Second the suggestion of the Pentax Papilio for a smallish pair of
binos - and the close focus is incredible.
I also have a pair of 8x42 Zeiss Terra which are a joy to look through
but at about 3x the price.
Jez
On 23/12/2014, Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 12/23/2014 12:54 PM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
>> Looking for smallish but sensibly powerful field glasses for UK trip in
>> May. Hardly know where to start. General purpose. Excellent clarity a
>> must. Stabilization desirable, depending on price.
>
> These are what I carry in my camera bag.
> <http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-10x-25mm-Dcf-Binoculrs/dp/B0014PYBJQ>
>
> Yes, they look rather like endless cheap, crummy binoculars sold everywhere.
> Yes they are inexpensive.
>
> BUT, BUT, I say, they are really first class optics - in a tiny, light,
> under $100 package. I spent endless hours of
> research and miles of driving to try out binoculars years ago, and ended up
> with a pair of B&H 8x42 Waterproof Elites.
> They are spectacularly good binoculars, as proved for me in extremely
> difficult birding situations, for a fair amount of
> dosh.
>
> But in decent light, these little Pentaxes are within a fine hairsbreadth of
> as good. Phase coated prisms, excellent eye
> relief, twist up eye cups, nitrogen purged waterproof, small, light and a
> really clear, crisp view. As the light gets
> dim, they do fall behind the much larger, heavier 8x42s, but that's not as
> yet bothered me.
>
> They perform WAY above their size, weight and class. There appear to be a
> couple of competitors from Nikon, but neither
> have phase coated prisms. The difference is subtle, but makes all the
> difference is seeing detail and minimizing eye
> fatigue. I have a pair of their Travelites (or did I gift them?), and they
> aren't in the same league.
>
> On another angle. I believe that any more than 7-9 x is wasted on almost all
> users. Holding higher mags steady is tiring
> to hands and eyes and doesn't yield any more actual information. I see
> Pentax makes a 9x28 in the same series. For me,
> the size, weight and cost difference isn't worth it. One really doesn't see
> any more and the eye relief is less.
>
> Then get Joan a pair of Pentax Papilio 6.1x21s. :-) As Dean said, like
> having a stereo microscope you can use in the
> field. Amazing close-up views and decent at a distance. Focus down to 1.6
> ft.
> <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=10376568&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi>
> Moose D'Opinion
>
> --
> What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
> --
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