deal alert and questions

For anyone looking for a good deal for eye piece investments, B&H is currently offering the ES 82º set for $670, instead of the usual $850 price. Very significant discount (although you'll have to pre-order, they're not in stock yet).

After lots of discussions and feedback, I think I decided to get some of these myself, to work better in my (on the way) 8" dobsonian. I don't think I'll go for the whole set though. I was thinking of getting the 24mm, which would likely turn into a wide field work horse (50x magnification, 1.64º FOV), and one other. There in lies the tricky decision: which other one? This is a silly question, but do most people end up using as there "medium" magnification? I am thinking mostly hunting for DSOs. Right now I am debating between the 14mm (~ 85x) and 11mm (110x). And I am considering the option to Barlow it for high power, which would be an additional consideration. But realistically I would probably end up using it a lot at native FL, for more detailed DSO looks. Anyone want to share their experience on what they find the most rewarding as their medium magnification? Understanding much of it is personal preference.

Thanks!

And to show that your advice is not wasted on me, I did then realize that it was more about exit pupil. It seems that most people think around 5 is good for wide field views, and around 1.5 or a bit more for low surface brightness small objects - probably what I mostly need to target. In an f/6 scope, that likely gets me to about 10 mm, so I think the 11 would be good. And Barlowed it would give me 5.5, so about a 0.9mm pupil, for higher mag. Does this sound about right?

I have the complete set of these. My favorites in the series with my 12� dob are the 18mm (84x) and the 11mm (138x).

These two get the most use by far with my dob. The 14mm and the 8.8mm come in behind those other two. 24mm is wonderful as sees use as well.

The 30mm kicks up a large exit pupil in the dob, but makes a wonderful eyepiece in my short 5� refractor. :)

That looks pretty good rocdoc. Did I ever send you that article on exit pupil/ targets?

If I could deal with the low eye-relief and the field of vision issues I would be all over that.

The Superview that comes with your scope will probably serve well as a widefield EP for some time. It's going to give you an exit pupil of 5 and a generous true field (I hope I'm using that right I get true vs apparent mixed up) of about 1.7° at 40x, if this online calculator I'm using can be believed. I'd recommend you at least use this first before you consider replacing it.

So... (didn't we just have thread about sentences that begin with so?)

THEREFORE, I would focus more for now on the EP thats probably going to get the second most use and a role that more immediately needs filling, which would probably be medium power. For me personally I use a 14mm which gives me about 89x. However I think the universal understanding of the ES 82° line seems to be the 18mm is the cream of the crop, so I'm not sure you'd want to skip that one. I've heard it labeled a "galaxy killer".

Thank you all! Gabby, I don’t think you did - and I would be most grateful!

Sent you a PM :)

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Originally Posted by Gabby76

That looks pretty good rocdoc. Did I ever send you that article on exit pupil/ targets?

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I think that article should really be stickified so it's readily available. Just do it, please?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rocdoc

And to show that your advice is not wasted on me, I did then realize that it was more about exit pupil. It seems that most people think around 5 is good for wide field views, and around 1.5 or a bit more for low surface brightness small objects - probably what I mostly need to target. In an f/6 scope, that likely gets me to about 10 mm, so I think the 11 would be good. And Barlowed it would give me 5.5, so about a 0.9mm pupil, for higher mag. Does this sound about right?

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Well I rather DO think my advice is wasted. As I remarked 2mm exit pupil is the critical one for optimizing resolution and contrast. So good luck.

https://www.astronomics.com/eyepiece-exit-pupils_t.aspx