Fixed power eyepieces? (1 Viewer)

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Bill A

Well-known member

• Nov 9, 2004

• #1

Hi,

I have a 65mm Diascope with the 15x45 (20x60 on the 85mm) zoom eyepiece. Always looking for ways to blow money on optical equipment, I've been wondering about the 23x (=30x on the 85mm) WA eyepiece. Anyone have any experience with it or with any other fixed eyepiece on the 65mm Zeiss? Would I be gaining anything by adding it to my gear, or kit, as the UK types among us might say?

Thanks,
Bill

 

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mattpau

Well-known member

• Nov 10, 2004

• #2

Hi Bill

The thread I started on fixed versus zoom eyepieces is much more general but some of the replies may be of interest:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=25823

 

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iporali

Well-known member

• Nov 10, 2004

• #3

Bill A said:

Always looking for ways to blow money on optical equipment...

Click to expand...

LOL
Nah - don't buy a new ocular, buy a new 85FL objective - then you get more ways to blow even more money.
But seriously, I think the Zeiss zoom is really so good (and wide-angled) that a 23/30x is IMHO unnecessary. For Swaro, Leica and Nikon owners I could recommend a fixed eyepiece to complement the zoom, but for those who own the Zeiss zoom I can't figure out any advantage of a fixed WA.

Ilkka

 

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Bill A

Well-known member

• Nov 11, 2004

• #4

Thanks for the info, guys. Don't need that fixed power eyepiece, I guess. But that 85mm now comes in green, my favorite color. . .

Bill

 

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mattpau

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #5

Hi Bill

I realize that this wasn't the reason you were asking about the advantage of getting an extra eyepiece but I was wondering whether you ever feel limited by the fact your zoom "only" goes up to 45X as opposed to 60X. I'm strongly thinking of getting the Zeiss 65 with 15-45X zoom but worry slightly that it's "underpowered". Thanks for any info.

Paul

 

Kevin Mac

Just sleeping

• Nov 15, 2004

• #6

The 60x can get that critical ID that can make or break a lifer but keep in mind the image isn't razor sharp. I don't think there would be many instances that you wish you had that extra 15X, but having said that, I bought my 60x just for that "chance" encounter.

 

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Bill A

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #7

Well, the more optical equipment, the better. Having said that, I can't imagine having much use for 60x with a 65mm objective: The image is just too dark even at 45x for me to use it often at that power. Up to 30x or so, it's great; beyond that, it really has to be a brilliant day to get much out of it.

Best,
Bill

 

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mattpau

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2004

• #8

Thanks for your input, Kevin and Bill. In another thread (fixed vs zoom eyepieces) some others also weighed in on this question. I feel pretty reassured that for my type of birding the 45X will almost always be sufficient. I suppose I may continue my tradition of occasionally asking people with more powerful scopes whether I may take a peek!

 

Hermann

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2004

• #9

Bill A said:

Well, the more optical equipment, the better. Having said that, I can't imagine having much use for 60x with a 65mm objective: The image is just too dark even at 45x for me to use it often at that power. Up to 30x or so, it's great; beyond that, it really has to be a brilliant day to get much out of it.

Click to expand...

Well, I find the 60x on my Nikon EDIII pretty useful. Alright, the image doesn't really look that nice, but even on murky days there is a difference in the amount of detail it delivery compared to 40~45x. There are occasions when having 60x on a zoom can make all the difference, and on these occasions I'm not worried about how pretty the image is.

Hermann