Barfbirder
Member
I have owned a couple of Leicas' for a good many years and consider them a superb binocular ( well, they've got to be good ' cos they're bloody pricey, right ? ) Reading an article in the Times recently a pair of Pentax Papilios' were recommended for their extremely short focusing capabilities, which make them ideal for exploring the hidden world of insects and flowers. When I saw the price ( less than £100 ) my bino snobbery dismissed them immediately - until I read the reviews by respected independent reviewers. What could I lose - after all £100 is what I regularly spend on a meal out for two - and if they are rubbish I can always return 'em. So Amazon had them on my doorstep less than a week later. Upon opening the packaging my original fears were realised, they looked and handled like a child's toy - BUT - when I focused them down to minimum on a painting that had been hanging on my wall for years I saw their brilliance, every brush stroke was crystal clear - it became a different painting. I took them into the garden and saw a hidden world of bees legs dusted with pollen, spiders beady eyes and the unbelievable beauty of a house fly wing - AMAZING. I then focused them on the green finches and tits on the feeders and the optics were remarkable for their price, not as sharp, crisp and bright as my Leicas' but at a fraction of the price how could they dare to be ! So, I am no longer a binocular snob and can thoroughly recommend these brilliant little bins to all and sundry, primarily for their close focusing capability but also as a good back up to a posher pair.
