Telescope Reviews: Canon 15x50 IS homemade eyecups

Gentleman

I am brand new to this forum and joined after reading this topic. I'm not a bird watcher nor a night sky observer. I'm actually a bodyguard. My objective was to upgrade my equipment. After researching what was available I decided to make 2 purchases. I bought a Zeiss 10x42T*FL and a Canon 18x50 IS. These selections were made by recommendation rather than personal trial. I got a GREAT deal on the Zeiss binoculars,(new in the box for 50% of their normal asking price). The Canon price was about average from the sources I looked at.
The Zeiss binoculars are, without question, the finest piece of optical equipment I have ever owned period. The Canon 18x50 IS was another story which is the reason for my post. In all fairness I own Canon camera equipment so I'm not bashing Canon on their quality. But as someone else has said "Were they sleeping at the wheel?" This is an excellent binocular optically and with regard to case manufacture. The eyecups however are the worst designed, most uncomfortable things that I have ever raised to my eyes. I read with great interest your subject matter here, and happy to learn that I wasn't alone in my disgust with these eyecups. Make no mistake, these are terrific binoculars, but I've got to tell you that the eyecups are so uncomfortable that I very seriously thought about returning them, and it would have saddened me to do so as this binocular itself is a marvelous piece of engineering that I would hate to exclude from my equipment bag. I chose to keep them and try to find some type of eyecup replacement solution instead. I hope this thread of yours stays alive and generates responses from others regarding this problem. Like one gentleman mentioned, I still found that even with the stock eyecups rolled down there still wasn't enough clearance (for me anyway) in the nose bridge area. I can't believe I'm sitting here frustrated over a couple of pieces of rubber! Shame on you Canon, there's a market for this great product, but you've got to wake up and make better eyecups for heaven's sake. My Zeiss eyecups are so comfortable that it's a pleasure each time I raise them to my eyes. My Zeiss 10x42T*FL will go with me everywhere from this day forward. They have become not only a permanent addition to my equipment bag, but additionally one of my most prized possessions. I want to be as happy about the Canons. Not there yet. My personal experience has been that if something is not comfortable, it will get utilized less and less until it's no longer reached for.

Thanks for your valued opinions on this frustrating issue.

PEKAY