What instrumet for wide angle?

[tico]

hello, I always liked wide views of the sky, especially the Milky Way in summer, they seem very aesthetic to me, without high magnifications of any object in particular. What would you choose for this type of observations? - some wide field binoculars... or - a small refractor with a wide angle eyepiece? Thank you.

Tico

[CraigT82]

Good budget option for very wide field viewing is to buy a used Nikon TC-E2 Teleconverter, you can just hold it up to your eye. I have one which is 54mm aperture and 2x magnification. Takes a bit of practice to observe through it but once you get the hang they’re wonderful under dark skies.

 

[Waddensky]

I have both, 10x50 6.5 degree binoculars and an ST80 refractor with an ES 24mm 68 degree eyepiece offering just over 4 degrees of true field of view.

The refractor of course goes much deeper, showing fainter stars which is especially apparent in regions with many stars, like the denser parts of the Milky Way (which also helps to distinguish dark nebulae). Mounted on an AZ-4 mount it offers very stable views unlike the handheld binos. An additional benefit is that you can attach a filter to the eyepiece, to hunt for diffuse bright nebulae like the Veil, North America and southern gems like the Omega and the Lagoon.

On the other hand, there's something about the two-eyed viewing in the binoculars. It gives a sense of depth, a more immersive experience than the ST80 offers. I also get the impression that star colours are more vivid in the binoculars (30/31 Cygni, Albireo). Might have something to do with the coatings, not really sure (the exit pupil is comparable). Although both setups are reasonably grab-n-go, the binos are much easier to carry and use.

So to answer your question, ehm, both...? They both get a lot of use in my case.

[RobertI]

13 minutes ago, Waddensky said:

I have both, 10x50 6.5 degree binoculars and an ST80 refractor with an ES 24mm 68 degree eyepiece offering just over 4 degrees of true field of view.

The refractor of course goes much deeper, showing fainter stars which is especially apparent in regions with many stars, like the denser parts of the Milky Way (which also helps to distinguish dark nebulae). Mounted on an AZ-4 mount it offers very stable views unlike the handheld binos. An additional benefit is that you can attach a filter to the eyepiece, to hunt for diffuse bright nebulae like the Veil, North America and southern gems like the Omega and the Lagoon.

On the other hand, there's something about the two-eyed viewing in the binoculars. It gives a sense of depth, a more immersive experience than the ST80 offers. I also get the impression that star colours are more vivid in the binoculars (30/31 Cygni, Albireo). Might have something to do with the coatings, not really sure (the exit pupil is comparable). Although both setups are reasonably grab-n-go, the binos are much easier to carry and use.

So to answer your question, ehm, both...? They both get a lot of use in my case.

My experience exactly, not much to add to this. 👍

[John]

Another advocate of both types of instrument here.

Binoculars sometimes do things that scopes can't and are very quick and hassle free to deploy of course.

For higher magnification wide views (15x plus) I find a short refractor on a simple alt-azimuth mount more effective.

 

 

[Emperor!Takahashi!]

Sometimes, when a binocular and telescope love each other very much...

[CraigT82]

3 hours ago, Emperor!Takahashi! said:

Sometimes, when a binocular and telescope love each other very much...

Nice observing spot, I used to be just the other side of Canary Wharf on Shadwell basin before heading down to the south west. I know @markse68 is around those parts too but on the northern bank

[bosun21]

I use my two pairs of 8x40  > 8° binoculars along with my 80ED refractor with wide field eyepieces. Both compensate each other nicely for wide field views. I'm trying to decide which pair of 8x40's to keep and which one to move on.

[Mr Spock]

Small refractor. Size depends on how wide. With my scopes and a 42mm LVW, I get:

60mm - x 9 and 7.71°
100mm - x19 and 3.7°

I would always suggest a good apo due to their rendition of star colours. At low powers an achro may suffice though.

[pregulla]

If I had to pick one that would be 10X50 binoculars. I find it more pleasing just looking around. Also large open clusters appear more "engaging" when observing with both eyes. 

I also have 120mm StarTravel that gives slightly over 4 degrees with 35mm eyepiece - it is better for specific objects under dark skies, like Orion or Lagoona nebulae. It is great for fitting both veils in the same field of view. But for just wandering around the Milky Way I prefer the binoculars. 

[jjohnson3803]

I have 4 small, fast refractors (50mm, 72mm, 80mm, 102mm) all of which give nice MW views, depending on the eyepiece I use.  For super lightweight grab-n-go, I prefer my 8x42 binos.  My 15x70 binos give very nice views, but they really need a tripod due to their weight and viewing high up in the sky is not comfortable for me.

 

 

Edited August 12 by jjohnson3803

[Ratlet]

On 27/07/2024 at 15:05, CraigT82 said:

Good budget option for very wide field viewing is to buy a used Nikon TC-E2 Teleconverter, you can just hold it up to your eye. I have one which is 54mm aperture and 2x magnification. Takes a bit of practice to observe through it but once you get the hang they’re wonderful under dark skies.

 

The good old bionic eyes!  Mine get loaned out to work mates who go to the southern hemisphere.  They are great for what they are, but they're something that is good to have as well as something else.  They also make you look fabulous.

I'm currently also looking at a small apo as a compliment that can also do imaging.  I find the views through my ST80 to be quite acceptable for wide field.

[globular]

Nice photo, but I thought you were going to show us your Teleconverters. 😉

[RT65CB-SWL]

11 hours ago, globular said:

Nice photo, but I thought you were going to show us your Teleconverters. 😉

Here’s mine…

The 3D printed frame was made by fellow SGL’er @Philippe LECA - the 2X teleconverters are 58mm and wrist strap via eBay.