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Low-power widefield eyepiece for 12.5 inch F5 dob?

Started by jsc3iii, 11/13/2004 01:30PM
Posted 11/13/2004 01:30PM Opening Post
I am looking for a good wide-field low-power eyepiece for a 12.5 inch F5 truss dob. I wear glasses and have very mild astigmatism.

I am looking in the $200 and down range. Right now the Meade UWA 32 and Siebert 36mm have caught my eye. The 36mm seems like it might be sharper at the edges but I am over 40 and a 7mm exit pupil is probably too large.

I already have Meade 32mm Super Plossl and Celestron Ultima 30.
Posted 11/13/2004 07:18PM #1
Take a look at the october issue of Sky and Telescope, John, at an article by Gary Seronik entitled "How low can you go" concerning low power observing. He states that the only way to get a larger field of view at a given f/ratio and magnification is to use a smaller aperture scope, but the same effect comes by breaking the 7mm exit pupil rule. I tried it, putting a 40mm UO MK-70 on a 12.5" f/6 scope for a field of almost 1 1/2 degrees! Sure, I'm operating as if I were using a smaller aperture, but it works, and I haven't been bothered by a secondary shadow at all! BTW, a 40 MK-70 runs about $150 used on Astro-mart. Best of skies to you,
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico
Posted 11/13/2004 07:46PM #2
I get 1.673° in my 12.5 f/4.8 using a 31mm Nagler. Too expensive for your application though.
I have heard ggod things about the Antares Speers-Waller. they are available in 30mm for about $140 for a 2" EP with 68° FOV.
Floyd

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