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With a short focal length refractor it is a low power eyepiece. With the 430mm focal length Astro-Tech AT72ED, for example, its six lens/four group multicoated dual ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optics provide 36x and a field over three times as wide as the full Moon. This is well suited for observing globular clusters such as M13 and M22. Both fit nicely into its 1.67° field with the AT72ED, with a framework of black sky around the clusters to set them off. Its sharpness and lack of astigmatism across the field make globular clusters sharp, vivid, and nearly three-dimensional.

It is also quite remarkable for medium high magnification observing with long focal length refractors, reflectors, or catadioptric scopes. On an 8” f/10 catadioptric, for example, it yields 167x. This is an excellent magnification for planetary and close-up lunar observing, particularly when the high contrast of the eyepiece (rivaling that of orthoscopics and Brandons) is combined with its excellent color fidelity. Its overall performance makes it a much better choice as a second eyepiece than merely doubling the power of most scopes’ so-so standard 25-26mm eyepiece with a Barlow.

The six lens/four group design and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements of the 12mm Astro-Tech Paradigm provides all of the optical virtues described at the top of this catalog page – high contrast, a sharp and flat field from edge to edge, excellent color fidelity, and exceptionally low astigmatism and barrel distortion. It has a usable eye relief of 13mm, very good for an eyepiece in this focal length range. Combined with the twist-up eyecup design, the long eye relief makes it a good choice for eyeglass wearers.

This new Astro-Tech 12mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece will make you drastically revise your expectations upwards when it comes to how much optical excellence you can get for such a reasonable price.