Hi everyone
Please give me your thoughts on 3 eyepiece "starter" collection. The eyepieces have to be top quality, have 15-20 mm eye relief and no less than 65 deg AFV.
I already have the high magnification item out of the 3 and that is a 10mm Pentax XW
For medium power I am looking at 17mm Nagler type 4
For low power 28mm WO Uwan or TV 35 mm Panoptic
I can probably afford to buy one of those now, the other will have to wait few months.
Recently I have posted enquiry on this forum about low power eyepiece and basically concluded that the KK Widescan or the UO Koenig is not for me...
Your choices sound supreme! Far from a "beginner's" set.
For your slow SCT you shouldn't need to spend the big bucks on Naglers and Panoptics to get wide views. I'm sure more experienced members can help you out there.
The "myth" that cheap eyepieces do just as well in a slow scope as expensive ones is exactly that "a myth". Simple fact is in an F5 scope the difference between a $500 eyepiece and a $100 eyepiece is from here to the Sun. In an F10 scope the difference between a $500 eyepiece and a $100 eyepiece is from about here to the moon. The difference is certainly not as significant with a slow scope but its still there.
If you like eyepieces with longer eye relief or wear glasses when observing the 17mm Nagler T4 is the best choice in this focal length range. Be aware that it is a 2" eyepiece and you cannot use 1.25" accesories like filters or barlows with it. If you dont need the longer eye relief the 16mm Nagler T5 is a great 1.25" eyepiece and the 20mm Nagler T5 is a great 2" eyepiece. The 20mm Nagler T5 is a superior eyepiece to the 22mm and 17mm NT4's IMO but it has less eye-relief. It is sharper on and off axis, has better light transmission and contrast. However, if you want the longer eye-relief and comfort, the 17mm NT4 is a superb eyepiece and the best choice.
John
Thank you for the reply. As always I can count on you to give informed and useful advice.
I do not wear glasses but have been spoiled by the Pentax and Vixen, besides - I do not like much showing my eye so close to the lens that my eye lashes are touching the eye lens.
Thought the 17mm Nagler will go very well between the 10mm 70deg and 28mm 80deg (or 35mm 65deg)...
I'm sure more experienced members can help you out there.
