Eye piece choice for a refractor

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Hi Folks

I have a SW BD ED120 f\7.5 refractor and am thinking about upgrading the Plossl eyepieces (25 mm and 12 mm) that came with it. After reading several other threads pertaining to eyepiece choice I noted that they were predominately for reflector telescopes.

Being relatively new to all of this I'd like your advice on what two eyepieces would be best to start off with given the following parameters.

1. For visual observing I'm more interested in nebulae, binary stars and globular clusters.

2. I'm not wearing glasses yet, not bad for 52! But plan on having my eyes checked over the holidays and suspect that my status in this regard will change!

At present for the first replacement lense I'm leaning towards is one of the TV 24 or 26 mm eyepieces. But I'm not sure which of the various types would be most appropriate for my scope.

From what I've read the optics in the SW are quite good for its price range, so if I bought a TV eyepiece would I notice a significant difference in my viewing?

It is unlikely that I'll be buying a second large aperture 'scope like a Dob for some considerable time (years) but am trying to plan ahead and make prudent purchases.

Thank you all in advance for your advice and wisdom.

Paul

[Allan]

For observing nebula I would recommend good wide field eyepieces. Some classic nebula are very large and it is nice to take in the whole view at once. The same quality wide field eyepieces can be used for globs and double stars. Although serious double star observers often prefer minimum glass eyepieces like Plossls or Orthos.

TeleVue and Explore Scientific both make good widefield eyepieces. For nebula, I would also recommend a UHC filter in your refractor to bring out the contrast better.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

I use refractors only, and have 26, 16, 11, 7, 5 and 3.5 Naglers.
The 26mm is superb for wide field viewing of nebulae, and the 16mm or 11 mm for globulars, etc.

[MattT]

Hi Paul,
Nice refractor. No glasses at 52….wow….not even to read? I made it to 49 and a half (the half is important ) before needing them to read with, but not at the scope. Being a refractoholic myself here is what I use. I also have a 10" Newt f4.8.
Personally I prefer the ES 68º series in refractors and reflectors (great value for money) with Pentax XW's from 10mm down, as there are no ES 68's below 16mm. It's nice to see the field stop when viewing and the 40mm ES is a close to maximum field of view that any 2" eyepiece can give in any scope.

If cash was no object it would be TV Panoptics and XW's.
Matt

[MattT]

And after re reading your post I'd say go for a 24mm Panoptic. Going from refractor with perfect stars at the edge, to a reflector you will notice the Coma from the mirror. The 68º eyepieces are better at the edge than the 82's or 100's.
I can't use the 100º ES's in the reflector without a Paracorr in the focuser….another expense. I know you state the dob thing might be a way off but that is my suggestion FWIW.

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Thanks heaps guys (Allan, Larry & Matt).

Just for the record Matt my arms must have shrunk considerably in the past couple of years as I'm struggling to hold the books I read at a distance where they're in focus!

Time to start saving methinks - maybe I've been good enough to get one via Santa for Christmas. And ponder which one to get first.

Paul