68 replies to this topic

[PhotogTom]

I'm sure this has been mentioned or asked in the past, but who makes good binoculars that don't exhibit chromatic aberration/fringing? I have a decent pair of Steiner XC 10X42 binocs that are pretty sharp and well made, but the CA on high-contrast edges is very bothersome. 

 

I know that my friend's Swarovski binoculars don't exhibit this issue. Of course, you pay big money for that, but if it's the only way, than I'll travel that path.

[lattitrail]

I've owned a pair of Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 for a few years. They're built with ED glass and field flattener. I bought them for binocular astronomy and really enjoy them. Pretty much any brand or binocular made with ED glass will not suffer from CA.

Edited by lattitrail, 16 July 2023 - 02:42 PM.

[jrazz]

More money = less CA usually.

 

However (and I just confirmed this again) the Meade Masterclass 10x56 is remarkably free of color up to 60% of the view. After that you do see a little CA but to me it's not objectionable.

[PhotogTom]

I just wish that someone would actually test and show their work - I mean sites that claim to represent the "best binoculars for 2023" or whatever. They're nothing but spam really. I never see any measured results or examples of the image with such reviews, but they know how to steer you to Amazon or wherever to buy them.

 

I got a little more picky than I should be probably, due to years of using cameras. 

[PanamaRic]

Swarovski NLs 10X42 has little or no CA, but they cost a lot. Fujinon Polaris 7x50s has very little CA, even when I try to force them. 

[ButterFly]

All binoculars show fringing if you look hard enough.  The high priced ones really need you to look hard!  Small twigs against the sky is a rather harsh test, and right where the birds are.

 

 

I just wish that someone would actually test and show their work -

allbinos.com  Go to the reviews section.  It's rather thorough.
 

[Rich V.]

Canon 10x42Ls have minimal CA with a dual ED lens design, about the flattest field available as well as amazing image stabilization.  They'll show you more detail than any 10x conventional hand held bino regardless of price.

[PEterW]

Was taunting some of mine, took some harsh contrast and then only as one goes off towards the end she’s of the field, Nikon 8x30-E2 and APM 10x50ED, not top drawer stuff, but nice 3D views.

 

Peter

[PhotogTom]

Thanks, Butterfly - I'll check out that link.

 

That's allbinos with 2 L's. LOL - I thought I was going to see a link to Edgar Winters.

[Vertigo]

I'm sure this has been mentioned or asked in the past, but who makes good binoculars that don't exhibit chromatic aberration/fringing? I have a decent pair of Steiner XC 10X42 binocs that are pretty sharp and well made, but the CA on high-contrast edges is very bothersome. 

 

I know that my friend's Swarovski binoculars don't exhibit this issue. Of course, you pay big money for that, but if it's the only way, than I'll travel that path.

Hello,

 

completely CA free is not a pair of binoculars.

Look for a Zeiss Victory FL (only available second-hand) or a Kowa Genesis, as far as CA is concerned, these series are at the top.

 

Andreas

[djeber2]

My Kowa Genesis 10.5x44 have the least CA of any binocs that I own.   I do not see any on axis, and just a little bit at the edge of field.

[sevenofnine]

If CA is all that's bothersome to you then choose a roof prism binocular that has ED (extra low dispersion) glass. Porro prism binoculars have no CA because of their design. You do not have to buy the most expensive binoculars to eliminate chromatic aberration   

Edited by sevenofnine, 16 July 2023 - 04:21 PM.

[Vertigo]

allbinos.com  Go to the reviews section.  It's rather thorough.

Hello,

 

sorry, I can not recommend the site unreservedly with some things it gets terribly confused.

 

Andreas

[pat in los angeles basin]

Unless I misunderstand you, a porro may not be CA free- they are an achromat for the most part after all. My Sears 6287-A show a goodly (?) amount of CA slightly off axis or if the IPD is slightly off as well as eye placement.  Pat

Edited by pat in los angeles basin, 16 July 2023 - 04:02 PM.

[PhotogTom]

Hello,

 

sorry, I can not recommend the site unreservedly with some things it gets terribly confused.

 

Andreas

Well, another resource would be helpful. For example, I don't see Canon nor Kowa optics on there (or maybe I'm just not looking close enough).

 

EDIT - I do see some Kowa binoculars tested. I stand corrected.

Edited by PhotogTom, 16 July 2023 - 04:00 PM.

[Rich V.]

I've seen some Porros that have terrible CA; some that have next to none.  CA depends on the objective lens design and usually increases with magnification and aperture. Using ED glass in the design helps greatly.

 

I trust Pinac's bino opinions more than most others on the web.  Those "best binos" type sites are not trustworthy at all.  Otherwise, you need to peruse threads on CN or Birdforum.  CN's search function isn't very good at all, IMO, and just search "xxx binocular + Cloudy Nights"

 

https://binocular.ch...ction/#overview

[RMay]

Thanks, Butterfly - I'll check out that link.

That's allbinos with 2 L's. LOL - I thought I was going to see a link to Edgar Winters.

😝😝😝

[MT4]

Buy one of the Nikon EDGs if you can't stand CA.   (Nikon WX would work too.)

[Vertigo]

Porro prism binoculars have no CA because of their design. 

Hello,

 

that is nonsense also porros show color, If you compare a Fujinon FMT 10x50 with a Zeiss FL 10x56 you can see clear differences and there are more examples.

 

Andreas

Edited by Vertigo, 16 July 2023 - 04:10 PM.

[warpsl]

C A free binoculars can be had for not too much money. I have bresser pirsch 8x56 ed,which, on axis are as sharp as my fujinon.there is a little c a towards the edge,but for the price, they are a bargain.the only glass I have with true apo views are my aspectums.

[ButterFly]

Thanks, Butterfly - I'll check out that link.

 

That's allbinos with 2 L's. LOL - I thought I was going to see a link to Edgar Winters.

If you're seeing color at an albino convention across the street ...

[Albie]

I've owned a pair of Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 for a few years. They're built with ED glass and field flattener. I bought them for binocular astronomy and really enjoy them. Pretty much any brand or binocular made with ED glass will not suffer from CA.

ED glass is not always a guarantee that you will not experience CA . I recently had a brand new $500CAD 8x42 roof prism bin with ED glass that showed a lot of CA . I also have a $1450CAD MHG 8x42 with ED glass that doesn't show CA .

Edited by Albie, 16 July 2023 - 04:44 PM.

[Erik Bakker]

Color aberration on axis is Chromatic Aberration, increasing false color around edges/stars towards the edge of the field of view is lateral color of the eyepieces.

 

Correcting on-axis color is the task of the front lens elements. Better quality costs more. ED means something but comes in a variety of qualities.  

 

Correcting increasing color of axis is a matter of eyepiece design. Better correction comes at a price in money and in apparent field of view. Wider fields are more difficult to correct well. And then there is that thing called field flatness...another trait of the eyepiece design and quality.

 

For the best correction of all, narrow your apparent field and/or up your price tag significantly. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

[Vertigo]

ED glass is not always a guarantee that you will not experience CA . I recently had a brand new $500CAD 8x42 roof prism bin with ED glass that showed a lot of CA . I also have a $1450CAD MHG 8x42 with ED glass that doesn't show CA .

Hello,

 

I have seen CA in an 8x42 MHG, also in a Swarovski SLC, EL, NL, in a Zeiss SF, HT, Conquest, Leica Noctivid, Ultravid HD Plus etc.

No binoculars are CA-free, not even the most expensive ones, the question is how pronounced CA are.

In the night sky, CA may be difficult to detect, but when taking hard contrasts during the day, every pair of binoculars will show CA, it's just unavoidable.

 

Andreas

[cstraley]

Hello,

 

completely CA free is not a pair of binoculars.

Look for a Zeiss Victory FL (only available second-hand) or a Kowa Genesis, as far as CA is concerned, these series are at the top.

 

Andreas

I agree no binocular will be entirely free of CA. The Zeiss FL is about as good as it gets imo. I have a like brand new par of Zeiss FL 10x42 binoculars I purchased new and used maybe 3 times on my back porch. I will let them go for 2k even. Wouldn't sell them any cheaper. Let me know if you are interested. I still have the original box and possibly the receipt. They cost about 2400 when I purchased them on sale I believe.