Pentax 8x42 SD WP Binoculars

I have used this pair when I am out for photography for several years because of the recommendation of a friend. I recently bought a second pair for my grandchildren to use when they are with me. I find them to be balanced in my hand and not too heavy. I am happy with my purchase of this item.

Very well made binocular with excellent optics in terms of color, contrast and corrections for aberrations. Price is very reasonable, compared to high end binoculars that cost double the money. Handling is excellent. Main problem is the narrow depth of field of only 331 feet at 1000 yards (110 m at 1000 m). That is 10-20% less than other similar binoculars. So this is not the best binocular if you're looking for a wide field of view. But if the narrower FoV works, then you're getting $2000 quality optics at half the money. The eye relief is large enough that it should work for people who wear eye glasses, but as an eye glass wearer, it was marginal for me. As always, you have to check the binocular to see if the eye relief can work for you. Overall, I am clicking ... MoreVery well made binocular with excellent optics in terms of color, contrast and corrections for aberrations. Price is very reasonable, compared to high end binoculars that cost double the money. Handling is excellent. Main problem is the narrow depth of field of only 331 feet at 1000 yards (110 m at 1000 m). That is 10-20% less than other similar binoculars. So this is not the best binocular if you're looking for a wide field of view. But if the narrower FoV works, then you're getting $2000 quality optics at half the money. The eye relief is large enough that it should work for people who wear eye glasses, but as an eye glass wearer, it was marginal for me. As always, you have to check the binocular to see if the eye relief can work for you. Overall, I am clicking the Yes, I would recommend choice below for the Bottom Line, but with the qualifier that this binocular has enough good things going for it that it deserves serious consideration, but it may not work for all.

This is my third pair of Pentax binocs, the other roof prism pair being a set of DCF-HS 10x36s. The out-of-plane chromatic aberrations are reasonably well controlled, about on par with the DCF set. These are very bright, on the verge of obnoxiously so during peak daylight, and once in focus, the sharpness is hard to beat. I get the sense the only imaging performance improvement you'd gain by going up in their range is better control of out-of-focus detail... I don't see any way you can appreciably improve on the sharpness of a pair of 8x binocs.Design issues are the only reasons I give these four stars. The location of the diopter correction, which is the other main improvement from moving either up or down in the range, is weird. I find that it's too easy to bump ... MoreThis is my third pair of Pentax binocs, the other roof prism pair being a set of DCF-HS 10x36s. The out-of-plane chromatic aberrations are reasonably well controlled, about on par with the DCF set. These are very bright, on the verge of obnoxiously so during peak daylight, and once in focus, the sharpness is hard to beat. I get the sense the only imaging performance improvement you'd gain by going up in their range is better control of out-of-focus detail... I don't see any way you can appreciably improve on the sharpness of a pair of 8x binocs.Design issues are the only reasons I give these four stars. The location of the diopter correction, which is the other main improvement from moving either up or down in the range, is weird. I find that it's too easy to bump this protruding lever when stowing, which either then requires an adjustment or for me to flatten the hinge and reset to about where I think I should be. These are the only specs in the Pentax range that have this lever here, so maybe this issue only bothers me. The other is the ease with which the eye cups twist in and out... they could stand to be tighter. Construction otherwise is fantastic... very solid, well-placed hand grips, and I think once the focus knob breaks in a little, that'll feel fine too.Regardless, and especially if you're looking for a pair to keep ready somewhere, this is a good buy.