Masuyama Ortho Plossl eyepieces

The MASUYAMA 1.25" Series 53° eyepieces are known for their superior image quality, delivering high contrast and sharpness across a wide range of focal lengths. The optical configuration consists of a five-element lens system, optimized for high performance. With focal lengths ranging from 5mm to 30mm, users have a flexible range of magnifications suitable for a variety of telescopes and viewing conditions. These eyepieces are fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission and reduce internal reflections, ensuring crisp and clear images of celestial objects. The 53-degree apparent field of view offers a balance between high magnification and a manageable field of view, making these eyepieces a versatile tool for planetary and lunar observation.

Astro Hutech (MOP) Masuyama Ortho Plossl Eyepieces

For astronomers seeking a wider field of view, the 1.25" Series 85° eyepieces are an excellent choice. With an 85-degree apparent field, these eyepieces provide an immersive viewing experience, allowing users to take in more of the night sky in one glance. These wide-field eyepieces are particularly beneficial for deep-sky observers who wish to view galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters in their entirety. Despite the wide field of view, their lens design minimizes distortion, chromatic aberration, and edge blurring, ensuring that the entire field remains sharp and clear. Available in focal lengths of 5mm, 7mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 15mm, these eyepieces are ideal for higher magnifications, providing detailed views of the planets and distant objects in our universe. As with the 53° series, these eyepieces are fully multi-coated to improve light transmission and contrast, giving observers the best possible view in various lighting conditions.

For those who wish to explore even wider fields of view or use larger telescopes, the 2" eyepieces provide a superior option. These eyepieces, with a 2-inch barrel size, are ideal for telescopes with larger focusers, allowing for a greater range of field and magnification options. The 2" eyepieces are particularly well-suited for deep-sky observations, offering an expansive view of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. With focal lengths such as 12mm, 20mm, and 30mm, these eyepieces cover a wide range of observing needs, from medium to low magnifications. They are designed with the same fully multi-coated lenses as the 1.25" series to ensure high contrast and bright, clear images even in low-light conditions. The 2" eyepieces are robustly constructed, designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use, and are built to provide a consistent optical performance over time.

The multi-coatings applied to the lenses significantly enhance light transmission, reduce internal reflections, and improve contrast, which is particularly important in astronomy where high-quality optics are required to view faint objects in the night sky. Additionally, the materials used in these eyepieces are designed to minimize the effects of chromatic aberration and field curvature, ensuring that observers can enjoy sharp, clear views without color fringing or distortion. These eyepieces were designed to be comfortable to use during long observing sessions, providing a secure and comfortable grip and making it easier to adjust magnification as needed. The eyepieces feature a standard 1.25" or 2" barrel diameter, which is compatible with a wide range of telescopes, further adding to their versatility. Their range of focal lengths, combined with their high-quality lenses and coatings, make them suitable for any type of observation, from planetary views to deep-sky exploration.

The 1.25" Series 53° eyepieces provide excellent performance for planetary and lunar viewing, with focal lengths from 5mm to 30mm and a 53-degree field of view that allows for crisp, clear images. The 1.25" Series 85° eyepieces are designed for wide-field observers, offering an immersive 85-degree view in focal lengths from 5mm to 15mm, making them ideal for deep-sky exploration. The 2" eyepieces are perfect for those who wish to maximize their field of view and magnification with larger telescopes, offering focal lengths of 12mm, 20mm, and 30mm, ideal for deep-sky observation.

In conclusion, the eyepieces have an advanced lens design, multi-coating, and ergonomic build. These eyepieces provide astronomers with the clarity, contrast, and sharpness they need to observe the night sky in stunning detail. Whether you're observing the craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, or the farthest galaxies, these eyepieces provide the tools to see the universe with unprecedented clarity.

Masuyama 1.25″ Series 53°

What Piergiovanni Salimbeni had to say about the Masuyama Ortho Plossl (MOP) Eyepieces

In his latest YouTube video, Piergiovanni Salimbeni unboxes and reviews the MOP eyepieces. The eyepieces are available through Skypoint.it, the Italian distributor for Masuyama, and Salimbeni had the chance to test nearly the entire set of these eyepieces, including various focal lengths.

The MOP series offers eyepieces with a wide range of focal lengths, starting at $239 USD. The 50mm variant is the most expensive, priced at $659 USD. Other options include 40mm for $439 USD, 35mm for $350 USD, and smaller sizes like 30mm, 25mm, 20mm, 12.5mm, 10mm, 7.5mm, and 5mm, all priced around $239 USD. These prices are for premium eyepieces, and he noted that their build quality and optical performance justify the cost, making them an excellent choice for serious amateur astronomers.

From the moment Salimbeni opens the box, it's clear that these eyepieces are built with meticulous attention to detail. The optics are fully multi-coated (FMC) with an advanced anti-reflection coating that enhances light transmission and reduces scattered light, making them well-suited for both planetary and deep-sky observation. The lenses are made of high-quality glass, and the eyepiece housing is sturdy and ergonomically designed for comfortable use.

Salimbeni noted the smooth, retractable eyecups that make these eyepieces especially user-friendly for people who wear glasses. The build quality extends beyond the lens itself: the eyecups are made of soft rubber and are fully adjustable, ensuring ease of use for all types of observers. The rubber rings on the barrels are also textured, providing a solid grip even in cold weather when wearing gloves. For those interested in the technical specifications, the eyepieces feature blackened lens edges to reduce reflections, further improving contrast.

In terms of performance, he was thoroughly impressed with the MOP eyepieces. He praised their ability to provide excellent contrast and sharpness, essential for lunar and planetary observations. He specifically highlighted the high level of chromatic aberration control, a key strength of the Ortho Plossl design. The modified Plossl optical scheme consists of three groups of five lenses, which, according to Salimbeni, results in very minimal geometric aberrations. This is crucial for observers who want precise and clear views of celestial objects.

The 53° field of view across all focal lengths is another notable feature. While not an ultra-wide field, it offers a comfortable, immersive experience for most astronomical observations. Salimbeni points out that these eyepieces perform exceptionally well even under the challenging conditions of deep-sky observations, providing crisp details and handling scattered light effectively.

Salimbeni also took the time to highlight how the eyepieces perform with various telescopes. He mentioned that in the near future he will be testing them with his Takahashi FS-128, a short-focus refractor, and mentioned that he will be conducting further tests to evaluate their performance across different focal ratios. His in-depth review, which he plans to release after spending more time with the eyepieces, will offer insights into their performance under real-world conditions, including their ability to control chromatic aberration and provide fine detail.

On the positive side, Salimbeni liked the high build quality, the impressive optical performance, and the overall ergonomic design of the eyepieces. He also appreciated the wide range of focal lengths available, which caters to different needs. However, he does note that these are premium products, and the price tag may be a deterrent for some. While he believes the cost is justified by the performance and quality, it’s clear that these eyepieces are best suited for more serious amateur astronomers or those who are looking for top-tier optical equipment. In conclusion, while the prices may seem steep for some, Salimbeni believes that these eyepieces are worth every cent for those who are serious about their astronomy hobby. The eyepieces offer exceptional performance, especially for lunar and planetary observation, and will be ideal for deep-sky observers as well.

Unboxing of the Masuyama Ortho Plossl (MOP) Eyepieces Made in Japan starting at 219 Euros

Buy the Masuyama Ortho Plossl eyepieces