Compact, lightweight zoom - any recommendations?

[Luke]

Any suggestions for a decent quality zoom eyepiece, with reasonable eye-relief and comfy to use, that is lighter and more compact than a Hyperion zoom? Budget would be £300 max. The more compact/lighter the better, as it would be used mainly on a mini giro, where balance is a bit of an issue. I would mainly be using it for solar white light and hydrogen alpha viewing. If the range is about 8-24mm, then I'd intend to use it with a screw-on barlow to up the mag range a bit.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Luke

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The TS HR zoom gets good reviews (especially for solar H-alpha). I myself am gunning for the Meopta 7.3-14.6, but that is out of your price range.

[Mike73]

Luke

This is at the top of your budget but its optical quality is supposed to be as good as the newer ASPH just with a smaller FoV though, I've got no idea about its size and weight though.

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=80333

The TS HR zoom gets good reviews (especially for solar H-alpha). I myself am gunning for the Meopta 7.3-14.6, but that is out of your price range.

Have you used a Meopta Michael? Some reports of bad AMD distortion here (not that I know what AMD distortion is!)

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Luke

This is at the top of your budget but its optical quality is supposed to be as good as the newer ASPH just with a smaller FoV though, I've got no idea about its size and weight though.

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=80333

Have you used a Meopta Michael? Some reports of bad AMD distortion here (not that I know what AMD distortion is!)

Haven seen that report. Will have a look

[YKSE]

Luke

This is at the top of your budget but its optical quality is supposed to be as good as the newer ASPH just with a smaller FoV though, I've got no idea about its size and weight though.

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=80333

It seems to be about 50 gram lighter than Mark III zoom according to this

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/Eyepieces/Zoom-Eyepieces/Leica-Zoom-Eyepiece-73-mm-22-mm-1.25.html

[John]

.....Some reports of bad AMD distortion here (not that I know what AMD distortion is!)

Thats a new one on me too. Another issue thats being reported with the Leica ASPH is EOFB - edge of field brightening. I suspect it's an issue with others too.

[Mike73]

Thats a new one on me too. Another issue thats being reported with the Leica ASPH is EOFB - edge of field brightening. I suspect it's an issue with others too.

Yes I did read that also John but some people notice EOFB and some dont regardless of it being a fast reflector or not.

The one thing I have noticed about the ASPH users on CN is that not a single person has mentioned anything bad enough about it to sell it on, not even the guys with sub f/4 scopes.

Going way OT, hope you find the right zoom Luke.

[Pig]

Luke,

I have been looking at zooms lately as I am quite addicted to the Nagler 3-6mm, during my searches I came across this one. I mainly want another one for Lunar & solar viewing.

There is also the XW on the same site but it is quite a bit more expensive.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-pentax-xf-6-9-19-5mm-zoom-eyepiece/p1529787