1.5× Barlow lens availability (UK)

[Paul Manuell]

Anyone know where I can get one, please? Seen plenty of 2, 3 and 5× Barlows advertised, but no 1.5× ones

[John]

I've no connection to this advert but here is one:

U.K. Astronomy Buy & Sell (astrobuysell.com)

[Paul Manuell]

38 minutes ago, John said:

I've no connection to this advert but here is one:

U.K. Astronomy Buy & Sell (astrobuysell.com)

Thanks for that. The write-up says screw top design. Are you familiar with how that works, as in what part of it screws in where, in respect of the focussing barrel and main eyepiece?

[John]

1 hour ago, Paul Manuell said:

Thanks for that. The write-up says screw top design. Are you familiar with how that works, as in what part of it screws in where, in respect of the focussing barrel and main eyepiece?

I've not used one of the Antares barlows but it looks like a type of twist / click lock arrangement with a compression ring holding the eyepiece, tightened using the larger grey knurled ring. The other end is a normal 1.25 inch push fit barrel I think.

Rother Valley Optics also sell the same unit:

Antares x1.5 Twist Lock Barlow Lens 1.25" - Rother Valley Optics Ltd

Edited June 11, 2023 by John

[Second Time Around]

Quite a few  2x Barlows can also be used at 1.5x.

On these dual 1.5x/2x Barlows the black lens cell at the bottom of the Barlow can be unscrewed from the body and then screwed into the filter thread at the bottom of an eyepiece to give approx 1.5x.

US retailer Agenda Astro say in the specification section of each Barlow they offer whether the lens cell can be removed.  Go to https://agenaastro.c...-extenders.htm

FLO do a good own brand such 1.5x/2x Barlow that also has a T" camera fitting at the eyepiece end.  Go to https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlows/astro-essentials-125-2x-barlow-with-t-thread.html

There's also the Baader 1.3x/2x Barlow Q Barlow, but this can't be used with all eyepieces.  This is because if there's a lens near the bottom of the eyepiece there may not be room for the Barlow cell to be inserted.

[The60mmKid]

If you're ok with 1.6x, you can get a Nikon EIC-16 from Japan via Ebay. The quality is outstanding. 

[Bivanus]

A tad late to the thread , however you might like this 😁