new 5mm EP for planets. TMB??

[Wurzil]

Hi all

Ive decided against buying a skywatcher deluxe x2 barlow to complete my eyepiece set (giving mags upto 200x) - I think Im going to get a 5mm planetary EP instead.

My thinking being: my 25mm plossl barlowed will be not much different from my 10mm plossl on its own, and the 6.3mm kelner I have will not barlow at all, so the only use I will get out of the barlow will be with the 10mm plossl - so i might as well get a decent 5mm EP instead (giving the same 200x mag).

I dont really want to go much more than about £50 - I quite like the look of the TMB Burgess 5mm planetary EP but I cant find it anywhere (SCS Astro says sold out on website).

Does anyone know where I can get one or one that is very similar (and as good ).

I get paid on friday (at last) but I cant be too extravagant so Im gonna say £55 is the limit (same as the price of the TMB Burgess 5mm on the SCS astro website). I want a rubber eyecup, good eye relief (I hate my eyelashes touching my kelner) and of course nice views.

any advice and links appreciated.

thankyou

warren:icon_salut:

[m.tweedy]

try this

http://www.astronomica.co.uk/index.php/Eyepieces/Special-Eyepieces/TMB-6mm-Planetary-Premium-Eyepiece.html

[Wurzil]

also the lens part of the EP that you look in (cant believe I dont know what this is called) looks like it has a wider diameter on the 5mm TMB planetary than on 5mm plossls, kelners or orthos (from pics on the net). Am I seeing things?

Is this wider diameter a thing to be desired?

Thanks again

Warren

[Wurzil]

Thanks a lot michael thats the one, but they only have a 6mm. I really want a 5mm to get 200x mag. Ive bookmarked the website for future reference though.

thankyou

[part timer]

They are available from Modern Astronomy under the brand name TS planetary.

I have the 8 and 9mm ones and they are fantastic.

[John]

also the lens part of the EP that you look in (cant believe I dont know what this is called) looks like it has a wider diameter on the 5mm TMB planetary than on 5mm plossls, kelners or orthos (from pics on the net). Am I seeing things?

Is this wider diameter a thing to be desired?

Thanks again

Warren

The design of those eyepieces needs slightly larger diameter lenses so the body they are housed in is fatter and a bit longer. They are by no means the fattest 1.25" eyepieces - just look at this Meade 5000 Super Wide !:

Meade - Meade Series 5000 Super Wide Angle

It's only really an issue if you want to use a pair of them in binoviewers.

[Wurzil]

thanks part timer!!! I will order on payday!!!!

PS John - I think you misunderstood me, I didnt mean the housing of the EP I meant the actual lens you look in (looking through my kelner is like looking through a straw, but the planetary EP has a lens has a wider diameter even though its a 5mm?)

thanks everyone - job done!!

Warren

[part timer]

Glad to be of service!

The other good thing about modern astronomy is the ridiculously fast service. I have bought a few things (including the 9mm eyepiece) and they all arrived by the next post.

All orders seem to be processed immediately!

[Wurzil]

hopefully it'll get here before mars moves away too far then!

thanks again

[John]

.....PS John - I think you misunderstood me, I didnt mean the housing of the EP I meant the actual lens you look in (looking through my kelner is like looking through a straw, but the planetary EP has a lens has a wider diameter even though its a 5mm?)

Ooops !

But, yes the diameter of the eyelenses do seem to vary depending on the eyepiece design. All my 1.25" Tele Vue Naglers have an eyelens 18mm across, even the 3.5mm one.

[Wurzil]

.....And now I know that the part of the lens that you look through is called the eyelens

thanks:)

[John]

.....And now I know that the part of the lens that you look through is called the eyelens

thanks:)

No probs

The one at the other end is called the field lens and the ones in between are called ...... er ..... the other lenses

[MishMich]

I have the TMB 6mm, and quite like it. Having a wider lens at the eyepiece seems easier to look through than a pinhole (which I also have, and never use).

M.