are plossl eyepieces good

Think of these as your Ford, Chevy, and Toyota of eyepieces. A wide-angle view of 66 degrees makes it perfect for viewing large objects and even entire constellations while still being able to focus on smaller details with ease. I want these as possible as wide, magnification and astrophotography purpose. This is important to keep in mind because it means brands have to try really hard to one-up each other because the competition in a niche hobby such as astronomy can be fierce. I recently purchased the SVBony 7-21 zoom from Amazon. These lenses are connected together. Since it's such a popular eyepiece and allows for quality, planet-viewing, that makes it a great instrument for attracting newcomers to the hobby, especially children. So, if your scope is F6 or lower, you may want to consider some of the higher priced, better corrected eyepieces if you want the best image to the edge of the field. Required fields are marked *. 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. Plssl eyepieces are affordable and they're outstanding additions to amateur telescopes. Other brands have joined and have used the Super Plossl label, but they all keep the original 4-piece design. Note to spectacle wearers: Plssl eyepieces with 15mm and longer focal lengths are good choices for spectacle wearers. None of my fancy EPs have enough contrast for this application. I had a TV 20mm Plossl once. If you had to choose 1 low-power 2 EP for chasing deep sky objects (again, at 600mm f7.5), what size piece would you go for? This number can range from 30 degrees to 120 degrees. Being a total novice, I love the StarSense app and technology. I've got a one-off plossl like that in my kit that I'll probably never sell, (aside from my 5 element ones) and it's one that is rarely seen. They provide a range of magnifications with one eyepiece. My friend has one and he really likes it, and it is his third telescope. This 10 mm Orion Sirius Plossl Eyepiece is a great, moderately high power ocular for observing small planetary nebulas and globular star clusters, as well as for planetary probing when seeing conditions don't permit higher magnifications. If your focuser/diagonal only accepts 1.25 eyepieces, I would recommend you use a 32mm as your longest focal length, lowest power eyepiece. No price limit. Once we are done, they will make sense. The downside to this type of lens is that they can cause chromatic aberration which creates colored spots around bright objects such as planets or stars due to the different wavelengths not going through equally. The longer FL Plossls (>15mm) have some distinct advantages over more complex designs without the major disadvantage of Plossls which is short ER. To achieve six magnifications, you can have six eyepieces. I would wait till you get the scope and use the included eyepieces. I use some plssl eyepieces, since I still have quite a few in my kit, and yes, the others are correct. the shorter the focal length eyepiece = the shorter the eye relief. 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. Here are a few types of eyepieces you may read about and their typical AFOV. Many approach the quality of the premium brands. SVBONY Telescope Eyepiece Set Telescope Accessory Kit with 2x Barlow L 20 = 90 = .8 Note to spectacle wearers: Plossl eyepieces with 15mm and longer focal lengths are good choices for spectacle wearers but for shorter focal lengths the Celestron XCel LX series have greater eye-relief so are better suited. It's one of the best choices you have when it comes to budget stargazing. 5 Best Telescope Eyepieces in 2023 [+Beginner's Guide] This means you will be able to see a greater expanse for the objects in space but with fewer magnification levels than Kellner or Plossl lenses. In that respect, they are similar to the Explore Scientific 82 degree mentioned earlier. A Barlow lens can save you money and add flexibility. As we go along, I will refer back to these, so dont worry if you cant answer the questions or understand the formulas now. None of my fancy EPs have enough contrast for this application. For example, if you put a 30 mm eyepiece in a 3X Barlow, it will triple the magnification you get from that eyepiece. As long as you take good care of them, Plossls can last you a lifetime, and you will be able to use them with your next telescope if you upgrade at some point. You can enjoy wide-angle views without giving up any of the clarity or sharpness when using Plossl eyepiece while Kellner will give you more magnified views but at less than half the brightness levels in comparison to other lens designs on this list if light pollution was involved. Be sure to read the following as you consider your eyepiece purchases. These low-quality Plossls lack an internally blackened lens barrel with thread baffles and blackened lens edges and sophisticated anti-reflection multi-coatings, all of which are a necessity to produce an excellent image. 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. Free shipping for many products! Pentax 10.5mm Eye Piece Excellent Condition (#314374986239) r***d (1910 . These are things you will want to know and use. You might be able to find a Kellner, or perhaps a high-quality Orthoscopic. Goldline Eyepieces - The Definitive Guide - Telescopic Watch If you are just testing the waters or on a tight budget, get the Celestron, which is still pretty good. no caps come in bolt case. So, for your 30 mm, 82/60 = 1.36 degrees. Many thanks, Sophie. 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? This doublet design has an apparent field of view of 50-degrees or wider but can suffer from short eye relief making them difficult to use for some . Are plossl eyepieces still worth it? - Eyepieces - Cloudy Nights NEW. Any exit pupil between 7 mm and .5 mm is just fine. No other type can compare with it when it comes to that quality. Hi - I bought these from another AM'er 1 year or so back, thinking I will get into visual astro, But never found the inclination, So here it is for sale 9mm Nagler type 6 mint with box and caps,16mm Nagler type 5,optics are exc. 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.. I often recommend the 2 in this series as excellent low-power wide view eyepieces, especially in scopes at focal ratios below F8. Zoom Plossl eyepieces and filters - TheSkySearchers.com Sirius Plossls offer a 52-deg apparent field of view for clear, sharp images. I am not aware of an ES branded 70 degree series in the USA, but they do have a Bresser branded 70-degree series. I started with the Celestron zoom. Here we have very good eyepieces with some extra features. And I continue to read excellent reports on the AT Paradigm and similar under different labels. For it's cost, a 32mm Plssl eyepiece is hard to beat. Goldline series of eyepieces provides the best value in this price range, better than Plossls. Even if you did need a 4mm focal length (for high powers in an f/4 telescope, of course), neither a Kellner nor a Plossl would have long enough eye relief for that to be comfortably usable! And that is pretty much what Super Plossl are today. Then set your maximum based on your aperture and split it up. dnrmilspec is right. But are they really? Divide that by the magnification of that eyepiece in that scope. Many compare these favorably to eyepieces that are much higher priced. However, there can be a problem bringing the eyepiece into focus. 6mm Kellner eyepiece that I enjoyed a lot. To say it a different way, in general, an F5 scope will place more demands on the eyepiece around the edge of the field of view than an F10 scope. 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". Plossl eyepieces are perfect for astronomical viewing because the field of view is wider. These sport a 60-degree apparent field of view, about a 20% wider apparent field of view than Plossl eyepieces. Again thank you very much for all the information in the page, excellent notes. Some experience with Baader Aspheric 31mm/36mm? - Eyepieces - Cloudy Nights Do you need a 10 mm planetary and a 10 mm DSO eyepiece? It may be a bit less than that in reality but for practical purposes that is close enough. As to a more immersive experience, yes, I would say a wider FOV does provide a more immersive experience. Here we get into the BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Ferrari of eyepieces. With a 130mm-F5 I would use a Plossl 32mm for its low-mag-wide-view. However, some lateral color error is apparent when looking at bright subjects, such as Jupiter or Venus, against a dark sky. The BH zoom is optically a 1.25 eyepiece. I would recommend the Orion Q70 series over that. Now we can establish a target magnification range. Later in the article, I will also give my top recommendations for both the best Kellner as well as the best Plossl eyepieces. You are looking through a LOT of atmosphere which distorts the image. You alluded to them, but you never mentioned Tele Vue. Soft rubber eye guard that's custom fitted . I dont think so. This can be especially helpful in telescopes of focal ratios below F8. Ideally, you want a minimum of three eyepieces for (1) low power (2) peak visual acuity and (3) high-power viewing. I can say that most of my plossls have been replaced by other eyepieces for various reasons. What happens if you use an eyepiece that has a the wrong exit pupil? These companies rebranded them under their own names. How do you focus - I would have expected helical focusers in the eyepiece holders but don't see any? Omni 12mm Eyepiece - 1.25" Learn More. short answer: yes. 4mm Eyepiece vs 20mm Eyepiece. If you are on a strict budget, this is a good choice as a zoom eyepiece. 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. With an f/10 telescope, Plossls are as sharp as any other kind of eyepiece of the same focal length. Or, if you are buying from an online like Amazon, then look at the eyepieces I recommend and see if any suit your needs. I think some of these kits even include 4mm eyepieces, and thats ridiculous! But these are only intended to get you started. Unless you are a professional astronomer or extremely demanding, you can select your eyepieces based on magnification, the apparent field of view, eye relief, and price. Do you have any additional comments to help me? 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, Excellent article and very good recommendations. the reality is that today's eyepieces are all quite good, particulalarly in an f/10 telescope. I purchased the Celestron Starsense 102mm refractor, focal length 660mm, stated highest useful magnification is 240x; it should arrive in about 2 weeks. that I could slide into my telescope and look at. They offer a 52-degree apparent field with clean, high-contrast images. Or is this overkill and am I better off saving money and going forward something like the Celestron Zoom? I cant answer that specifically as I have no experience with that eyepiece in that scope. Plossl eyepieces are great. But for AP you should really start your planning with the mount. This design has some advantages over other designs, such as the Kellner eyepiece or Orthoscopic eyepieces. One of the main drawbacks of this eyepiece, though, is the eye relief. There is no problem using a Celestron eyepiece in a Meade telescope, for example. Im also uncertain about what to expect from an additional investment? Question: would it perform well with 1.5/2x and 3x Barlows? Then there is the rule of thumb to avoid duplicating focal lengths when acquiring eyepieces. We have a range of 32 mm to 3 mm. These are the best in optical performance and build quality. There is no shortage of accessories for the Nexstar series. I beleive this is the same as they ones you asked about. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have used both Kellner & Plossl eyepieces and a few others, and I can tell you that they all are quite different from each other in terms of the quality of the image that they produce. Perhaps you should seek out help from your local astronomy club. So plan this into such a purchase. These are often compared to the higher priced offerings. There are certainly much better options out there but at a significant cost. Again, it only costs $30 to $40 to find out, so the education is not that expensive. So we say that an F5 scope benefits from better corrected eyepieces more than the F10 scope. I have an SCT and my eyepiece case only hasPlssls (and one Ortho) in it. The eye relief is the distance between your eyes and the eyepiece where you are able to view the whole image comfortably. These are considered to be the least expensive eyepieces for serious astronomy and are offered in focal lengths from about 6mm to 40mm. Can you give me any specific recommendations on what to buy and from where? Or, you may find that you like the 8 mm and 6 mm used with the Barlow and can avoid the expense of two eyepieces. You can add the specialty single FL eyepieces later if you wish. This might contain more of what you need. Brilliant article and I thank you for it, I was literally really confused prior to reading it. As we continue, what would you recommend adding first? It will also make your life easier if youre out observing on windy days that would otherwise blow off the front cover of your telescope. It has made learning the Constellations and star-hopping more fun and engaging for my whole family exactly what I was hoping for. The image quality is very good and the additional field of view and longer eye relief makes them very comfortable to use. This is my all-time favorite eyepiece and the one I use more than all the others put together. If that surface is wobbly the scope will be almost useless. https://telescopicwatch.com/celestron-starsense-explorer-dx-102-130-reviewed/, If I was to upgrade these lenses, I was planning on working toward something like this: Stargazing Help is a participant in Amazon Associates program. I currently own a Mak127 ( that can't use 2"eyepieces) and a 80ED ( that one can hold 2"eyepieces). Yes, the wider field of view of a Plossl is very helpful, but 40 degrees of Kellners isnt a soda straw (unless you are used to looking through very wide field eyepiece. They deliver sharp images in almost all telescopes. SVBONY Eyepiece Review: Take Your Stargazing Up a Notch But I have one little niggle. If you wear glasses when observing, you probably want 15mm or more of eye relief, which the 20mm Plssl provides, but the shorter fl ones dont. To achieve these benefits, they may use special glass and more costly manufacturing. Ive added comments on where you may find and use them. Choosing the most appropriate can completely change your experience in using telescopes. Celestron 2026 Erecting Prism Barlow Lens Set is another great choice for those looking to get a variety of magnifications. The zoom can be used with any 1.25 focuser too. I possess an embarrassing array of fine eyepieces with names like Ethos and Nagler and Delos. And you don't even have to get the full set if you don't want to. You could say Super Plossls are not much more than a marketing tactic these days. Plossls are available from many suppliers in a wide range of focal lengths in 1.25 and 2 sizes. In the early days of telescopic astronomy, refractor telescopes were designed with a single lens at the front and a single lens at the back. So you ended up with: Perhaps another review would be helpful. Looking from different sorts I found the Baader Aspheric 31mm and 36mm.these two eyepieces allow me to switch between 2" and 1.25"just by changing the barrel. The telescope comes with a 2x Barlow so I was thinking of getting one of the zooms you recommended. If well made, Plossls are bright, with good contrast, and a flat field, and excellent sharpness. 1.25" 6.3mm 32mm 40mm Plossl eyepiece set give you a good variation in magnification for a wide range of targets with extra sharpness and long eye relief. So its best for use during duller times when there isnt much brightness visible. Now we have a maximum established. Meade 32mm 2" 5-element Super Plossl Wide Field Eyepiece The big problem with Plssls is that the eye relief is about 0.75 times the focal length. Better edge correction with a short-focus telescope is one of the things you pay extra money for, and sophisticated eyepiece designs have as many as eight elements. 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. And since this article is intended as an aid to beginners rather than a rigorous optics lesson, I think the context I provided works well enough. Le migliori offerte per Celestron 1,25 pollici Omni Plossl telescopio astronomico britannico 32 mm J8R6 sono su eBay Confronta prezzi e caratteristiche di prodotti nuovi e usati Molti articoli con consegna gratis! With modern multi-coated optics that thwart internal reflections, Plossls and Kellners have little difference in glare or transmission/opacity. This is where the cheap eyepiece will frequently fail to deliver a good image, around the edges. Get to know more about us here. We can see that 2 eyepieces have an advantage over 1.25 eyepieces when designers are making wide-view eyepieces. Again, I only do this for my low power wide views. You mentioned regarding ORTHO eyepieces: Excellent specialty eyepieces, usually for planets. But I think you will feel more confident about your purchases and be less likely to be disappointed if you read through the guide. Some of these series also offer 2 eyepieces for telescopes that can accept 2 eyepieces. Customer reviews Average Rating (16 Reviews): Write a Review and share your opinions! I had a bino pair of TV 20mm Plossls, very fine for high power planetary observation with my long focus 8" Mak, then I also bought the older TV 21mm Plossl, after trying the 21mm I sold the more recent 20mm. This type of design also helps provide for eye relief; its a better experience if your eyes. If you feel the need to buy something now, consider this Orion diagonal. . (Compare, for instance, 20mm of each type, or 10mm of each type.) Are plossl eyepieces still worth it? That is a wonderful expression. https://telescopicwatch.com/best-astrophotography-telescopes/. The 50 apparent field of view is plenty for me. We often end up spending more on eyepieces than we did on the telescope. But what are the differences between these two and how do you know which one to choose? Magnification or power = focal length telescope / focal length eyepiece, Focal ratio = focal length telescope / aperture telescope, maximum practical aperture = aperture X 2, Edges of the optics are blackened for increased contrast, which prevents internal reflections, Anti-reflection, fully multi-coated optics provide enhanced light transmission for bright and clear images. A Televue Plssl may be better than a generic one, but the difference is probably not worth the additional cost. If you are completely new to stargazing, Kellner eyepieces are absolutely fine. All registered. My most used eyepiece is an 8-24 mm zoom. 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. LCAS - The Good Old Plossl Eyepiece You can accomplish a longer eye relief by barlowing a longer f/l plossl, so that is something to think about as well. However, you may see them at higher prices for the short term. I dont have a specific diagonal to recommend and I am not aware of any specific issues with the one that is included with the scope.