Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm

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Brand and Model:Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
Price ($USD):$310.00
Type:Zoom
Focal Length:7-21 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:40.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:13 mm
Elements:6
Weight (lbs):
Description:

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Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
I picked this up from another reviewer in this thread (the spotting scope version with the 1.25 inch barrel glued on) for a comparison of several zooms. In the running were the Vixen 8-24mm LV zoom ($170), the GTO 7-21mm zoom ($60, but discontinued) and the Orion Premium ($199) and Explorer II ($65).

First impressions are excellent. It quite small and lightweight. FOV is 40 degrees at 21mm and a wide 63 degrees or more at 7mm. The coatings are are exceptional with virtually no surface reflectivity. The zoom action is a little stiff. Eye relief was quite generous at 13-15mm and focus was nearly parfocal across the 7-21mm zoom range.

Suffice to say that this Nikon Zoom overwhelmed the competition. It gave exceptionally sharp, color-free, high contrast and bright images on Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon. I tried it out on several nights of head-to-head comparison with the other zooms and my Ultimas and Vixen LV's. The zoom's images were equal in contrast and sharpness and brighter than the Ultimas. It completely trounced the zoom competition.

The closest comparison was the Vixen 8-24mm zoom - also very nice, but not nearly as good. The Nikon has significantly less internal reflection and ghosting on bright objects. In addition, the Nikon was razor sharp all the way down to the 7mm setting, whereas the Vixen became dark and muddy at its lowest 8mm setting.

Practically speaking, the Nikon crisply showed banding and the Cassini division on Saturn with four moons in my 6 inch reflector. Jupiter showed very detailed banding with the GRS, festoons and just about the sharpest pinpoints of moons that I have ever seen. It also gave the sharpest image of the Moon's Straight Wall region I have experienced in any eyepiece.

Other than the narrow field of view at lowest power (as is the case with any zoom), the only negative is its stiff zoom mechanism. Otherwise, I would rate it on par with the finest premium plossls and orthos, bar none. The other zooms and my Vixen LV's are going bye bye.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=437020

Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
This Nikon 7-21mm zoom may be one of the best eyepieces you can buy. The contrast and full field sharpnes is amazing. the aparent field of view is a little more than 50 degrees, but doesn't change as you you zoom. As a matter of fact, there is no focus shift at all. I was able to buy mine from Markus Ludes with a 1/14" fitting. This Zoom is Highly reccomended! I rated it a 10
billandjane@msn.com

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 2 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44383

Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
Read description comments. I use mine on a 9.25 SCT. It is, by far, the best eyepiece I have purchased. It is so convenient to switch from anywhere between 21mm (111x) to 7mm (336x). Pop in a 2x Barlow and I've got HIGH POWER (up to 772x).

I am no eyepiece expert, but I can STILL tell you, this eyepiece is HIGH QUALITY. It's fully-multicoated (purple coatings), Made in Japan.

I assume the one downside is the 40 deg. apparent FOV at 21mm. It could be at least 50 deg. But for planetary and lunar observing, it doesn't matter. I haven't checked on anything else. At 7mm, it's a Superwide EP at approx 60 deg. I did go to 772x using a Celestron Ultima barlow. The picture still held. That was the absolute FIRST time I felt like I was in "lunar orbit".

I gave this EP a 10 even though it has some downfalls, because there are so many POSITIVES for it that it's better than a 9. I'd pick this EP anyday over a set of UO Orthos ranging from 6mm to 25mm, and I have used 3 diff UO Orthos before.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 2 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44382

Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
Zooms still have a limited FOV, and this one is no exception,
but it is worth the money, sharp to the edge at any position, and TRANSPARENT ! The light transmission is superb. Mechanically superb, very important eyepiece for me.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=296003

Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
I have used this EP for the past 3 months. This is the ep I used most in my 8" SCT. Great optics and ability to varies the focal length to get the best view. However, at 21mm, the FOV is abit short at 40 degree. One other thing I notice, as you zoom/unzoom the ep, it's not parfocal, need minor adjustment on the focusing knob. Definately a good ep to invest if you hate to carry many ep when observing.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=257679

Nikon Zoom 7mm-21mm
I cheated a bit on this EP. It is NOT the latest and greatest from Nikon or Markus Ludes. I purchased a Sky & Earth spotting scope version of this Zoom for $139 plus shipping and glued (yes glued) a 1.25" barrel on it from an old diagonal I had. It turned out great. The multi-coatings are smooth and the zoom feature is very smooth. This EP is probably the IDEAL one to use on your quick-look scope. With the exception of low power FOV it is my favorite EP (I use a Meade 24.5 SWA for that). I even sold a 7.5mm TAK LE since I did not need it. It is very sharp from the lowest to the highest power which is estimated at 21mm to 7mm. I had a friend look at it thru his 5" F/8 AP refractor. He aggreed that it gave very sharp views and it was very useful not having to change EP's all the time. We just dial in the best magnification for the sky conditions - no guessing. I actually saw a fifth moon on Jupiter on my C5 with sky conditions very turbulant. I've never done that before! I gave it an overall '9' 'cuz' I derated it for the FOV issue. I plan to compare it to other zooms and EP's to give a more thorough comparison. I would expect the latest Nikon zoom to be even better.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=209032

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