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Forward Focal PLane?

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YakAk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote YakAk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Forward Focal PLane?
    Posted: February/14/2010 at 00:22
What is a forward focal plane?  Advantages and disadvantages.

Thanks,
Steve
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Kickboxer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 00:42
Forward or first focal plane (associated with objective lens) allows for utilization of mil-dot or BDC at any power, but the reticle and target size increases as power is increased/gets smaller as power is decreased vs 2nd Focal plane (associated with ocular lens)where reticle size remains constant with power increase/decrease, target size increases or decreases, but mil-dot or BDC is only calibrated for one power setting, commonly 10x or the highest power setting.  
I prefer FFP to SFP, but many like the SFP's better... 
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 07:34
If you use the search function with the terms "first focal plane" and/or "FFP, " you should get a huge amount of material to read on this.
Ted


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billyburl2 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 08:33
The only real disadvantage to a FFP is while using it in low light situations with the magnification turned down, the reticle might be hard to pick-up. But this depends on the reticle type, and whether or not the reticle is illuminated.
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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YakAk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote YakAk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 11:54
O.K.  I am looking at a 1.5-6x42 with a 4A reticle and FFP.  My typical hunting shots would be 20-300 yards. Any advice would be appreciated.

Steve
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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 16:10
With all due respect, I don't see where FFP would matter in a scope that's so low on the high end (6X) or for shots that are (for most rifles) within max. point blank range. The only scenario I can think of is that because the reticle in an FFP scope is relative to the size of the object you could use the reticle to lead or to correct on a follow-up shot. However, a 4A reticle doesn't have any useful gradations for this.
Reaction time is a factor...
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YakAk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote YakAk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2010 at 18:57
jonoMT,

I see your point.  The more research I do, it seems a SFP would be much better for 1.5-6x42.
Thanks for the help.

Steve

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