Telescope Reviews: Canon 10 X 30 IS

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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Canon 10 X 30 IS
#5675468 - 02/12/13 09:43 AM

I have been debating buying a pair of IS binoculars for some time. From all I have read including Gary Seronicks book the Canon's seem to be the best bet. My budget keeps me to the low end which would be the 10 X 30's. I have a pair of 10 X 50 Nikon Actions today which I like quite a bit. However, I get some shake holding them for a long time. I just don't like tripod mounting and want the freedom of true binoculars so IS seems to be it.
So my question from folks who have the 10 X 30's are they going to be close in resolution to the 10 X 50? I also like to look at wildlife so these would be dual purpose. I think this is the way to go but wanted some more opinions. Thanks

Ken

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Tony Flanders
Postmaster

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5675504 - 02/12/13 10:05 AM

Quote:

So my question from folks who have the 10 X 30's are they going to be close in resolution to the 10 X 50?

In terms of resolution, hand-held IS 10x30s will outperform hand-held 10x50s by a huge margin. What they don't have, of course, is the same light-gathering power.

I can see slight fainter galaxies and nebulae with my 10x50s than with my IS 10x30s, using both hand-held. However, I can resolve far more stars in star clusters with the IS 10x30s.

On the whole, I definitely prefer the IS 10x30s. During typical daytime conditions, where the extra light gathering doesn't matter, it would be no contest.

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: Tony Flanders]
#5675559 - 02/12/13 10:36 AM

Thanks Tony,
I mainly am looking for star clusters from my house anyway. I really like open clusters and just scanning the sky. The other night I spent quite some time looking around Orion which was very pleasant. Galaxies can be tough with the light pollution and I have a telescope for fainter objects but for me I enjoy the simplicity of hand-held binoculars. I also like to try double stars but with movement and inexperience I haven't had much luck. I just could get alberio no matter how hard I tried hand held. I think these are the way to go when I have only 15-20 minutes to go outside before dad duties kick in with baths and bedtime for my little girls.

I will take your expert advice and go with the 10 X 30's

Ken

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curiosidad
sage

Reged: 06/09/11

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5675585 - 02/12/13 10:55 AM

Hello,
I have used the model 10X30, and I feel great!
I currently use the 12x36 model, and I think even better! I like anything but the resolution of the 12X and the gain on the objective 6mm think much is gained
greetings

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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/08

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: curiosidad]
#5675682 - 02/12/13 11:54 AM

I own a pair of the 10x30IS and I really like them--I have no intention of parting with them. But there are two things about them that I don't like. I wish the IS button was not in the center of the binos but more over to one side, and, I wish when you pushed it that the stabilization would stay on. I know there are some drawbacks to the second item but not enough to scare me away from them.

I know some of the Canon IS models have exactly what I'm wanting but at a price that I can't afford.

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: Goodchild]
#5675765 - 02/12/13 12:37 PM

I read about both drawbacks in Gary Seronick's review. I don't think either is going to be a big deal. While I would love to go with the 10 X 42 I just can't justify the expense. The 12 X 36 add a few hundred more to the price which can be getting over $600.00

Thanks for the feedback

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KennyJ
The British Flash

Reged: 04/27/03

Loc: Lancashire UK

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5675814 - 02/12/13 01:02 PM

Having looked through both the 10x30 and 12x36,I liked both,but remain unsure as to whether the 12x36 really is worth so much more than the 10x30.

I definitely prefer the 6 degree TFOV of the 10x30.

Kenny

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Patrik Iver
sage

Reged: 07/29/03

Loc: Kaarina, Finland

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: Goodchild]
#5675818 - 02/12/13 01:04 PM

Quote:

I wish when you pushed it that the stabilization would stay

suggested kludge:
Try a wideish rubber band with a piece of eraser taped to it so that the eraser keeps the button depressed. Turn the rubber band (a wide band will retain its turned position) to turn off the stabilization.

I've never tried this (I don't mind keeping my finger on the button), but I *think* it should work.

Free advice, but is it worth the price?

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: KennyJ]
#5675832 - 02/12/13 01:13 PM

Quote:

Having looked through both the 10x30 and 12x36,I liked both,but remain unsure as to whether the 12x36 really is worth so much more than the 10x30.

I definitely prefer the 6 degree TFOV of the 10x30.

Kenny

Thanks. I do like the wider fields of view. I think I will go for the 10 X 30 if I win the lottery or someday have excess cash I can always get the 10 X42 or 15 X 50

Ken

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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/25/10

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5675866 - 02/12/13 01:29 PM

I had a pair , sold them to fund another project, regretted it so much I promptly replaced them, highly reccomended,DA.

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junomike
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 09/07/09

Loc: Ontario

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: Patrik Iver]
#5676248 - 02/12/13 04:44 PM

Quote:

Try a wideish rubber band with a piece of eraser taped to it so that the eraser keeps the button depressed. Turn the rubber band (a wide band will retain its turned position) to turn off the stabilization.

I don't understand this as my 18X50 IS stays on when the button is pressed? I can choose to hold It momentarily also

Mike

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KennyJ
The British Flash

Reged: 04/27/03

Loc: Lancashire UK

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: junomike]
#5676282 - 02/12/13 04:56 PM

Mike,

The "stay activated" is NOT a feature of the button on the 10x30 model,nor on any of the first generation 36mm,45mm or 50mm models,if I recall correctly.

Kenny

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ronharper
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/14/06

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: junomike]
#5676290 - 02/12/13 05:01 PM

"I have used the model 10X30, and I feel great!"

The way I feel today, that is the most convincing testimonial imaginable. Gotta have one.
Ron

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KennyJ
The British Flash

Reged: 04/27/03

Loc: Lancashire UK

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: ronharper]
#5676405 - 02/12/13 06:30 PM

------- and let no-one forget,if keeping that little button pressed becomes a problem,one could always summon their butler to carry out the task!

Personally,I found the slightly improved image quality beheld when the stabilisation was NOT engaged provided a break almost as welcome as the temporary relief from repetitive strain syndrome.

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SMark
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/29/11

Loc: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: KennyJ]
#5676423 - 02/12/13 06:45 PM

FWIW...

Canon did make an accessory for the older model 15x45 and 12x36 IS binoculars called the IS Switch-Lock that apparently would keep the switch in an "on" position during use. I've been seeing these heavily discounted on eBay recently. Unfortunately it wasn't designed to work with the 10x30...

Now on eBay...

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: SMark]
#5678277 - 02/13/13 08:08 PM

Thanks all for the advice. I plan on getting a pair for my birthday coming in next month.

Ken

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GOLGO13
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: St. Louis area

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5695969 - 02/23/13 01:51 AM

I really really like my 10x30s. They are a little aperture limited, but I see more detail with them compared to hand-holding regular binos. I got to try 18x50s for a short timeframe (got them cheap at a pawn shop), but I found them too heavy. I do wish I could have tried the 18x50s in a dark sky on the milkyway, but I don't think I would have wanted to keep them. I think for larger binos in that price range I rather get a pair of right angled binos that accept eyepices.

The other great benefit of the 10x30s is they make excellent daytime binos for birds or whatever.

So unless you have a good tripod setup for your binos, the image stablized is the way to go in my opinion.

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curiosidad
sage

Reged: 06/09/11

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: GOLGO13]
#5696506 - 02/23/13 12:25 PM

Golgo your description is perfect!!

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kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: curiosidad]
#5696774 - 02/23/13 03:03 PM

Well I bought them and its been cloudy since they arrived. I have had some fun looking at birds. Two beautiful Cardnials popped into view looking at some trees. Even without the IS they are great binoculars. I look forward to using them the next clear night. I will post a full review.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Ken

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ngc 9999
super member

Reged: 08/13/12

Loc: Sunrise, Fl. 26 degrees N

Re: Canon 10 X 30 IS new

[Re: kenrenard]
#5696988 - 02/23/13 05:04 PM

Make sure to test them on tight double stars, such as 145 CMa.

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