Optolyth help please (1 Viewer)

[Paul97]

Hi folks

I’m returning to birding after a 20yr break. My Optolyth TBG-80 which is roughly 30yrs old is in need of a new eyepiece. The objective and prism are spotless but the outer lens of the eyepiece has suffered a coating failure making look like its constantly foggy.

I can’t afford a new scope and I’m not inclined to buy a new one as the Optolyth body is still in such good shape. I have been struggling to find a new eyepiece for the scope. Optolyth in Germany are unresponsive.

There are a couple of zoom EP’s on eBay but I remember rightly the Optolyth zooms were pretty poor. Ideally I would like a fixed 30x ww.

Does anyone know if the new Optolyth EP’s will fit the 30yr old scope?

I’ve read a couple of threads regarding adapting the scope to take Astro eyepieces but I think I’m right in saying this will only work on the newer Optolyth‘s as the older ones have a glass seal/lens too close to the eyepiece thread.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Paul

 

[dwatsonbirder]

I'm not sure how helpful this is, but this thread may have some useful info. Here is a used eyepiece, a 20x though it looks as though they're not easy to come by on the used market. An alternative would be to ask Opticron about compatibility, and purchase an adapter?

 

[slingworks]

Hello, I had a TBS80HD for a short while.

I believe the eyepieces are the same thread . I had the feeling that Optolyth has never really changed anything design wise. Ebay is full of new Eyepieces. 20x is $225, 30xW is $270 plus shipping. I had the new zoom on mine. I don't like zooms, but I found it pretty decent. seemed better than my Kowa zooms. (Not the new 10 or 11Z).

 

[jring]

Hi Paul,

welcome back!

I agree that Optolyth EPs have never changed, so a current one should fit fine. I had a quick look on german ebay and some gumtree equivalent but alas, no cheap used 30 wide were to be found...

I found the following 40x but (from images in another ad) the eyelens is very small which means narrow apparent field of view and/or insufficient eye relief - so not really recommended, but cheap.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Okular-40x-...348122?hash=item2170244d9a:g:smUAAOSwLIZeRqde

And yes, if you are in for some DIY, a 1.25" wide angle astro EP of 16mm or so would be a great alternative and give sth near 30x... I'd probably stick in my Explore Scientific 16mm 68 degree... so if you know some astronomy nerds, you might take your scope there and kindly ask if you can try to hold an EP around 16mm in there and see if you come to infinity focus...

Joachim

 

[Paul97]

Thanks for the replies.

My gut feeling is that the thread will still be the same size. I think I’m going to order a new 30x ww EP, I suppose I can always return it if it doesn’t fit. The only supplier I can find other than eBay is the one on this link...

https://www.astroshop.eu/fixed-focal-length-eyepieces/optolyth-eyepiece-30x-ww-45x-ww/p,1081

I’m a little confused as the picture appears to show two different eyepieces a 30x and a 45x but there’s no way to choose which one. Unless you get two ��

Are there any other Optolyth suppliers I should try?

Paul

 

[jring]

Hi Paul,

this EP is correct and will result in 30x on your 80mm scope. It is going give 45x magnification on Optolyth's 100mm body. The price is ok for a new item - I found it a little bit cheaper on sale in this german hunting store, but they recommend to contact them before about shipping charges when buying internationally...

https://vegaoptics.de/optolyth-okular-30x-ww

Joachim

 

[Paul97]

I saw that the EP on the left in the pic says ø80 = 30x but the EP on the right says Ø80=45???

Really strange, and as far as I can see on the Optolyth website they don’t make a ø80=45 EP.

 

[normjackson]

A used eyepiece with scope :
https://www.at-infocus.co.uk/product/optolyth-tbs80-c-w-30xww/

I believe AceOptics used to be an Optolyth retailer (and were helpful to a former BF member's enquiry) but can't see any new items on their site now (dwatsonbirder gives a link above to one of their Ebay listings above as well as link to a very relevant BF thread).

Not tempted by an Opticron SDL zoom eyepiece which appears to be more versatile being a zoom and also useable on a lot more scopes should you wish to sell/upgrade later?

 

[Paul97]

Hi Norm

I read some good things about the Opticron SDLv2 but I would need to buy a new scope to fit it. I’ve contacted Opticron and they said they’ve never made anything that will fit the Optolyth or made an adapter. Any suggestions which Opticron scope I should look out for and I’ll weigh up my options.

Paul

 

[normjackson]

Some comments here about using SDL zoom with Optolyth scope :

https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=314876&page=2

 

[Paul97]

Looking at pics of the sdl I would need to wedge the EP into the opening of the Optolyth with o rings. I’d rather have something that fits with the thread.

 

[jring]

I saw that the EP on the left in the pic says ø80 = 30x but the EP on the right says Ø80=45???

Really strange, and as far as I can see on the Optolyth website they don’t make a ø80=45 EP.

The right image is wrong. And so is the image in the sale offer I linked... Not quite sure whether this 45x wide EP has never existed and was photoshopped by somebody or what is the matter with that.

But for a non-HD variant, 45x is a bit on the high side anyways, so 30x is recommended...

Joachim

 

[Paul97]

Thanks Jaochim

So the bigger question is, is it worth spending the £260 on a 30x EP for the Optolyth or should I put the money towards a second hand Opticron or Kowa? I wouldn’t have much more than the £260 to spend though

 

[normjackson]

Looking at pics of the sdl I would need to wedge the EP into the opening of the Optolyth with o rings. I’d rather have something that fits with the thread.

Fair enough.

Might be worth posting some pictures of your scope like Bencw did on that thread perhaps to confirm it is one of the older scopes that has issues with astro eyepieces which don't have detachable lower parts.

If your scope is not the HD version then the 30xWW looks like it would be a good match. It just seems to me the £200+ for a new fixed wide eyepiece seems a lot to spend. In your position a prompt helpful response from Optolyth Germany might have twisted my arm a bit mind

It's not really such a good time to buy used stock from dealers since there has been little turnover during lockdown and the best deals have probably gone. If you favour a straight scope then that would be in your favour since they seem to be less popular in the UK.

Here's a quicky researched list none of which shout bargain. As you'll see some of the items carry injuries which probably don't affect their functionality but would their resale value or part exchange value if intended upgrading later :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RSPB-Har...912610?hash=item3b3c21b5a2:g:5uYAAOSwJeVdwYrx
https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/opticron-es80-edv3-ref-11833.html
https://focusopticsltd.co.uk/product/opticron-hr-66-ga-ed-487/
https://www.focalpointopticsltd.com/shop?Collection=Pre Loved Equipment

 

[jring]

Hi,

that is a tough decision regarding the price of a new Optolyth 30x wide, especially as you have seen what a used non-HD Optolyth scope with 30x wide is worth:

https://www.at-infocus.co.uk/product/optolyth-tbs80-c-w-30xww/

In general, a well made plain glass scope can offer great views with a 30x wide - I still like to remember when I met a fellow birder with an old plain glass Kowa TSN-1 and the awful 20-60x zoom on some walk. She always complained about her scope and compared it with every other scope in the group in order to buy a new one (and yes, the view through her setup was not great). I then remembered that I had my current 30 wide somewhere in my scopac and we put that in her TSN-1, the view was nice and she just asked where to get that.

I personally would just wait and check ebay, gumtree etc from time to time to find a well priced used Optolyth 30x wide - but that is easily said if you have another scope to use or three...

Another option would be to buy a well priced used scope, preferably with ED glass and sell off the Optolyth body (and maybe throw in the broken EP as a freebie). This example looks promising - comes with a 30x wide EP and has potential for higher magnifications. Also it comes from a reputable store with a return policy so you can test it.

https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/opticron-es80-edv3-ref-11833.html

Or this one with a 16-48x zoom EP (this one also takes astro EPs so many cheap fixed options are available):

https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Celestron-REGAL16-48X-65F-ED-/-180311_266212.html

Joachim

 

[Paul97]

Lol I just messaged them about that Opticron. The description says there’s a scratch on the objective. I’ve asked how bad it is...

 

[jring]

Lol I just messaged them about that Opticron. The description says there’s a scratch on the objective. I’ve asked how bad it is...

Hi,

in general, scratches or other blemishes in the objective lens are not an issue optically. Even a large scratch which is easily visible will not have a big effect on the image as it still covers only a minute portion of the objective surface area. If it's well visible you can blacken it with a sharpie in order to avoid light reflecting from it.

Eyepieces are where things get tricky with scratches as the lens area is smaller... especially bad are scratches and/or dirt on the field lens (the innermost lens of the eyepiece) as this will be at or near focus and thus actually be visible in the image when observing.

Joachim

 

[DRodrigues]

The right image is wrong. And so is the image in the sale offer I linked... Not quite sure whether this 45x wide EP has never existed and was photoshopped by somebody or what is the matter with that.

But for a non-HD variant, 45x is a bit on the high side anyways, so 30x is recommended...

Joachim

The 45/65x WWB existed and is the best ep that Optolyth ever produced - I have one!

Paul, I have a 20/30x WW ep that I can sell you - will send you a pm.

 

[jring]

The 45/65x WWB existed and is the best ep that Optolyth ever produced - I have one!

Paul, I have a 20/30x WW ep that I can sell you - will send you a pm.

Hi David,

thank you for the Info and for the offer to Paul!

Joachim

 

[Paul97]

Hi guys

Well I have to say a massive thank you to David! He has supplied me with a near perfect EP at a very acceptable price. My scope is now like new, can’t wait to get out and try it in the field.

All I need now is a stay on case.....

Thanks again David

Paul