TheSkySearchers

Last week during my lunch I was browsing astro classifieds (which I really should not, but can't help it ) and stumbled on Russell's 2" 50mm SuperPlossl EP, which I couldn't resist. I already have 56mm and like how it performs in my SCT, but felt that 5mm exit pupil may serve me better for the typical sky I get. Here is my current 2" EP lineup.

On the shorter end two Baader Aspheric 72 deg EPs, and on the longer end two Russell Optics SuperPlossls. As you see they have very similar dimensions. Their weight (~13oz for Aspherics and ~10oz for SPs) lines up nicely with Pentax XW line, so no re-balancing necessary during observing.

I really like the quality and feel of Russell EPs. The fits and finishes are on pair with 3-4x more expensive EPs. At one point I also had TV 55mm Plossl and compared it side by side with Russell 56mm. In terms of sharpness and contrast both perform to the same level. TV Plossl had wider FOV - 50 deg vs 40.5 deg for Russell SP but was twice as heavy. I just don't like heavy EPs.

Bodies of 56mm and 50mm SPs (as for all other Russell EPs) are made of derlin plastic, which reduces the weight considerably. ~10 oz vs ~18 oz for TV 55mm Plossl and 22oz for Meade 56mm Plossl. Slightly smaller black metal tube with micro baffles holds glass elements in place in side 2" barrel and also serves as the field stop. Clearance diameter is 39.2mm for 50mm SP and 39.8mm for 56mm SP which translate to 45 deg and 40.5 deg FOV, respectively. Although they are called Super Plossls, the EPs are of 5 element design. There is more than enough eye relief (~30mm), but long eye guards I made from crafting foam block stray light and make observing very comfortable.
I would not hesitate to recommend Gary Russell's SP line for slow refractors and CATs.

Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:24 pm Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

What issues, Gabby?

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:24 pm Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

Thanks Gabby! I know it's a bummer. Could be that his lenses source restricts him on what he can export.

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:24 pm Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

What issues, Gabby?

Gary refuses to export his EPs.

Always liked the Russell product..... Enjoy!

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:30 pm Always liked the Russell product..... Enjoy!

Thanks nFA, I will!

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

I was think in this way as well Andrey, but I don't know if I would lose something in the view with the smaller configuration.
Any issue there that you know of?

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

I'm tempted by the Konigs. I was perhaps generous to a fault when I gave my UOs to my daughter.

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:24 pm Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

What issues, Gabby?

I think he uses a private posting service which does not ship outside of USA. He has stated before that he is unable to ship to other countries.
If I wanted to purchase one I would have to find someone in USA to purchase it and then send it to me in EU.

Remember that you also have Siebert Optics who make some very nice eyepieces as well and other observing aids.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:36 pm

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:24 pm Very nice Bigzmey, unfortunate they are not available in EU without issues.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

What issues, Gabby?

I think he uses a private posting service which does not ship outside of USA. He has stated before that he is unable to ship to other countries.
If I wanted to purchase one I would have to find someone in USA to purchase it and then send it to me in EU.

Any time Gabby.

Thank you for the info.
I have emailed him and talked on the phone with him the last time this subject came up.
I just need to get off the dime.

Which one would you like?
I will send it to you for Christmas !

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:34 pm

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

I was think in this way as well Andrey, but I don't know if I would lose something in the view with the smaller configuration.
Any issue there that you know of?

You will have a narrower FOV (~30 deg) in 1.25" format, so for general DSO hunting you would appreciate wider field of 2" 50mm Plossl. However, I often do sessions using 1.25" prism, 1.25" EP turret or 1.25" filter wheel, and for such occasions 1.25" 50mm would come handy.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:36 pm

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:28 pm I have been looking at these for a while Andrey.
They really look good. They would be the cats whiskers for my slow reflectors. I was even thinking of maybe for my long frac.
5mm ExP would be sweet on the faint fuzzies.
Thank you for posting this temptation.

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

I'm tempted by the Konigs. I was perhaps generous to a fault when I gave my UOs to my daughter.

Me to, but with all fancy EPs I have, Konigs would likely just sit in the drawer. I wish someone would direct me to Gary's site a few years ago. It would prevent me from buying all those mediocre EPs.

Thank you for the offer Mark but at the moment new eyepieces are not required
I have to many as it is and one day will have to go through to decide what to keep and sell.

Middle road eyepieces I will give to youngsters that are enthused enough they need better equipment.
I would rather see them used than have them sitting gathering dust.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:49 pm

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:36 pm

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:31 pm

I will likely get 1.25" 50mm Plossl as well.

I'm tempted by the Konigs. I was perhaps generous to a fault when I gave my UOs to my daughter.

Me to, but with all fancy EPs I have, Konigs would likely just sit in the drawer. I wish someone would direct me to Gary's site a few years ago. It would prevent me from buying all those mediocre EPs.

When I spoke with him a few months ago he did not have any Konigs. Does he have them now Andrey?

Don Quixote wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:56 pm

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:49 pm

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 9:36 pm

I'm tempted by the Konigs. I was perhaps generous to a fault when I gave my UOs to my daughter.

Me to, but with all fancy EPs I have, Konigs would likely just sit in the drawer. I wish someone would direct me to Gary's site a few years ago. It would prevent me from buying all those mediocre EPs.

When I spoke with him a few months ago he did not have any Konigs. Does he have them now Andrey?

His webpage shows quite few of 1.25" and 2" Konigs in stock, which may or may not reflect current status. They also come out on occasion on used market.

http://russell-optics.com/quarter_inch.html