Nikon 78mm (1 Viewer)

Hi All
Would anyone have any info/opinions on the above, Nikon 78mmED as a starter scope.
Tks
TC

Its a great scope for value - though quite heavy

For a full-size scope, the ED 78 is not that heavy. Compared with 50-65mm scopes, it is heavier of course.

As for how good it is as a "starter scope," like with any other scope, it depends on the luck of the draw, or how good an individual unit you happen to get. But, the reason why I am writing this is that just last weekend I looked again through a friends' ED 78 A with a zoom. He's a lucky chap who several years ago chanced to buy one that just happens to be a nearly perfect specimen, and still today it puts to shame very nearly every top-end scope pitted against it. It is his starter scope, but it is also very likely the last scope he will ever buy.

But, looking for a second-hand scope (and new ones, too) check the view with the highest available magnification and see that you can get the image to "snap" to sharp focus easily and repeatably. If you can, it is a good scope.

Kimmo

It is an excellent scope. I've had mine for about 5 years and I have no wish to change it for any other. On the odd occasion when I've looked through somebody else's top end scope I've been disappointed. But as has been said, always try before you buy. I'm not sure about getting a stay on case for it, but I've never had one and don't miss it.

Thanks for your comments/advice.
TC

I use the 60mm EDII which is the contemporary of the 78 ED. I find them to be excellent. I understand you give up some to their modern equivs - anyone know otherwise let me know.

1. No shade - could be disadvantage in some lighting conditions.
2. I believe these are not rated as waterproof
3. I have see info that suggests these are not fully multi-coated, so theoretically a more modern model would have better contrast. I haven't seen a lot of corroboration of that but seems plausible.
4. If anything like the 60mm, the focus ring is very "fast" meaning a slight touch may focus too much. Finesse is critical.

All that aside, a great scope and fully usable in almost any situation.

I bought mine in about 1995 and haven't been tempted to replace it with anything newer. My only gripes are the lack of full waterproofing, the lack of a rain hood, and the lack of a long-eye-relief ultra-wide-angle 20-50x zoom (the last problem not unique to this scope Otherwise, it's an awesome ~80mm compact birding scope.

--AP

Thanks again everyone
TC