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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Patudo" data-source="post: 3563372" data-attributes="member: 139299"><p>I use an 8x30 for a lot of my birdwatching and greatly appreciate its combination of modest size and large field of view... but 8x40/42 format binoculars have some real advantages.  I've had the chance to use an 8.5x42 on a number of occasions and have been impressed by how easily it "comes to the eyes".  I think the larger exit pupil is also less fatiguing to look through if the location or situation demands looking through the binoculars for long stretches.  Henry Link noted some observations on the advantages of larger exit pupil in this thread (<a href="http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=235655" target="_blank">http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=235655</a>). I don't have the experience to offer an opinion regarding his points 2-5, but his point 1 I do agree with.  If finances allowed I would like to have both an 8x30/32 and an 8 (preferably 8.5)x40/42; if I could only have one it would arguably be the latter.</p></blockquote><p></p>