Pentax 8X32mm DCF SP

The Pentax 8 x 32mm DCF SP is an armored binocular sized and shaped to fit comfortably in small hands. Despite its compact 5" x 5" dimensions, however, it is still a good fit for a birder with larger hands. And it's optically good enough to make all birders happy, particularly at its sensible price. Like all the Pentax SP series, it uses the latest sophisticated aspheric lens elements for excellent resolution, a flat field, and low astigmatism. Surprisingly bright for its aperture, it has a close focus of less than 5' that makes it excellent for close-in birding in shadowed wooded areas.

Features of this binocular . . .

H-body roof prism with internal center focus.

Lightweight magnesium-alloy body with noise- and shock-absorbing dark green and black rubber armoring.

Fully multicoated optics for maximum light transmission. External lens surfaces have an additional scratch-resistant hard coating for added protection from scratches, dings, rough handling, etc. A hydrophobic (water-shedding) coating on the lenses helps keep water from forming large beads on the lenses during foggy or rainy observing, improving the image sharpness and contrast.

Hybrid aspherical eyepiece lens elements provide good edge-to-edge sharpness.

One and a half turns of the large ribbed focus knob moves from an exceptional close focus of 4.9' out to the horizon.

Nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed to be fogproof in all temperature extremes and waterproof to a depth of 1 meter. The inert nitrogen filling also prevents the internal formation of fungus in high humidity climates, such as rain forests.

Phase-correcting prism coatings provide high contrast and resolution. This is particularly visible when looking sunwards, where more color and detail is visible in the shadowed areas of backlit or silhouetted birds.

Twist-up rubber-rimmed eyecups retract into the binocular body for eyeglass use. The eyecups have four built-in click stops to more precisely match the eye relief to your eyesight.

Objective lens covers are provided to protect the optics. The covers are tethered to the binocular body so they can't be lost in the field, but can be removed if desired.

A socket is built into the center hinge to let you connect an optional photo tripod adapter for extended no-strain tripod-mounted observing sessions.

The continuously variable diopter ring on the right eyepiece allows you to match the binocular's performance to that of your eyes. It can be locked in place so it can't be accidentally knocked out of adjustment during use.

A comfortably-large ribbed focus knob makes it easy to focus while wearing mittens or gloves.

• Soft case
• Wide woven neck strap
• Eyepiece rainguard
• Objective lens covers