Telescope Reviews: How close is Canon IS image to mounted view?

Lo Net,

Sounds like you already know the machinations you have to go through to keep bins from following the bouncing ball.

I don't know if you've had a chance to read the bin stabilization solution I've been working on for the past three years (see my latest post on the thread "Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50 still best handheld?" on this forum).

Unfortunately, polling CN members on their experience with Canon IS bins won't tell you how you will adapt to them, but that's what happens, your brain either adapts or doesn't adapt to the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) movement of the images in IS bins.

You might find they are the greatest thing since Frito-Lay invented Doritos, or you might get nauseated from the "swimming" images (in which case, don't eat Doritos before observing).

Most likely, your experience will be mixed like Mike described above.

Nikon and Fuji put up better numbers in terms of correction angles, but I've read reports of objects "vibrating" in place instead of "swimming" around the field like Canons.

If you turn out to be Canon IS Tolerant (CIST), you still might need to brace yourself well in a reclining lawn chair with pillows under your arms to get those last bit of jitters down to a minimum.

Too bad you missed the deal last week on A-mart for a 10x30 IS for $250.

"Try before you buy" is the mantra of binoculars users, but that's even more important for Canon IS buyers since results vary from hand to hand and brain to brain.

If you also use bins for daytime observing, the 10x or 12x IS bins are worth trying since you will find them useful.

The 10x is more stable than the 12x, and it's cheaper, so it's a good place to start.

If you want one right away, you'll usually find the best prices at NYC camera dealers, but beware, a few are "slimy". Check their ratings.

If you can wait, you can probably pick one up on Astromart for under $300.

Also, Canon has a rebate offer of $50 off the less expensive models once a year. Not sure when they are going to run that, check with Canon USA.

If you have a rubber neck, a monopod might work for a 10x bin.

Here's the set up I have. Unfortunately, my neck is made of petrified oak, not rubber:
rubbernecking with monopods

As you can see, it takes some flexibility, which is why I took up yoga.

Failing CIST or a rubber neck, you might need to buy a 4-way-head parallel mount, which will give you six degrees of (Kevin Bacon) movement.
Unimount

I had one, and it worked great, but I felt if I had to drag all that equipment out with me, I might as well use my telescope.

If that happens, then you might want to try a SkyWindow:
Skywindow Bin Mount

If you are prone to "aperture fever" you might want to go for the Gold class mirror from the getgo. I found the standard mirror degraded the images in my 12x50 SE.

This is a very comfortable set up, but still needs a table to set it up on. However, a light card table will suffice.

The drawback with the Skywindow is that the images are reversed. Telescope observers are used to that, but they get a relatively small FOV in most telescopes.

It can be a bit unnerving to sweep the sky backwards. So again, it's something you have to try to find out if you like. I recommend mounting a laser pointer on it so you can find your way around the sky.

Good Luck!

Di L. Up

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B'rock, son of Grilka
Member of the House of Kozak
Klingon Poet-Warrior
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"The character of a Klingon poet-warrior is measured not only by the metal of his blade--but also by the mettle of his words."