Rini Optics Erfle 35mm

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Brand and Model:Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
Price ($USD):Not available
Type:Erfle
Focal Length:35 mm
Barrel Size:1.25 in
Apparent FOV:60.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:20 mm
Elements:5
Weight (lbs):
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
I have used this eyepiece in everything from dobs to maks and it never disappoints. It is tight in some focusers but for the price WHO CARES!!! In today's world of $1000+ per inch scopes anyone who would complain about such an inexpensive item that performs even reasonably well deserves price gouging and ever escalating prices. You don't need a second mortgage to enjoy astronomy!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43433

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
I have one of the new Rini's (claimed to be 38mm 60 degree field of view, 17mm eye releif) with threads instead of the old one. Mechanically it is okay (light as a plossl) and the barrel is not too thick. Optically I agree with the gentleman above. It's not as sharp as my Televue 32mm plossl. There is a tiny amount of flaring on the extreme edge. Came with no caps. Field of view seems to be almost as same as that of the 32mm plossl in my short tube 80 despite the fact that in theory the eyepiece would give a 5.7 degree field of view compared to that of the 4 degree field of view with the plossl (perhaps a tiny big larger) which is why I originally got the eyepiece. It's still an incredible bargain, however. It really depends on how picky you are as to whether or not you'll like this eyepiece or think that it is an 'okay' eyepiece. Biggest complaint about this eyepiece is the amount of infocus (could not focus on my dob, but could focus in my refractor).

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43431

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
This eyepiece is an amazing value for the price. You cannot possibly get better performance for $40, and indeed it rivals eyepieces costing much more. Using my Celestron 11" f/10, images in the center are crisp and sharp, with excellent contrast. There is some curvature at the edges, but it's no worse than the 40mm Pentax SMC XL, costing six times more. Observing the full moon, I was astonished to see more contrast in Mr. Rini's 35mm Erfle than in Mr. Nagler's 22mm Panoptic (although the greater magnification in the latter is surely a factor). Still, for an eyepiece in this price range to compare in any way to premium eyepieces is astonishing.

It has a small optical flaw at the extreme edge, which is only visible when viewing extended objects such as the moon. The assembly is held together with plumbing washers, giving the eyepiece a comical appearance. But you won't notice that in the dark, while you're enjoying the great wide-angle views.

Robert S.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42452

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
"9" for bang-for-the-buck; "7" for overall sharpness/etc. I am an extremely discriminating user myself and can almost instantly see contrast/coating/focus differences between eyepiece designs and brands (or so I would like to believe). The Rini is clearly slightly inferior in sharpness and duller in color than the Celestron Ultima series, for instance, and because it is an Erfle design, stars are not perfect dots. That notwithstanding, the Rini is almost comical (and wonderful!!) in that it pulls off 90% of the functionality I need, at about 1/8 the cost of the Ultima.

The eyepiece has a nice relatively wide apparent field of about 55 degrees or so (my guess), and seems to fit my scopes focusers OK although tightly as the other reviewers have noticed. It provides a wide field view which is excellent for framing larger sky objects at lower powers. Beware that the eye relief is barely adequate for eyeglass users despite the low power; you have to butt your glasses against the barrel. Edge sharpness seems to be OK for an Erfle, but the design itself blurs star images (stretches them a bit). Nevertheless, the ease of using this eyepiece wins the day, and it gets the most use.

When I get rich some day, I will have an Ultima or a Panoptic or a who-knows-what. I imagine, that like my Celestron binoculars after I bought a pair of Fujinons, the Rini will go the way of the dinosaur when I buy a really top notch eyepiece. In the meantime, long live my Rini! Because of its light weight and cheap construction, I never worry about losing it, dropping it, etc.

Obviously, if you are thinking of doing astrophotography or you routinely observe under extremely dark skies with a scope that costs more than $1000 or so, then you should not buy such an eyepiece. The slight imperfections would annoy you.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43429

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
A decent low cost eyepiece

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43426

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
I purchased this eyepiece and am extremely impressed. I had no problem fitting it in a Meade 10" dob (w/JMI DX1 focuser) or a Celestron G5 - some have had this problem.

Stars are pinpoints out to the edge in my G5 (f/10) but not in the Meade (f 4.5). But, when looking through the Meade, they weren't pinpoints in a 32mm Televue plossol either . Field of view is large for a 1 1/4" eyepiece (~1.5 degrees in both). There was no false color present on bright objects (perhaps the SLIGHTEST hint of blue on the moon's limb). Color correction and image crispness held up very well all the way to the field stop.

Fit and finish are not as nice as other name brands (but still nice); but fortunately I spend my time looking through it, not at it!

I did notice what appeared to be a finger print on an inside lens surface but it had no discernable effect on image quality.

I highly recommend this eyepiece, for the budget conscious, or anyone looking for a 1 1/4" eyepiece that provides a wide field low power view that is crisp and contrasty. Performance like this is expected in high-end eyepieces but not in one that costs $28 shipped. It was so good in fact, that I traded in my Televue 32mm plossol as the Rini showed somewhat better contrast (some of which may be due to the magnification difference but that difference is slight and can't explain it all).

Highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43425

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
this eyepiece for the new newbies , cant be beat, the orion nebula is breathtaking , it also a great finder eyepiece, i have on clear , nights viewed for hours in 18 below temps , yes there is some ghosting, but saturn edge to edge is inspiring , the moon breathtaking and jupiter and her moons so deep in nightly dance. price , good performance , and clean lens with quality materials, you will be happy . my piece had no uncleaning areas of problem

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43424

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
Excellent value, at about US$24.50.

Has very comfortable eye-relief of about 19mm and wide, pleasing apparent field of view (60 degrees).

Optics are good, though a day-time look at the eyepiece lens elements shows coatings are definitely not in the Celestron/Televue league, and housing is distinctively home-made. Has some dirt, etc, on (and in) lens elements, so quality control is a problem.

Nevertheless, at US$24.50 represents a very good buy, e.g. much better choice than the Celestron 40mm Plossl which has too much eye relief and too small apparent field of view.

Rating: 8 (for value)

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43423

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
Very comfortable to view through due to excellent eye relief and reasonably wide field of view. Somehow produces wider true field of view than a 27mm Panoptic in a 1 1/4" package (35mm clear aperture versus 30.5mm for the Panoptic). Stars also remain pinpoint to the edge. No sea gulling at the edge as in the 2 inch 38mm Rini MPL. No edge aberrations at all, just a nice field stop even at f4.5. Barlows extremely well to 6X (about 6mm). A 32mm plossl showed severe astigmatism under the same conditions.

Down side is that the barrel needs filed down to fit in most 1 1/4" holders. It then loosens because it is merely glued into the optics barrel. However, pushing it back in place seems to solve that problem due to the pliable glue used (black silicone sealant?). It also lacks filter threads. However, there is enough eye relief to use the filter on top of the eyepiece when not observing with glasses. Minor ghosting on bright objects was noted, but nothing objectionable. Decent coatings on most lenses.

Overall, an excellent buy for under $25. Much better than a 32mm or 35mm plossl of similar cost. Available from Surplus Shed.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43422

Rini Optics Erfle 35mm
Very nice ep for the dollar. Beware, there is often quite a bit of variation with Rini eps. Many are outstanding, but a few are not very good.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=42450

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