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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm someone who's really into low power, wide angle viewing and when I got into the hobby I acquired your run of the mill 7x50 binoculars which have served me well over the last few years. Yesterday I used them to have a look at comet LINEAR. My other interests, besides astronomy, include pelagic observation and hiking, and I've always found 50mm binoculars to be rather heavy for either purpose.
A week ago I managed to obtain a pair of used 10x30 Canon IS binoculars on Astromart for the princely sum of $205. I wonder if this was a good call - I hear some review say that they can reveal objects as faint as normal 10x50 binoculars! Also they are somewhat lighter than the full sized ones. It would be interesting to hear what you people have experienced with this one.
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2547
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Vold,
My asto buddy has the Canon 10X30 and 18X50 IS. Since we work in the same company I have had many opportunities to borrow both for extended evaluation. I used the 10X30 for about two weeks last year. I was quite impressed with the performance. It has very good resolution and edge sharpness and it did seem to gather more light the a typical 30mm bino. If fact, I had my Oberwerk 12X60 with me at dusk one evening and the Canon 10X30 IS seem to be able to match the resolution of the much larger bino at low light.(I was reading a neighbor's license tag ~100 yds away) I also feel the 10X30 is much more reasonably priced than the bigger IS binos from Canon. I did not purchase a pair of 10X30 IS because I feel comfortable handholding 10-12X binos. I prefer more compact package of a conventional roof prism bino in the 8-10X range. Just purchsed a pair of 8X32 RF/WP/PC binos last month. I may get a pair of 12X50s next.
I was less impressed with the 18X80 IS for astronomy because of the slight image jitter. Stars do not stay pin points even when the IS bino is mounted. I prerfer to use my 20X80 LW with a tripod for astromy. My Burgess LW and the excellent Bogen 3221WN/501 fluid head combo cost less than $500.... about 1/2 the price of the Canon 18X50 IS.
Erik D
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AJTony
sage
Reged: 04/17/04
Posts: 379
Loc: Hamilton Square, NJ
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Except for the price, I still feel that the Canon 15 X 50 IS binos are the best of the litter for astronomy (check out some of the other strings for more thoughts on this subject).
Based on my experience with my Canons, I agree that you will get a better view with your 10 X 30 IS then you will with standard 50 mm binos.
Good luck, and have fun with your Canons.
--------------------
Oberwerk BT100-45 Binos
Apogee 25 X 100 Binos
Canon 15 X 50 IS Binos
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Garfield
sage
Reged: 02/02/04
Posts: 210
Loc: South-Western ON Canada
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As an unabashed fan of the Canon 10x30 IS, I proclaim my bias up front. My 10x30's are my most used all-round binos, and I do use them for astronomy - but primarly to supplement my 12.5" reflector.
IMHO the 10x30 optics are very good to excellent. Some owners have reported image problems with IS on, but other than steadying the view, I cannot see any differences with IS on or off.
I think that it is fair to say the 10x30's w/IS on will compete with most 10x50's when hand held - you can see more with a steady view. But when mounted, a good 10x50 would obviously see deeper.
Of course everyone has their own criteria and I can't speak for you, but I'm willing to bet you will be pleased with your purchase.
For size, weight, comfort and overall performance, the 10x30's are the best of the IS bunch IMHO.
Gary Irwin
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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$205 for a pair of 10 x 30s sounds good value to me.
I own a pair as well (see my avatar). I find that they don't capture very faint stars as well as 10 x 50s but they are still a fine general-purpose astro binocular for my money.
Have fun with them,
Bruce
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Mogster
sage
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 296
Loc: Manchester, England
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Just noticed that UK Warehouse Express have Canon IS Bino's on special offer.
----------RRP-----now
8x25 IS £299.99 £179
10x30 IS £349.99 £229
12x36 IS £699.99 £399
15x50 IS £999.99 £599
18x50 IS £1099.99 £699
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/specials/binosP.html
MOG
Edited by Mogster (06/07/04 06:22 PM)
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10137
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Thanks Mog,
Handy to know , and I think these are now getting down to what I generally consider to be a "fair price" relative to other binoculars and the price of "luxury goods" in general in the UK at this time.
That said , the 15 x 50s were NEVER £999 at ANY retailer I'm aware of !
Regards -- Kenny.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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half meter
Postmaster
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 12517
Loc: Great Lakes
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I own the Canon 10x30-IS, the 18x50-IS, and the Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX. Over many astronomy sessions, I feel comfortable stating that the 18x50-IS are virtually a match for the vaunted 16x70 Fujinons. I have never used the 10x30-IS for astronomy, but terrestrially they are superb. Their brightness, clarity, and field flatness are unsurpassed at 30mm aperture, and do better than most 50mm binoculars. When you put the 10x30-IS to your eye, they literally "disappear". Try a pair and you'll discover how amazing they are.
The way the Canon 18x50-IS and the Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX match is interesting. The 18x50-IS shows slightly fewer stars (collects slightly less light), but the contrast is improved over the 16x70s. So for deep space objects, the 18x50-IS catches the faint globulars and nebulas better than the larger Fujinons. The higher magnification increases contrast by darkening the sky. On double stars, they both are wonderful. Same goes with a true flat field view. I have done diffraction ring star testing on both (as much as is possible with the low magnifications), and even with the Image Stabilizing engaged, the in/out of focus patterns are nearly perfect. Stars are perfect dots.
For cruising around the Milky Way, I prefer the Fujinons because they bring out fainter stars. But many a time, when I couldn't find a particular Messier object in the Fujinons, I reached for the Canon 18x50-IS binoculars and found it quickly.
I end up using the Canon 18x50-IS more often. They travel with me around the world, and there is no better "grab and go" option in Astronomy having magnification greater than 10x. Highly recommended.
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Gary
Collins I3 (Thin Film) Image Intensifying Eyepiece
Coronado Maxscope DS 90 <0.5A w/BF30
152 mm f/8 TMB/A&M Carbon Fiber APO; f/5 with 4" Borg ED Field Flattener/Reducer
20" Obsession/OMI Mirror/Servocat/Argo Navis
 First Light for the 30" Obsession at BEOTS!
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Fiske
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/14/04
Posts: 2057
Loc: Missouri / United States
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half meter:
Thanks for your comments regarding the Canon 18x50 IS binos. I field tested a pair for several nights two or three years ago and found them to be marvelous.
Several experienced observers on this site have noticed optical problems with them. I think what they're talking about is a slight high-frequency vibration that makes the stars seem to defocus ever-so-slightly, yielding what some describe as a "flat" view.
It may be that Canon has a quality control problem with this instrument. The pair I tested was fine.
The 18x50s are high on my to-acquire list. I won't actually be in the market for them until next year but have been paying close attention to discussions about these binos.
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Fiske Miles
Nikon 8x42 LX / 12x50 SE Binos
Mini Borg 60ED, TV-101, AT80Ach, XT-8, C11/CI-700, 22-Inch Dob
Way too many Nagler eyepieces
http://www.fiskemiles.blogspot.com/
www.fiskemiles.com
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half meter
Postmaster
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 12517
Loc: Great Lakes
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Hi Fiske,
I get pinpoint stars in both the Fujinons and the Canons. The Canons correct for between +/-0.75 to 1.0 degree of shaking, which is actually a large area at 18x (1/4 of the FOV.) But it does take a few seconds to stabilize after a quick or large-scale movement. Then, stars become dots and all small movements, spiral searches, etc. are perfectly tracked with stars remaining dots.
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Gary
Collins I3 (Thin Film) Image Intensifying Eyepiece
Coronado Maxscope DS 90 <0.5A w/BF30
152 mm f/8 TMB/A&M Carbon Fiber APO; f/5 with 4" Borg ED Field Flattener/Reducer
20" Obsession/OMI Mirror/Servocat/Argo Navis
First Light for the 30" Obsession at BEOTS!
Edited by half meter (06/10/04 01:08 PM)
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10137
Loc: Lancashire UK
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half meter ,
I too was interested to read your post.
Quite apart from "possible" QC problems which Fiske suggests, there is no doubt that there is a great difference between the considered opinions of peoplewho have owned and used ANY given model of binocular EXTENSIVELY and directly against a relatively well known and little disputed "yardstick" such as the Fujinon 16 x 70, and the casual opinions of people such as myself , who has tried to pass judgement based on a few minutes of casual use in daylight.
As I've said many times before on these forums , the Canon 10 x 30 IS binos that I've tested have always impressed me so much that if I needed a new pair of 10x binos for whatever reason , these would be high on my shortlist.
Although I am one of those few individuals who failed to be overly impressed by the optical qualities AND stabilisation feature of the 18x model in DAYLIGHT , I concede that this could be just a personal opinion ,possibly because I am slightly prejudiced in favour of wider fields of view and larger exit -pupils than those provided with the 18x model.
Quite apart from that, one of my main "concerns" about the 18 x 50s is that to me , they are simply a little too HEAVY to be used comfortably for extended periods by hand.
Thanks again for your quite refreshing comments.
Regards , Kenny.
--------------------
Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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half meter
Postmaster
Reged: 05/05/04
Posts: 12517
Loc: Great Lakes
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Hi Kenny,
Thanks for your straightforward comments. We certainly agree on the performance of the Canon 10x30 IS. We also agree that the weight of the Canon 18x50 IS can become burdensome in relatively short order. Lots of breaks needed, but acceptable when one happens to find oneself at 3000 meters elevation in Mexico, for instance. (Actually, I knew I was going to be there, that's why I had the Canons  )
I use a Virgo Astronomics Nova Mount with the Fujinons, and generally hand-hold the Canons. If I'm going to the trouble of setting up the mount, I'll attach the Fujinons and have the Canons by my side for those elusive DSOs.
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Gary
Collins I3 (Thin Film) Image Intensifying Eyepiece
Coronado Maxscope DS 90 <0.5A w/BF30
152 mm f/8 TMB/A&M Carbon Fiber APO; f/5 with 4" Borg ED Field Flattener/Reducer
20" Obsession/OMI Mirror/Servocat/Argo Navis
First Light for the 30" Obsession at BEOTS!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi gang,
Based mostly on the rave reviews and info in this forum, I bought the 12x36 version of the Canon IS about a month ago. I've been very happy with that purchase. My old, non-IS binocs had been virtually unused for several years because the stars and planets would jump around too much as I jittered. That problem is about 95% gone now. To this newbie's eyes, the optics seem very good and stars typically resolve to points.
The weight is not bad, but I certainly wouldn't like anything heavier for handheld observing, at least while not on my back.
Of course the price is rather annoying, but I would say it was the right choice for (re)starting astronomy for me.
Enjoy!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Did you get the newer version (II) or the older version?
-Jeff
(Owner of the 10x30's)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Did you get the newer version (II) or the older version?
-Jeff
(Owner of the 10x30's)
Jeff,
Sorry I didn't clarify that. I got the 12x36 IS II (two) model. Love it. Now just wish the Berkeley area wasn't socked in by fog on most summer nights. But it has been a joy at darker sites in Central valley of Calif. and Yosemite.
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