Sometimes, you just can't win.

[TheFatKitty]

Well it's about time! Glad that it finally arrived safe and sound. Oh, you know you want that 6mm. But wait, look how many 9mm's are left.

Thanks, Frankie! Yeah, I was one happy camper I read your reply before I went out tonight, and now I'm reading it again. I'm thinking a 9mm might be better than the 6mm..... I also need the 25mm

It showed up today, and just like the last one (18mm), it was in a box that fit into the mailbox, and again, no duty tax Seriously, that saves me about $220-$30 bucks CDN on this. I don't know how Agena Astro does it, but my hats off to them!

I'll keep this short. I'm tired, but very happy. Skies tonight were so-so; I could make out Cassiopeia and Andromeda. I took out my orange C80 and my Tasco 4.5" Lunagrosso. I figured a Japanese lens would go well with Vixen and Towa optics.

I was not disappointed, even with the lousy skies. Transparency was pretty crap, but the view of the Double Cluster was stunning. Starting with the KK 18mm, I could get half of both through the scope. What a view . The colors were so vivid; especially the difference between blue and white stars. Orange and red were more subtle, but I'm sure that will be apparent on a better night.

Next, I popped in my new purchase, the 12.5mm. OK, first thing I didn't know or read, is that they're parfocal. What a nice surprise! My C80 is stock, and the one-speed stock focuser is butter on a hot stick; so sweet. That 12.5mm snapped into focus, and all of a sudden, everything is still sharp, slightly more color contrast , and a smaller field of view. Not even a quarter of the clusters through the lens, but for what there was, it was great
And this was with a not so good night.

As for the smaller field of view, I prefer it over the "move your-head-around" view. My ES 16mm and 20mm are great lenses, but I really like these orthos better than them. Not to mention the eye relief (for me) is perfect.

I then took a look at the Andromeda galaxy, as this was the only DSO I could pick out visually. Through the C80 with the 12.5mm, it was a distinct white smudge With the 4.5" Tasco and the 12.5mm, it was just brighter .

I really like these lenses. The views are great, albeit a bit small, but I'll trade quality for quantity any day.

My wife at that time popped out the back door and said they were going to sleep. Just as well, the haze was getting a little more obvious, and like I said before, I'm tired.
Long weekend + busy first day back at work does not = lots of energy/enthusiasm. Simple math

I almost have enough saved from doing some OT for another one of these lenses. Actually, that was the reason I did the OT...

I like your suggestion, Frankie; I see a 9mm in my mailbox pretty soon

And as an edit, a pic of my scopes tonight

IMG_0001.jpg

Good night, all, and all the best!

[SpyderwerX]

That's awesome, Mark! I tell ya, it's great to finally receive that awaited item and then to have it meet, or exceed expectation. Makes the money spent seem much more justified. I'm glad you had at least a bit of a window and opportunity to give it a run-through.

I also find that I use my Ortho's and Plossl's much more than any of the wider field pieces I have. My eyes are getting too old and tired to be wondering around all over the EP like that.

[j.gardavsky]

...

I also find that I use my Ortho's and Plossl's much more than any of the wider field pieces I have. My eyes are getting too old and tired to be wondering around all over the EP like that.

Hello all,

that's a great thruth and a very imortant secret leading to a hardly expected success
in the visual astronomy of difficult nebulae and galaxies.

On yesterday night, I have got the best view ever on the often invisible or elusive nebulae IC 59 IC 63 close to Gamma Cas,
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap091224.html
and you may guess which eyepieces have revealed these very faint fuzzies through my 6" F/5 achro:
- "the 3 lenses only" Leica L f=32mm, AFOV 45° in a ceremony of putting it on service
- "the king of contrast" Leica HC Plan S f=25mm, AFOV 50°

Best,

JG

[DeanD]

Good to hear the induction ceremony for the Leica 32mm went well JG! They both sound like great eyepieces.

Unfortunately none of my eyepieces can reveal IC 59 and IC 63: in fact I can't even see Cassiopeia! There is a huge pile of rock in the way...

Happy observing,

Dean

[Bigzmey]

Congrats on your new fine glass Mark! Glad they work nicely for you.

P.S. If you are tired of your 16mm ES, I will take it of your hands