10mm Pentax on the way!

[matt]

Well ... the great EP replacement project continues.

I'm pleased and thrilled (in equal measure ) to announce that earlier this arvo I placed an order for a sparkly new 10mm Pentax XW.

Rob, John and all the other Pentax fans will soon have another in their XW ranks to (hopefully ) sing the praises of this range of EPs.

Many thanks to ausastronomer for your time and efforts in putting together on the weekend a list of "recommended" and "ultimate" EPs for use with the 9.25 AND my 8" f5.

I'll add the Pentax to my 13mm Nagler... and soon enjoy turning my greedy little eyes to the 20mm> range to round out my collection.

Ahhhhhhhhh ... so much spending, so little time

[iceman (Mike)]

Well done matt. After looking through John's 10mm on a few occassions, it's a very nice eyepiece and you won't regret it for high mag planetary/lunar/double star work in your longer FL scope.

[matt]

Thanks Mike

As you'd know, right now in fact, you do a fair bit of agonising over which EP to choose for planets.

I gave the 9mm Nagler very serious consideration but ultimately decided the extra FOV was unnecessary for planets and the eye relief in the Pentax was just too attractive.

I don't wear glasses so 10mm eye relief wouldn't have been too arduous, but we do love our creature comforts and 20mm makes for comfy viewing

[Striker (Tony)]

Congrats Matt.....great eyepiece..

[matt]

Cheers Tony.

Got the feeling I'm really gonna enjoy this EP

[asimov (John)]

Good one Matt! Hope you like your new EP & have hours of 'Oooo!'s & Aaahhh's!

[davidpretorius]

must find a way to look thru one of these, they really are my premium ep's on paper at least!

well done matt!

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Congratulations, matt. I've got the 10mm, and I've found that the extra eye relief takes a little getting used to. It's a great eyepiece, though, no question.

Good luck with it. Wheredjergeddit?

Cheers,

Brian.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Congratulations, matt. I've got the 10mm, and I've found that the extra eye relief takes a little getting used to. It's a great eyepiece, though, no question.

If you adjust the eyecup all or most the way up , eye positioning shouldnt be an issue.

You wont regret your purchase

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Brian,

Geoff is correct.

Unlike most other eyepieces, the eyecup on the Pentax really needs to be adjusted to suit each individual observer. An important thing, when using an eyepiece with long eye relief is you CAN'T get too close to the eye lens, otherwise you will suffer blackouts. Because of the longer eye relief it takes a tiny bit of getting used to putting your eye in the right place to observe and adjusting the eyecup correctly. The eyecup has a long travel range to accomodate eyeglass wearers, so if its screwed right down you will need to screw it up a fair way if you observe without glasses. Once you get the eyecup correctly adjusted, and a little practice in where to put your eye, they are extremely easy to use and very comfortable for long periods of observing.

CS-John B

PS: If you are not sure how to adjust the eyecup, this is what you do.

Hold the black section at the bottom of the eyepiece body steady. This is the stepped metal section about 10mm thick that adjoins the chromed barrell. Then turn the top 1/2 of the eyepiece body anticlockwise. The top 1/2 is the section with the rubber fingergrips and the Pentax label on it. As you turn it anticlockwise you will see the top of the eyecup move away from the eye lens of the eyepiece itself. If you don't wear glasses you will need this almost all the way up, but experiment for yourself until you get it most comfortable for you.

In addition the top of the eyecup itself unscrews. Hold the top 1/2 of the eyepiece body (where the Pentax label is) and unscrew the top of the eyecup in an anticlockwise direction. It could be really firm the 1st time you unscrew it, a couple of mine were, but when you put them back on they just need to be snug. The idea behind removing the eyecup is to make cleaning the eye lens much easier, or to fit a camera adapter directly to the top of the eyepiece for eyepiece projection photography. The top of the eyepiece where the eyecup screws is threaded for a special camera adapter.

Its sorta like driving a Ferrari for the first time when the only car you ever owned is a Morri, Gotta get the feel of it

[matt]

John - Thanks for the advice re: adjustable eyecup. Your help's been top-notch

Brian - I purchased the EP from Star Optics in Queensland. Speak to Lex. Great fella. Very helpful and enjoys a chat.

[Robert_T]

Good one Matt.... hmmm maybe I should have a chat with lex on what Pentaxy things he has in the >20mm range

[matt]

I'd do that Rob. Lex is very aware of IIS and we had a good talk about EPs for SCTs... particularly the 9.25.

So I've worded him up for ya

[iceman (Mike)]

Rob, just be aware that I've read some not-so-good reports of the 20mm Pentax XW, that is, it's claimed by some to be the worst focal length in the XW range. John B would agree with me (and may elaborate), as he's one of the people I'm basing that claim on

I'm not sure what focal lengths they above 20mm.

[matt]

Rob

I agree with Ice, but that's only based on what I've read.

Having said that, I have read a lot of comments to that effect. I'd definitely give some thought to the Vixen LVW 22mm if you're looking for fl in that ballpark.

[ving (David)]

yay!
if you decide you dont want it just send it to me

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by Robert_T

Good one Matt.... hmmm maybe I should have a chat with lex on what Pentaxy things he has in the >20mm range

Robert,

Let me warn you in advance that the 20mm Pentax XW is not quite to the same high standard as the shorter focal length ones. It suffers minor field curvature and the amount of this, is dependant on the design and F-Ratio of the scope its used in. Looking at two of your scopes a C9.25 and a Tak Mewlon 180. The SCT has a curved focal plane inherent with its design and the Tak is a Dall Kirkham design which is best used for narrow field work as it is. So I doubt that either of these with the 20mm Pentax would be a match made in heaven at the EOF.

On axis, the 20mm Pentax is very sharp, has excellent light transmission and contrast, superior to any other premium widefield on the market IMO, but it is not tack sharp to the EOF due to the field curvature. Its still a very very good eyepiece and light years ahead of the cheap widefields but in the 20mm to 24mm focal length with a 1.25" barrell, there are better options available IMO, if you are looking for top performance across the entire FOV.

What focal length eyepiece are you looking for and do you need long eye-relief ? Do you need a 1.25" eyepiece or is a 2" eyepiece an option ?

CS-John B

[astropolak (Joe)]

Guys
I you are looking for Pentax eyepieces please check out http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/
Star Optics advertise the 1 1/4 Pentax eyepieces at $479.00
Matthew from Telescopes Astronomy sells them for $410.00, 15% cheaper.

Just thought I will add little more to the conversation - competition is a great thing, unfortunately we have no competing Tele Vue reseller in Australia....


RGDS Joe

[matt]

Joe

I'm not about to reveal the price Lex agreed on the 10mm Pentax because I was very happy with the quote and I'll honour his offer by keeping that confidential.

I will say it was well below the price listed on their website and very competitive with the price you're splashing all over this thread!

I'm sure he'd be happy to offer it to others.

Perhaps you might like to give Star Optics a call and get your own "best price" before you shoot it out of the water?

Fair's fair buddy.

[astropolak (Joe)]

Yes, I agree fair is fair. I did not ask for any discount at Telescopes Astronomy.
The price I stated is their listed price, the price at Star Optics is $479.00, pure and simple.

RGDS Joe