I'm looking for some advice regarding these eyepieces. I notice that the series have a built-in M43 thread such that one can use them for eyepiece projection photography. I assume from reading the specifications that I'll need an M43/T2 adapter as all of my T-rings are T2 (M42x0.75)->Model.
I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with these lenses (visually) and whether anyone has used them for eyepiece or afocal projection (photography).
There are a myriad of accessories, which I'm still trolling through, any experience with these would be greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking about buying the full set of eight (3.5, 5, 8, 10, 13, 17, 21, 24). I'm aware that they don't have the greatest FOV (68deg), but the flexibility may sway me to get them.
Any criticisms, lavish praise and/or any note-worthy comments welcome.
I have these eyepieces as well but for Astro photography I have not used them. But they are still good visual lenses and I purchased them for the purpose that maybe one day I would get some value out of them for Astro photography.
They are not anything like the Nagler's or the like, but they are a good economic will and very functional eyepiece and they have an excellent high relief which is really great because I wear glasses.
You won't necessrily need all eight I think. Hyperion EPs have a detachable front Barlow element group which then increases the focal length. For instance a 8mm EP becomes a 21.8 mm EP, albeit with a 2" barrel instead of the 1 1/4" which was removed with the front group.
Then you can buy Fine Tuning Rings which fit between the front group with its 1 1/4" barrel, and the main body of the EP with its 2" barrel. These FTRs further modify the focal length and can be bought in 2 sizes, 14 mm and 28 mm. The attachment shows the effect, as these FTRs can be used singly or together. So one lense can be made to have 5 selectable focal lengths. A 13 mm Hyperion can function as that, also 8.1 mm, 9.2 mm, 10.8 mm, and 22.9 mm.
I have a set of Baader Hyperion EP's and find them a very usable EP... Some time back JohnG and I did a comparison of similar sized and fielded Nagler EP's and found the Baader EP's to be very comparable to the TV Ep's. The TV's showed slightly more contrast with the background being a little darker but all up we both felt the Baader Ep's were a very ecconomical alternative with great eye relief and a confortable EP to use.
I haven't used them for astrophotography and couldn't reccomend them for this purpose but for visual they are pretty good.
Optically, Hyperions are pretty good (but not outstanding), however as might be expected, their Swiss army knife versatility doesn't come without a price, as a BBC Sky By Night magazine review from 2007 highlighted:
Quote:
The Baader Hyperion range represents an innovative modular approach to eyepiece design, although it makes assessing the eyepiece even more complex. As well as the 1.25-inch barrel, the lower body has a machined 50.8mm recess so that it will fit into a 2-inch diameter drawtube. However, if you try this with a 2-inch star diagonal inserted, the eyepiece will be so long that the 1.25-inch chrome barrel may well clang into the diagonal’s prism.
Uniquely, that chrome barrel, containing half the lens elements, can be unscrewed. It transforms the eyepiece into a very low power, but low quality 2-inch barrel eyepiece. Somehow we cannot see most amateurs wanting to perform this action outside in the dark.
The Hyperion’s top surface is threaded to accept photographic/DSLR type adaptors, which may be useful, although most amateurs interested in high-power imaging will go down the Barlow/Powermate webcam or video route and just use the camera’s 1.25-inch barrel.
This eyepiece performed well and it sits somewhere between the Sky-Watcher SWA and the Vixen LVW in terms of field of view, sharpness and eye relief. It’s excellent value, but the modular approach is not necessarily a good thing.
Baader's modular design also leads to an annoying dust problem possibly unique to Hyperions: the surface of the internal lens exposed when the bottom section is removed, is in focus through the eyepiece, so dust particles that enter will be very obvious when later observing the moon and potentially other targets.
Rather than buy a full set of hyperions think about getting three Naglers. I have just replaced my 21, 13 and 8mm Hyperions with Naglers. Three good eyepieces is enough. The Hyperions are good eyepieces though, great value and I still have mine.
... just buy a set of 3 that give you the lowest power your scope can give (6mm exit pupil), medium and moderately high power at X1 to X1.5 per mm of aperture).
I certainly wouldnt get a whole set either, 3 or maybe 4 max should do the trick.
In wide FOV EPs, the new model Explore Scientific 82 degree EPs are ones that are worth a look at also; $100 off each in May and a nice strong AU dollar...
Baader Hyperion Eyepiece
