Quote:
Originally Posted by Profiler
Question for John Bambury (Ausastronomer)
John - you mentioned the German 12.5 Docter previously - I hope this is a simple question - is it worth getting one given the price?
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That depends on how much money you have
Quote:
Originally Posted by Profiler
For example - if you already have a 13mm Ethos, 14mmXW and 12.5XF is it worth getting one? or more to the point - what can the Docter do which the others can't?
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Here you go, here is a short write up I did on the 12.5mm Docter back in 2011
It is still the single best eyepiece I have ever used. Back in 2011 I hadn't used the 17mm and 12.5mm Nikon NAV HW's but I got to use those in March 2013. They are also right at the top of the tree. However, they don't have as much eye relief as the 12.5mm Docter and you can't take in the full FOV with glasses on. The shorter eye relief and wider FOV doesn't really suit me so I wouldn't buy the Nikons notwithstanding they are probably the 2nd best eyepieces I have used in terms of optical performance.
Whilst I rate the 12.5mm Docter as "the best", the gains as you get near the top of the tree are marginal and subtle. The AFOV is listed as 84 deg but its closer to 90. Contrast, light transmission and sharpness are exceptional and it gives a wonderful flat field view in F5 Newtonians without a paracorr.
Is it worth the asking price? If I didn't already have 2 x 12mm Nagler T4's, a 13mm ETHOS and a 14mm Pentax XW and I was starting out fresh then I might go that way. To me it isn't worth selling what I have to buy the 12.5mm Docter, as I use what I have and enjoy them all. However, I am the first to concede it is better than the rest if only by subtle amounts in most areas. The overall viewing experience with it is unsurpassed as it has no faults and is just about perfect in every respect. James Packer wouldn't even think about it
Cheers
John B