TS Optics 3x ED Barlow lens 1.25″
Looking for a way to significantly expand the capabilities of your telescope without buying new eyepieces? The TS Optics 3x ED Barlow lens (model UB3S) from Teleskop-Service is exactly what you need. This is a high-quality accessory at a reasonable price that, thanks to the use of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, delivers results you would not expect from an ordinary Barlow lens - reduced chromatic aberration, sharper images, and noticeably better contrast.
How a Barlow lens works
A Barlow lens is inserted between the telescope and the eyepiece, effectively extending the focal length of the optical tube. In the case of this model, the extension factor is 3x - an eyepiece with a focal length of 20 mm will, after inserting the Barlow lens, perform as an eyepiece with a focal length of approximately 6.5 mm.
A key advantage over simply using a shorter eyepiece is that your original, comfortable eye relief is preserved. Your eye does not need to be extremely close to the lens, which is especially appreciated during longer observing sessions or if you wear glasses. The ED glass ensures that even at high magnification the image remains sharp and true to colour, with no distracting colour fringing around bright objects.
Visual observation
The TS Optics 3x ED Barlow lens is an excellent choice for visual observation of a wide range of objects:
- Planetary observation - Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus
- Lunar surface detail - craters, mountain ranges, rilles
- Double stars and tight stellar clusters
- Any target where high magnification and sharp contrast matter
The ED glass correction ensures that colour fidelity is maintained even at high magnification, making extended sessions comfortable and rewarding.
Astrophotography with a 3x ED Barlow lens
The TS Optics 3x ED Barlow lens is equally well suited to astrophotography. When imaging planets - Mars, Jupiter, Saturn - or capturing fine surface detail on the Moon, photographers will appreciate the combination of triple magnification and minimal optical aberrations. ED glass plays a decisive role in the focal plane of the camera, precisely where chromatic aberration most noticeably degrades image quality.
The lens is compatible with:
- Planetary cameras (ZWO, QHY, and similar)
- DSLR and mirrorless cameras with a suitable 1.25″ thread adapter
Compatibility and installation
The standard 1.25″ barrel diameter ensures compatibility with the vast majority of telescopes and eyepieces currently on the market. Installation is intuitive and fast - simply slide the Barlow lens into the focuser drawtube and insert your eyepiece or camera adapter into the Barlow.
Who is this Barlow lens suitable for?
This Barlow lens is an ideal choice for a wide range of users:
- Beginning astronomers who want to get the most from their existing eyepiece set
- Experienced observers looking for reliable, optically sound accessories at an accessible price
- Astrophotographers who need high magnification with minimal colour error
- Anyone who prefers not to compromise on image quality at high magnifications
A Barlow lens with ED optics is simply a fundamental part of any serious amateur astronomer's kit.
Technical specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Model |
TS Optics UB3S |
| Magnification factor |
3x |
| Barrel diameter |
1.25″ |
| Optical glass |
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) |
| Application |
Visual observation, astrophotography |
| Compatibility |
Standard 1.25″ focusers, eyepieces, camera adapters |
| Manufacturer |
Teleskop-Service (TS Optics) |
Summary
The TS Optics 3x ED Barlow lens is a compact, versatile, and optically honest accessory that has few competitors at its price point. If you want to get more performance from your telescope without a significant investment in new eyepieces, this is the right step forward.
