Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

These binoculars are excellent from eighteen inches to infinity. The view is clear, bright and easy to focus. At anything closer than 8.5 feet, it is essentially a stereo microscope! I would recommend them to anyone interested in birding and insect observation and I intend to use them mineral collecting to check places that I can't reach and as a field stereo microscope.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I own a pair of binocular which I use for birding, but I needed a pair for closeups. So, I asked sereval of my friends which also own a pair of Pentax 8.5x21 and got thier piont of view. All were happy and some owned a few pairs. So I went to B&H reviews and it seemed customers were also happy with this model. I purched my Pentax binoculars a few weeks ago and I am very happy with the sharpness.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Fantastic quality for the price. When I first saw the description, I was no really believing the 1'6" close focus, but when I tried, I could not believe not eyes. More, they are as good for medium-long range than for close range observation, making them perfect for birding. I'm using them even inside my home in low light and can see razor sharp details on everything I looking at and for that, Pentax is a very high quality optics for the price. Will be very hard to wait for summer to look at insects.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

The compact size is great! Very easy to focus, and I love the lens caps- they are attached to the strap and not loose. Would highly recommend for bird-watching.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I already have a pair of binoculars 15x70 for astronomy, but found to heavy to carry all day long in the woods for birding. And then I ordered Pentax Papilio 8.5x21. I thought it would not be very bright cause of their 21mm lenses, but when I tried first time, I've been stunned. Even inside my house, without much light, I was able to have a very close view with razor sharp details. Tried the closest range possible and found that the 0,5m is true. More than that, the view is the same with distant viewing. The same crystal clear view than my 15x70, with a lower magnification and a closer view possible. Simply the best around.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

We like to take the binoculars hiking to view birds and wild life and also to foot ball games. 8.5 is a compromise between a 10x and 6x less close up power but wider angle of vew than 10x more close up power and narrower field of view. good bright easy to use

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Bought this after reading many glowing reviews and very few negative ones. Having purchased and used this product, I simply can't believe that there aren't more negative reviews. I can understand where the reviews might be positive overall since it's a rather unique model, but still...I'm not super knowledgeable about optics terminology, but I have experience using many different binoculars, from a $25 pair to a $1,200 pair, and I can tell you how these compare to what I've used. The first thing I have to say about the Papilio is that I have a very difficult time both attaining and maintaining a steady view, as the slightest bump or arm adjustment causes the image to go mostly or completely black. I have had this problem with other binoculars, but it has never been so pronounced. I can't rest the eye cups against my eye sockets as I must hold the binocular away from my head a bit in order to get the image to look right. Again, I don't know the proper terms to describe these things, but hopefully you get the idea. Putting the eyecups down or at the halfway point only makes the problem worse. Maybe other people don't have this problem? One of the two binoculars I use most often is a similar $100 reverse porro with similar optical quality, but the view I get is as steady as a rock from the moment I raise the binocular to my eyes. Also, the magnification of small object via the close focus feature just isn't that impressive. It's cool just to be able to focus a binocular on close objects, to play with it a little, but the actual view isn't close to being as striking as some people (who apparently have never used a quality, high power magnifying glass) make it out to be. I mean, it's cool, but it's something that I already achieve (usually more successfully) with other instruments (magnifier, $100 camera lens, etc.) Why am I going to fool around with this shaky, touchy binocular when I can take a 5+ power magnifying glass, get basically the same view (the binocular effect doesn't do much for me at close distances) with twice the stability and ease of use?The quality of the optics, once I do attain a steady image, are reasonably good and about what I expect for a binocular of this price (maybe a bit less).

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I spend a lot more time looking at close things than far, and I love the option to decide by using the same tool.

It's weird, I enjoy not only looking at plants, bugs, etc, but also wood, dirt, rocks, etc, because of the texture and designs. It never gets old and I feel like a child on discovery. Makes you appreciate God's creation even more.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

A great and unusual binocular, perfect for distance but amazing for close up viewing. Very clear and bright optics.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

First I'm a tough critic so 4 stars. Perfection is hard to find. However for a little more than 1 Franklin bill I think this is as close as you can come for binoculars.

The 8.5x21 Pentax Papilio are amazing for close in focus. Flowers, plants, insects are all enlarged to HD vision. Wonderful! For birding and nature observing again wonderful. I will say that you do rotate the focus a bit more than other binoculars but think of this as fine tuning. I sometimes wonder if I'm using binoculars or a microscope.

If you are looking for a quality, inexpensive binocular the Papilio should be in your short list of options.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

It focuses so close, it's unbelievable.
The 8x is good for distant subjects too but I should have chosen the smaller magnification. This binocular excels at closeup and you don't usually need 8x for closeup. Stick with the smaller magnification and you'll also get a slightly larger exit pupil and more light in.
All in all though, I am very happy with this product.
Denis M

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I was looking for Binoculars with which to observe my bees behavior at the hive entrance. Because of their short minimum focus they are ideal for observing insects and birds. I also took them to the symphony where their size and Pentax optics made them a perfect choice. I love them.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Great for bird watching. Light to carry.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I have used other Binoculars and this Pentax model is very very easy to use for a compact binocular.

The optics are very good but the ease of use wins every time.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

This is the best pair of binoculars I have purchased so far in this price range. I've owned a compact Nikon and Olympus with higher magnification and they just don't compare. I don't know how Pentax managed to squeeze all this quality into a pair of compact sport optics. Although 8.5 magnification doesn't seem like a high number, the image quality is superb and to top it all off, you can zoom in on objects as close as 1.5 feet. I have tried even closer and it still worked. Coins and bugs look larger than life.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Expands your idea of what binoculars are for. Great as standard compact binos, sharp, bright images, well built, comfortable to use. The close focus feature will blow your mind! I go birding & on nature walks and the ability to study insects up close with these is amazing! If I could only own 1 pair of binoculars these would be it. Buy these to please yourself and amaze your friends! I got mine from B&H + Pentax 8x40 binos, great price [...]

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I love this binocular, I have many different sizes and types of binoculars,but these are easy to take with you anywhere,they have sharp optics and focus about 18inches or less. all for a very reasonable price.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Great for looking at hummingbirds, butterflies and insects from a close range. Compact. Works well for long distance also. Probably not the scope to use in low light

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

I have other more expensive binoculars but these are by far the far the most used. So versatile a butterfly or the small details of flowers just fill the view with such clarity.

Comments about Pentax 8.5x21 Papilio Binocular:

Small, light, solid construction,superb image quality and bright for a binocular with small objective lens. Great for viewing over a distance with close resolution capabilities, easy to adjust and use. A good companion for my DSLR. Nice case.
All that I expected and great value for money.
B+H are easy to deal with and I'm glad I purchased from them.