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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BobinKy" data-source="post: 1578914" data-attributes="member: 58027">Here are my "light of day" thoughts on this subject.Without a doubt, the best optic will be the optic to show the level of detail required by the observer. But what is the level of detail required? Some are interested in an aesthetic balance of objects and environment during low light situations. Others are interested in the low light itself and how it effects the appearance of nature. And still others are more interested in the object itself, paying little attention to the environment and the low light, except to tolerate it as that is the condition of the time of observing. And on and on. This thread started by asking about the observation of animals under low light situation. What kind of animals? Why as we observing the animals? What is the environment of the animals? How close can we get to the animals? Can we position ourselves so the animals will come close to our fixed position? What happens to the animals when we do manage to observe and identify them? What happens to us after the identification? These are questions that may be in the observer's mind--whether the observer be hunter, bird watcher, gardener, farmer, naturalist, or painter.Personally, I place importance on light--specifically the aesthetic balance of light, life, and environment. To me a satisfying view includes all three in equal proportions. I do not hunt or stalk animals per se (by, of, for, or in themselves). However, I can totally appreciate the optical needs of the hunter or birder. The observing goals of the hunter or birder are different than mine. My goals are closer to the artist or naturalist. Consequently, what satisfies me is different. I have many friends and relatives who are ardent deer hunters. To them, what is important is to see the deer and count the points on the antlers. During deer hunting season, they have one tag which means they can harvest only one deer. Some are interested in the trophy on the wall and bragging rights at the watering hole, while others are interested in filling the freezer with meat. Most are interested in both. More points mean a bigger head on the wall and more pounds of meat in the freezer. Their optical needs are different from mine. The subject of magnification versus exit pupil gets to the heart of why many of us collect and use optics. Are we interested primarily in magnification, in a task or hobby which requires magnification? Are we interested primarily in light and the never ending balance of light and the appearance of things? Or, are our interests somewhere in between. Yes, I see magnification on one end of the question and exit pupil on the other end. To me it doesn't really matter if I have a quality binocular, spotting scope, or astronomy scope in my hands. What matters to me is the balance of light, life, and environment. Your reasons and optics may differ--and that is good....BobKentucky</blockquote>

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