wideangle eyepieces for 12"

[Dean]

I have got a collection of plossol eyepieces and filters. Sizes 32mm-6mm. I am interested in buying 2 wide angled eyepieces one for looking at planets and the other for looking at deep space objects. I have 12” dobsonian. Any advise on what sizes I should go for?

[John]

I have got a collection of plossol eyepieces and filters. Sizes 32mm-6mm. I am interested in buying 2 wide angled eyepieces one for looking at planets and the other for looking at deep space objects. I have 12” dobsonian. Any advise on what sizes I should go for?

Assuming that your scope is an F/5 or therabouts, I would go for a 32mm eyepiece in the 2 inch size. You can get some quite good ones which give a 70 degree field of view for £50-£60. If you go for a longer focal length eyepiece the exit pupil (the bundle of light rays coming through your scope / eypeice combination) will be getting too large for your pupil to take in.

If you have a large budget you might want to think about the 28mm William Optics UWAN or even a Nagler 31mm which both give an 82 degree field of view and provide superb wide angle views with a sensible sized exit pupil.

There are other options as well but IMHO sticking to around the 30mm focal length mark is the way to go.

John

[Dean]

What about an eyepiece for looking at Saturn and other planets? I was thinking of a 3.5mm with a 70-degree field of view.

[John]

What about an eyepiece for looking at Saturn and other planets? I was thinking of a 3.5mm with a 70-degree field of view.

The Hyperion 3.5mm has a 68 degree FoV and that's pretty good.

John

[philsail1]

Thanks for that reply John,

It is useful for me too, as I am looking for some wide angle eyepieces for my Skywatcher 200mm f5 Newtonian.

Regards,

philsail1

[GazOC]

I think for wide angled at f5 you have the choice of Hyperions or spending a lot more for anything much better.

[Dean]

Thanks john/gaz o’c

I only have information on skywatcher swa eyepieces. Where can I get information on hyperion eyepieces? Plus I have been looking at m81 and m82 with a 20mm plossel and thought that that was a good size. could I improve on that?

[dogfish]

First Light Optics (see banner at the top of this page) sells the Hyperions - give Steve a call and mention your SGL membership when you talk to him, you might get a discount. Also, search this site for reviews, there's been a few, all positive as far as I can recall.

HTH, Martin

[Macavity]

To save the others a little work on a Saturday:

New site: http://www.hyperion-eyepieces.com (Albeit redirects to "Alpine Astro")

(Includes the pretty PDF publicity/data files)

Linked from From: http://www.baader-planetarium.de/