[kerryd]

Has anyone used this fixed power ep and is it a good match?

[Kammerdiner]

Originally Posted by kerryd

Has anyone used this fixed power ep and is it a good match?

I haven't used the 40x, but my guess is it's pushing the limits of the ED50. I have the 27x MC and I wouldn't go any higher. You'll lose brightness for sure, exit pupil, and probably sharpness.

In fact, I'd like to see the 20x MC.

But at 27x, the ED50 totally stomps a pair of binos. I was recently out looking at Grasshopper Sparrows and Blue Grosbeaks and the ED50 at 27x simply embarassed my 8.5 SV. I carried the ED50 plus tripod easily in one hand--effortless.

Of course Grasshopper Sparrows like to sit on a perch for a few minutes and just sing. Makes it easy for a scope user.

Other users should be able to provide more definitive opinions.

Anyway, my two cents,
Mark

[looksharp65]

Originally Posted by kerryd

Has anyone used this fixed power ep and is it a good match?

I'm sure it's a good match. When conditions are fine, I can use the zoom at 40x with very good sharpness. Have even boosted it to 100x and still fine.
However, that eyepiece is probably the least usable in the entire range.
It yields a small exit pupil in all three (four with the ED78) models so frankly it's not very allround, since it requires reasonably bright lighting.

The zoom has a quite wide AFOV (I estimate it to be around 60 degrees) at the highest setting, and the lower powers can be used to find the bird/whatever more easily.

For spectacle wearers, the fixed 40x/60x/75x must be better than the zoom - not really too much challenge .

I have the ED50A and the ED82A.
My picks are the 16x/24x/30x DS, the 27x/40x/50x DS+MC and the MCII zoom for those longest distances.
I had the idea to sell the zoom and get either of the 40x/60x/75x MC/DS, but changed my mind since I'd only trade one problem (eye relief) for two others (invariably dim image and more difficult to find the target).
YMMV.

//L

[Graham Osborne]

I use a 20xW MC as my standard EP on my ED50 and an old style 40xW as a higher power EP for more distant views. The 40x actually works better on my ED50 than it did at 60x on an ED 60mm Fieldscope I previously used (before I broke it). In good light the 40x MC EP can be recommended as a very useful option for the ED50. As I use an 82mm ED FS as my main scope the 40x EP also gives me the option of 75x when scoping at very long range.

[gkw]

[quote=Graham Osborne;2507273] The 40x actually works better on my ED50 than it did at 60x on an ED 60mm Fieldscope I previously used (before I broke it).
You broke an ED111? How, I'll get the cotton wool ready for mine

[Graham Osborne]

[quote=gkw;2507419]

Originally Posted by Graham Osborne

The 40x actually works better on my ED50 than it did at 60x on an ED 60mm Fieldscope I previously used (before I broke it).
You broke an ED111? How, I'll get the cotton wool ready for mine

Dropped it.

[rosbifs]

Bizzarly i use 27x on my 80 and 38x on my 50. They're both awesome......

To prove how bizarre i am i also use the 80 on a monopod for migration.

[kerryd]

Thank you Mark, Looksharp, Graham, and Rosbifs. Thats useful info. I will be scanning open mountain ranges in the Rockies, so I think it would qualify as "good lighting". Just today I purchased a 27x wide ds which may suffice instead. I will try it out this weekend, if I see the need for more I'll look into the 40x.

[mayoayo]

The 27x is a great eyepiece on the ED50..I tried all the eyepieces in the ED50,except for the 40XDS..I have boosted the 27X with my 8x binos and even at that power (216X)the image still there...Is amazing how little CA,at that extreme power,the ED50 shows when focused..So I imagine the 40X would work well.
This said,If You need powers beyond 27X on regular basis,I would consider a different scope..the detail you gain with magnification ,gets lost in the dimmer light that the smaller exit pupil delivers..Long observations in that dim light,trying to extract detail is a lot of work..make sure to have extra glucose in Your system!!!

I found that the 27X gets infinity focus and works great in my Kowa 823,but I need to make an adapter for it ...The 27X gives almost 43X in the Kowa.The 40X DS would give around 65X..
That Would be nice..

[mikefreiberg]

Originally Posted by kerryd

Has anyone used this fixed power ep and is it a good match?

I know you have already bought your piece, but I thought I'd make a comment. The 27x is a great choice. I do like the 40x on this scope, but one must settle for a very narrow field of view. That is really the only downfall. If you go ahead and purchase it in the future you will not be displeased. I would think, anyways.
Enjoy the new eyepiece.

All the best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[mayoayo]

Originally Posted by mikefreiberg

....... I do like the 40x on this scope, but one must settle for a very narrow field of view. That is really the only downfall......

All the best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

The 40X Wide has a very narrow field of View?..I thought these eyepieces had AFOV of 68-70º...

[FrankD]

True not apparent and in comparison to a lower powered eyepiece.

[mayoayo]

Originally Posted by FrankD

True not apparent and in comparison to a lower powered eyepiece.

Of Course,but the Way Mike put It ,"A Very Narrow FOV" ,made me think that the 40X WA was proportionally narrower than other WA eyepieces...

I would think that the small exit pupil is more of a limitation than the small FOV..

I use the 27X DS now in a Kowa 823 and get 42.5X, probably with the same real FOV/ AFOV as the 40X WA in the ED50, but with 1.9mm exit pupil.(same FOV/AFOV as the Nikon ED82/38X WA combo too )
I dont miss the extra FOV,compared with a lower power eyepiece,becasue I have the magnification ,and that trade-off is OK, if You have enough aperture.... I could use this 42.5X as my only eyepiece in an 82mm scope, but I would not use the 40X WA in the ED50 as my only eyepiece, because of the loss of contrast (and detail)of the dim image