OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Other Optics > Spotting Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - nikon ed 50
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

nikon ed 50

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
257nut View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: November/28/2011
Location: los lunas nm
Status: Offline
Points: 57
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 257nut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: nikon ed 50
    Posted: December/14/2011 at 11:52
    i have an ed 50 but it came with a 16x wds.  my question  is it better to get the 10x-30x  or a straight power like 27 .  which tripod is best for backpacking
thanks for any help
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/14/2011 at 21:01
I have an ED50 with both the MC (13-30) and MCII (13-40) eyepieces.  I prefer the MCII zoom, but Nikon recommends the MC.  The 16x DS eyepiece is the recommended digiscoping eyepiece for the ED50 but is low on magnification for hunting, IMO.  The 27x is supposedly a nice eyepiece, but kind of hard to find.  It is also retricted to a small (1.85 mm) exit pupil.  It is nice to be able to turn down the magnification on a zoom during really low light or high heat wave conditions.
If the MC (13-30) zoom interests you, I would be willing to work something out.
-Matt
Back to Top
FrankD View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: November/11/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 686
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2011 at 07:01

Matt,

I am curious about something you posted. You mentioned that the 16x is too low a magnification for hunting. Were you saying this "in general" or were you referencing it with the understanding that the individual also be carrying a pair of 10x binoculars in their pack?
 
The reason I ask is simply because I often see "Big Eyes" typically in the 13x56, 15x56 or 16x50 recommended as a viable alternative to using a spotting scope. I can understand the perspective that a binocular can provide a more relaxing view at those magnifications and typically a wider field of view in comparison to a spotting scope with a zoom.
 
Two thoughts though.....
 
1. In this case (with the 16x WA or DS eyepeice) we are talking about the same magnification/objective size as the often recommended Big Eye binoculars. So, if that is a high enough magnification for the Big Eyes then why wouldn't it be high enough for the ED50?
 
2. Also in this case, and not necessarily in reference to what you posted but more in comparison to the Big Eye/Spotting Scope comparison in general, I think the 16x WA eyepiece has a very wide field of view. I believe it has an apparent field of view of 65 degrees. That would place the true field of view at around 212 feet. That is more than respectively wide. In comparison to the Nikon Action EX 16x50 it is actually about 30 feet wider. It is only 20 feet narrrower than the 15x56 Swaro SLC but is 1x more magnification.
 
I am not a western hunter so I won't pretend to understand what is good and what is better for that type of hunting. I do use the ED50 with the 16x wide angle for hunting though. Just used it for our two weeks of rifle actually. I found the 16x WA to be very good at identifying objects at a wide variety of distances....whether that was a hunter walking along a fencerow 300 yards away or a deer standing in a field 1 mile away. Sadly, it wasn't a buck so I can't provide a "point counting" reference.Smile
 
In reference to the original poster's question...I am not sure I would go with either...exactly. Nikon did make a 20x wide angle eyepiece that might suit your needs more. Good luck finding that one anywhere. I do tend to agree with BB that the 27x might not be a good choice for the two reasons he mentioned....smaller exit pupil and very, very limited availability...unless you want to pay top dollar. Many folks like it though and it often gets recommended as "the eyepiece" to get for the 50 ED. Plus, it does have that 65 degree wide field of view which should aid in initially acquiring your intended object much easier than the zoom at that magnification. I do agree that the 13-40x would be the better option of the two zooms as it does have updated coatings and slightly better eye relief. You can still find that one for reasonable prices at several vendors.
 
Just some things to think about.
Frank
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2011 at 07:39
Originally posted by FrankD FrankD wrote:

Matt,

I am curious about something you posted. You mentioned that the 16x is too low a magnification for hunting. Were you saying this "in general" or were you referencing it with the understanding that the individual also be carrying a pair of 10x binoculars in their pack?
 
The reason I ask is simply because I often see "Big Eyes" typically in the 13x56, 15x56 or 16x50 recommended as a viable alternative to using a spotting scope. I can understand the perspective that a binocular can provide a more relaxing view at those magnifications and typically a wider field of view in comparison to a spotting scope with a zoom.
 
 
Frank,
 
Fair questions.  I am looking at it from the western hunter's point of view, and as a supplement for a 8X or 10x binocular.  An extra 5x of available magnification is much less benefitial in the field than an extra 15x.  So a hunter can comfortably use the 15x setting and crank it up when a critter is spotted, instead of being locked down to 16x.
 
I think big eyes binoculars are a viable alternative, but only if you include a doubler, for times when the extra magnification is needed.
 
Digiscoping is a different ballgame, as low magnification eyepieces provide for the most amount of light.  That is why Nikon markets (and tunes the construction of) the 16x to digiscopers.  It is also why I am interested in picking up a 16x DS myself.  However, I would take either of the zooms over any fixed for backcountry hunting.
 
The 27x is referred to as the best fixed eyepiece for the ED50, but only as a daytime eyepiece.  I think a hunter would get pretty tired of that small exit pupil in the early mornings and late evenings, when the glassing is just getting good.
-Matt
Back to Top
FrankD View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: November/11/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 686
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2011 at 09:36
Matt,
 
Good points. I will certainly defer to you with this one because, as I mentioned, I have no experience hunting out west.
 
Oh, and check your messages.
 
;)
Frank
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2011 at 13:32
Frank,
 
I'll send ya a PM.
 
Also, I think 16x is suiitable for glassing up to a mile away for hunting, but ...
 
(in my best Sam Elliot voice)
"A mile ain't that far out here in the wide wild west, pardner."
 
Speedy
 
I spend much of my time glassing from 3 to 5 miles away while in the high country.
-Matt
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.230 seconds.