Newbie - ED50 - Which eyepiece? (1 Viewer)

[Jroper]

Hi guys,

I have decided to take the plunge and purchase a scope for my birding adventures. After doing much research I have came to the conclusion the the ED50 is for me. Light, small compact with plenty of sterling reviews it seems to suit my lifestyle and needs. The only problem is, im struggling to get my head around the eyepiece options. Could someone break down whats it all means? pros/cons etc. It would be a massive help. I am interested in Digiscoping and currently have a Lumix GF1 with a 20mm pancake lens if that helps?....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Jack

 

[Swampy Mike]

Eyepiece options

Hi
My understanding is there are 3 basic types of Fieldscope eyepieces for the ED50:
The cheaper MC eyepieces are not wideangle, and can be identified by their tiny size - they don't have the extended length that fits within the scope.

The more expensive types come in generally two versions - a DS version, which has a large flange around the eyepiece, to attach, in various combinations, the Nikon adapters for digiscoping. They only work with Nikon digital cameras, but you don't need a DS eyepiece to digiscope with the ED50.

The DS eyepieces have a rubber hood around the eyepiece, not the twist up one that the other, non-DS eyepieces have.

The final type is the wide angle MC eyepieces.

There are also a couple of zooms - a 13-30x, with a fixed rubber eyecup, and a 13-40x with a twist up eyepiece.
Generally, the fixed, wide angle eyepieces are considered the better eyepieces, and all can be used with the 60 and 82mm scopes too.

The EDG and RA eyepieces cannot be used with the ED 50.

Anyway that's a starter! Others to add, ammend, or contradict?!

 

[henry link]

Go to this webpage and scroll down to the Fieldscope eyepieces, "MC for observing" and "DS for digiscoping".

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/scopes/index.htm

The next problem will be trying to find any of these to buy. They're rapidly disappearing.

 

[Jane Turner]

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-27x-40x-50x-w-mc-eyepiece/p1002442

This one if you can afford it.

The field of view is epic! Having used it I immediately mothballed my zoom lens.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-27x-40x-50x-w-mc-eyepiece/p1002442

This one if you can afford it.

The field of view is epic! Having used it I immediately mothballed my zoom lens.

This is the lens I use on mine and it's very good. The DS version might also be an option for digiscoping.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I have the 13-40 zoom and 20x MC Wide for mine. These days I use the scope handheld with a Grippa case, as I can't be bothered to lug a tripod about, and I find the 20x is perfect for that, so the zoom gets little use.

I tried digiscoping with the ED50 a few years ago, using both eyepieces, and found the 20x to be much better. However, I don't think the scope is really suited to digiscoping as a compact camera on an adapter is too heavy and overbalances it. If I was attempting it again I would try a simple collar adapter to centre the camera lens and hold the camera to the eyepiece manually.

Here are a couple of pics taken with the ED50, a Fuji F30 and one or other of the eyepieces (I can't remember which.)

Ron

 

[FrankD]

Go to this webpage and scroll down to the Fieldscope eyepieces, "MC for observing" and "DS for digiscoping".

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/scopes/index.htm

The next problem will be trying to find any of these to buy. They're rapidly disappearing.

Henry brings up a good point. Maybe it is easier to find them on your side of the pond. Here in the states they are becoming a very rare commidity. I found one of the 40/60/75 MC wide eyepieces on ebay this past week and snagged it for $100. I also found a reference in a Nikon spotting scope thread on another forum for a gentleman mentioning a 16/24/30 MC wide that he has no need for. That one should be shipped later today.



Good luck to anyone trying to find one from a regular retailer here in the US at this point.

 

[Swampy Mike]

Digiscoping ed50

I have a Panasonic G3 which I use to digiscope with the ED50 and the 20x wide MC. Also with a Lumix LX 5.
The G3 setup doesn't use the lens - it has a T2 adapter connected to the largest tube from a T2 set of extension tubes, then a T2 to 52mm thread adapter to a 52mm digiscoping ring from eBay!
Sounds really Heath Robinson to describe, but works really well with no vignetting at all!
The LX5 needs to be held against the eyepiece to avoid any vignetting, but again works well. I prefer the G3 solution generally - and when I get an ED82 it will work on that too!

 

[Alexis Powell]

You don't have to scroll down or do much of a search in this forum to find lots of discussion on this. I'm in the 27x camp--it matches the 30x view that I expect from a scope which makes the 50ED interchangeable under most conditions in viewing functionality with my big scope, and the wide field relative to the zooms at comparable power makes finding targets easy without the need to zoom out for FOV and then in for desired ~30x view.

--AP

 

[gkw]

When I had my ED50 I used the 13-40 Zoom and enjoyed it. I still have it and use it on my ED111 along with a 30x(20x) on the ED50 which is very nice, but I keep the zoom on most of the time, but mainly for the 20x(13X) view, which I like a lot and generally stay with that. I find that I get more satisfaction from the low mag. views these days, but the zoom can be and is very useful at times. I would by the 13-40 zoom. Its works at 40x quite well in good light on the ED50.

Geoff

 

[theconstantwalker]

if you only have one EP for the ED50 it has to be the 27x... the 20x is very bright if you are only viewing garden birds but I think you will enjoy the 27x a bit more.

 

[Jroper]

Wow, thanks for all the info guys, it's really helpful! I understand the range and specs of the eyepieces so much more now. I reckon it has to be the ED50 with 27x W MC. I will instigate digiscope possibilities at a later date.

The other thing is a tripod! I know its important to have a sound tripod, but the scope and EP are going to set me back a good £500+ so I will have to be more ruthless. I will scout the forum for any suggestions, unless anyone would care to recommend one. Will also try and find a local retailer to test some out.

Cheers,

Jroper

 

[FrankD]

I wish I could help you with that one. I have a Bogen Manfrotto legs/head combo that I use with my 80 mm scope but don't use it with my ED50. I have been using it more with the 16x wide angle eyepiece and a shoulder stock/mount. I do have a less expensive Slik tripod though that is very lighweight and does make a nice companion to the ED50. I am planning on upgrading the head to a fluid style though as the panning action on it now isn't smooth enough for my tastes.

 

[Alexis Powell]

Most cheap tripods are awful. Here's the cheapest tripod I've ever seen anyone seriously recommend. Maybe you can find something equivalent on your continent.
http://www.adorama.com/DOAX620B100....ping Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=gbase

The two tripods I use w/the ED50 (one is a full sized carbon fiber model that is good and sturdy, the other is a better fit to the ED50's speciality and is very light weight but still quite tall and reasonably sturdy--I've described it in other threads if you do a search) are both vastly more expensive.

--AP

 

[Swampy Mike]

Tripod

My key requirement is portable, light kit - means you never have to leave it behind!
Hence ED50 in the first place, and this tripod:
Slik Sprint Pro II 3-Way GM Tripod
On amazon for about £60. Was reviewed in "Birdwatching" and I think its great!

 

[Alexis Powell]

My previous suggestion was aimed only at satisfying the demand for low cost. When it comes to tripods that are a match for the ED50 when light weight and small size are the goal, I don't think you can do better than the Velbon Ultra-Luxi (full size version). It offers a unique combination of weight, compacted size, extended height, and speed of set up. I see it is now available, at least in the USA, in its full sized version with ballhead for about $155.
http://www.amazon.com/Velbon-Ultra-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1323375652&sr=1-1
In the past, the ballhead was only available on the shorter legged version. The full-length legs only came with a ridiculously outsized and _heavy_ 3-way head, which I swapped out with the very light, compact, and sturdy BH-25 pro ballhead from Really Right Stuff (which is, including QR plate, another $200).

--AP

 

[dalat]

For the eyepiece, take one of the fixed mag wide angle, 27x or 20x; for digiscoping maybe also the 16x.

Instead a tripod you may also consider a monopod, which goes well togehter with the lightness of the ED50.

 

[looksharp65]

For the eyepiece, take one of the fixed mag wide angle, 27x or 20x; for digiscoping maybe also the 16x.

Instead a tripod you may also consider a monopod, which goes well togehter with the lightness of the ED50.

Spot on! The ED50 is so light and tiny it's a shame to use a heavy tripod.
I have the 13-30x, the 27x Wide MC and the Wide DS 16x.
Even the 27x has a very steady view with my monopod:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2161325#post2161325

//L

 

[Jane Turner]

I mostly use mine on a shoulder pod, but I have a rather sexy cullman magnesit tripod which is very light.

 

[FrankD]

The retailer I bought my ED50 from sent one of these free of charge when he sent the scope....

http://www.agonic.com/

I love it. It is really lightweight and super easy to use. I actually just checked the website out for the first time before posting this. They have a really nice monopod "combo package" to use the shoulder mount.