First impressions: Opticron Imagic DBA VHD 10x42
I have just had the chance to try the new Imagic DBA VHD 10x42, comparing it with two other binoculars I have on hand, Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 and Zeiss FL 10x42, so all three models with exit pupils round 4mm.
I had high expectations of the Opticron, having been very impressed with the performance of my MM3 50 ED with HDF 12-36 eyepiece. To my eyes the image at 12x (i.e. a 4 mm EP) is very close to ideal in terms of brightness, resolution, contrast, colour, size of sweet spot and flatness of field.
Size and ergonomics:
Small and light for x42s, making the FLs look and feel big and bulky. They are still relatively long (152mm according to Opticron’s website) but slim and comfortable to hold. The armour looks lightweight (thin) but is well-fitted, with a noticeable seam between top and bottom halves of armour.
Eyecups operate very smoothly with three click stops, and stay where they are put in normal operation.
Eye relief was ample, as advertised.
Dioptre adjustment ring on right barrel was smooth but stiff enough not to shift accidentally; I had some difficulty getting satisfactory adjustment and found I was changing the setting for use at different distances. This may have been because eye placement was sensitive, more than in either Zeiss model.
Focus wheel operates smoothly, approx. 1.25 rotations anti-clockwise to infinity, with moderate tension; there was just a hint of play when reversing focussing direction. Opticron’s website states that focus is geared so that just 180 degrees of rotation will cover distances from 5m to infinity; I found this was the case in actual use. I found close focus to be as listed, at slightly under 2m.
Optical performance:
Bright, but noticeably less so than either Zeiss, and with a very slight hint of warm colour bias.
Field of view narrower than the FLs, without feeling restrictive. To my eyes, not obviously more flat-field than either Zeiss model.
Resolution was good, but contrast less so to my eyes, noticeably less than the Zeiss – I could readily see more definition and detail with either Zeiss model. Because I wear multifocal lenses to correct myopia and astigmatism I’m cautious in commenting on extent of CA, but it was there, certainly more apparent than in the Zeiss. I had difficulty defining the size of sweet spot, but put it at approx. 60%, dropping off in sharpness quite quickly to the edge, though brightness was still good.
In summary I found these to be very functional binos but a little underwhelming, perhaps because I was expecting something closer to alpha performance. For me the negatives were an ongoing difficulty in getting eye placement right wearing glasses, and a lack of crispness (snap) in the view which left me searching for precise focus in some situations. I can’t rule out the possibility that these are QC problems.