[Steven Astley]

After extensive research, ie reading this forum mainly. After eliminating the Nikon ED50 I have narrowed it down to

Opticron ES80 SD MK 1 at £247 or

" ES80 SD MK 2 at £321

Couple of questions is the difference big and apparently they changed the model from using high density to standard glass, so people raving on about how good value for money in BFs archives were referring to a different model, pre 2004, is that correct?

Any help in helping me choose would be great.

[Paul Jarvis]

If you can stretch to the ED that is the one you want with an HDF ep. Or out of the above there is not much between them only price as it is the same scope, go for the one you think would be better for you, ie saving money or the latest model (MK2).

Not sure about the changing of glass.

[alan_rymer]

Originally Posted by Steven Astley

After extensive research, ie reading this forum mainly. After eliminating the Nikon ED50 I have narrowed it down to

Opticron ES80 SD MK 1 at £247 or

" ES80 SD MK 2 at £321

Couple of questions is the difference big and apparently they changed the model from using high density to standard glass, so people raving on about how good value for money in BFs archives were referring to a different model, pre 2004, is that correct?

Any help in helping me choose would be great.

Not sure if they changed the glass in the SD.
Pre 2004 ES80GA Waterproof: All ED glass, there were no SD models.
2004-2006 ES80GA ED and ES80GA SD , ED Glass and StandarD glass, looks like new trimmings on the body.
Post 2006 ES80GA ED and ES80GA SD , ED Glass and StandarD glass. Again looks like new body differences. May be changes to glass but, I don't know.

Hope that helps.

Whichever Opticron you go for, don't stint on the eyepiece. Go for a HDF one, Zoom one if you only intend to get one eyepiece!.


I have a Pre 2004 ES80GA Waterproof ( ED Glass ) body and stay on case for sale for £300, optics and body in excellent condition . You would still need to buy your own eyepiece though!.

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by Paul Jarvis

If you can stretch to the ED that is the one you want with an HDF ep. Or out of the above there is not much between them only price as it is the same scope, go for the one you think would be better for you, ie saving money or the latest model (MK2).

Not sure about the changing of glass.

Recently I bought the ES80 ED (MK2) with HDF zoom - very happy. I did not compare it with the SD, but did compare the GS65 ED and non-ED side by side - the ED was an improvement - sharper and slightly brighter.

I'd imagine the difference between ES80 SD and ED would be a similiar experience. Definately try before you buy, it's pretty personal how much a bit of an improvement in view is worth in pounds and pence. I bought through in-focus, very helpful - they set up a number of combinations side by side to let me compare and were very patient!

[Chris Galvin]

Originally Posted by alan_rymer

Whichever Opticron you go for, don't stint on the eyepiece. Go for a HDF one, Zoom one if you only intend to get one eyepiece!.

I would suggest that if you only go for one eyepiece then you should go for the SDL zoom eyepeice which is much brighter than the HDF

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by Chris Galvin

I would suggest that if you only go for one eyepiece then you should go for the SDL zoom eyepeice which is much brighter than the HDF

Can't put my hand to the threads but I seem to remember a number of people preferring the HDF zoom. From memory I think the view was very similar but the eyecups on the hdf were shorter and so had less 'wobble' and so were more stable.