This is just a planning target. Since there are so many different types of eyepieces available on the market, choosing the right one for your situation can prove to be a harrowing task. These "other" ones I speak of, aren't technically that, they are a 5 element eyepiece, of a different design. They are also good for those who have astigmatism because they are designed to be more forgiving with eye placement. This is your Lexus, Acura, and Infinity types that offer more features, better build, and a bit more polish. You have to decide how fussy you are about the edges and what your budget can tolerate. The ocular for your highest visual acuity - for viewing deep-sky objects and the like - should have an exit pupil around . I dont dabble in AP. A Televue Plssl may be better than a generic one, but the difference is probably not worth the additional cost. Pentax 10.5mm Eye Piece Excellent Condition (#314374986239) r***d (1910 . If you want a very good eyepiece with a bit wider field of view but are on a budget, these are very good choices. But, if you have a plan, you can fill in those slots, working toward a well-balanced set of magnifications. Nice, thank you again for the additional inputs. Using this 40 mm Plossl eyepiece is an excellent way to get a wide field of view with your telescope. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stargazing Help came into existence when some young minds got mesmerized by outer space while camping. I am not aware of any such solutions for Newtonian reflectors. These and the essentially identical AT Paradigm are universally praised as good quality eyepieces with a wider 60-degree apparent field of view. Plssl eyepieces are affordable and they're outstanding additions to amateur telescopes. In the world of eyepieces, when you want the very best, turn to Tele Vue, but be prepared to pay a truly premium price. I have four telescopes, but I use the same eyepieces in all of them. Im fairly picky so would extend budget for better eyepieces if its worth it. Even though the design has existed for more than a century, it has stood the test of and is still today the standard against which other eyepiece designs are measured. But for the targets requiring higher mag Im still undecided between: Understanding and using a Barlow Lens Achromatic vs Apochromatic refracting telescopes. Both will provide the same magnification. Apparent Field of View: This is a measure of how wide a view the eyepiece will provide as compared to alternate eyepieces. The one exception I would keep in mind would be when working with Newtonian reflector telescopes below F5. Eye Relief: This refers to how close your eye has to be to the lens in order to see the full field of view. Again, for no other reason than to compare it to the 17mm Hyperion and draw your own conclusions about Plssls. The TFOV of the Hyperion will be greater than the TFOV of the Plssl, but the magnification will be about the same. They are a good brand with high-quality eyepieces, you just dont need to spend the extra money for almost no gain in performance. If you are just testing the waters or on a tight budget, get the Celestron, which is still pretty good. We will use a 100 mm telescope with a 600 mm focal length that only takes 1.25 eyepieces. All of the Omni eyepieces have a 1.25" barrel size with the exception of the super low power 56 mm, which has a barrel size of 2". Any 1.25 diagonal should work. A Plossl eyepiece lens provides more eye relief than anything else out there! So, basically a Plossl eyepiece is a type of eyepiece that enables the viewer to see a wider field of view than would normally be the case, but at the cost of him/her having to physically put his eye very close to the lens of the eyepiece. If you just want eyepiece recommendations and dont care about the details, Im adding that section right below before we go into the specifications that answer the above questions and make use of the formulas. The field of view of the eyepiece has a few effects when it comes to actually using it in the telescope. Correct image diagonals are easier for beginners and they are great for using the scope during the day, but experience people dont use them for astronomy. I had a TV 20mm Plossl once. Eye relief is the distance from the eye lens to your eyeball, and the higher the better (within reason). Orion Sirius Plossl 10mm telescope eyepiece 1.25" in very good to excellent 185794462395 Celestron - 1.25" Eyepiece and Filter Accessory Kit - 14 Piece Telescope Accessory Set - Plossl Telescope Eyepiece - Barlow Lens - Colored Filters - Moon Filter - Sturdy Metal Carry Case. https://www.amazon.com/Explore-Scientific-68%C2%B0-40mm-Eyepiece/dp/B007LMG3F6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=explore+scientific+68&qid=1606584676&sr=8-1, Thanks for your reply, I think I will go for the Orion Q70 . This will give you a maximum target for planning purposes. Simple Plosels work well and unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I would start with simple affordable eyepieces. If we look at the range I provided above, we see that we could replace several eyepieces with one zoom. Differences and Similarities. However, for your extra money you get the finest manufacture, the best polish and coatings available. It appears to be a custom-made 90 degree binocular built from two 90 degree diagonals and binocular-size objectives attached in place of the usual OTA. Im just starting out with astronomy and this really helped my understanding. Would a higher magnification eyepiece help do you think or am I already pushing my telescope (XT8) to highest sensible magnification I can with BH zoom on setting 8mm and 2x Barlow? There is the 56mm Meade Plossl which magically turns my short FL refractors into their own finder scopes. I cannot thank you enough! Omni 9mm Eyepiece - 1.25" Learn More. That's hard to beat IMO. Plossl eyepiece is good for astronomy and microscopy. https://www.amazon.com/Orion-8829-Wide-Field-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B000M89H7C/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Orion+Q70&qid=1606584502&sr=8-2, The Explore Scientific 68 degree series would be better but at a much higher price. https://telescopicwatch.com/best-telescope-mounts-for-astrophotography/, https://telescopicwatch.com/best-astrophotography-telescopes/, https://telescopicwatch.com/best-barlow-lens-and-how-to/, https://telescopicwatch.com/celestron-8-24mm-zoom-eyepiece-review/, https://www.amazon.com/Orion-8879-1-25-Inch-Enhanced-Telescope/dp/B000BMPBLK/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3KKUJRXYYN7DI&dchild=1&keywords=telescope+diagonal+1.25&qid=1610887695&sprefix=telescope+diagonal%2Caps%2C512&sr=8-8, https://telescopicwatch.com/orion-skyquest-xt8-intelliscope-review/, https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/baader-hyperion-mark-iv-8-24mm-universal-zoom-eyepiece.html, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Orion+Q70&ref=nb_sb_noss_2, https://telescopicwatch.com/best-telescope-eyepieces/, https://www.amazon.com/Orion-8829-Wide-Field-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B000M89H7C/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Orion+Q70&qid=1606584502&sr=8-2, https://www.amazon.com/Explore-Scientific-68%C2%B0-40mm-Eyepiece/dp/B007LMG3F6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=explore+scientific+68&qid=1606584676&sr=8-1. The result in magnification is the same and the eye relief associated with the eyepiece is retained or, in some cases, actually lengthened a bit. I can recommend these with confidence. Us big kids like zooms too. i didnt have all this simply-put information when i bought my orion st-80 as my christmas present to myself in 2020. i started out with several pair of binoculars i bought used off ebay, then bought the scope. Required fields are marked *. Thanks in advance I really appreciate it! . As of the past couple years, it seems possible that the choice between Kellners and Plossls has been made for usyou either get what you get with your beginner telescope, or you will have to find a Plossl. These companies rebranded them under their own names. Hi Ed, I must say Im quite confused about eyepieces. The Regular Plossl eyepiece is made to be a basic type of scope for viewing objects that are nearbysay within two feet or so from where youre looking through it. At this point, a Plossl and a Kellner are so close in price and performance that you may as well get the Plossl. Or take one of your eyepieces and measure across the bottom of the barrel. Plossl eyepieces have 4 lenses that are paired in two doublets. Omni 32mm Eyepiece - 1.25" Learn More. Celestron Omni Eyepieces: The Omni series is the most economical eyepiece offering from Celestron. How will my telescopes focal ratio affect my purchases? For one thing, a wider field of view is almost always more pleasant. SV207 30mm Super Plossl Eyepiece. If youre still wondering between a Kellner vs Plossl, my advice to you would be invest a little extra cash and go for a good quality Plossl. While I also have the Baader Hyperion Zoom, mentioned later, I continue to make use of the Celestron, especially in my smaller scopes. It offers good color correction and high-contrast images. However the package includes a 1.25 to 2 adapter so if you have a 2 focuser you can treat this like a 2 eyepiece leaving the adapter normally included with the scope for use with other 1.25 eyepieces. Plossl eyepiece is one of the reasonable options when it comes to telescope eyepieces for stargazing or astronomy. We will talk more about the field of view later, but note that if you can use 2 eyepieces, you will typically only have one or two for very low power wide field views. Note to spectacle wearers: Plssl eyepieces with 15mm and longer focal lengths are good choices for spectacle wearers. It costs a lot to get that last 10% of performance. When selecting the best eyepiece for you, consider: Eyepieces are standardized so whatever investment you make today, the eyepieces will continue to serve you in any future scopes you may own. In this case, I am going to define this by the focuser and eyepiece size. That's how cost-efficient the entire package is! 1200 mm FL scope / 10 mm FL eyepiece = 120X, 40 degree AFOV / 120X = .33 degrees (less than 1 full moon wide), 60 degree AFOV / 120X = .5 degree FOV (about one full moon with no space around it), 82 degree AFOV / 120X = .68 degree FOV (about one full moon with a star field around it to frame it). These will eventually be used in an 8in dob whenever it arrives. This general purpose design gives good colour correction and an adequate feld of view at reasonable cost and they are often bundled with new telescopes. is pretty forgiving of eyepiece faults and a wide variety of eyepiece designs will work just fine in it. Plossl eyepieces have an eye relief equal to about 80% of their focal length. For your application and the eyepieces you have or are going to get, you really dont need anything else. By the 1980s, amateur astronomy equipment suppliers were still selling new telescopes with Huygens and Ramsden eyepieces, not merely because they were cheap but because they lacked internal reflections. Omni 12mm Eyepiece - 1.25" Learn More. Yes, Plossl eyepieces are some of the most popular with amateurs and professionals alike. These have the advantage that the front section with the optics can be unthreaded and threaded on to the filter threads of a 1.25 inch eyepiece. We will now discuss the specifications of eye relief and apparent field of view. Choosing the most appropriate can completely change your experience in using telescopes. Stargazing Help is a participant in Amazon Associates program. We enjoy binoculars for the moon, but having never looked through another telescope, my kids and I do not know what internal reflection, ghosting, vignettes, or diffraction spikes look like! They offer a 52-degree apparent field with clean, high-contrast images. No results, please adjust your filters. Or is this overkill and am I better off saving money and going forward something like the Celestron Zoom? Their 50 to 52 degree AFOV is wide enough for general observing. You can build a full set of these with good results, but be aware of eye relief, especially if you wear glasses. thanks for all your help. The Expanse is a lens that provides an extra sharp image, and it also has a wider field of view compared to the Plossl eyepiece. Lets take a look. In 1849, Carl Kellner invented the Kellner eyepiece, which is essentially a Ramsden eyepiece where one lens has been replaced with an achromatic doublet made of two different types of glass. So speaking of the Barlow as if it modifies the FL of the eyepiece, while technically not correct, does provide an easier model to understand the net effect. Elena is a Canadian journalist and researcher. They also have good eye relief, making them comfortable to use for extended periods. You mentioned regarding ORTHO eyepieces: Excellent specialty eyepieces, usually for planets. It is pretty much worth it for everyone that has a telescope with a 1.25 inch focuser to have a 32mm Plssl. https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/explore-scientific-70-eyepieces.html. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I possess an embarrassing array of fine eyepieces with names like Ethos and Nagler and Delos. And of course, NEVER look through a telescope pointed at the sun that does not have a safe solar filter covering the front. These are effectively simple designs like Plossls, Kellners, Konigs, and RKEs, with long focal lengths, that have a lens included to increase their focal length. I was just wondering if plossls are still worth it or should get a better eyepiece in a 30mm range. It includes two high-magnification Plossl eyepieces and five lower magnification zoom oculars with an adjustable focus in the kit. However, you may see them at higher prices for the short term. Rating (max 5): 8.5-ish mm (75x & 150x) And new proprietary designs come out from time to time. Ever since, I have been attempting to cram in every fact about the Universe, I can find into my head. If you are going to wear your glasses when you observe, you want at least 18 mm of eye relief and 20 mm is better. If you have a longer focal length telescope, your shortest focal length eyepiece will be a higher number than what I have shown here. Remember that visual and AP have very different requirements, so plan on at least two different optical tubes. Once we are done, they will make sense. Not really. A super Plossl eyepiece is a top-performing eyepiece that can be used for a variety of tasks, from viewing objects in the distance to looking at microscopic things. They include links to them where they can be ordered. The atmosphere is typically the limiting factor as we get to higher magnifications. Plssl's were top of the line at one time, and are still being sold today, so that says something too. The stock 9 and 15mm Omnis were very good. However, sometimes i am at the end of the range of the binocular focus adjustment. These are exceptional eyepieces, and only available on the used market nowadays. About Us | Privacy Policy | ContactLittle Astronomy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I tested out my BH zoom yesterday for the first time and it is a great eyepiece so thank you for the recommendation! Your email address will not be published. Other than the limited AFOV, which you are apparently fine with, and limited eye relief in the shorter focal lengths there is certainly no reason not to choose Plssls. As I mentioned earlier in the article, not all Plossls are created equal, which simply means that there are good Plossls and then there are bad Plossls. In the beginning, you are not going to know what the atmospheric conditions might be in your area. The view being presented to your eye in a low power eyepiece minimizes everything from optical aberrations in the telescope, to distortions from thermals or atmospheric conditions. Nothing will stop you from trying to go higher, but in all likelihood, the image will be poor and not worth the cost of eyepieces to achieve it. The Big Bang Optics also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank and other sites. You also get 7 1.25 filters which include the following, #80A Blue Filter, #58 Green Filter, #56 Light Green Filter, #25 Red Filter, #21 . It doesnt matter what type of telescope you have, as long as your scope takes these standard sizes. Those that still come with Huygens and Ramsdens are generally cheap and low quality, since practically the only reason to use those designs in modern times is that they are extremely cheap to manufacture. Sony A7III vs A7RIII Astrophotography: Which One to Shoot Infinity! Brilliant article and I thank you for it, I was literally really confused prior to reading it. Buy Astromania 1.25" 4mm Plossl Telescope Eyepiece - 4-Element Plossl Design . Many thanks, Sophie. Using your example: We will use a 100 mm telescope with a 600 mm focal length and Another way to look at it is that a 30 mm eyepiece in a 3X Barlow works like a 10 mm eyepiece.. To achieve a maximum of 200X (2X the aperture of 100 mm), we solve for the focal length. Now you can get good eyepieces for under or around $50. We are a team of active amateur astronomers, here to help you with all your astronomy and science related needs this is anything, from reviewing the latest telescopes to be released to talking about gravity and neurons. Good value. One last thing, as a kid I used my telescope to watch squirrels and birds (which was interesting because the image was flipped around :-) so, you might consider getting an eyepiece that flips things the right way around so that navigating terrestrial nature is easier to manage. Jupiter and Saturn are low in the sky now. This number can range from 30 degrees to 120 degrees. You really understood the material. Again thank you very much for all the information in the page, excellent notes. And I am a visually observing focused person. Plossl eyepieces have wider fields of view than Kellners. I think you will change your mind. What diameter eyepieces will my telescope accept? The 66-degree AFOV of the Gold Line series provides a 32% wider field than Plossl eyepieces. 1.25" Power mates with T ring adapter. Pentax K-70 Astrophotography: The Ultimate Camera on a Budget! Then there is a pair of 32mm and 20mm TV Plossls which make my binoviewers work well with a Daystar Quark H-alpha solar filter. Can you help me. Another useful aspect of a wider field of view is that, assuming the entire eyepiece is sharp enough to show good images right to the edge, you dont have to nudge the telescope to track the rotation of the Earth as often with a Plossl (50 degrees) compared to a Kellner (40 degrees). I need some eyepieces with long FL for low magnifications. I dont know if they make anything like this anymore, but as a kid, I had plastic slides with images on them (the Milky Way, Horse Head Nebula, etc.) You probably dont need to worry about upgrading them as soon as you get your telescope, unless you can see an optical problem in the one youre using or you find the short eye relief for the short-focus eyepiece uncomfortable. You see the object in a wider expanse of space with more stars. Heres the short answer Plossl eyepieces are generally better than Kellner eyepieces, but they also tend to be more expensive. In this article, were going to talk about what is a Plossl eyepiece, what are its components, how do they work, how many types are there and how youd buy a good Plossl eyepiece. Plossl against Kellner eyepieces in a previous article, 5 Budget Telescopes That Are Sneakily Powerful. If the above guide has helped you understand the terms and workings of eyepieces, scroll up and make a selection from our recommendation list. When I started, I purchased less expensive eyepieces to learn about them and how I would use them. These are just a few examples of eyepieces that I have used, and some that I own. By having a range of magnifications, you can optimize the image, which means you need more eyepieces. Some optics brands have taken the next step and launched some eyepieces they have labeled as Super Plossl. If you are new around here and you want to get started with the hobby, check out our astronomy for beginners guide or the recommended gear page. Is there anyway you could include links to the eyepieces you mentioned in the last paragraph of your reply as Im totally new so worried about buying the wrong thing! You can accomplish a longer eye relief by barlowing a longer f/l plossl, so that is something to think about as well. So yeah, they are good.. and some are even better than others, and more collectible. At shorter focal lengths they have less eye relief, and at all focal lengths they have a narrower field of view, than newer types. My understanding of eyepieces was very limited until I read this article, you explain things in a clear and understandable way which made my understanding so much clearer. If you cant use 2, that 32 mm Plossl, which has a 50 degree AFOV, will give you about as wide a field of view as you can get in a 1.25 eyepiece. If there is a local club, I would suggest you visit and consider joining. The only reason it's in this list because of its price and a long focal point. Very worth it for me, as I like to use bino-viewers. By correcting for aberrations, the field of view of these eyepieces could be much larger than the soda-straw field of view in a Ramsden or Huygens, around 40 or perhaps up to 50 degrees. This is where the cheap eyepiece will frequently fail to deliver a good image, around the edges. . They are not that expensive I would pay about $100 for both eye pieces. I just added the 4.7 mm. thanks Ed. Was compairing the Apertura standard 15mm Plossl with their 15mm super wide angle eyepiece (70 afov).