[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by andreax1985

how can I distinguish the eyepieces for the 82ed from the newer and more expensive eyepieces?

They look very different. Here are pics of the standard, MC, and DS eyepieces for the 50, 60, 78 and 82ED Fieldscopes. The even older (but excellent) WF eyepieces look similar to the 20/25x standard model pictured on the MC page but have the specs of the MC models.
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto...s/mc/index.htm
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto...s/ds/index.htm

The newer EDG Fieldscopes use these super expensive eyepieces:
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto..._fep/index.htm

As for the 50ED, there isn't much it can't do at magnifications up to 30x, but I prefer the handling qualities of my 78ED when small size and weight are not the priority. The 60, 78, and 82mm scopes are also much more durable for folks who toss their scope into the back of a battered pickup truck or jeep between birding spots.

--AP

[RJM]

Originally Posted by andreax1985

Stephen Ingraham's article is very interesting... But he talks about 60mm scopes... Nikon ED50 is even smaller, only 50mm... I'm afraid that 50 mm are really too few... Am I wrong?

P.S: Consider I'm not only interested in watching birds, but nature in general (scanning mountains and rivers, following planes in the sky etc....)

I think you really need to get to a store and look thru some scopes. Only then will you know what kind of view you like. As for magnification, perhaps you should download this Nikon pdf and look at page 7.

Really not much detail between the simulated images if you look closely. Only larger scale at the cost of field of view. What it doesn't show is how the image dims as magnification increases. Most people notice dimmer views during the day when eyepiece exit pupil is smaller than 2.5mm. For current scopes with 50mm-88mm lenses, that means brightest max mags are achieved between 20x-35x.

[andreax1985]

Originally Posted by Alexis Powell

They look very different. Here are pics of the standard, MC, and DS eyepieces for the 50, 60, 78 and 82ED Fieldscopes. The even older (but excellent) WF eyepieces look similar to the 20/25x standard model pictured on the MC page but have the specs of the MC models.
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto...s/mc/index.htm
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto...s/ds/index.htm

The newer EDG Fieldscopes use these super expensive eyepieces:
http://www.nikon.com/products/sporto..._fep/index.htm

As for the 50ED, there isn't much it can't do at magnifications up to 30x, but I prefer the handling qualities of my 78ED when small size and weight are not the priority. The 60, 78, and 82mm scopes are also much more durable for folks who toss their scope into the back of a battered pickup truck or jeep between birding spots.

--AP

Well, I thought that ed82 eyepieces too were superexpensive since here they go for 300 euros each! You are saying that edg eps are even more expensive?

[Sancho]

There are two Nikon ED82A scopes with eyepieces etc. for sale in the classifieds section of BF now!

[mooreorless]

The one 82 ED has the 38x wide eyepiece and low enough price to get a new Zoom, but it is UK only, oh well

[looksharp65]

Originally Posted by mooreorless

The one 82 ED has the 38x wide eyepiece and low enough price to get a new Zoom.

And the fellow states "Uk only"
Now, I regard myself a devoted Anglophile but after having lived on the eBay UK for a year I'm wondering what's the matter with those guys.

No offense, but why dismiss the opportunity to reach a far bigger market with many more presumptive bidders with larger wallets?
I've seen too many great opportunities fizzle out unnoticed by UK bidders, or sold for peanuts not to wonder.

Anyway, although I plan to get an ED82A later this year I'm not prepared for the expense right away. But I did look at the ad, I did.

[mooreorless]

I missed that Lars. Dang it anyway.

[looksharp65]

I can get a new body for £900 here. Scope body, that is

[mooreorless]

That scope would make a nice one to go with your 50ED. I would like to get the other one on here, but other money matters are more important. I would just sale my Nikon 60ED then.

[andreax1985]

anyway I won't buy the one from usa due to the custom charges and won't buy the one from uk because 900 pounds are about 1100 euros and the scope is 5 years old... I will go for second hand only if it's really convenient... If it makes me save 100 euros I prefer new stuff...

[1.David.1]

Hello!

I am looking to buy a spotter scope, however i know very little about them, i only know a few specifications to look out e.g objective lens, Fully multi coated, ED glass, e.t.c

I am looking to spend around £150-£200 for the use of bird watching however when I am looking I really don't know what the good and bad makes are, and i'm not sure of the quality of scope I will get for the price I want to pay. I will mainly use it to watch birds of prey about 100-150 yards away and Im unsure of the magnification I will need in order to get a crisp viewing of the bird.

I have spoke to a few people about a few scopes i have in mind:

Helios Field Master ED60ED- 15-45 magnification, With 60mm obj lens, and ED glass, Fully multi coating- £190

Acuter Pro ST20- 20-60 magnification, With 80mm obj lens, NO ED glass, multi coated - £190

Practica- 25-75 magnification, with 90mm obj lens, NO ED glass, £142

I know that ED Glass is good, but im not sure whether it is better to have ED glass or a larger objective lens (which will provide the best view through the scope) I have had mixed messages about these 3 scopes:

1. Helios and Acuter are cheap makes and not worth the money and ED glass wont make that much difference go with with a larger obj lens

2. Go with larger obj lens (Acuter) more light and will be better than the helios even though the helios would beat any other scope with a 60mm obj lens for that price.

3. Go with the Helios, ED glass will give you a far better image, even though it doesn't absorb as much light.....

Soo i am really confused what to look for and would like some honest advice on a scope worth while considering for £200 and whether the Helios is a really good deal for the price or is it just a cheapy make.

Any advice would be much appreciated.. Thank you

I have only just joined sorry if i have asked in the wrong place

[jogiba]

Originally Posted by andreax1985

Hi all, I'm looking for a powerful scope for terrestrial observations (nature, animals, mountains etc...). I'm new in the field, I've read tons of reviews but still can't decide which model to choose among:

1. Nikon Fieldscope ED82
2. Celestron Regal 100 mm

I'm mostly concerned with the quality of the optics, brightness, sharpness, image details... I'd like to get the best out of my budget (which can't exceed 1300$). Which, in your opinion, is the best scope?

I use my Celestron Regal 100 mm with a 20mm Pentax XW eyepiece that has a 70° AFOV and 20mm eye relief and it gives great views with that combo. I also like the 20mm XW in my Pentax PF-80ED . I have an Orion EON 72 scope that I use with 21mm Televue Ethos 100° AFOV eyepiece that also gives great views. For the money the Celestron Regal 100 mm is a best buy in large spotting scopes under $700 IMHO. The Nikon Fieldscope ED82 is $1,900 w/ zoom eyepiece at B&H so they are two different class spotting scopes.

[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by jogiba

The Nikon Fieldscope ED82 is $1,900 w/ zoom eyepiece at B&H so they are two different class spotting scopes.

That's not a good price. When I was in Cabela's recently, I saw they were selling the 82ED straight for $1300, and Eagle Optics has it for $1700. When prices are this variable, it makes me worry that a product is on its way out, but I've seen crazier price variation in the Fieldscopes before, so maybe there's nothing going on.

--AP

[Swifty49]

Originally Posted by andreax1985

And if I went for the Nikon, which eyepiece would you suggest me to buy, the zoom ep, a set of fixed eyepieces or a combination of both?

Btw, why nikon eyepieces are so expensive?

Is Nikon ed82 made in Japan or made in China?

Here's a new Nikon MC eyepiece at a good price. The postage is a bit fierce but the lens is cheap. Ask the retailer to mark the price down on the customs label and send it as a gift and you won't get charged import duty or VAT. Most US dealers will do this, in my experience.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NIKON-FIEL...item5d325d91e4

[FrankD]

That auction is from one of our forum members. It is easy enough to figure out who it is. Maybe you could work out a deal with him.