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Message: <blockquote data-quote="OwenM" data-source="post: 1288644" data-attributes="member: 63408">When I say that, I am not implying a lack of DOF, or that everything suddenly jumps into focus. DOF is actually better with the ED. I'm saying that it does present a sharper image without effort, so I'm not bumping the focus thinking "is this the best focus, or do I need to...?". I believe I'd read a comment somewhere that the close focus might sacrifice DOF for whatever reason, but it isn't so. The ED actually gets "binocular vision" at closer distance than the SP, yet focuses down closer, too. Under 8-10 feet, I find myself closing one eye. I'm 5'6", and the ED focuses on my shoes when bent over so the objectives are waist high. With the SP, I have to raise up another 6-8 inches.   After several days and nights' use with both binoculars side-by-side at home and work, under sunny, cloudy, rainy, clear, hazy, plus nighttime with and without ambient/side light, I'll say that the ED is visibly, and usually noticeably, better in every respect(a very high def viewing experience), except what I suppose is stray light. For example: Viewing a streetlight at night from a distance, and moving the bins away from the light toward a barely lit house to one side so that the light is outside the FOV-with the SP there will be a moment where the light coming into the objective forms a dim halo on one side of the view. With the ED in the same circumstances, a strong "starbust" of light radiating outward from the light source impedes the view. I'm sure this is indicative of "something" that the coatings are doing to incoming light, or reflection due to some extra internal element, etc. Whatever, it's beyond my ability to explain. This effect is not mirrored by the sun in daylight use-have only seen it at night. The SPs doing better in darkness with strong light sources to their front actually works out pretty good, since the only time this really matters to me is at work, where I don't want to be tempted to bring the EDs, anyway!  Was also afraid another 8x32 would be redundant, having already given my dad my Browning 8x32 after liking the SP much better. I don't regret these EDs at all, though, and have no intention of getting rid of the SP. I'd rather my best bins stay at home or in the truck while the SPs ride in my bag as my (very good)spare/work binoculars.  btw, the strap and rainguard are standard fare for Pentax-fit for the garbage can. I'll be getting a Bushnell or EO rainguard and Op/Tech Classic strap for these, like I have on the SP(just a different color strap so I don't mix them up when I'm not paying attention!).Something about the 8x32 format is addictive to me. I was 100% satisfied with the SP. I'm ecstatic about the ED. For some reason I still want to try the new Meopta 8x32, even the much less expensive Promaster Infinity Elite, and even having a strong preference for roofs, am still extremely tempted by the Nikon Premier SE still available for $550. This just never seems to end...It will probably be November before I get to try the EDs alongside the upper echelon 8x32s like the Swarovski EL, Leica Ultravid, and Zeiss FL, but I'll be really stoked about getting to see how they stack up.edited to add that there is a review of the DCF ED series, and comparative comments about the SP in the optics4birding review here:<a href="http://www.optics4birding.com/pentax-dcf-ed-binoculars-review.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.optics4birding.com/pentax-dcf-ed-binoculars-review.aspx</a></blockquote>

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