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Preliminary results of zoom eyepiece test

Started by JBR, 09/30/2005 12:19AM
Posted 09/30/2005 12:19AM Opening Post
I have completed the first version of a fairly systematic head-to-head test of three zoom eyepieces-- the high end Pentax SMC 8-24mm zoom, the medium/high end Nikon 9-21mm, and the highly regarded new Apogee 7.3-22mm.

The results are somewhat complicated-- rather than try to gist them, I'll refer you to my web site if you want the gory details.
http://users.adelphia.net/~jbrspace/zoom_eyepiece_solar_review.htm

In brief, though, I can tell you that the Apogee is *not* a clone of the higher end Nikons, even if it is an OEM version of the basic Nikon "Earth and Sky" line.

Jim
Posted 10/09/2005 02:39AM | Edited 10/09/2005 02:46AM #1
Jim, keep in mind that the current Apogee zoom is different from the earlier version that was so highly regarded.

Besides it being 7.3mm at the short end instead of the 7.4mm of the old version, the advertised field of view of the new zoom is less, and the focal length markings on the old zoom are not reversed as you found on the new one.

I don't know if there's any difference in optical quality, but there's definitely a mechanical difference.

Mark Salvetti
Saugus, MA