rogerry
sage
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 362
Loc: south east Michigan
|
|
I just tested the Nikon 10x50 Action and the 10x50 Action Extreme (tested in the store). Strangely enough, the regular Action binocs were better corrected further out from center of FOV than the Extremes. I say "strangely" because posters at CN have attested to just the opposite. Has anyone else noticed this? Also, I own a pair of Action 8x40. Would it be wise to purchase 10x50s? I'm having second thoughts that maybe a 2x power increase would be too small to notice.
--------------------
Roger
Orion ED100
Vixen A80MF
Celestron C6R on a home made tripod and pipe mount
Orion xt12 classic
TV Gibraltar altazimuth
|
Lamb0
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/25/07
Posts: 1328
Loc: Fairbury, Nebraska
|
|
IMO the extra 2X really helps. When I needed to replace some dropped 10X50s, I found a pair of 12X50s I really like. I'm glad they have a wide field with a large sweet spot, though. Higher magnification is harder to hold steady, but I find the view more rewarding. Compared with a friends' 10X60s, and 10X50s, I found myself preferring the 12X50s more times than not! I found it easier to spot targets, with more detail. Maybe some 12X60s would be my choice as a step up from 8X40s - light enough to hand hold while still a large jump in performance. 
--------------------
John, "Have eyepiece - will travel!"
8" f/5 Dob w/2.14" sec in a 12" alum tube 'The Mortar' - w/PCorr 2.16° TFoV @ ~32.5X 70+% illum *Yes!*
24Pan, 5-8 SW, 3 Faworskis (16.8, 10.5, & 7mm), TMB 3.2mm, Hyp 36mm Aspheric, 20T5, & 14ES100
Other 2": Paracorr (Green Parrot), 2X PowerMate, Antares 1.6X Barlow, Astronomik Hß, (older) Lumicon UHC & OIII
60mm $50 Walmart Special in training - aka "Backpack Observatory"
Binoculars: Minolta Activa 12x50s & Steiner 15X80s
|
rogerry
sage
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 362
Loc: south east Michigan
|
|
Thanks for the advice, I will check out 12x50s. Hopefully I can find a decent pair in the range of $200.
--------------------
Roger
Orion ED100
Vixen A80MF
Celestron C6R on a home made tripod and pipe mount
Orion xt12 classic
TV Gibraltar altazimuth
|
hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
|
|
Try these:
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=10889&m=
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3312239
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
Both of those are good choices in the price range.
Biggest difference you will notice is the Pentax has ~4.1° fov and the Nikon has a 5.1° fov.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
|
|
Quote:
Biggest difference you will notice is the Pentax has ~4.1° fov and the Nikon has a 5.1° fov.
edz
Another big difference is that the Pentax are sharper out to the edges.
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
I doubt that.
Nikon Action Extreme 12x50 is one of the most aberration free binoculars I've ever used, with the ability to see 60 arccseconds resolution even out to 90% of the field, a performance exceeded only by the Nikon SE and the Fujinon FMT-SX.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
|
|
EdZ,
I guess I misinterpreted/misunderstood your comments about the Pentax PCF WP II 10x50mm and the 12x50mm.
Pentax PCF WP II's
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
Well, in that discussion we mentioned the Pentax PCF WP 10x50 and the Pentax PCF III 12x50 and the Nikon AE 10x50, but not the Nikon AE 12x50.
Pentax WP 10x50 has a greater percent sharp fov than the Nikon AE 10x50.
Pentax WP 10x50 80-90% - Nikon AE 10x50 65-85%
Nikon AE 10x50 does not have as great a percent sharp fov as the Nikon AE 12x50.
Nikon AE 10x50 65-85% - Nikon AE 12x50 90-95%
Pentax WP 10x50 does not have as great a percent sharp fov as the Nikon AE 12x50.
Pentax WP 10x50 80-90% - Nikon AE 12x50 90-95%
The Pentax 12x50 I discussed there is the PCF III. However the Pentax PCF WP II 12x50 has the same fov specs, I've just not tested it.
Pentax PCF III 12x50 has an equally sharp percent fov as the Nikon AE 12x50.
It has a percent sharp fov equal to the Nikon AE 12x50, both equally sharp out to 90-95% of fov.
These percents indicate a range where resolution falls off from 1 arcmin to 3 arcmin. For example, the Pentax WP 10x50 can see to a limit of 1 arcmin res, (or said another way) has 1 arcmin of aberration at 80% out, and has 3 arcmin aberration at 90% out. You can do similar checks for yourself if you wish. Nu Draco (62") is used to test 1 arcmin and 21-22 Tau, Asterope (170") is used to test 3 arcmin.
Both Nikons have wider fovs than both Pentax. Even if the Nikon has 10% less sharp fov, it has a wider sharp fov than the Pentax. But that is not what I was referring to, that's just a another bonus in the Nikon AE 12x50.
Nikon AE 10x50 6.1°
Nikon AE 12x50 5.1°
Pentax WP 10x50 5.0°
Pentax PCF III 12x50 4.15°
Pentax PCF WP II 12x50 4.15°
edz
edited to reflect that these tests include the Pentax WP 10x50.
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
Edited by EdZ (02/25/08 04:01 PM)
|
charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1082
Loc: New Zealand
|
|
Hi 'Rogerry' - I agree with you re. the standard 'Action' Vs. the 'EA' versions. There was a discussion on the 11.29 .07 here on the bino forum here re. the two versions of the Nikon binos and I wrote this.
"I have had the Nikon 'Action' 10x50 binos for over a year - and I actually find them rather impressive - very minor barrrel rolling effect whan panning, stars tack sharp and contrasty and yes deterioration at the edges but not overly distracting. Internal reflections are minimal. Even though they are 'MC' coated [only] the give a deep purple / green reflection. They are well built solid 'middle of the road' binos. I have used the 'EX' 10x50 version over a few nights and I actually found them less optically impressive - mainly due to the 'barrell rolling' effect which I found distracting. I even thought the edge deteroration was slightly more noticable.
I also prefer the soft rubber eyecups of the 'Actions' plus they are 50 gms. / 1.7 Oz. lighter [970 vs.1020].
I am aware of the differences between the 2x versions - EX being W.P, twist eyecups, better eye relief etc. but the standard 'Actions' seem slightly optically superior and more comfortable to use. Plus they are sigificantly less expensive.
Just my thoughts".
My impressions did appear to go against most other peoples opinion about the optical quality of both versions at the time.
In your case going to the 12x would be advisable as you have the 8x40.
Here is the link to the original discussion:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/2016745/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all
--------------------
35 binos.
80mm Cat.
WO66ED
SV NH 80mm / EQ3
Meade 8in.LX90
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
Edited by charen (01/04/08 03:34 PM)
|
rogerry
sage
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 362
Loc: south east Michigan
|
|
I'll check out the Nikon 12 X 50 tonight. The time and info you supplied is much appreciated!
--Good seeing to you!
--------------------
Roger
Orion ED100
Vixen A80MF
Celestron C6R on a home made tripod and pipe mount
Orion xt12 classic
TV Gibraltar altazimuth
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
In a similar vein as the binocs listed above here are my test results on the Nikon AE 8x40 and the Nikon Action Vii 8x40
BOTH the Nikon Action VII 8x40 and the Nikon AE 8x40 have 1 arcmin aberration at 60% out and 3 arcmin aberration at 65% out. As you can see, sharpness falls off rapidly. Outside this range, the AE holds on better.
Nikon Action VII 8x40 has 5 arcmin aberration at 75% out
Nikon AE 8x40 has 5 arcmin aberration at 85-90% out
Nikon AE 8x40 has 7 arcmin aberration at 100% out
Nikon Action VII 8x40 cannot see even 7 arcmin at 100% out. Aberration is significanly larger.
You can do similar checks for yourself if you wish. Nu Draco (62") is used to test 1 arcmin and 21-22 Tau, Asterope (170") is used to test ~3 arcmin. 27-28 Tau, Atlas-Pleione, is 5 arcmin. 5-6 Cap, Algedi is 6+ arcmin.
Most binoculars do not need more than 3 to 5 arcmin to test across the entire fov. For example Oberwerk Mariner 8x40 and Pentax PCF WP II 8x40 can both see the double double at the very edge. That's 207", or 3.5 arcmin at the edge. The Bushnell Legend 8x42 can see 190 arcseconds at the very edge. The Oberwerk Mariner 7x50 can see 170" at the very edge. The Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50 can see 85 arcseconds at the edge. The Nikon SE 12x50 can see about 50 arcseconds at the very edge.
Typical 10x50s can see 1 arcmin out to 60-70% and can see 3 arcmin out to 80-85%. BTW, I know from my own experience I am generally incorrect when I attempt to guess at what percent position I have a star in the fov, except perhaps when it is placed at 50% out.
All the comparative positions given in the above posts are measured by noting field stars at the very edge of the field stop. That gives me a measuring stick back to the target star. Later by referencing my large scale star charts, I actually measure the distance from target star to edge of fov. My guesses are generally off by 10%. This is really a lot easier than it sounds. I've done this so many times that I have already got these star patterns sketched in my log books and field stars are numbered, so note taking is something like "AE10x50 - Nu visible with #3 on edge", or 21-22Tau vis with #2 on edge".
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
Edited by EdZ (01/04/08 03:50 PM)
|
hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
|
|
Thanks EdZ,
Sometimes in the process of 'juggling' information a piece gets left out.
Thanks for the clarification.
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
