Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
But I have to admit that "TO ME" there is some comfort that comes with a company's history, record, and name badge..... So please don't hold it against me if I'm still a little biased towards the German and now (thanks to Nikon supreme SE's) Japanese optics.
I cosider the maker and it's reputation and the warranty/repair coverage to be part of the set of features that come with the bin (it's a big package right!). Same as the price and all the other "intangible" features like customer service.
So picking your bin includes making compromises amongst these features. And of course different people will make different choices. And there is no wrong answer so long as it's a consider decision.
Now, If they could only introduce a new Superior E with ED glass, twist out eye cups, and fully sealed I think we would all stop our continued search for the #1 bin! One last question though if you would allow me please? Nikon has always touted the SE as having better glass, is it possible that they already have ED glass in them or at least several elements that are ED?
Well you only want one ED element per barrel (in the objective to control longitudinal CA).
And no I don't think the SE does have ED glass. You can see some longitudinal CA in the image. Nikon weren't using ED glass in bins when this bin was designed. And if they did you can be sure they'd mention it.
The EP may have an LaK (lanthanum crown) or similar element in it as part of the design to control transverse CA (as I suspect most ED bins have). The SE does a good job of this. Controlling transverse CA (getting rid of the "color" at the edge of the AFOV) is a significant part of making better bins.
Again it's not ED magic fairy dust sprinkled on an optic that gives the results it's the optical design and how they choose to optimize certain parameters in the design to get the desired result. More compromises.