More Views
Roger W. Tuthill Plossl 30mm
Brand | Roger W. Tuthill |
Part Number | |
Availability | available |
Share |
Reviews
-
Aug 23, 2008
Excellent Beginner's Eyepiece
Pros:Good contrast, eye relief and sharpness for such an inexpensive eyepiece.
Cons:Discontinued.
Comments:Roger W. Tuthill started his own Astronomy supply business in 1974 selling reasonably priced accessories for amateur astronomers. In the mid 80s, I wanted to upgrade from my Kellners and Orthos and join the Plossl revolution. Being just out of college, I wanted to do this on a budget. Tuthill Optical was the perfect resource, selling 1¼” Plossl eyepieces for under $40.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Specifications aside, the best way to describe the quality of this eyepiece is by comparison. I’ve tried other Plossl eyepieces, thinking that because the Tuthill eyepiece was so inexpensive, a comparable, more expensive eyepiece must be, naturally, better. I was wrong.
I found little difference between Tuthill’s $37 Plossl and similar Plossl eyepieces costing up to $20 more at the time. The eyepiece is multi-coated though lens edges do not appear to be blackened. (Edge-blackening didn’t seem to become common on inexpensive eyepieces until the late 1990s.) Eye relief is very comfortable, even allowing eyeglass wearers to enjoy using this eyepiece. Sharpness of the image is also excellent with stars showing as pinpoints to the edge of the field, even when using the eyepiece with a fast telescope in the f/4 to f/5 range. Contrast is also very good considering the lens edges aren’t blackened. M42 clearly shows its “bat wings” even in a 60mm department-store refractor.
In conclusion, Roger W. Tuthill Inc.’s 30mm Plossl is an excellent budget eyepiece. Though long since discontinued, it does appear on the used accessory market occasionally and would be a great addition to a beginner’s eyepiece collection.Sort by