Pentax PCF WPII 10x50 or 12x50

[alfredbird]

as I freshman in this field, I decide to start my star gazing with binoculars.

Now I plan to order Pentax PCF WPII, but not decide go with 10x50 or 12x50.

1. 10x50 should be a better start point, but I found on some review say than 12x can see much more than 10x.
2. I don't know 5.0 degree vs 4.2 degree will affect me a lot of recognize night sky.
3. I'm 27, so I believe my eye pupil is more than 5mm, so 12x50 has 4.2mm exit pupil probably too small for me?
4. WPII's usable ER is enough for wearing eyeglasses?
5. I hope 12x is not too large for hand hold.
6. last, I read some reviews say WPII's QC is worse than previos versions. I want to know for a new guy, this series is still a good choice or not now?

many thanks.

[johnno]

I am hopeing,John B "Ausastronomer" reads this,

I Know he is Fond of Pentax Binoculars,and would be able to answer your question.

I personally find it easier to hand hold the lower powers,
with 12x50,s,I would need to be seated,with my arms resting on something,
and any higher than 12x,to me,Definately need to be Mounted.

Regards.John

[mickoking]

I once owned a pair of the 12x50's and I was not very impressed with them.

[ausastronomer]

Micko,

I am curious as to what didn't impress you about these binoculars. They are $250 binoculars, did you compare them to a $2,500 pair of binoculars ? If you did I would expect you to be suitably unimpressed. I have used most of the different sizes in the Pentax PCF WP range and IMO they represent excellent value for money. They are also given excellent reviews by some very experienced binocular observers and opticians. While the 12x50's don't perform to the same level as more expensive binoculars they perform as good as anything available under $400. Maybe you got a dud pair or had issues trying to hand hold the 12x50 binos ?

Here is a link to a review by Ed Zarenski on Cloudy Nights covering several binoculars including the Pentax 10x50 PCF WP and the Pentax 12x50 PCF III.

http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/nikon.pdf

Here is a link to some comments by Barry Simon.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10/Number/354884/Main/348227#Post354884

Alfredbird,

I own the 16X60'sPCF WP (discontinued, and nfi why) which are excellent and the 8x40's which are reasonable, but not to the same standard as the larger binos. The 12 x 50's use the same lens element configuration as the now discontinued 16x60's and the same as the 20x60's excepting that the 20x60's also have a 5th field flattener element. The 10x50's use the same lens element configuration as the 8x40's. The 10x50's are excellent and perform to a much higher standard than the 8x40's because of the different focal length of the binoculars but not quite as good as the 12x50's IMO.

My own personal preference would be for the 12x50's as they are a fraction better optically than the 10x50's and also show a little more, due to the extra magnification. However, a 12x50 can be difficult for some people to hand hold, lots of people in fact. I am guessing this is one of the reasons Micko didn't like them, he got "the shakes" with them. There is a technique to holding larger high power binoculars steady. Most people try to support them by the body near the prism housing, WRONG. You actually need to hold them right at the end of the barrels with your hands around the barrels, you then tuck your elbows in hard against your chest so you make a pair of wings like a duck. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you master the technique it's much easier to hand hold large high power binoculars steady.

I have no trouble hand holding my 16 x 60's for shorter periods. I can hand hold 12x50's fairly comfortably, but I have also been doing it a long time.

If you haven't had much experience with binoculars, you may be better starting with the 10x50's as these are actually at some peoples upper limit of hand holdability.

Eye relief of all the Pentax PCF WP binoculars is 20mm which is ideal for eyeglass wearers. They also have a screw up rubber eye guard which further helps eyeglass wearers. They all use Bak 4 prisms, are fully multicoated, waterproof and nitrogen filled which makes them fogproof.

At this price level, I don't think there is anything else as good on the market both the 10x50's and 12x50's come highly recommended by me.

CS-John B