Pentax PF 65mmHD -- new vs. old. (1 Viewer)

Hi there,

I had planned on purchasing a Nikon ED 82mm, but in a desire to save some cash (and save my marriage... ha, just kidding), I am leaning towards this Pentax. It seems to be lighter, pretty good in quality, and about half the price.

I thought to get the angled, but they are usually more expensive. Plus, I will probably be using mostly by myself so the multi-user benefit of the angled would do little for me.

It looks like I can pick up the "I" model from Adorama for $380 USD, but this is the older model. There is the newer model for $90 more, and I am wondering if people think that it is worth it to spend more for the "II", or should I save the $90 toward their 32.5x eyepiece?

I will use it mostly for wildlife viewing (say 80%). Probably 15% for birding, and maybe 5% for astronomy (later, not right away). I probably wont use it for digiscoping. Low light and possibly bad weather conditions are also apart of the picture.

Also, can someone recommend a tripod for either of these models? I'd like to not have to spend $300 for a carbon fiber but I probably don't want to spend just $35 on a beast that will be heavy to carry on hiking trips. Big plus if it would go well with my wife's Canon DSLR (I bought her that first, so its not a big deal for me to get this, hehe). I'm thinking it would be better to have the "quick release" function.

As you can tell about my copious use of "quotes" I know very little about anything...

Thank you for any replies, and thanks again for making this such a great forum. I learn so much here. :clap:

I think I'd get the version "I" and save the money (I myself have an angled version "I" which I bought a few years ago and I like it very much).

I think the best bet for a tripod would be separate Manfrotto legs and head. For example, for legs, the new model 190XB:

http://www.adorama.com/BG190XB.html

If you want the ability to position the center column horizontally (can be very desirable for photography), go for the 190XPROB:

http://www.adorama.com/BG190XPROB.html

Add to it a head like the 390RC-2:

http://www.adorama.com/BG390RC2.html

or the 700RC2

http://www.adorama.com/BG700RC2.html

Adorama has "packages" of various combinations:

http://www.adorama.com/BG190XB390RC.html

but they just make it easier to order, I don't think you save any money. So you can pick and chose if you want to get exactly the combo you want.

Manfrotto also makes some tripods with non-removable heads, like the 728B:

http://www.adorama.com/BG728B.html

which are cheaper and acceptable for digital cameras, but not quite sturdy enough for scope use, in my opinion.

Finally, if you do go with one of the above suggestions, order an extra quick release plate at the same time:

http://www.adorama.com/BG3157N.html

Justin,

the only difference between both versions of the 65 ED Pentax I could found was the correction of chromatic aberrations (CA). Fringes around objects of high contrast were noticable better under controll by the new EDII. But if you ask what to choose the 82 Nikon ED or one of these 65mm Pentaxes I have to say that the Nikon plays definitely in another league - if we talk only about the scopes. The Pentax XW eyepieces on the other hand are of first rate - if Pentax would build scopes in the quality like these they would play in the highest class.

Steve

Thank you both for your replies. Because of Hinnark's short yet powerful praise of the Nikon, I am once again considering that scope. Either way, it sounds like I will enjoy my purcahse.

Happy birding