PF 85EDA Spotting Scope from Pentax

Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 by RICHARD HARRIS, Executive Editor

The PF-85EDA spotting scope, designed with versatility in mind, is suitable for a range of activities including birdwatching, nature observation, and astronomy. This model features newly developed optics with an 85mm objective lens that provides a luminous, sharp, and contrast-rich viewing experience, enhancing the quality of observations. It incorporates ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to effectively reduce chromatic aberrations, alongside a modern multi-layer coating technique that significantly lowers reflectance for clearer visuals.

The spotting scope is equipped with a dust-proof element at the eyepiece mount, ensuring its waterproof capabilities (meets JIS Class 7 standards, offering water resistance up to 1 meter or 3.2 feet), making it reliable for use in various weather conditions, including rain or mist. However, it is not designed for underwater use.

Crafted in Japan, the PF-85EDA spotting scope is provided with a protective case, along with caps for the objective lens and eyepiece, ensuring its durability and longevity.

Key features of the PF-85EDA Spotting Scope:

  • Bright and Clear Viewing: Utilizes ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to reduce chromatic aberrations, combined with full multi-coating and phase coating for high-contrast observations.
  • Fog-Free with Nitrogen Filling: Nitrogen gas inside prevents internal fogging, ensuring clear visibility in varying temperatures.
  • Compact and Waterproof: Despite its size, the design is compact and portable, featuring a roof prism and a dust-proof glass element for waterproofing (up to 1 meter, not for underwater use).
  • Ergonomic Slanted Barrel: The eyepiece is angled at 45 degrees for comfortable, prolonged observation.
  • Versatile Eyepiece Compatibility: Accepts various eyepieces with a 31.7mm (1.25-inch) sleeve, adaptable for different viewing needs.
  • Enhanced Features: Includes a built-in lens hood for light shielding and lens protection, and a tripod receptacle with click-stop rotation for adjustable eyepiece positioning.

PF-85EDA Spotting Scope specifications:

  • Model: PF-85EDA
  • Type: Slanted-barrel roof-prism spotting scope (45° tilt)
  • Lens Construction: 5 elements in 4 groups, includes ED glass elements with an 85mm effective aperture
  • Eyepiece Ring Diameter: 31.7mm (1.25 in.)
  • Focus Range: Approximately 5m to infinity
  • Eyepiece Ring Type: Collet
  • Color: Black
  • Dimensions: 347(W) x 116.5(H) x 101.8(D) mm or 13.7(W) x 4.6(H) x 4.0(D) in.
  • Weight: Scope only: approx. 1600g / 56.5 oz., Eyepiece Kit: approx. 2150g / 76 oz.
  • Waterproof Rating: JIS Class 7
  • Included Accessories: Objective lens cap, Eye lens cap, Case

Eyepiece kit chart

 

Zoom

8.0-24.0

Magnification 20x 60x
Real Field of View 1.9" 1.0"
Apparent Field of View 38" 60"
Field of View at 1000m 33m 17m
Field of View at 1000 yard 99ft 51ft
Exit pupil aperture 4.3mm 1.4mm
Eye relief 18mm 22mm
(Distance from eyepiece rubber in parentheses.) 5mm 9mm
Attachment diameter 31.7mm
Relative brightness 18.1 2.0

*According to Ricoh

Other eyepieces chart

  XW7 XW10 XW14 XW20 XF8.5 XF12

XF Zoom

6.5-19.5

Magnification 71x 50x 36x 26x 59x 42x 26x 78x
Real Field of View 1.0" 1.4" 2.0" 2.7" 1.0" 1.5" 1.6" 0.8"
Apparent Field of View 70" 70" 70" 70" 60" 60" 42" 60"
Field of View at 1000m 17m 24m 35m 47m 17m 26m 28m 14m
Field of View at 1000 yard 51ft 72ft 105ft 141ft 51ft 78ft 84ft 42ft
Edit pupil aperture 1.2mm 1.7mm 2.4mm 3.3mm 1.4mm 2.0mm 3.3mm 1.1mm
Eye relief 20mm 20mm 20mm 20mm 18mm 18mm 11mm 15mm
(Distance from eyepiece rubber in parentheses.) 15mm 15mm 15mm 15mm 13mm 13mm 5mm 9mm
Attachment diameter 31.7mm 31.7mm 31.7mm 31.7mm 31.7mm 31.7mm 31.7mm
Relative brightness 1.4 2.9 5.6 10.7 2.1 4.1 10.7 1.2

*According to Ricoh

More Astronomy Gear News

Why the iOptron iEQ30 Pro still matters for exoplanet transit work



Planetary Capture App for Mac Laminar 1.0 Launches



Astronomy equipment at NEAF 2026



Vespera 3 and Vespera Pro 2 are released



NEAF 2026 details



Optolong L2 Filters Tested: The April 2026 ScopeTrader Issue



Back to the Moon



ASCOM Flat Panel Buddy for Astrophotography 4-16 inch from Astro-Smart



The Al Nagler Saturnday interview with Eli Goldfine



Watusi 150 equatorial fork mount for advanced astronomy



Seeing color clearly with color science tools



Turning discarded astrophotography data into discoveries with SpacePixels



Automating Astrophotography with PULSAR



Why Maui does not want the Haleakala telescope project



Galaxies previously unseen discovered with help from physicist



Lens support system from Buckeyestargazer lands



Delta Pier tripod launches with discount



Astrophoto processing: when you've gone too far



Seestar S30 Pro review: Upgrade or not



MOTHRA telescope 1,140-lenses to map the cosmic web



How to use a telescope



The Universe, Live: Rubin Observatory Flips the Switch on Real-Time Space Monitoring



Astronomy software Meridian launches in BETA



Dwarf Mini telescope tutorial for beginners



Viewing the Gegenschein



Copyright © 2026 by Moonbeam

Address:
1855 S Ingram Mill Rd
STE# 201
Springfield, Mo 65804

Phone: 1-844-277-3386

Fax: 417-429-2935

E-Mail: hello@scopetrader.com