17

Post by OzEclipse »

In 18" f5, 82o 31mm Nagler & 17mm Nagler for DSO's (Nagler 7mm planets)

In my 6"f7, 65oDenkmeier D21mm and XW5mm(planets).

ED80 refractor: Nagler 31mm (4o TFOV)
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Eyepieces: TV Naglers 31, 17, 12, 7; Denkmeier D21 & D14; Pentax XW10, XW5.
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