Pentax PF-100ED Spotting Scope

**gordon_l34** · 08-10-2022, 06:11 PM

Hi,

I have been offered a Pentax PF-100 ED Spotting Scope and attachments.
Has anyone used one of these and if so what is your opinion of it?

Regards,
Gordon.

**termy** · 08-10-2022, 08:18 PM

some time ago i asked about other Pentax scopes.

Seems not many members are onto scopes.

Pentax scopes - PentaxForums.com

Postumus · 08-11-2022, 03:07 AM

I believe that they are well regarded. I have 3 ED style telescopes and generally they have great colour correction for only 2 elements. 3 elements is the standard but at the cost of expense and weight
The XW eyepieces are fantastic, so the spotting scope should be good aswell. I guess the question is, do you have a use for one?

**Buckeyemikie** · 08-11-2022, 04:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gordon_l34

Hi,

I have been offered a Pentax PF-100 ED Spotting Scope and attachments.
Has anyone used one of these and if so what is your opinion of it?

Regards,
Gordon.

I have a PF-80ED A with a 8mm-24mm zoom eyepiece. While I have not used it extensively, it’s impressive physically, well made and a pleasure to use. I bought it last Black Friday when Ricoh had a sale. At $907, I considered it a bargain. The top brands 80mm scopes can cost north of $3K. I can’t imagine they’re 3x better!

I use it for birding mostly. You’ll want to put it on a tripod. An angled scope like mine isn’t really suitable for use like a telephoto lens on a bean bag in a car. If it has a straight barrel you’re good to go. You didn’t mention if $$ are involved or not but if its in good shape, I’d take it, you’ll like it.

pentasonic49 · 08-12-2022, 10:35 AM

Pentax spotting scopes are in the top quality range as are their astronimical telescopes, but they are hard to get hold of. This may be because owners covert them.

**mstahulak** · 08-12-2022, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by pentasonic49

Pentax spotting scopes are in the top quality range as are their astronimical telescopes, but they are hard to get hold of. This may be because owners covert them.

I (also) have the PF-80ED A with the zoom eyepiece. It's great. I think their best binoculars and scopes are quite good, and a step above similarly priced competition. You can buy the PF-100ED in the US again, after a few years when it wasn't available here. I think you do need a prime eyepiece to experience what this scope can really do. But with the zoom eyepiece the view is great down to about 10mm. If you haven't used a spotting scope before, you will be amazed at the view. The view through a good spotting scope is so much better than even great binoculars. You will need a tripod of course, preferably with a pan head (IMO).

pentasonic49 · 08-12-2022, 12:28 PM

My preference with spotting scopes is the angled eyepiece, it saves neck strain when using.

08-10-2022, 06:11 PM	#1
gordon_l34 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 779	Pentax PF-100ED Spotting Scope Hi, I have been offered a Pentax PF-100 ED Spotting Scope and attachments. Has anyone used one of these and if so what is your opinion of it? Regards, Gordon.

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08-10-2022, 08:18 PM	#2
termy Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,155	some time ago i asked about other Pentax scopes. Seems not many members are onto scopes. Pentax scopes - PentaxForums.com

08-11-2022, 03:07 AM	#3
Postumus Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 141	I believe that they are well regarded. I have 3 ED style telescopes and generally they have great colour correction for only 2 elements. 3 elements is the standard but at the cost of expense and weight The XW eyepieces are fantastic, so the spotting scope should be good aswell. I guess the question is, do you have a use for one?

08-11-2022, 04:54 PM - 1 Like	#4
Buckeyemikie Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 504	Originally posted by gordon_l34 Hi, I have been offered a Pentax PF-100 ED Spotting Scope and attachments. Has anyone used one of these and if so what is your opinion of it? Regards, Gordon. I have a PF-80ED A with a 8mm-24mm zoom eyepiece. While I have not used it extensively, it’s impressive physically, well made and a pleasure to use. I bought it last Black Friday when Ricoh had a sale. At $907, I considered it a bargain. The top brands 80mm scopes can cost north of $3K. I can’t imagine they’re 3x better! I use it for birding mostly. You’ll want to put it on a tripod. An angled scope like mine isn’t really suitable for use like a telephoto lens on a bean bag in a car. If it has a straight barrel you’re good to go. You didn’t mention if $$ are involved or not but if its in good shape, I’d take it, you’ll like it.

08-12-2022, 10:35 AM	#5
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	Pentax spotting scopes are in the top quality range as are their astronimical telescopes, but they are hard to get hold of. This may be because owners covert them.

08-12-2022, 10:54 AM	#6
mstahulak Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 88	Originally posted by pentasonic49 Pentax spotting scopes are in the top quality range as are their astronimical telescopes, but they are hard to get hold of. This may be because owners covert them. I (also) have the PF-80ED A with the zoom eyepiece. It's great. I think their best binoculars and scopes are quite good, and a step above similarly priced competition. You can buy the PF-100ED in the US again, after a few years when it wasn't available here. I think you do need a prime eyepiece to experience what this scope can really do. But with the zoom eyepiece the view is great down to about 10mm. If you haven't used a spotting scope before, you will be amazed at the view. The view through a good spotting scope is so much better than even great binoculars. You will need a tripod of course, preferably with a pan head (IMO).

08-12-2022, 12:28 PM	#7
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	My preference with spotting scopes is the angled eyepiece, it saves neck strain when using.