PF-80ED owners, your opinion on higher magnification eyepieces. (1 Viewer)

jmepler

It's just a flesh wound.

• Nov 26, 2007

• #1

I recently purchased a Pentax PF-80ED with the SMC 20x-60x zoom. I am extremely happy with performance of the scope and the eyepiece, other than the eye relief dropping off slightly in the middle zoom range.

I have already run in to a situation where I could have used more magnification. The scope certainly appears able to handle more, with the right viewing conditions.

I am considering something in the 4mm to 6mm range, possibly a Tele Vue Radian or Vixen Lanthanum.

What higher mag eyepieces have you tried in your scopes, and what was your opinion of them?

Also, has anyone tried a 2x barlow in the PF-80ED with the SMC zoom?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Last edited: Nov 26, 2007

Y

young ian

Well-known member

• Nov 27, 2007

• #2

Also, has anyone tried a 2x barlow in the PF-80ED with the SMC zoom?


Hello jmepler'
I very much doubt if the eyepiece
will reach focus with a Barlow i.e. not seating
in far enough.

young Ian.

 

riccardo

Well-known member

• Jan 28, 2008

• #3

Hi jmepler, I own a Vixen 5mm Lanthanium and I find it quite a bit dark in cloudy days, good enough in sunlight days. I own also a 12mm Coronado Cemax eyepiece that is great. Usually I dont push the scope farther than the 12mm but it can easily hold a 7.5mm Takahashi eyepiece.
I'd go for a good planetary eyepiece like a 5mm Tele Vue Radian.

The scope is magnificient. Sometimes equal or possibly better that others that cost a fortune.
r-

 

Tero

Retired

• Jan 29, 2008

• #4

I usually scope over water. At 60x the image starts to break up on distant birds, due to air currents over the water. In really cold weather you might get past 60x. Also, most tripods shake too much to be much use at over 60x.

My current scope, I only go to 49x.

I am not the most experienced with scopes, but experienced birders learn to deal with the info you get at 30-60x and make intelligent guesses.

 

Can Popper

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2008

• #5

I have the Orion Stratus 5mm and the Siebert Ultra 7mm.

For the 5mm, I think it is on the edge of usable. 7mm is quite good with nice long eyerelief. Both would be fine in decent light. Look through past threads and you can find pics I posted using both.

 

J

jogiba

Well-known member

• Feb 28, 2008

• #6

I use my PF-80ED with 5.2mm Pentax XL eyepiece for astro use only. My favorite eyepiece is the 20mm XW with that scope. I also use the 20-60x zoom and 14mm XL.

 

S

Sout Fork

Well-known member

• Feb 29, 2008

• #7

The 80mm is my wife's scope.

For her the "normal" ep is 13mm (40x) Stratus 13mm. If it's a bright clear day and she wants more reach she uses a 9mm TMB planetary at about 60x. She seems to be happy with this combination.

SF