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Technical Details
- No other binoculars like them on the market!
- Ideally suited for viewing insects, birds, artwork or any other object at close ranges
- C.L.O.S.E. (Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering) allows them to focus down to 1.6 feet
- Tough rubber covered exterior provides a sure grip and protects the internal mechanisms
- Revolutionary dual-axis, single body housing with synchronized eye-piece adjustment to assure correct optical alignment for comfortable viewing
Product Details
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Product Description
Named for the Latin word for butterfly, PENTAX Papilio 8.5x21 binoculars are the perfect choice for insect observation in the field and in museums and galleries. The enhanced observation capability of the Papilio binoculars is made possible by a PENTAX Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering (CLOSE) mechanism. The CLOSE mechanism automatically slides the left and right objective lenses toward the center when the focus is fixed at a short distance. Revolutionary dual-axis, single body housing with synchronized eye-piece adjustment to assure correct optical alignment for comfortable viewing Fast and easy center focusing for handling ease Helicoid eyepiece rings for extra viewing comfort Fully multi-coated optics to eliminate harmful ultraviolet rays while improving light transmission for high contrast images with no glare or flare High quality BaK4 prisms transmit more light at the edges to enhance illumination for easier viewing in dim light Included Accessories - Eyepiece lens caps, Case, Neck strap Binocular Type - Porro-prism, center focusing Lens Construction - Objective Lens - 2 elements in 1 group Eyepiece Lens - 5 elements in 5 groups Magnification - 8.5X / Objective Lens Diameter - 21mm Field of View - Real - 6.0 degrees /Apparent - 51 degrees / Field Of View At 1000 Meters - 105m / Field of View at 1000 yards - 315 ft. Diopter Adjustment Range - +/- 4 m -1 / Diopter Adjustment - Click-stop adjuster built in right eyepiece Dimensions (Height Width) - 4.6 x 4.3 inches (116 x 110mm) Thickness - 2.2 inches (55mm) / Weight - 10.2 oz. (290g) Pentax Limited lifetime warranty
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 73 people found the following review helpful
These binocs are perfect for anybody who is interested in all creatures, not just birds. We used them at the Everglades and were equally pleased with the views of birds, alligators, crabs, insects, etc. They have gotten me interested in butterflying, and for this purpose they are superb. I expect that in time, you will see rave reviews on butterfly websites. Being able to focus to 20 inches or so allows me to watch insects & spiders with as much detail as if my eye were just a couple inches from the object (if the naked eye could focus that close). The view is gorgeous. At close range, it is somewhat like looking through a dissecting microscope. Amazingly, the quality of the image is very good (for both near & far objects). I tried some truly bad binoculars ($100 cheapies, zoom binocs, etc.) while shopping around and the Papilio is definitely at a much higher level of quality. To me, the quality is not noticeably different from that of the $350 birding binoculars (8x32, etc.) that I have tried. Perhaps a trained eye could find a difference, but I don't notice any. A potential concern with close-focusing binocs might be eyestrain, but the Papilio is very easy on the eyes even at close range. I have been using these binocs intensively for three weeks, and I am still delighted with them. I was also concerned about the small (21 mm) objectives, but I have not found the image to be noticeably dark.
Basically, these binocs are a real treat to own and well worth the price. I hope that Pentax (and hopefully other companies) continue this line of product development. If an image-stabilized version of the 8.5x21 came out for $400, I think I would buy it and just keep the other pair around as a spare. Hand-shake is not especially an issue with these binocs (compared to any pair with 8-9 power), but with the gorgeous views you will want to really run your eyes over all the details in the image, so a stabilizer seems like the next step. Fortunately, there is a tripod hole. Actually, you could use these for doing fine crafts, but only if you are least 5'10" or so (i.e. with long enough arms), and even then it would be awkward for long periods. Hopefully they will come out with a model that focuses to a few inches; that would probably require a longer barrel so it would be less portable. It would also be nice to increase the field of view if possible; it is pretty hard to follow a flying insect with these. If you specialize in birding, you may object to the field of view and the smallish objectives.
Anyway, for general nature study, the only real complaint I can make about the Papilio is that, because of the special mechanism that slides the objectives closer together for close-focus, there is a protective sheet of glass right near the end to keep grit out of the mechanism. I am concerned about getting fingerprints on it or hitting it on something. The glass doesn't look very thick so I assume it's more breakable than objective lenses would be. The case is OK, but it is too much trouble to keep pulling them out every time a bird or butterfly shows up. Anyway, at this price, I wouldn't feel too bad just buying a new pair every few years if I should break this pair. In fact, at only around $150, they're cheap enough that you might want to order one even if you haven't had a chance to try one out in a store. Since close-focusing is the special feature, I recommend the 8.5 x 21 to get the big views of insects that you want. I haven't tried the 6.5 x 21 but I imagine it has a bigger field of view and is better for hand-shake.
Basically, these binocs are a real treat to own and well worth the price. I hope that Pentax (and hopefully other companies) continue this line of product development. If an image-stabilized version of the 8.5x21 came out for $400, I think I would buy it and just keep the other pair around as a spare. Hand-shake is not especially an issue with these binocs (compared to any pair with 8-9 power), but with the gorgeous views you will want to really run your eyes over all the details in the image, so a stabilizer seems like the next step. Fortunately, there is a tripod hole. Actually, you could use these for doing fine crafts, but only if you are least 5'10" or so (i.e. with long enough arms), and even then it would be awkward for long periods. Hopefully they will come out with a model that focuses to a few inches; that would probably require a longer barrel so it would be less portable. It would also be nice to increase the field of view if possible; it is pretty hard to follow a flying insect with these. If you specialize in birding, you may object to the field of view and the smallish objectives.
Anyway, for general nature study, the only real complaint I can make about the Papilio is that, because of the special mechanism that slides the objectives closer together for close-focus, there is a protective sheet of glass right near the end to keep grit out of the mechanism. I am concerned about getting fingerprints on it or hitting it on something. The glass doesn't look very thick so I assume it's more breakable than objective lenses would be. The case is OK, but it is too much trouble to keep pulling them out every time a bird or butterfly shows up. Anyway, at this price, I wouldn't feel too bad just buying a new pair every few years if I should break this pair. In fact, at only around $150, they're cheap enough that you might want to order one even if you haven't had a chance to try one out in a store. Since close-focusing is the special feature, I recommend the 8.5 x 21 to get the big views of insects that you want. I haven't tried the 6.5 x 21 but I imagine it has a bigger field of view and is better for hand-shake.
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I needed a light weight small size binocular for bird and concert viewing and these worked for me. I was also amazed to be able to see tiny insects on flowers that were not really visible without using the binoculars. I read many reviews on Amazon before purchasing these and am very happy with my purchase.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This binocular is a wonderful instrument! Its close-focusing ability is nothing short of astonishing.
Carrying one of these in the field is like having a long-distance dissecting microscope in your pocket.
I purchased mine prior to a hike to Paradise Park on Mt Hood in Oregon, and I could not be more pleased with its performance.
For example, an unusual-looking fly alit on a wildflower in the meadow, and I was able to observe both in great detail.
The anatomy of the fly was quite clear -- its palps, its eyes, the veins of its wings, even the hairs on its body -- all were crisply presented.
Similarly, every structure of the flower was revealed -- a better view, in fact, than I might obtain with a magnifying glass in close proximity.
It was also easy to get a good image of distant objects; for example, to observe features on the mountain, or to identify birds in the trees at a range of roughly 50 meters.
For distance viewing it is certainly no match for a full-sized binocular, in part because the small separation of the objectives cannot support the enhancement of depth that a large binocular offers.
On the subject of size, this instrument is surprisingly small. With the eyecups turned down and the eyepieces at maximum separation, it measures 4.25" wide by 4.5" deep by 2.25" thick.
With the eyecups fully extended and the eyepieces at minimum separation, these figures become 3.5" x 4.75" x 2.65" respectively.
The included eyepiece cover and case fit the binocular best with the eyepieces at full separation.
The eyecups are rigid (not roll-down) and rotate as they extend, with click-stops at zero-, half- and full-extension.
The instrument alone masses 296 grams (~10.5 oz); with the strap, eyepiece cover and case included, this increases to 371 grams (~13.1 oz).
I found the binocular to be very comfortable to carry "bandolier-style" under my right arm, all day long.
There is no cover for the objectives, which are in fact located behind a flat pane of optically coated glass.
The front of the housing sports a "rubber" hood that serves to shield (but not cover) this glass plate.
The eyepiece cover, strap and case are ordinary, but seem adequate and of good quality. Both the instrument and the case carry the now-ubiquitous "Made in China" label.
The eyepiece cover is of black plastic (PE 2) and resembles a pince-nez. In its "relaxed" state it fits the eyepieces at full separation, but its C-bridge is flexible so it can be used with the eyepieces in any position.
The strap is of black nylon webbing, 0.75" wide where it rests on one's neck, but unpadded.
The case is of black vinyl with a soft lining and a Velcro closure, but, like the strap, it is unpadded.
There is a belt loop (sadly, not a hook) permanently attached to the back of the case. This should fit a belt up to 2.25" wide.
I cannot detect any odor from the case, eyepiece cover or strap. I do note a faint, rubber-like odor from the hood on the front of the instrument itself.
There is a provision to mount the eyepiece cover on the strap, so I plan to leave the case behind next time I take to the field.
The mounting system for the strap is excellent -- secure, yet quickly and easily removed. The mounting points on the strap pivot freely in the mounts. The strap carries the instrument eyepieces-up.
The tripod hole in the bottom of the body is located near the objective end, on the center viewing axis.
The Owner's Manual recommends using the "optional Pentax Tripod Adapter", but I encountered no difficulty in mounting the binocular directly on an ordinary tripod.
The rubber-like "armor" provides a secure grip. The knurled central focusing wheel moves smoothly. Three turns of the wheel span its full range of focal adjustment. There are no marks on the focusing wheel.
The knurled diopter adjustment (on the right eyepiece) has 40 click-stops spanning its full mechanical range. I cannot report its optical range, which is not specified in the Owner's Manual.
Zero is marked on the diopter ring. I wear contact lenses, and the zero-correction setting works well for me.
At 8.5 power, the exit pupil is small (2.47 mm) but I had no difficulty getting a unified stereoscopic image.
The range of separation of the eyepieces accommodates an interpupillary distance of approximately 2.25" to 3".
Others have mentioned troublesome sun-flash under certain conditions -- while I didn't specifically test for this, I encountered no such fault on a sunny day at altitude.
I could do without the inset purple "Papilio 8.5x21" logo, but at least the even-less-welcome butterfly-hologram sticker was easily removed and left no mark.
Still, my overall impression of the instrument is one of high quality. I certainly feel that it offers excellent value for the money.
The Pentax warranty states, "... Pentax will repair or replace it to the original owner at our option (even if damaged by fault) for a charge of $19.95 ..." which sounds pretty good to me!
All things considered, I am very pleased with this little jewel -- especially considering the price. The near-field focusing ability of the Papilio line is, to the best of my limited knowledge, unique.
If you need a close-focusing, compact binocular, your only real choice is whether you prefer the Papilio in 8.5 power or in 6.5 power.
While my experience is solely with the 8.5 power model, surely the 6.5 power version is otherwise identical. I would not hesitate to recommend either.
Carrying one of these in the field is like having a long-distance dissecting microscope in your pocket.
I purchased mine prior to a hike to Paradise Park on Mt Hood in Oregon, and I could not be more pleased with its performance.
For example, an unusual-looking fly alit on a wildflower in the meadow, and I was able to observe both in great detail.
The anatomy of the fly was quite clear -- its palps, its eyes, the veins of its wings, even the hairs on its body -- all were crisply presented.
Similarly, every structure of the flower was revealed -- a better view, in fact, than I might obtain with a magnifying glass in close proximity.
It was also easy to get a good image of distant objects; for example, to observe features on the mountain, or to identify birds in the trees at a range of roughly 50 meters.
For distance viewing it is certainly no match for a full-sized binocular, in part because the small separation of the objectives cannot support the enhancement of depth that a large binocular offers.
On the subject of size, this instrument is surprisingly small. With the eyecups turned down and the eyepieces at maximum separation, it measures 4.25" wide by 4.5" deep by 2.25" thick.
With the eyecups fully extended and the eyepieces at minimum separation, these figures become 3.5" x 4.75" x 2.65" respectively.
The included eyepiece cover and case fit the binocular best with the eyepieces at full separation.
The eyecups are rigid (not roll-down) and rotate as they extend, with click-stops at zero-, half- and full-extension.
The instrument alone masses 296 grams (~10.5 oz); with the strap, eyepiece cover and case included, this increases to 371 grams (~13.1 oz).
I found the binocular to be very comfortable to carry "bandolier-style" under my right arm, all day long.
There is no cover for the objectives, which are in fact located behind a flat pane of optically coated glass.
The front of the housing sports a "rubber" hood that serves to shield (but not cover) this glass plate.
The eyepiece cover, strap and case are ordinary, but seem adequate and of good quality. Both the instrument and the case carry the now-ubiquitous "Made in China" label.
The eyepiece cover is of black plastic (PE 2) and resembles a pince-nez. In its "relaxed" state it fits the eyepieces at full separation, but its C-bridge is flexible so it can be used with the eyepieces in any position.
The strap is of black nylon webbing, 0.75" wide where it rests on one's neck, but unpadded.
The case is of black vinyl with a soft lining and a Velcro closure, but, like the strap, it is unpadded.
There is a belt loop (sadly, not a hook) permanently attached to the back of the case. This should fit a belt up to 2.25" wide.
I cannot detect any odor from the case, eyepiece cover or strap. I do note a faint, rubber-like odor from the hood on the front of the instrument itself.
There is a provision to mount the eyepiece cover on the strap, so I plan to leave the case behind next time I take to the field.
The mounting system for the strap is excellent -- secure, yet quickly and easily removed. The mounting points on the strap pivot freely in the mounts. The strap carries the instrument eyepieces-up.
The tripod hole in the bottom of the body is located near the objective end, on the center viewing axis.
The Owner's Manual recommends using the "optional Pentax Tripod Adapter", but I encountered no difficulty in mounting the binocular directly on an ordinary tripod.
The rubber-like "armor" provides a secure grip. The knurled central focusing wheel moves smoothly. Three turns of the wheel span its full range of focal adjustment. There are no marks on the focusing wheel.
The knurled diopter adjustment (on the right eyepiece) has 40 click-stops spanning its full mechanical range. I cannot report its optical range, which is not specified in the Owner's Manual.
Zero is marked on the diopter ring. I wear contact lenses, and the zero-correction setting works well for me.
At 8.5 power, the exit pupil is small (2.47 mm) but I had no difficulty getting a unified stereoscopic image.
The range of separation of the eyepieces accommodates an interpupillary distance of approximately 2.25" to 3".
Others have mentioned troublesome sun-flash under certain conditions -- while I didn't specifically test for this, I encountered no such fault on a sunny day at altitude.
I could do without the inset purple "Papilio 8.5x21" logo, but at least the even-less-welcome butterfly-hologram sticker was easily removed and left no mark.
Still, my overall impression of the instrument is one of high quality. I certainly feel that it offers excellent value for the money.
The Pentax warranty states, "... Pentax will repair or replace it to the original owner at our option (even if damaged by fault) for a charge of $19.95 ..." which sounds pretty good to me!
All things considered, I am very pleased with this little jewel -- especially considering the price. The near-field focusing ability of the Papilio line is, to the best of my limited knowledge, unique.
If you need a close-focusing, compact binocular, your only real choice is whether you prefer the Papilio in 8.5 power or in 6.5 power.
While my experience is solely with the 8.5 power model, surely the 6.5 power version is otherwise identical. I would not hesitate to recommend either.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pentax Papilio Binocular
I searched the internet for devices to allow me to study my pet hermit crabs. Pentax Papilio Binoculars seemed to be just what I was looking for in such a device. Read more
Published 3 days ago by TEO
Recommend to any nature lover!
I bought these along with a Pentax rebate that brought the price to around $70. I went to Costa Rica and wanted something portable and these were designed for butterfly close-ups... Read more
Published 7 days ago by D. Jackson
Very good and versatile
Great image quality, though the contrast is not quite as good as on some non-close-focusing Pentax binocs we bought at the same time. Read more
Published 12 days ago by AZHiker
Mediocre binoculars with a neat party trick
I'm not very impressed with the Papilo binoculars for bird watching. I find that there are very distracting internal reflections in the binoculars as if Pentax had never heard of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Daniel Neiman
Terrific binoculars
I am a casual birder and general nature lover. When my old (cheap, heavy, kinda lousy) binoculars died, I decided to try these. Am I ever glad I did! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Laurel B
Superb
I read a rather lengthy scientific review of these binoculars in a telescope forum and bought them based on the recommendation. I have not been disappointed! Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. Johnston
Love These!!
I'm a backyard bird watcher and season ticket holder for the Cowboys, so I wanted binoculars that would be good for both types of use. Read more
Published 5 months ago by JB&ME
WONDERFUL PRODUCT FOR A REASONABLE PRICE
Great little Binocular! We are using it for bird watching, far mountain viewing, and just nature watching in general. Easy to use, and wonderful to have.
Published 6 months ago by carol
general purpose use
I really love this bino, is light, small ,very clear and planty of light,I find easy to use anf focus ,I like the close up focus, good for looking at insect on flowers,I also use a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sil
See the freckles on his face!
We took these binoculars to the Jersey shore and we could very well see the barges and tankers way out on the horizon. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Carol
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