Is the Nikon 8x32 SE eyeglass friendly?
Thanks for the feedback.I wonder to try to buy the current edition [550xxx] from USA [I have a friend there], or an older version used?Any thoughts and how they compared? ''I flipped them eye-cups upside down'' what you mean tantien?
Comparison between the latest version 550xxx and the versions with lead glass?
Not having any comparison between a 504xxx and a 550xxx, I cannot comment Tom, but I've read from others that there is a difference--but I cannot quantify what that may be, or whether that really makes a difference. The view, for my eyes is fantastic.
So the rubber SE eyecups do easily detach with a little pull upward. They can then be placed back on upside down and they stay nicely attached. I've attached a couple of quick pictures to illustrate how mine looks.
Hope this helps!
I've had a 501xxx and 505xxx (both presumably with lead glass) and a 550 (which was advertised as containing "Eco-Glass"). Nikon has continually updated the AR coatings throughout the years, which seems more important to improving the view than the type of glass they used.
In terms of contrast and apparent brightness they rank as follows:
550>505>501
I recently tried a 504xxxx 8x SE, and it seemed on par with the 505, a small step behind the 550, but not much different. The bigger jump was from the 501 to the 550. Newer coatings make the colors more vibrant and enhance the contrast.
Brock[/QUOTE
Thanks Brock.But which was the bigger step between 501- 502-503 etc.
Understand that these series differences except for the change to eco-glass are purely speculative by some members of this forum. Nikon has NEVER stated they've changed coatings. I would NOT make a decision about these various SE's unless you can test them side by side. Some here make claims about seeing differences in side by side tests but that's one user's opinion and, possibly, colored by their expectations.
I think if you find *any* SE you will be very pleased with their optical quality. The ones I have listed in the classifieds are the 505 era from about 2006.
Agreed! This topic of coatings and serial numbers has been discussed ad nauseum on the venerable "Regarding the SE" thread and honestly, I am so stinking happy with the view from my SE that I don't really care that it's a 504xxx. It has compared very (VERY) well (IMHO) to bins costing double or triple.
To quote the old Alka-Seltzer commercial: "Try it you'll like it." But unlike the guy in the commercial, unless you have a problem with the blackouts (as some do) you will REALLY like it.