15mm Plossls Shootout

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Bigzmey United States of America
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15mm Plossls Shootout

#1

Post by Bigzmey »


15mm Plossls Shootout
by Bigzmey

2/25/18 Beginner or advance astronomer, we all contemplate whether buying premium really worth it. Plossls in particular can be purchased between $10 and $100 a piece; and one can’t help but wonder if 10x increase in price really results in 10x performance gain. At one point I had a good selection...
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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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#2

Post by Gordon »


Thanks again for submitting a great article!!!
Gordon
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
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Re: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#3

Post by notFritzArgelander »


The comparison with the Vixen NPL gives me a reference point I can use to calibrate against my own experience. The older TV Plossls I have show better transmission than the Vixen NPLs. So I guess any occasional temptation to update my TV set is effectively dead. I'll just keep them til they or I turn to dust. :lol:

The Vixen NPLs are a great performer especially considering cost. I have them in pairs for binovewing.

Thanks for the review. It really helps to have a point of comparison.
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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#4

Post by kt4hx »


Thank you for another fine comparison Andrey. The SLV sound interesting indeed, and I notice that Agena now has the entire line in stock for $109 each. That said, the NPL sound like an excellent deal at $50 to $65 depending on f/l. :)
Alan

Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
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Re: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:43 pm The comparison with the Vixen NPL gives me a reference point I can use to calibrate against my own experience. The older TV Plossls I have show better transmission than the Vixen NPLs. So I guess any occasional temptation to update my TV set is effectively dead. I'll just keep them til they or I turn to dust. :lol:

The Vixen NPLs are a great performer especially considering cost. I have them in pairs for binovewing.

Thanks for the review. It really helps to have a point of comparison.
I am the lucky owner of a complete set of older TV Plossls smoothies :D. As you indicated once you have a reference point you don't need to re-run complete comparison, so I just tested new TV Plossls vs old TV Plossls on a few occasions and can confirm that the smoothies have noticeably better transmission than modern TV Plossls with darker coating. So, the modern TV Plossls somewhat underperform in transmission compared to other Plossls sampling. They are still great on planets and Moon and brighter DSOs, just not as suitable for extra faint fuzzies.
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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by Bigzmey »


kt4hx wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:56 pm Thank you for another fine comparison Andrey. The SLV sound interesting indeed, and I notice that Agena now has the entire line in stock for $109 each. That said, the NPL sound like an excellent deal at $50 to $65 depending on f/l. :)
If anyone considering SLVs (and they should :D), this is a good time to try one. OPT has them on sale for $90 + shipping, which still comes cheaper than $109. I have a complete set. There are no weak links in the line, but the lower FL range is where they really shine. They are as good as Orthos (I have compared SLVs side by side on several occasions with BCOs, UO and EO orthos) but with 20mm eye relief.

https://optcorp.com/search?q=vixen+slv
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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by helicon »


Thanks for the article Andrey!
-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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by Thefatkitty »


Thanks Andrey, that was good! I have a few Ortho's, but have often looked at the Vixen Plossl line-ups, just wondering... Your write-up certainly helped; thanks again :D

All the best,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by Bigzmey »


Thefatkitty wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:23 am Thanks Andrey, that was good! I have a few Ortho's, but have often looked at the Vixen Plossl line-ups, just wondering... Your write-up certainly helped; thanks again :D

All the best,
If you have a few Orthos then you don't need to look any further, except 32mm and 15mm which are missing from Orthos line up. This is another reason why I have focused my reviews on 15mm and 32mm Plossls. :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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#10

Post by Michael131313 »


Thanks very much for the review. Been thinking about trying one out.
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Re: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by Don Alvarez »


Nice article Bigz!

One of these days I want to have a shootout.
Telescopes: 10" SkyLine Dobsonian, 6" Apertura F5 Newt, Celestron Nextar GT90, Meade Infinity 80
EP: 5.5mm, 8.8mm, 14mm, 20mm, 24mm Meade 5000 UWA's, BCO's w/ Q-Turret, 26mm, 32mm, 40mm Meade 4000 Plossls, Orion Expanse, 30mm, 20mm, 15mm GSO Superview, Various others.
Binocs: 15x70 Celestron Skymaster, 10x50 Levenhuk Karma Pro, 10x42 Bushnell, 8x42 Sans & Streiffe
Mounts: Meade LX70 with dual axis motors, Celestron GT, More miscellaneous tripods than a Martian invasion.

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Re: 15mm Plossls Shootout

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Post by j.gardavsky »


Hello Andrey,

and thank you for the shootout, really worth of reading.

Just on a side line, 'Plössl' is today a marketing term, and most of the 'Plössls' are just the 'Symmetric' eyepieces of whatever design, or they are simply neither the one nor the other, and the Plössl inscription is just the sticker.

Gabby has somewhere posted the U.S. patents for the Zeiss Plössl and TV Plössl, showing the difference.

Carl Zeiss jena has later remade the patented Plössl into the military grade Symmetric (Plössl), still available at the surplus sales,
https://www.ebay.de/itm/1-Stuck-Symmetr ... Sw21Rb9UAh
I have it, and it is the best Plössl I have ever had on my observing eye, even if the AFOV is smaller.

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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#13

Post by Bigzmey »


j.gardavsky wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2019 7:12 pm Hello Andrey,

and thank you for the shootout, really worth of reading.

Just on a side line, 'Plössl' is today a marketing term, and most of the 'Plössls' are just the 'Symmetric' eyepieces of whatever design, or they are simply neither the one nor the other, and the Plössl inscription is just the sticker.

Gabby has somewhere posted the U.S. patents for the Zeiss Plössl and TV Plössl, showing the difference.

Carl Zeiss jena has later remade the patented Plössl into the military grade Symmetric (Plössl), still available at the surplus sales,
https://www.ebay.de/itm/1-Stuck-Symmetr ... Sw21Rb9UAh
I have it, and it is the best Plössl I have ever had on my observing eye, even if the AFOV is smaller.

Best,
JG
Thanks JG! Yes "Plossl" could be anything nowdays. :lol: I remember you references to Zeiss Plossls in the past. Unfortunately, they are not available in US.
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: 15mm Plossls Shootout

#14

Post by Kanadalainen »


Thanks Andrey,

Great review, really useful!

Ian
Ian

Fracs: Stellarvue 70T f6; SW 120mm Esprit f7; "Mark Mk. II" - 60 mm Tasco f6; C80 frac f 11.4
SCT: C8 Edge f10 or f7 with reducer
Dob: 14.5" homebuilt strut dob (f4.5 ZOC mirror), Nexus II, Moonlite focuser
Mounts - Ioptron Skyguider pro, Astro Physics GTO900
Cameras and lenses - ZWO 2600 mc, 290 mm mini, Canon 60D modded with Rokinon 10mm 2.8; Rokinon 135mm f2

Skysafari 6 Pro, Astro Pixel Processor, Pixinsight - using Mac tablet and ASIair pro to run the AP rig.

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