More Respect for the Ortho Design

Regarding the venerable Ortho eyepiece design and newer more complex designs, I agree and observe what has been expressed in recent forum threads.

However, sometimes it does just amaze me in unexpected places. Last evening the Moon was presenting a nice opportunity. Occasionally I throw an eyepiece in that frames the entire orb to get perspective and see what's showing of interest to zero in on. I generally use either my 25mm OU Super Erfle, or 12mmT4 Nagler, or 24mm TV Wide Field for this task. But last evening I decided to use a little used EP, my 18mm Pentax SMC Ortho. All I can say is OMG!!! The entire surface was just incredibly crisp from limb to limb and it felt like each mountain was sticking up for the picking on a prickly orb! Anyway, it was a "step back" experience.

So I guess, even though it's an old design, with a small afov, it still apparently has some unbeaten "records" to its credit So anyway, it's moved up to my #1 place for entire Moon observing, leaving the others in the celestial dust.

So...while I have a host of complex wide fields in the case, the Orthos will always have a permanent home.

Amen! 8)

Did you try the other EPs immediately after this under the same conditions?

Keep in mind that orthoscopic really means an eyepiece that is without distortion, and there are a number of variations that carry the label "Orthoscopic."

Clear skies, Alan

I have to agree fully William and add my observations. I have the entire set of Meade RG Ortho’s, the entire set of Meade Series II Ortho’s, The entire set of Vixen 0.965” Ortho’s and the entire set of Pentax SMC Ortho’s sans the 12mm. The Pentax SMC O-18 throws up the best image I’ve ever seen in “ANY” eyepiece. It’s simply the best of the best! The first time I put it in a scope and looked through it I used an expletive!