Pentax SMC-XL 28mm

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Brand and Model:Pentax SMC-XL 28mm
Price ($USD):$227.50
Type:Misc Wide Angle
Focal Length:28 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:55.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:20 mm
Elements:5
Weight (lbs):0.7
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Pentax SMC-XL 28mm
The 28mm is the weakest of the Pentax XL series. It has a 55 degree AFOV, and is nice and sharp, but it is at the limit of 1.25" format, which means that it doesn't give you the full 65 deg effect of the other XL eyepieces. It also tends to vignette when a filter is screwed into the barrel, at least in my F5 and F6 scopes.

Even with these problems the 28mm is a fine eyepiece, which I most often use for finding faint fuzzies...

NOTE: I own a complete set of XLs and have asked my wife to bury them with me...

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=68663

Pentax SMC-XL 28mm
Very bright and contrasty eyepiece. Stars are very sharp on axis, but become short lines towards the very edge, not enough to bother me. No "fish bowl" effect or distortion, good ep for widefield sweeping in my 6"f6 MakNewt.
The problem I do have with this ep is related to its barrel, which could be a little bigger. When I tighten my setscrew, it falls on the edge of the "captive groove" around the barrel, and pushes one side of the ep up. This creates terrible performance, I thought it was a total dog until I figured this out. Now I pull the ep out slightly, then tighten the setscrew. There is a sweet spot that sharpens the field up, when the ep is slightly out of alignment.It can be a hassel, trying to get it even.
This is only a minor problem with my 10.5XL, which I love.I do wish both eyepieces had barrels like my Tak LE's, now there's some nice machine work.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42984

Pentax SMC-XL 28mm
I will not argue that this ep is not as strong as the other XLs. The narrower fields is annoying. But make no mistake about the image, it is first rate. It is equal to all the other XLs and in my book that makes it the best in commerical eyepieces.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=357677

Pentax SMC-XL 28mm
I just got the 28mm a few weeks ago. I also have the 21 and 14 SMC XL. From what I have seen this is another great Pentax eyepiece. It gives nothing up in performance to the others. I was using an Orion Ultrascopic 35mm for my low power views and the 28mm totally outperforms the Orion. Pitch black background with good contrast. I think the whole Pentax SMC XL line is totally underrated. They can match any other eyepiece out there.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=173651

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