Harry Siebert Optics Premium 19mm, 1.25 inch

Info	Votes	Messages	More Stats	Up One Level

Brand and Model:	Harry Siebert Optics Premium 19mm, 1.25 inch
Price ($USD):	$119.00
Type:	Misc Wide Angle
Focal Length:	19 mm
Barrel Size:	1.25 in
Apparent FOV:	75.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:	0.0 mm
Eye Relief:	12 mm
Elements:	4
Weight (lbs):
Description:

Vote Highlights

Harry Siebert Optics Premium 19mm, 1.25 inch

New to astronomy and variable star observing, I began searching for eyepieces to supplement the two that came with my Orion XT6, a 6" f/8 dob. On the advice of my AAVSO mentor, I contacted Harry Siebert, and told him of the difficulties I was having observing low magnitude stars and DSO's, and gave him my budget. He suggested his 19mm Ultra. He described it as a "poor man's Panoptic." I ordered the 19mm Ultra, and then obtained a 24mm Televue Panoptic for comparison purposes.

The Siebert is $119, Panoptics are in the $250 to $300 range. The Siebert has 4 elements, the Panoptic 6. Both claim to have a wide fov of about 65 degrees. The Siebert is lighter and has a contemporary industrial look, whereas the substantially heavier Panoptic is glossier and more polished in appearance.

Both deliver panoramic views of the sky. The Siebert is clear, sharp, with lots of contrast over most of the field of view with some deterioration near the edge. The Siebert exhibited some lens flare and ghosting as well.

The Panoptic is exceptionally clear and sharp to the edge, with a bit more contrast.

With bright objects like Jupiter, both exhibited some chromatic distortion near the edge, the Siebert more so.

The Siebert equalled or exceded the Panoptic in delivering views of faint stars or DSO's. Under my fairly light polluted conditions, I was able to see stars of 12.4 magnitude, whereas with the Panoptic I was only able to see to 12.0 magnitude. Some of this may be due to the difference in magnification of the two eyepieces. However the Siebert appears to be a real performer in this area.

In my opinion, "Poor man's Panoptic" is a misnomer. The Siebert 19mm Ultra has a strength and character of its own. For a "wide angle" eyepiece, it is a good all around performer (I would rate it an 8), but it is exceptional in delivering views of faint stars and DSO's (for this I would rate it a 10). It's price makes it one of the best values in eyepieces that I have found.

Since I am a beginner, I especially appreciated being able to contact Harry Siebert with a problem, and having him suggest a solution which worked, within my budget.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 04/02/2003 08:50:55 am PST
By: Leonard
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=215265

Reply Replies: 0

Harry Siebert Optics Premium 19mm, 1.25 inch

These eyepieces are advertised as having "70+ degree FOV" and 20mm eye relief. I bought a pair of the eyepieces for use with a Binoviewer in my 9.25" SCT. I found the eyepieces lacking somewhat in both respects.

Using the "drift" method, and taking multiple samples, I found the FOV to actually be about 67 degrees, not 70+ (Procyon took 130 seconds to cross the field at 124X).

I also compared the eye relief to a Epic ED-2 and a Televue radian, both of which also have 20mm eye relief. Clearly the Siebert eye relief was less than the others. I'd say it's closer to 10-15mm. In order to see all the way out the the field stop, I had to press my eye firmly against the eyecup, which was about 12mm high. I would not recommend it for people who wear glasses at the eyepiece.

Optically, the eyepiece is very good. Very good contrast, and clear focus even at the edge of the field.

The body of the eyepiece is made from machined aluminum instead of steel, so it is much lighter than most eyepieces. This is especially ideal for binoviewers. However, I would recommend getting some nylon set screws for your diagonal or focuser, because the aluminum barrel can be easily marred by metal screws.

If the field of view and eye relief had been as advertised, I would give this eyepiece an 8.5 or 9.0.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 05/05/2004 08:30:43 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.3.134)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=357824

Reply Replies: 0

Click here to see all votes (2 total)