The MCII 25-75x, has three zoom configurations listed and it's a bit confusing to me. The middle zoom, if I'm reading the Nikon website correctly, is for III/III A models other than Fieldscope III ED82 right? So for example, a Fieldscope III ED60 with the same lens would be 20-60x? Only the 82mm model benefits from the extra zoom?
That sounds amazing, I wish I could say the same thing about mine. From minimum zoom until probably around 75% of full zoom, the view is stunning, I literally couldn't ask for more, especially at this price range. I recently tried some shore bird viewing at about 1 mile and I could not resolve enough detail to ID medium to large birds. Not even close actually. Air quality wasn't amazing, but it wasn't that bad either.
Additionally, above 75% of the zoom optical quality drops off pretty noticeably. Specifically, saturation and contrast. In my back yard with ideal lighting the view is much better, but the contrast is still noticeably worse. I am wondering if this is expected at this price point, or if I don't have the best copy.
Are there any Alpha scopes that do well at 60+x? It seems like from what I've read most, if not all, suffer from image degradation at high magnifications, but I honestly don't know.
Hi Steve,
First off, does your scope come into sharp focus at 75x when viewing at closer distances, where air quality is less of a factor? Or do you need to hunt and not really achieve a distinct point of best focus? Second, have you looked inside the scope for any obvious issues?
1) You are correct, the MC-II is 20-60x for the 60mm. The symbol with the slash through the circle = diameter. The EP is 25-75x for the 78mm and 82mm, and 13-40x for the 50mm.
2) One mile is quite far for objects that small, especially if there is mirage or heat haze! And if there is sea spray, fog, particulate, etc. it can be difficult as you are literally looking through all that "stuff".
3) I have owned seven Nikon Fieldscopes and don't recall any of them with that drastic of drop in contrast. I sometimes take a new-to-me scope to a local duck pond, after doing a star test and resolution comparison against a known scope. The image I get from my ED82-A when viewing some of the waterfowl in the sun is sometimes hard to believe as it is incredibly vibrant. However, there are times where some scenes and objects are dull even with the 82mm. The quality of the light, clean/dirty air, and I'd imagine the human eye and brain all factor into it.
For example, I have been in situations with multiple observers where none of them could view well with perfectly clear skies and clean air. One time it was due to the fact that it was so incredibly super bright out that everyone's pupils were very constricted, however the area being viewed was in a very dark shadow from an immense cloud. Many people said out loud that they could not see anything. Was it their scopes? Or the conditions, plus the equipment, eyeballs, and brain? Some people thought that they needed to buy new optics! It made me realize how quickly we blame the equipment.
4) I cannot speak to so-called alpha scopes, as I don't own one. I have only used those owned by others. However, if you take time to read some of the threads here you will find that the ED-82 and the scope that replaced it, the Monarch 82mm, are held in very high regard while some of the "alpha" scopes have exhibited some design and/or assembly flaws resulting in optical aberrations.
If you are super curious, you can read about "star testing". Just do a search here. There are some good threads, sample pictures, and reasons why it is relevant in finding lemons quickly without having to spend days, weeks, or months wondering if you have a bad sample. But first, I would just check to see if you can just get sharp focus at 75x before doing anything more elaborate. You could even use a dollar bill as a target across a large room. You should be able see all sorts of defects in the print, with more and more detail at progressively higher magnification. It definitely helps to have a really good scope for comparison though.
And if you want to compare, there are companies that allow you to rent a scope! But you might get an alpha lemon!
Jason
