Two long focus eyepieces. On the left is a 42 mm Celestron Ultima. Great eyepiece but rather narrow field of view. Edge appears to be well corrected. On right is an Orion 50mm Plossl in two inch format.

Al Paslow Astronomy Collection

Images and events of personal interest.

Pictures and videos of eyepieces, classic and modern as well as other accessories. In this review we also attempt to date when various popular eyepieces were produced. Some are considerably older than you may think! - Al Paslow - Brandon eyepiece user & believer since 1970.

Important - Click on any image to enlarge then click on the final size at the top of the page on the left. You can enlarge all the old advertisements to full size by hitting the "O" after the first click!

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Series of early eyepieces. Image by E. Ramos

Meade Research Grade Orthoscope eyepiece acclaimed by a strong following to be among the finest Orthoscopic eyepieces you can buy. Now of course they are discontinued. The eyepiece is a bit lighter in weight than most orthoscopics of the same size. This is due partly because the barrel is alumium and not made of brass. It is stamped "Japan". Image by M. Forster

Top view of the Meade Research Grade 7mm Orthoscopic eyepiece. It is interesting to note some of the Meade Research Orthoscopics had the words "MEADE" or "Meade" being capitalized, and not capitalized. This example is capitalized. I believe the older set is capitalized, while newer versions are not. (However, I'm still waiting to verify this.) Image by M. Forster

Two long focus eyepieces. On the left is a 42 mm Celestron Ultima. Great eyepiece but rather narrow field of view. Edge appears to be well corrected. On right is an Orion 50mm Plossl in two inch format.

Edmund Scientific 8mm Wide Field eyepiece. Consists of 5 elements in 3 groups. It is not therefore a Plossl or RKE eyepiece as per definition.

Here are Edmund Plossl eyepieces. The 8mm is a Wield field, and differs from a Plossl because of an extra element. Might be even be considered a variation of a RKE by some.

Brandon eyepieces - old style as per advertisement April 1967. This chrome barrel appearance was the original style of the entire Brandon Series for quite a number of years and was the way Chester Brandon sold them in the early 1960's, 1950's and perhaps 1940's. In 1962 Donald Yeier bought the rights to the Brandon eyepieces and sold them under the Vernonscope name. (Vernon was Don's middle name.) It is interesting to note that by September of the same year this series was now produced in black barrels. Thus 1967 was the change over year from chrome to black barrels similar to today. The information above suggests perhaps demand may have exceeded availability due to production issues.

Late 1960's Brandon "Orthoscopic" eyepieces from Vernonscope.- as per S & T ad Sept 1967, showing new style black barrel eyepieces. Earlier that same year the barrels were chromed. click on above to enlarge. Notice here too, the eyepiece focal length is written horizontaly on the barrel as in prior years.

Two long focus eyepieces. On the left is a 42 mm Celestron Ultima. Great eyepiece but rather narrow field of view. Edge appears to be well corrected. On right is an Orion 50mm Plossl in two inch format.