Quite a salvage for eyepieces. (1 Viewer)

[OPTIC_NUT]

I've been salvaging binocular eyepieces for 1.25" eyepiece use for
a while now, and most come out with incredible results, especially the
'luminous' coated ones from the extra-wide field binoculars.
Generally, a smaller the front aperture and higher power indicate
a smaller eyepiece focal length.

Anyway, I got a pair of Brunton Echo 5055 10x26's at auction,
and while they had a stained and moldy interior, and the collimation
was lost on a dropping (the roof cage sticks out from the eyepiece
so it breaks loose easily in a fall), they turend out to be a goldmine of
goodies for telescope use. I got or made:

---two 'around 10mm' eyepieces with image inverter attached, that
actually can fit into a 1.25" tube! I did have to clean the roofs and
repair their cage on one side. I have two correct-image 10mm EPs, though.
Cool.

---The objective cell on one side can be packed with both objectives
(at the ends) to make a great Plossl eye loupe or 50-60mm
EP to help aim the scope. Has a 'forced eye relief' of 20-30 mm.
(needs adapting on diameter though).

Overall, a great value salvage. The mold came off nicely with toothpaste
and fingers, lightly. The view is a bit dim with my 70mm scope, but
I didn't have a 10mm EP with this quality view before. This seems well past
Kellner, whatever it is.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

One downside: I'm now estimating an FL of about 8mm, by comparison,
so it ends up a bit dim with a 70mm objective. Just ~OK by eye,
but problematic with a camera.

Because the roof unit is on the front, it needs to be used in systems
of f/10 and up: faster optics would lose light. You could use a Barlow to
rope in the light, but that would throw the power even higher.