TeleVue WideField 40mm

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Eyepiece Reviews:TeleVue WideField 40mm

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Brand and Model:TeleVue WideField 40mm
Price ($USD):Discontinued
Type:Misc Wide Angle
Focal Length:40 mm
Barrel Size:2 in
Apparent FOV:65.0 degrees
Field Stop Dia.:0.0 mm
Eye Relief:0 mm
Elements:6
Weight (lbs):1
Description:

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TeleVue WideField 40mm
I've had this eyepiece since 1987 and have primarily used it with my 6 inch f/8 Astro-Physics refractor. Having used erfles in this scope, I can say that the Wide Field design offers a substantial improvement. Optically, I prefer this eyepiece to the 40 mm MK-70 (University Optics). Edge corrections are noticeably better in the Wide Field. However, I must admit that the MK-70 is much lighter, an important factor in smaller scopes. I've not had the opportunity to compare this eyepiece in my scope against more modern designs such as the Panoptics and Meade Super Wides. However, in my scope, 90% of the fov is sharply focused, so I probably won't to the expense of replacing it.

John O'Hara

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=43996

TeleVue WideField 40mm
Like the previous reviewer, I've had my 40mm Wide Field (aka "The Beer Can") since the 80's: I forget the year of purchase, but recall that it was within a year or so of when the EP first became available. While I agree with most of the reviewer's comments, in my opinion the TeleVue Wide Fields represent an improvement over the Erfle in that there is a significantly larger area of sharp central field, and the softness at the edges is less pronounced. This is certainly true of the Wide Field 40mm.
Used primarily with scopes of various apertures in the f/6-f/9 range, I've found the 40 to be an excellent low-power eyepiece, particularly effective for viewing large starfields,open clusters, extended nebulosities and the like. It turns my 6" f/9 A-P into a gigantic finder. Sweeps of the summer Milky Way under a good sky are quite spectacular.
Prospective purchasers should be aware that this eyepiece is for 2" focusers only, and that it's heavy. It's hard to justify a honkin' big piece of glass like this when there are so many 1 1/4" 32mm EP's around that deliver nice wide views nearly as well, but if you enjoy low power observing, have a 2" focuser and don't mind the weight, the 40mm Wide Field is an excellent choice.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43995

TeleVue WideField 40mm
I have had this eyepiece since ca. 1987 and now use it on a recently bought TV 85. The WF 40 has a 65 degree FOV with 6 lenses, and it reminds me of the old Erfles with sharp central regions, but soft edges. Similarly to Erfles, there is substantial kidney beaning (off axis dark zones) which I do not like. But the views have good contrast and no color problems. The barrel is 2 inches.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=43994

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