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Pentax PF 65 ED zoom eyepiece

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    Posted: February/28/2008 at 21:24
I'm strongly considering the Pentax PF 65 ED with the 20x-60x zoom eyepiece. Has anyone using this power of zoom had any problems with the 20x ( mirage and heat waves) and wished the lowest magnification was actually below 20x?
 
Also, I've never had an opportunity to play around with an angle spotter. Does anyone think the angled version gives less eye fatigue or might be easier to view over the straight model?
 
I'm needing to keep the spotter compact and really like the 65mm objective that Pentax offers. Nikon makes a 13-30x ED compact field scope that seems comparable and while I like that field of zoom, it only has a 50mm objective and something is telling me the Pentax has better glass but I don't know for sure. Thougts anyone?
 
thanks:)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pell1203 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2008 at 00:15
I can offer this much... I've looked through a Pentax PF65 ED and a Nikon Fieldscope ED 82 in a direct side by side comparison. While this particular Nikon had slightly superior optical quality, I thought the Pentax more than held its own as the price difference between these two scopes is considerable. A big difference between the two is the field of view. Nikon's typically have a narrower field of view and slightly less eye relief than the Pentax spotters, thereby making them a little less friendly if you wear glasses. If this is not a concern for you then you ought to look seriously at the Nikons as in my opinion the optical quality is excellent, especially for the ED glass models.
 
I'm hoping to find someone with a Kowa in stock that I can look through. I'd like to compare it to a Pentax PF80 ED if possible. Hope this is of some help to you... I'm still trying to decide what it is I really want.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Countryscape Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2008 at 00:42
Thanks for your imput, Pell... When you compared the two, what eyepiece was in the Pentax? I've been told the Pentax 20X-60x zoom has very little eye relief, especially at higher magnification and when compared to the fixed eye pieces designed for the PF-65 ? I don't wear eye glasses so might not be quite as concerned as someone who does. 
 
Everyone is telling me the glass is a good value, just as you have concluded. Looks to me like Pentax came out with the same compact spotter they call PF - 65 ED II. This scope is selling for more money but they claim the interior lens design is better? Just wished they would have redesigned the zoom to say a 12x- 40x, something a little more practical and usable?
 
thanks, still sounds like a good value:)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pell1203 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2008 at 01:32
Countryscape,
 
The PF65ED  had the 20-60x eyepiece in it. I though it had very acceptable eye relief and did very well throughout the magnification range. Take a look at the following thread and my follow up comments on the comparisons:
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2008 at 16:58
The Pentax PF65ED is a very nice spotting scope.  The 20-60x XF zoom that comes with it is not the best in Pentax's line but, it is very good.  I do wear glasses and eye relief is definately a little short on the high end of the magnification range but, I was still able to see the whole field if I got my eye right in there good and close.  This isn't near the problem it might seem as 60x is really only used to get the closest view possible of something that has already been seen rather than for any generalized glassing.
 
I've read quite a lot of complimentary things about this scope when used with fixed magnification eyepieces - especially Pentax's XW line.  I can't comment directly on the practice as I've never used fixed eyepieces but, in some circles they are all the rage.
 
The 60x setting may not be useable all the time but, you might be surprised just how often it is.  The last few evenings I have been using my 80mm Elite spotting scope in my living room at 60x to watch deer foraging on a hillside about two or so miles away.  I have had no problems with mirage at all as it is just way too cold.
 
Don't spend more to get the PF65 II.  It has not been getting anywhere near as good of reviews as the original PF65.
 
The difference between angled and straight scopes is pretty much a personal choice.  I've always used straight scopes so; when I tried an angled scope last year I found it unpleasant.  This could easily be chalked up to simple unfamiliarity on my part and I'd like to give it another try sometime just to be sure.  
 
Straight scopes are easier, more natural to get on target.  They also are generally easier to use from a car on a window mount - though not always.
 
Angled scopes can use a lower tripod and are easier for groups of people to use together - especially if those people are of highly divergent sizes.
 
Although it might be difficult/impossible for anyone to actually see it with their naked eye, angled scopes (because they require one additional prism to refract the light up into the eyepiece) will be less bright and more prone to optical abberations than equal-quality straight scopes.


Edited by lucznik - February/29/2008 at 16:58
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Countryscape Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/29/2008 at 21:15

I didn't realize the angled body spotter has an additional prism making it less bright. This site is invaluable because of folks like all of you willing to share your findings and knowledge with others. Would also think the angled version could be more dificult than the straight body in keeping  rain off the eyepiece.

Anyway, I'd better get one of these ordered... thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mikerabe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/02/2008 at 00:47
1+ on everything Lucznik said.

I would like to comment on the ed50 you mentioned. I own one and love it. I owned the EDIII in the past it is in similar size to the PF65. I sold it to get the ED50. The EDIII is a great scope as is the PF65. I sold it after a few hunting trips in Utah mountain ranges.
 
There is something to be said about the pack ability of the ED50. The view is great all the way up to the last few minutes of day light. I use mine with a mono pod or I just rest it on my backpack.

It is unfortunate that swfa does not offer the ED50 as the body only because the eyepiece offered in the package 13-30x is inferior to the newer mcII which is 13-40x on the  little ED50. Also don't forget the outstanding fixed power eyepieces that Nikon offers. No offense to swfa but the ED50 body and the MCII eyepiece can be bought for the same price swfa offers for the package with the 13-30x eyepiece at other sites.  just my 2cents
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2008 at 18:10
I I am a little late on this thread as I have been visiting this forum for awhile (blocked at my work). I think both of your choices are excellent ones. I own the original 65 ED A along with the 80 mm ED A and have looked through the Nikon 50 on numerous occasions. All are excellent scopes and are sure to provide a more than satisfactory image to all but the most discriminate of users (and even then most of them are satisfied with this group.)
 
The 65 ED would be my favorite in terms of combining superb image quality with portability. The scope is very compact and lightweight plus the optics are stellar. I initially started out buying just  the body and used three fixed power eyepieces (20x, 27x and 43x). As a group the eyepieces cost right at $100 locally. That is the beauty of this scope. You can use any astronomical 1.25 inch eyepiece with it. After a time I decided to eventually invest in one of the XW series of eyepieces, the XW 20 mm. It yields a breathtakingly wide, bright, crisp image with the biggest sweetspot I have ever seen on any optic. The image is truly flawless from one end of the field of view to the other.
 
For the last two years I have been using that eyepiece almost exclusively. However, the itch started again recently and I started dabbling again. Enter the Pentax XW 10 (39 x) along with the bigger Pentax 80 mm ED and the Vixen Lanthanum zoom. It is the last item that I think might interest you the most. It zoom range goes from 16x up to 49x.
 
Price for the scope body....$450 at one or two places online
Price for the Vixen zoom....$150
 
Same price but with more versatility.
 
Hope this helps
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Countryscape Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2008 at 20:00

Frank,

Thanks for your imput regarding this optic, I too agree with the versatility in the Pentax 65 ED spotter.
 
Doing the math, I need to get a fixed lens somewhere around 25mm to give me a 15x view. This might be a good compromise for the times when heat waves gets the best of us and also when locating before evaluation. .  Pentax doesn't seem to make a lens in this magnification so would the vixen Lanthanum LV series be a good substitute? 
 
 Also, Pentax has just come out with a new camera adapter, the UA-1 that is supportive of other digital cameras besides their own and tailored for PF 65 ED. Would you recommend a particular lens (and magnification) for digiscoping?
 
Over the years, my swarovski 10x-42 bino's have become something of an old friend to me. It has never let me down and never need an excuse to take it about everywhere I go. I could see the PF 65, especially after tweeking it with the right lens, being something of the same thing. Not many things in this world you could say that about?
 
Thanks, Doug
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 18:13
Doug,
 
In all honesty I have never (and that is saying alot) felt either overpowered or underpowered using the XW 20 on the Pentax 65. For me and my usual applications it provides the perfect blend of magnification, brightness, field of view and depth of field. Because of the crispness (lack of CA) in the image it is still very easy to pick up fine details which you might need more magnification for in another scope.
 
Having said that, and if you are determined to go with a lower magnification then, yes, I think the Vixen Lanthanum series are a viable, and more affordable, alternative. If you are just looking at a variety of options then I would also suggest you check out the Knight Owl eyepieces from Owl Astronomy. Those three I mentioned above were the Knight Owl EWA series. I recently noticed that they are now producing ED eyepieces as well. Cost was around $60 a piece.
 
I have no experience with the new Pentax adaptor but have rather just been relying on a set of the Universal Digiscoping Adaptors...with fairly good results. If the Pentax you mentioned is the one I saw in an advertisement recently then it should be even easier and therefore more practical to use.
 
As for the PF ED 65 being a long term reliable, go anywhere optic I must agree. I have been using Zeiss FL 7x42s and the Pentax with the 20 mm eyepiece for practically everything you could think of and neither has failed me.
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Countryscape Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2008 at 00:59
 The combined price between the Pentax body and XW lens is still considerably less than  many other brand named spotters! It still seems to be a very good value and I'm anxious to experiment with this setup...
 
Thanks again everyone for all the help and advice on this forum. Oh, and thanks to SWFA for getting my FFP IOR in the mail this week :)
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