pentax xf 12mm

[mike bacanin]

hello

does anyone have experience of using this eyepiece for astro purposes?

regards

mike

[FLO]

Good question.

They also offer an 8.5mm but I don't want to list/sell them until I have heard some reports or tried one myself?

I am guessing that they will be well suited to astro...

[mike bacanin]

steve

check out comparision of radian 12mm and pentax 12mm xf on cloudy nights. select eyepiece reviews and click on reviews by make-pentax.

[FLO]

Blimey! It beats the Radian comfortably!

They'll be on FLO's website tomorrow morning

[mike bacanin]

steve

i'm a bit confused, do they use ed glass in the xf?

[FLO]

Yes, they use ED glass.

For light transmission and sharpness the XF eyepieces are similar to the XW range (I am told). They have 60 degree FOV and 18mm eye-relief so whilst not up with the XW series, they are better than a regular Plossl. They also have click-stop eye-cups and are said to be excellent for binoviewing.

As a dealer, any enthusiasm I show will be taken with a 'pinch of salt' but I am genuinely excited to be offering the Pentax line-up 8)

Whilst they don't have the 'space-walk' marketing and glamour of Televue, they deliver where it counts: Optically and mechanically!

[GordonCopestake]

I must admit that the one thing that puts me off the pentax eyepieces is the twist up eyecups. i know it's a little thing but that design gets on my nerves. I much prefer the rubber eyecup you can really get your face against hehe (and get your eyelash grease on the lens!)

[GazOC]

As a dealer, any enthusiasm I show will be taken with a 'pinch of salt' but I am genuinely excited to be offering the Pentax line-up 8)

A pinch? I generally take dealers comments with a cellar of salt.

[FLO]

I must admit that the one thing that puts me off the pentax eyepieces is the twist up eyecups. i know it's a little thing but that design gets on my nerves. I much prefer the rubber eyecup you can really get your face against hehe (and get your eyelash grease on the lens!)

That's one of the things I most like about the Pentax and Meades

Interesting to note that all the premium binoculars from Nikon, Pentax, Leica and Zeiss have ditched the rubber eye-cup in favour of the twist-up type.

I guess it is subjective.

[FLO]

A pinch? I generally take dealers comments with a cellar of salt.

:la:

[GordonCopestake]

That's one of the things I most like about the Pentax and Meades

hehe, each to there own. Thats the great thing about astronomy kit, theres such a diversity of stuff out there you are likely to find something you like and can get on with! Although in my case it may take a few years of buying and selling hehe

[GazOC]

That's one of the things I most like about the Pentax and Meades

hehe, each to there own. Thats the great thing about astronomy kit, theres such a diversity of stuff out there you are likely to find something you like and can get on with! Although in my case it may take a few years of buying and selling hehe

Its part of the fun though, eh?

[GordonCopestake]

very true gaz, I must say I enjoy being able to try lots of different kit. It's almost like hire purchase hehehe

[mike bacanin]

after more hunting i came across a 6 page forum discussion on cloudy nights about the radian/xf comparision.seems that this eyepiece caused some real interest due to the reported high contrast,

i noted that pulsar offer it at £100, not expensive for such eyepiece if its that good!

[Stardust]

I use the Pentax XL & XW eyepieces and absolutely love 'em, the only slip up was the 28mm - too narrow a field.

Dave

[FLO]

... the only slip up was the 28mm - too narrow a field.

The new model has a 2" barrel which permits a full 70 degree FOV 8)

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=pxw30

[Stardust]

hmm that sounds nice