10mm ZAOII & AP SPL...

I was out observing the moon tonight with my TEC6MC and was using the 10mm AP SPL yielding 180x - this was the max the seeing would allow tonight. Pulled out the brand new ZAOII 10mm to do some comparisons.

Here's the thing...try as I did, I could not discern any differences between the two. Having read the comparison review of numerous 6mm eyepieces where the ZAOII came out tops, I was expecting to see a visual difference. Swapping them out numerous times, I tried to see if there was any differences in the following areas:

1) Color of the moon
2) Contrast differential when observing the "shadows"
3) Resolution

Nope. Couldn't do it. No difference. Nada. Is this because of the relatively slow F/12 Mak-Cass? Is it because the 10mm ep? Perhaps is it a combination of both? Or maybe my visual acuity just isn't that great?

Really hoping you eyepiece experts can shed some light on this

Just one more thing...no craterlets in Plato were visible tonight so perhaps it is seeing related?

-Evan

Evan Chan said:

I was out observing the moon tonight with my TEC6MC and was using the 10mm AP SPL yielding 180x - this was the max the seeing would allow tonight. Pulled out the brand new ZAOII 10mm to do some comparisons.

Here's the thing...try as I did, I could not discern any differences between the two. Having read the comparison review of numerous 6mm eyepieces where the ZAOII came out tops, I was expecting to see a visual difference. Swapping them out numerous times, I tried to see if there was any differences in the following areas:

1) Color of the moon
2) Contrast differential when observing the "shadows"
3) Resolution

Nope. Couldn't do it. No difference. Nada. Is this because of the relatively slow F/12 Mak-Cass? Is it because the 10mm ep? Perhaps is it a combination of both? Or maybe my visual acuity just isn't that great?

Really hoping you eyepiece experts can shed some light on this

Just one more thing...no craterlets in Plato were visible tonight so perhaps it is seeing related?

-Evan

Evan,

your last remark gives the answer: seeing.

I've done lots of comparisons (even with seeing conditions enabling mags of about 220x) between my ZAOII's and my barlowed Leica asph zoom without detecting differences. May well be there are none or that subtle to not be easily detected.

But I remember a recent posting of a very experienced fellow astronomer on "the other forum" saying: "Seeing conditions trump all eyepiece differences. If the seeing is poor, a Zeiss ortho won't see doodleysquat. If the seeing is truly superb, the lowliest (fill in eyepiece of your choice) will see a fantastic planetary image." (Don Pensack hopefully will not object being cited here!)

Two days ago I've had glimpses of Alpine valley rille with both eyepieces at 180x but again no differences.

Andreas

Your last comment was right on. Considering you could only use 180x on the moon, your skies were likely the culprit. We do not have the best skies in NC, but I routinely use 300x on the moon with excellent results. To see the best out of the ZAOIIs also make sure you have a fine quality objective or mirror.