New Scope, looking for EP advice

I am the new owner of a Discovery PDHQ 10" f/6 and would like some advice on eyepieces for this scope. The focal length on this scope is 1524mm.

Here is what I have right now:

UO abbe orthos 5,7,12.5,18, and 25mm and a 40mm Kellner

Orion Highlight Plossls 12.5, 17, 20, 26, 32, and 40mm

I also have a UO 2.8x klee barlow

I am looking at getting rid of some redundant sizes, and bringing a few wide-field eyepieces into the fold. Please keep in mind that I am on somewhat of a budget. So, no 31mm Naglers here. I like taking pictures with my digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 4300) through the scope. I bought the Plossls because they all have the same size top ring. So, the scopetronix camera adapter will fit any of them. The only problem is that only the 17, 20, and 26mm sizes work well without severe vignetting. So, I'm looking to make some changes.

I used to have a 35mm Panoptic that was my all time favorite eyepiece. So, I would like to find another low power widefield. Just not one that is quite as expensive as the Pan.

A couple of eyepieces I'm considering are the UO 40mm MK70, and maybe a 10mm Speers Waler. I hear that many dobs may not have enough in focus to bring the Speers Waler to focus though. So, I am not sure if it will work with this scope or not. I also would not mind one or two sizes between the 40mm and 10mm that are wide field.

I mainly enjoy planetary observing, but some DSO stuff as well. The orthos are great for that, but they have a pretty narrow FOV for DSOs. I really don't want to give up image quality. (maybe a 9mm ortho?)

I've read a lot of posts on eyepieces, but I am not sure what to go with.

HELP!

I realize that the words "planetary performance", "wide-field" and "Budget" probably have no business being in the same sentence. So, I am asking for any advice you may have to offer as to the best choices for this particular scope.

Thanks to all in advance,
Michael Brannon

Michael --

My advice would be to change "few" to "a" and go for the 35mm Panoptic. The UO and the Speers together are going to cost you close to the same money, and neither one is your self-confessed "favorite".

-- Jeff.

For the inexpensive EP award for most bang for the buck, I would vote For Ultrascopic-Ultima types. For the money, they are a good 50-52° FOV EP with acceptable eye relief. ($80-116 NEW)
Another would be the TV Plossls (50° FOV) for the smame kind of money. ($82-110 NEW)
At a little higher cost, the Radians are a nice group. Expecially lately the used prices have been quite reasonable. (60° FOV) I have managed to find them here for $145 each on average. ($155-175 is normal used)
Wide FOV for little money, 40mm Orion Optiluxe is a good deal, not perfect but not bad either. (62° FOV) (Used at under $100.)

The University Optics 32mm MK-80, while not super-cheap, is a promising replacement for a 31mm Nagler. The Cloudy Nights Review suggests that f/6 is about the cutoff point for acceptable performance, so that'd be your call.

The new Stratus eyepieces from Orion are a new unknown - they seem to be imitations of the Vixen Superwides. If they match the Superwides for performance, they'd be major bargains.

I'm primarily recommending eyepieces I want other people to try out, I'm afraid!

Thank you for all the replies.

I used to own a UO MK70 40mm and 25mm. I thought they were outstanding. At the time though, the scope I used the most was an f/5 Orion refractor. In that scope, the center was sharp as a tack, but it had "seagulls" in about the outer 20% of the fov. In this f/6 with better quality optics it should be a bit better. The only reason I swapped it was to get the 35 Panoptic. As I said, I loved that eyepiece. I'm just not sure if I want to spend that kind of money on one eyepiece at this time though. I plan on swapping off 2 or 3 low power ones and end up with either a MK70, or maybe another used 35 Pan though. Who knows?

I guess I'll continue reading up on reviews, shop around, and try to make the best decisions.

If there is anyone out there with a 10mm Speers Waler and a dob, I would like to know if it will come to focus though. I read a review that says "dob owners beware". It said that it may not have enough in travel on the focuser to come to focus.

Thanks for all the advice guys....

I have an Orion 8" f/6 dob with the following eyepieces (with prices I paid new, and comments):
(1) Celestron Axiom 34mm ($180, very good, flat very wide 70deg field, but 20% edges not sharp)
(2) Orion ED-2 25mm ($55, alright - thinking of tossing or replacing this one)
(3) Orion Lantanum SuperWide 17mm ($215, excellent)
(4) Orion ED-2 9.5mm ($55, good - thinking of replacing with a SuperWide 8mm)
(5) Celestron Ultima 7.5mm ($74, very good for planets/double stars, but tight on eye relief)

Let me know how your 10" f/6 Discovery goes. I was thinking of upgrading to that exact same scope...

If I were you, I would dump everything except the 5, 7 and maybe 12.5 orthos, and the 12.5mm, 17mm and 26mmm possls... Then get a nice 32-35mm 2" wideangle first. I wouldn't get a 40mm unless you live in an area with pitch black skies and have young eyes since it gives nearly a 7mm exit pupil with f/6 scope (the problems of the central obstruction is also more noticable with the larger exit pupil).