Pentax SMC-XL 21mm


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Brand and Model:Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
Price ($USD):$227.50
Type:Misc Wide Angle
Focal Length:21 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:65.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:20 mm
Elements:6
Weight (lbs):0.7
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
This EP is awesome! I have 12mm and 7mm Naglers and along with those, this Pentax stays in the scope most often! Pinpoint and bright stars to the edge. Zero distortion. Quality of this eyepiece is the absolute best! I have used on my Celestron 8" SCT, my 13.1" Coulter Dob, Clubs Meade 12" LX200, and son's 6" Celestron Starhopper and it brings out the absolute best in all of these scopes at all focal ratios and magnifications. This is a hard to beat jewel!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=129167


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
Very nice mid power eyepiece that barlows well in an 8" F6 dob. Visually the view are great with good contrast and crisp detail to the edge. I have noticed that when I try to record the planets with a camcorder, the image comes out of focus as it gets to the outer 1/3rd of the view. I don't notice any problem visually. I do not have this problem when using my 35mm Ultima for camcorder recording.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82830


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
This is one great eyepiece that works just as well in my 5" MAK as it does in my 4" APO. Too bad it is too large to be used in my binoviewer because it would be perfect.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=155427


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
This is my favorite 1.25 " eyepiece. The best view out of my Pentax 80mm ED (24X) and bright sharp 57X views in my CR150HD 6" F8 refractor day or night.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=47119


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
I was using two celestron ultimas on my celestron G8n with average results when I decided to take the plunge on a Pentax 21 XL. And WOW what a difference.Much brighter and sharper. Its like I have a new scope. Anybody want to buy two celestron Ultimas? Since then I also got the Pentax 14 SMC XL, and their both a ten. Even though I spent my grocery money for the next three months on them, I am happy. ( but hungry)

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42979


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
I have used the Pentax SL 21mm in my 140mm F7 apo refractor. The images are sharp and crisp on axis but get a bit soft in the outer 35% of the FOV. I can clearly see astigmatism in the eyepiece as stars approach the edge of the FOV. I am a big Pentax fan as I also have used and love the 10.5mm and 14mm eyepieces. The coatings are very good and I have never had any ghosting are annoying scatter around bright objects. While the 10.5 and 14 XL's do show edge distortion (like most any eyepiece if you look close enough) I have never considered it to be detrimental to the use of the eyepiece. The 21mm, however, has just enough distortion to become noticeable and distracting to me. I've decided to sell the Pentax 21 and replace it with a 22mm Panoptic. I already own a 35mm Panoptic and have been very pleased with it's sharp FOV. I'm hoping that the 22mm performs as well.

I prefer the threaded eyecup on the Pentax XLs over the click mechanism used by TV and I also find the XLs less prone to kidney been effects compared to TV eyepieces, especially the Naglers.

Overall, the 21mm Pentax XL is a good eyepiece just not as good to my eye as the 10.5mm and 14mm versions.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:7
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=300498


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
I've been very happy with my purchase. Everyone else has already stated optical properties so I won't. I love sticking this on my 150mm acro and cruising the skys. My only gripe would be the loose screw in/out eye cup. I just leave it tightly down and not worry. (the dreaded 9 rating). I'd buy another if this one grew legs.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=367268


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
Its a great eyepiece. Image is flat, sharp from edge to edge.
You have to find them used now, since the xw replaced them.
Other than that, it's a priceless eyepiece.
I haven't found any flaws with it.
The eyecups can be removed for binoviewing.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=357706


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
Flat out the best low power wide angle ep out there today. I will put nothing else in my 14.5" custom Dob. If you could see what I do with this set up, the web sites for equipment would fewer and shorter. When some of my fellows look through this setup, all debate ends. And it doesn't hurt my feelings that these eps are not the most expensive set on the market.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=357678


Pentax SMC-XL 21mm
This is one of my favorite eyepieces.
I'm currently using it on a TV85 scope.
The field of view is great, its nice and bright.
A great low to medium power eyepiece.
Great for deep space, or terestrial use.
The only downside I could see, is its size.
The picture is sharp thoughout.
Its a keeper.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=355114

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