Product Description
If so-so seeing is the norm where you observe, its 8mm focal length may represent the shortest focal length practical with a long focal length telescope for observing lunar and planetary detail, resolving globular clusters, picking up small planetary nebulas against a stellar background, etc.
Contrast is very good for planetary and lunar use, rivaling that of orthoscopics and Brandons, but with a substantially wider field of view and excellent eye relief. Its sharpness and lack of astigmatism across the field makes smaller globular clusters vivid and nearly three-dimensional.
The six lens/four group design and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements of the 8mm 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, excellent 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 8mm Paradigm Dual ED eyepiece will make you rethink your expectations about just how good an 8mm eyepiece you can get for such a reasonable price - and make you wonder why other manufacturers can't do as well.
Tech Details
Barrel Size | 1.25" |
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Eye Relief | 13mm |
Field of view | 60 |
Focal Length | 8mm |
Number of optical elements | 6 |
Weight | 6.4 oz. |
Warranty | 1 year |
Reviews
It's a very nice eyepiece for the price. Views are well resolved, and while I'm a beginner, I've noticed very little aberrations in either Dual ED Paradigm. And I'm very familiar with different types of aberrations from a terrestrial photography hobby.
My only criticism is the eye cup design. I personally think the solid retractable eye cup is more of a gimmick than a useful feature. It's easier to get to the right eye relief distance with more light blocking and less scope bumping with a soft rubber eye cup design. That said, it still does the job, it just requires a little more practice and careful movement than a soft eye cup.
Overall it's very difficult to beat these eyepieces. I also have an Explore Scientific 24mm 82 degree eyepiece, and while the huge increase in FOV is noticeable, the views are roughly just as sharp in these little guys. I plan on buying more Dual EDs and rounding out my magnification range since I've had such a good experience with them. (Posted on 12/28/2018)
These eyepieces have comfortable eye relief, apparent field and a nice form factor. The main body is a grippy material with a twist up eye cup - very nice features. They provide good sharpness as well!
I wish I could give these 4 1/2 stars as the only dings would be in the performance away from center axis in fast scopes and coatings. Not to say the coatings are bad, just not as rich as those in eyepieces costing 3x the price or more. I'd rate the Value of these a a full 5 stars! (Posted on 10/6/2018)
One exception - for high power planetary get an ortho or two IF you're fussy about every tiny bit of detail. Otherwise these are the EPs to have for everything else. I even grab for the 5 and 8mm Paradigms for planetary simply because the FOV is so comfortable and viewing is more enjoyable. The contrast isn't quite what a Plossl or Ortho can do but only by a small amount (because you're looking through more glass elements in the Paradigm), but the small difference in contrast is more than made up for by the FOV and sharpness across most of the field. I still usually go for the Paradigm and enjoy! These at least match a good high power planetary EP and Barlow of similar equivalent focal length but with better FOV.
As others have said, if you use a Dob or any undriven scope, these are the basic set to have by a large margin - your no-brainer solution to a great set of EPs, even when compared to those in the higher price ranges. When I look through them, even after years of use and with a few Televues etc. in the "jewelry box," I find myself mumbling, "I love these Paradigms!" Glad I bought them before the price goes up to what it should be. For once I got the better end of the deal. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
Alvaro (Posted on 8/4/2017)