opticron IS WP 50

squishy · #11 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 04:47 PM

there are an awful lot of scopes. just go to an optics shop and ask to try some budget scopes, and they'll show you their selection.

The ED model has extra low dispersion glass elements to reduce CA and loss of light.

CA - chromatic aberration. its where you get purple or pink fringes around the edges of high contrast areas. CA example

DoF - depth of field. its the sharp area that is in focus. a large DoF is where there is more of the image in focus

Firefox · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 01:29 PM

thanks!!

Firefox · #13 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 03:25 PM

looked around a bit more and found the opticron HR ED which i liked but it turned out to be over 800 quid. way over budget. but then i found a good bt cheaper one from opticron, the ES 80 GA SD/45 which is still over budget but what can i do?, i am thinking of buying it after i get enough money! lol

let me know what you think about it please!

thanks,
firefox

squishy · #14 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 03:43 PM

the only thing i can recommend now is trying them

only you can decide which is going to work best for you. dont let other people do it for you

Firefox · #15 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 04:18 PM

where can i test them? and where are thse birdfairs?

thanks

squishy · #16 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 06:01 PM

you'll need to have a search around, find a optical equipment shop near you.

bird fairs are just birdwatching fairs, usually at bigger reserves held annually.

nigel_b · #17 (**permalink**) 13-01-2010, 09:41 AM

I think firefox has a point. I've quite a bit of experience with optics but cant decide for love nor money whether anything is any good at a birdfair or open day. To be honest most optics look reasonably good in good light.

I've trusted others' recommendations in the past and its been very valuable.

It took me a good 3 months to settle down with the Nikon HGs I bought last year and its only now I can really understand what the previous owner was saying about them. If I'd picked them up in a shop I probably would have said something like "yeah they're OK but a bit on the heavy side for me" instead of discovering how brilliant they are in most circumstances.

I think personal recommendation, for a lot of people, is probably better than going to a shop to try and select something. That said, it is always worth taking a look and trying out, you never know whether the handling is to your personal liking otherwise.