Michael, you use the word "resolution" and then you gave an example that seemed to imply a difference in "transmission". To sort this out you need a clear understanding of what "resolution", "transmission", and "contrast" mean and how these things can relate to the number of elements/surfaces in an eyepieces. I say "can relate" because it really comes down to specifics. The generalization that your laboring under is an oversimplification. That less glass SHOULD be associated with greater resolution (or contrast, or throughput) is at best a coarse generalization that is usually true yet often false, at best. A given eyepiece may have greater resolution, transmission, or contrast than another, but counting elements won't take you very far along the path to understanding why. On the other hand, from the designer's perspective, the number of elements and surfaces is a factor that they take into account as they design the eyepiece. When they resort to adding additional lenses, it is always because they want something in exchange versus their best design so far using fewer lenses. I don't see anybody offering Tolles eyepieces these days, nor do I see any 2-element eyepieces on the market. If less glass is really that directly connected to better performance, why would that be?
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Mike
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Mike
