Mr. Monday
Active member
I'm having trouble deciding between these two. SDL v2 on the MM4 and 16-48x on the Televid. It will be used for target spotting, birding, phone scoping, and occasional hunting. Which one would you choose and why?
I'm having trouble deciding between these two. SDL v2 on the MM4 and 16-48x on the Televid. It will be used for target spotting, birding, phone scoping, and occasional hunting. Which one would you choose and why?
Hi, I owned the Leica Televid 62 APO last year with the most current zoom at the time available along with the most current 20x fixed eyepiece. I also owned for a short time the Opticron MM3 50 with the SDL v2 zoom and the lowest fixed 13x eyepiece .... My opinion is there is no way the opticron is in the same class as the Leica 62 APO. The Leica is significantly better built than the Opticron MM's. The Leica zoom and fixed eyepiece's(last current production) before they were discontinued also were considerably in a class above the Opticron. I am not saying the Opticron did not provide a nice view with either their zoom or the one fixed eyepiece I had, it did. Does Opticron make a nice scope ? , yes . Its just not a Leica. When handling the two, as one would expect the Leica had the feel/look of a well made high end solid piece of optical wonder. The Opticron on the other hand though made in Japan when compared to the Leica had the feel of a well made solid toy . If I had to choose which on to take in the field for what ever reason, taking the Leica would be a no brainer.
Thank you for the reassurance!
I purchased the Leica 3 days ago and it's currently in transit. It was an emotional decision and I didn't do much research before purchasing it. Now I'm doing research after the fact and it seems like the only other scopes I should have considered are the MM4 60ED and the TSN-663, but it seems like I made the right choice clicking the buy it now button on the Leica the minute I saw it.
Thank you for the reassurance!
I purchased the Leica 3 days ago and it's currently in transit. It was an emotional decision and I didn't do much research before purchasing it. Now I'm doing research after the fact and it seems like the only other scopes I should have considered are the MM4 60ED and the TSN-663, but it seems like I made the right choice clicking the buy it now button on the Leica the minute I saw it.
I have owned a Kowa TSN-663, really nice scope. My choice would be the Kowa instead of the MM4.
If the Kowa TSN-553 actually performed like Kowa claims ? the only way I would payout that kind of money for such a small spotter having such a small Objective Lens, they first would have to come out with some fixed power eyepieces that provided a good amount of eye relief.Edit: I'll save up for a used Kowa TSN-553 if I can't get past the Leica focus knob.
I'm having trouble deciding between these two. SDL v2 on the MM4 and 16-48x on the Televid. It will be used for target spotting, birding, phone scoping, and occasional hunting. Which one would you choose and why?
The Pentax PRs are pretty heavy for their size though. A shame because I really like the little PF65. Lovely scope.
I think the eyepiece is fixed to the body on the Kowa TSN-553 to save weight. For me thats perfectly fine as long as its a good eyepiece because I don't see myself carrying around multiple eyepieces when a zoom will get the job done 90% of the time. That said, I do wish that they had chosen a wide angle zoom like the TE-11WZ.If the Kowa TSN-553 actually performed like Kowa claims ? the only way I would payout that kind of money for such a small spotter having such a small Objective Lens, they first would have to come out with some fixed power eyepieces that provided a good amount of eye relief.
Actually, the Pentax PF-65ED II was the first scope I saw that I thought would be perfect for my needs but after a couple quick google searches I came to the conclusion that there are excellent fixed EPs for it but no good zoom EPs. Maybe I nixed it too soon.May I also suggest another choice in case your recent purchase of the Leica does not work out for you. Since you want to end up with a smaller to medium size spotter that will provide a quality view & give you the confidence to use it outdoors. I would also suggest the Pentax PF ED or the Pentax PR ED series spotting scopes. These scopes are in the same price range or cheaper depending on where they are purchased & when used with the right eyepieces (they will accept other brands of 1.25" eyepieces)will provide a really nice view. I have owned the Pentax PF ED series & now have the Pentax PR ED. I think these scopes are one of the most under rated scopes out there. If you read the post here from members who have actually used one, most will agree. Here is a picture of the Pentax PR ED angled. Its built like a tank. .... I do not work for Pentax , I just have handled a lot scopes.
I definitely prefer lighter weight over a robust feel. I wonder if this scope gets judged as optically inferior because it's light weight makes it feel like a toy.Hi Boogie! How are you? I would like to see a PF65, having read great reports. They don't seem to be readily available though. I hardly birdwatch anymore, so my 'big' scope is redundant, but I wanted something small and light to take on more casual walks 'just-in-case'. Only this week I got a 2nd-hand Opticron MM3 60 ED with HDF zoom. I can't compare it to a Televid 62, but I am seriously impressed with the quality. I had it out on a dull day and it performed wonderfully almost up to the max, and the CA control is superb. It feels like a slightly bigger ED50 with a good zoom. I acknowledge Gwen's comment about the robustness/build issue, but I wanted something light so it's just right for me. (My one quibble is that I don't like the dual focus much).
I can't wait to receive it! I'm already trying to decide what fixed EP I should purchase first and what phone adapter will work with my S8.Another - satisfied - APO Televid 62 user here. I have the zoom and 26x WW and in 13 years I haven't found a scope which betters it for me. I don't 'get' the reported focusser problem either - no issues at all?! As has already been said, it's a gem.
Interested to hear your thoughts on receipt.
RB
The fixed power eyepieces that were available before your Leica 62 APO was discontinued ..... I know about the fixed power 20x eyepiece because I had one, I also believe they made a 32x and a 40x power eyepiece. These eyepieces are not that easy to find now. Almost impossible to find in new condition, I was lucky my 20x came with my original purchase. What made the Pentax PF ED scopes so appealing to many, was the fact that it could use other brands of 1.25" eyepieces besides their own Pentax.I can't wait to receive it! I'm already trying to decide what fixed EP I should purchase first and what phone adapter will work with my S8.
I'm not too worried about finding the eyepieces, they will show up over time on eBay and classifieds. There's a 16x, 26x, and 32x available for the Televid 62. I'm torn between the 16x and 26x as I don't see myself purchasing a third eyepiece.The fixed power eyepieces that were available before your Leica 62 APO was discontinued ..... I know about the fixed power 20x eyepiece because I had one, I also believe they made a 32x and a 40x power eyepiece. These eyepieces are not that easy to find now. Almost impossible to find in new condition, I was lucky my 20x came with my original purchase. What made the Pentax PF ED scopes so appealing to many, was the fact that it could use other brands of 1.25" eyepieces besides their own Pentax.
I'm not too worried about finding the eyepieces, they will show up over time on eBay and classifieds. There's a 16x, 26x, and 32x available for the Televid 62. I'm torn between the 16x and 26x as I don't see myself purchasing a third eyepiece.
Do you know of any good zoom eyepieces for the Pentax?
I'm not too worried about finding the eyepieces, they will show up over time on eBay and classifieds. There's a 16x, 26x, and 32x available for the Televid 62. I'm torn between the 16x and 26x as I don't see myself purchasing a third eyepiece.
Do you know of any good zoom eyepieces for the Pentax?
The 26xWW is a superb eyepiece and would be the one that I would go for if I was considering a fixed magnification. As has been said, all accessories, eyepieces etc for the APO Televid 77 & 62 were discontinued some time ago and are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
RB