rrm@inuxe.UUCP (Ron Meyer) (07/18/84)
David, I have some suggestions for you concerning eyepieces. Although I don't consider myself an expert at oculars, I know several people who are and I've used a wide variety of scopes and eyepieces. First of all, with a rather small f number scope, short focal length eyepieces will not preform as well on your scope as they will on an f/6 (all other things being equal). However, you can get good images if you don't ask a lot from your scope, especially when using a 6mm or shorter focal length ocular. I am of course assuming that you want to observe the moon and planets, the only things that really need lots of magnification with little aberations in the optical system. But to get really excellent images of planets and the moon you need to get a larger f number objective and use a longer focal length ocular. Number one point: Short focal length oculars are difficult to make and do not preform as well as the longer focal lengths. Also the eye relief is not as great with the short focal length oculars. If I were you, I would not spend too much on a 12 or 6mm eyepiece. I have Meade orthoscopics (6,12.5, 25mm) and they work very well (note they are not research grade) but my scope is a homebrew 8" f/6.