The Baader Genuine Orthoscopic range of 1.25″ eyepieces are designed for the discerning Planetary , Lunar and Solar observer. At 40 degrees true field, these are not wide angle, but that is not what these eyepieces are for.
Superb internal baffling with blackened lens edge help cut out most stray light. Broadband multi-coated optics on every lens surface ensures maximum light transmission and high contrast images. Available in a good range of focal lengths.
Click here for more information
The SLT in the title of the Celestron Nexstar SLT telescope stands for Star Locating Telescope
Who are Ostara ?… That seems to be a frequently asked question on internet forums. Ostara products include Binoculars, Telescopes and astro accessories such as eyepieces and filters. Optical Hardware are the UK importer.
Ostara got great magazine reviews, with their Ostara Elinor 10×50 getting best in class in the BBC Sky at Night magazine. The optics in their binoculars are superb, and often over looked by more expensive binoculars from other more well known brands.
More and more, Ostara are moving in to the astronomy range. From budget plossls to wide angle 2″ eyepieces and filters. The filters include 1.25″ and 2″ Moon filters, plus Olll and UHC (ultra high contrast filters). The 2″ Moon / Skyglow filter was featured in the BBC Sky at Night magazine.
As with the binoculars, the astro accessories give you great optics and build quality, but at a price most people can afford.
A range of Ostara products can be bought from Northern Optics by clicking HERE
When digiscoping with a Canon EOS body on aperture priority , you will notice the f number shows as f0.0 rather than the usual f11, f8, f4 etc. This is nothing to worry about, and the camera will still give correct exposure. It will still adjust the shutter speed accordingly. It shows as f0.0 simply because a spotting scope for digi-scoping or a telescope for astrophotography are not camera lenses. In other words the camera does not recognise them.
If using some Nikon DSLR camera bodies, you may only be able to use manual exposure for this type of photography. If you set them on aperture priority, the camera may say no lens attached and not allow you to take the photo, unless you use manual.
Not everyone likes to shop online. Some prefer to buy over the counter face to face. Northern Optics is the place in North Lincolnshire to buy telescope accessories. So whether you are looking for an eyepiece, balow lens, filter or other accessory, why not visit the Northern Optics retail outlet at Barton Upon Humber.
At the Northern Optics outlet, you will find a small but recommended selection of astro accessories
For more information on location, opening times and stock availability click HERE
Hawke Optics Binoculars offer a great range to cater for all uses and budgets. Ultra compact 25mm binoculars , medium 32-43mm up to the heavy 8×56 and 10×56. The larger models are perfect for hunting and low light observations, while all other models are perfect for bird watching / general use.
All current Hawke binoculars are waterproof. For peace of mind , you get a comprehensive 10 years warranty. Available throughout the UK by mail order or retail outlets.
Binoculars are available as either Porro prism or Roof prism options. Most of which accept binocular tripod adapters. But which one should you choose. The choices are standard or slim.
Standard tripod adapter. These are typically fine for porro prism binoculars. Being wider and and more substantial, they are more suited to larger binoculars. Go for a metal one for better stability. Cheaper plastic ones may disappoint. Porro prism binoculars have a deeper internal thread, so the adapter has a longer thread to aid secure fitting. You can use a slim tripod adapter on porro prism binoculars, but the shorter thread may not be enough to hold them steady.
Slim tripod adapter. With the roof prism design of binoculars there is simply not enough of a gap inbetween the lenses to fit a standard adapter. Hence the need for the slim option. A little tricky to fit compared to porro prism binoculars due to the more limited space.
Some roof prism binoculars have the internal thread nearer the front, allowing for the wider adapter to be fitted. Unfortunately there is not enough internal thread to accept the long threaded standard adapter. In this case washers can be added
If unsure which binocular tripod adapter is for you, contact Northern Optics for expert advice
Click here to buy binocular tripod adapters
With great optics and a wide 7mm exit pupil, the Visionary HD 7×50 binoculars are perfect for low light observing. This means they are ideal for astronomy. BaK-4 prisms and fully multi coated optics give outstanding results.
Despite being only 7x, I could easily split the Alberio double star. The colour contrast was remarkable. Steady hands were needed, but a tripod adapter is available as an optional extra if needed.
Pointing to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) the elongated shape was very evident. Averted vision helped make it jump out from the background
The Double cluster above Perseus could be seen as single stars. M15 was a little more tricky, but could just be seen.
For general star sweeping in rich field areas, the results are amazing. Reminded me of the days when I introduced myself to astronomy with my very first pair of binoculars.
All of the above was under light polluted skies. Stars are pin sharp in the centre, fading slightly above 80% from centre, and showing as slightly elongated around the edge. Colours are clear and vivid, with virtually no chromatic aberration in the centre of view.
Handling is superb. Focusing a little stiff, but acceptable. Great news for spectacle wearers with a very long eye relief. This is not quoted, but I would estimate around 20mm.
If you are looking for a starter pair of binoculars for astronomy that can be hand held, you will struggle to beat the Visionary HD 7x50s
A couple came to the Northern Optics retail outlet at Barton’s Waters Edge visitors centre with a few requirements. They were looking for a lightweight pair of binoculars for taking abroad. 10x magnification and close focus were on the list of important factors. After trying out a few sets, they went for the Hawke Frontier PC 10×32 binoculars.
The Frontier PC 10x32s ticked all the boxes. Handing was great, optics were impressive, and the close focus was much better than expected. It was a close run thing between these and the slightly larger 42mm versions. The lightness of the 10x32s was the deciding factor.
The couple were also very happy with the hard case (ideal for travelling) and the thick padded neck strap
Contact Northern Optics by clicking here to enquire about stock levels
**Update** The Hawke Frontier PC range were discontinued in 2012. They have been replaced by the Endurance PC. The Endurance PC range can be purchased from the link shown above
Taking the Ostara 1.25″ plossl eyepieces out of the box for the first time, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. These feel reassuringly weighty in the hands. This is a result of quality materials used. The rubber eye cups (not on the 40mm) are a little thicker than some brands. This means they are less likely to break with continued use.
We checked out the 5, 10 and 40mm. The 5mm and 10mm may not appeal to spectacle wearers, but seemed to have very good internal baffling with little reflection.
The 40mm model has much longer eye relief. The one we tested had no eye cup, but eye relief is so long, you don’t have to put your eye up to the eyepiece, even with glasses on. This long focal length is not just for astronomy. It is ideal for short tube refractors for terrestrial use, and for digiscoping.
No lens caps are included, but they come packaged in a secure bolt case. All Ostara 1.25″ eyepieces are threaded to accept 1.25″ filters.