Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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As I started this topic in "A great time to buy," on Cloudy Days, the moderators might care to move applicable posts to this new thread.
I am looking for an up to date binocular, probably as a second binocular for those times when an eight power does not have the reach for watching birds. I use a 12x50, on a monopod for shore excursions, but I would like to avoid using the support. I have had poor experiences with a Leica 10x42 BN and a Zeiss 10x40 BGA, but I realize that I will never be able to use a ten power for hand held astronomy. Many agree that a modern, top of the line, 10x32 is quite usable in full daylihgt. The question, which only I can answer is whether I can find it stable enough for short glimpses at distant birds, not too far above the horizon. Astigmatism and myopia demand an instrument with good eye relief.
Others have advised me that a 10x32 should be bright enough, while someone has recommended that I give the Zeiss tripler a try on my 8x40. This would mean that a pocket accessory could turn one tube into a 24x40, but it would probably necessitate a monopod or a shoulder pod. I think that a satisfactory 10x32 second binocular is a more elegant solution.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Hi Arthur,
The 10x32 or 8x32 is an interesting idea. They are easy to carry. But, I would ceratinly compare them to the standard 42mm models because some people find the smaller, lighter 32mm binoculars are more difficult to hold steady.
Usually the 32mm binoculars don't have as much eye relief as their 42mm brothers. I believe someone on the BirdForum thought the eye relief numbers of the 32mm Zeiss FLs weren't quite right.
I've considered getting the 8x32FL but I want to try one in the store first. The problem is finding a store that has them in stock, although that likely wouldn't be a problem in New York.
Rich
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Arthur ,
I wonder if you could expand a little more about the " poor experiences " you mention with the Leica BN 10 x 42 and the Zeiss BGA 10 x 40 ?
Knowing why these two models failed to work for you , or overly impress you , or whatever the problems where , may help others to help you , if you understand what I mean !
Regards , Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Kenny, I had used the two larger binoculars with some thought of hand held astronomy, which proved out of the question. Even for extended periods, pointed at or near the horizon it was unsatisfactory because of shaking. However, I now expect to use a smaller ten power glass for short glimpses, relying on a 7x42 or 8x40 for general viewing.
Rich, an attempt to actually examine a 10x32 Zeiss proved futile, today, as two large shops in New York City did not have any demonstration models. As I was not in the mood to buy, I did not want either to get one especially from stock for me.
I soldier on in this quest, but I reject any notion of using a 10x42 as my general glass and any use of a small 'scope.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Arthur ,
Have you considered a Nikon 10 x 35 E11 ?
Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Kenny,
I believe that binocular model may have been discontinued in the States. Many consider it a real winner. I like the 8x30 EII.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Arthur ,
I'm aware of the Nikon E2 range being discontinued , but so was the Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT about 18 months ago .
Both are still available in the UK while stocks last .
The problem for you is that these things tend to cost more in the UK , of course !
There could be SOME left in the US though , surely ?
Regards , Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Maybe but I would like to purchase the best, including FL or ED glass and I want something as compact as possible.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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Steve Napier
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 1559
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Arthur,I replied to you on Birdforum {because Im like that}
and once again I think the 10x32FL would be a fantastic choice.Kenny mentioned the Nikon 10x35 and I can give you a link via PM if you are interested in that model but,its from a UK stockist.
Best Wishes
Steve.
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Steve,
I thank you for your interest in my problem.
Today, I visited a shop, about four kms. from my home, which had a rebuilt unit of the Nikon 10x35 EII. If it were to be my primary binocular, it would be fine, but it is not compact enough to carry as a secondary.
I am warming to the idea using an 10x32 FL with a 7x42 Dialyt. That same shop will have the FL for my inspection by the end of the week. It also seems to have very competitive pricing.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< I am warming to the idea using an 10x32 FL with a 7x42 Dialyt. That same shop will have the FL for my inspection by the end of the week. It also seems to have very competitive pricing. >
Arthur ,
That sounds like a potentially GREAT solution to me !
I think the eye relief on the Zeiss 10 x 32 ( 16mm ? ) pips most which you get with most of the modern " big guns " roof prism of that specification , but if I'm wrong about that it won't be the first time :-)
Keep us posted .
Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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I bought the 10x32 FL, yesterday. First impressions are that it is quite suitable for general use; it is sharp across a great deal of its wide field; it has very good color rendition, it is quite portable and it still behaves like a ten power. In other words, I cannot use if it for sustained observation without a support, but It is good for quick glance with the unaided hand.
More to follow,
Arthur Pinewood
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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ngc6475
Fearless Spectator
Reged: 03/02/02
Posts: 5024
Loc: 38°21'N 120°55'W
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Congratulations, Arthur! I am definitely looking forward to more reports on your purchase!
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Walter
"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls."
-George Carlin
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Congratulations from me too , Arthur !
I'm hoping there may be more to read about this by the time I return in 3 days time !
Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Congratulations Arthur!
It will be interesting to hear your reports as you use it more.
All the best,
Rich
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Steve Napier
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 1559
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Congratulations Arthur.
I bet it"s great for certain types of astronomical viewing too.The Moon,Jupiters moons,the phases of Venus and bright double stars etc.
If you do decide this is a keeper Arthur remember,it was MY recommendation that helped you make the push to buy it.
If you do decide to sell it,Rich N recommended it.
Steve.
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Pinewood
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Yesterday, I went out and about with the FL, along with my Dialyt. First with it stuffed in my pocket but on my second outing, I hooked up a neckstrap and carried it on my shoulder but under my sports jacket.
It certainly does not lack sharpness: resolution and contrast matches anything else I own. The color rendition is very good. Whether the colors show greater gradations, as Rich N found in his FL, I cannot say. I think that there is some subtle improvement in colors but I am not ready to characterize that.
It also seems to excel in providing nearly edge to edge sharpness. My Nikon 8x32 SE does that better but the fall off in sharpness is slight and AFOV is greater with the FL. To be sure, comparing an eight power with a ten power is not necessarily informative.
I have not troubled to use the the eye cups' detents, as I suspect that I need them all the way down. A nice detail is that the objectives are well recessed, providing protection for the lens and reducing glare. The focussing is smooth and rapid.
On yesterday's second outing, I switched from the 7x42 Dialyt to the 10x32 FL, several times. Generally, it made no great difference but when I examined a waterthrush, there was a question as to whether it was a Louisiana or a northern. The FL did reveal the nice pink legs of the Louisiana but I could not work out the markings around the eye.
I guess that I have to thank Steve Napier, as it looks like I am going to keep it.
Happy observing,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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Steve Napier
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 1559
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Thats good news Arthur.
Im a bit baffled by the fact that you didn"t find no great difference between the the 7x and the 10x.Do you think the difference would have been more aparent for you if the two binoculars had of been mounted?
Also Arthur,as you were using these in daytime I bet there was very little difference in terms of brightness.
All the best Arthur and I hope to hear more from you on these wonderful 10x32 FL"s
Before I forget,I"ve noticed that the 32mm Zeiss FL"s both the 8x and your 10x seem to have better edge performance than the 42mm models,I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that different types of prisms are used?
Thanks Arthur
Steve.
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ngc6475
Fearless Spectator
Reged: 03/02/02
Posts: 5024
Loc: 38°21'N 120°55'W
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I think Steve may be missing out on a career in professional binocular consultation! There may be a market for this kind of expert assistance!
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Walter
"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls."
-George Carlin
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5618
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Congratulations again, Arthur! I'm glad it's a keeper.
Rich
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