The Best Eyepiece I have ever used - 12.5mm Docter

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Hi all,

As part of the 3RF equipment inventory we have some very high end gear, including a large assortment of premium telescopes and eyepieces. In addition, our overseas visitors usually bring some of their favourite eyepieces, many of which are rarely seen in Australia. This was how I originally got to try the 14mm Denkmeier; which I have subsequently talked many Aussies into buying. It is now not quite such a rare thing in Oz.

I recently returned from another Ozsky trip and 4 nights of observing at Coonababran under pristine skies.

Well I got to try another eyepiece which I had heard a very small amount about, which was all positive, but I had never seen one or looked through one. The 12.5mm UWA Docter. Well to say it's a keeper is an understatement. This eyepiece is only sold by a handfull of dealers worldwide including APM Telescopes in Germany.

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/docter-...nfo_37366.html

Docter Optics is the brand name of a high end German Optical Manufacturer called Analytik Jena which took over the Carl Zeiss manufacturing plants at Jena and Eisfeld in Germany in the late 1990's. The 12.5mm was originally a binocular eyepiece and has recently been re released in a specialist astronomical eyepiece version, as well as the binocular version. No other focal lengths are available in the astronomical format.

It weighs about 500 gms. It has 20mm of eye relief and is very comfortable to use, with or without glasses. It has a stated AFOV of 84 degrees, although it's more than this in practice. The FOV is clearly greater than the 13mm Nagler T6, but less than the 13mm ETHOS. I would estimate the AFOV to be "almost" 90 degrees. Machining quality of every single component was typical of the very best German manufacturing and production. Exquisite in every respect.

How does it perform? Tack sharp stars to the EOF in the 25"/F5 Obsession. Tack sharp stars to the EOF in the 30"/F4.5 SDM, when used with the Paracorr. Light transmission was extremely high. Contrast was exceptional. Colour tone was extremely cool and "white". On axis it was extremely sharp. Quite simply the very best eyepiece I have ever used. To be honest it was a cut above anything else I have used in the 12mm to 13mm focal length, including the 12mm Nagler T4, 13mm Nagler T6, 13mm Vixen LVW; and the 13mm ETHOS. It really was something exceptional. The downsides? Being sold by only a handfull of dealers worldwide I would imagine while warranty support is not likely to be needed, if it was accidently damaged it would need to go back to Germany for servicing and that would cost plenty. It is extremely expensive. About 600 Euros which would be over $800 by the time you shipped it to AUS and paid GST and then got credited the German VAT.

I couldn't justify buying one at that price, but jeez I would love to own one and will use one whenever the opportunity presents itself again.

Cheers,
John B

[erick (Eric)]

That's a big call from you, John. We are all dying to look through one now.

And it comes with a rigid leather case and an instruction booklet!

Wonder if my club will buy it as a "loaner"?

[UniPol]

I pinched these images from CN forums which I am a member, I'm sure they won't mind.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Wow, interesting comments.
John, have you had the chance to try any of the various premium Nikon EPs that have emerged over the last year or so?

[Suzy]

I always enjoy reading your eyepiece reviews - I sit up and take serious notice of what you have to say. Thanks John.

Ouchy, that's one expensive ep. Pics look good.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

John,

Thanks for sharing your impressions. I've never used one myself but had heard good things about them too...now to win the lottery...

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by JethroB76

Wow, interesting comments.
John, have you had the chance to try any of the various premium Nikon EPs that have emerged over the last year or so?

Hi Jethro,

I haven't had the chance to use any of the new Nikon NAV HW Wide Angle offerings. I have heard some very favourable reports from people I respect. In most cases these people rate the Nikon NAV HW as good as the Docter and slightly better than the equivalent focal length ETHOS. I have no doubt these reports are accurate, having regard to Nikons' reputation for outstanding optics (at the high end), the price of the eyepiece ($1200 plus) and my past experience with earlier premium Nikon eyepieces. I used a 7mm Nikon orthoscopic many years ago. I rated it right at the top of the food chain and essentially the equal of the Zeiss orthoscopics.

Cheers,
John B