A Look at Telescope Eyepieces

Telescope eyepieces serve quite a few functions when it comes to scope performance. With so many varieties of eyepieces and add-on accessories available, you have plenty to choose from. Read more to understand the basics and help your buying decision.

What Are Telescope Eyepieces?

The eyepiece is one of the essential components of a telescope. It's a type of lens which sits closest to the eye when viewing, and allows you to see the magnification of an object. Eyepieces have adjustable shafts that focus the image. Though it's relatively small compared to the rest of the telescope, a good-quality eyepiece makes a big difference when it comes to image quality.

Types of Eyepieces

Interchangeable eyepieces have different functions. Swap them out to achieve various magnifications and other effects. For example, Plossl eyepieces are a favorite for observing astronomical objects or planets, due to their large field of view. For entry-level, all-around options that work well with scopes with a long focal ratio, check out Kellner eyepieces. For an increased magnification of an image, consider telescope Barlow lenses. Inserted into the telescope focuser, these lenses double magnification instantly. Telescope zoom eyepieces are a convenient choice for a variety of different magnifications, without having to change eyepieces.

Choosing Telescope Eyepiece Accessories

Various eyepiece accessories can enhance your viewing experience. Make your scope more versatile with telescope eyepiece-side adapters. These screw on to different sized eyepieces and other accessories that wouldn't usually match, allowing you more flexibility when it comes to your telescope kit. Use telescope eyepiece filters to get added contrast and increase the details of the object, as these remove unwanted light or colors.

Whether you're looking for a specific eyepiece, or you want telescope eyepiece kits with different options, you'll find what you're looking for at B&H Photo and Video.