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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. fazalmajid

    Leica eye candy....

    And you wasted the rest of your money, per W.C. Fields.
  2. fazalmajid

    Japanese High grade Binoculars

    You're missing Kowa.
  3. fazalmajid

    Fast and lightweight tripod + head for ATC

    Ballheads are not ideal for a scope. You want a head that allows motion but when you let go the scope stays where its pointed at. I use a gimbal (ProMediaGear Katana Jr) on a Gitz GT90TT Traveler Titanium leg set with my Meopta Meostar S2+ 82 HD, but for a compact setup like the ATC I'd look at...
  4. fazalmajid

    See how we go with these.....

    The HT use Abbe-Koenig prisms that are longer and more glass-heavy than the more common Schmidt-Pechan, which shifts the balance somewhat. These were Zeiss' top of the line, albeit for a fairly short period of time between the Victory FL and the Victory SF, so it seems like you got a great deal...
  5. fazalmajid

    New APC 50 Stabilised

    I got to try the TSX at last year's Birdfair. Optically much better than my Kite APC 16x42, but the weight is simply too much. The new Kites at least have ED glass, which should mean better optical quality (CA is very noticeable on the KIte 16x42 APC compared to the Sig-Sauer Zulu6 HDX 20x42...
  6. fazalmajid

    Having 2 pairs of binoculars. Which would you choose?

    The Uppendahl prism originals you posted photos of earlier in the thread? Yes, definitely collectible. I wonder if you could 3D-print replacement eyecups in TPU or silicone. I wear glasses and can't stand fold-up eyecups compared to the modern style used in the Retrovids.
  7. fazalmajid

    Having 2 pairs of binoculars. Which would you choose?

    The Retrovids look even nicer, though. I have the 10x40, but was bitten by the 4 meter minimum focus distance.
  8. fazalmajid

    Having 2 pairs of binoculars. Which would you choose?

    Because while it’s optically outclassed, the Leica wrapped in leather is just a joy to hold and use.
  9. fazalmajid

    Having 2 pairs of binoculars. Which would you choose?

    Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25 Sig-Sauer Zulu6 HDX 20x42 (stabilized) Zeiss Victory HT 10x54 for astronomy Leica Ultravid HD 8x42 in leather I have all of these already except for the HT 10x54 (I have a Leica Ultravid 10x50 instead). On second though, just make it the Nikon WX...
  10. fazalmajid

    Baby S

    I gave my keen birdwatcher nephew my EL SV 8.5x42 when I upgraded to the NL Pure and despite his young age (11) he was very appreciative. Seems like a better value proposition but I have to admit these baby Swaros look mighty cute, and that argument often wins the day.
  11. fazalmajid

    Which monocular as a substitute for binoculars...?

    10x monoculars are very rare because monoculars are harder to hold steady than binoculars. That's also why monoculars are available in powers like 5x or 6x that are not common in binoculars. Those Opticron Imagic are made by Kamakura Koki, they are available from other brands like Bresser and...
  12. fazalmajid

    Seeking advice on tripod for Kowa TSN99-A

    There are occasionally sales on Gitzos, I recently saw the 3542LS for -30% at B&H IIRC.
  13. fazalmajid

    Seeking advice on tripod for Kowa TSN99-A

    I found my Gitzo Series 2 Mountaineer was not good enough for my Meopta Meostar S2 82 HD, I ended up getting a Gitzo Systematic GT3542LS. Presumably a 99mm scope would be more demanding yet. The original Gitzo "Systematic Traveler" GT4553S was a unique model that tried to combine the stability...
  14. fazalmajid

    Chromatic Aberration, CA, what, why, how?

    And atmospheric conditions. e.g. heat haze, although the latter seems unlikely to be a major concern in the environments Thrupenney Bit has mentioned he is going to use his scope in.
  15. fazalmajid

    Chromatic Aberration, CA, what, why, how?

    Also have a look at point light sources in the periphery. There are other types of image-degrading aberrations like coma, where points grow "hair" (coma means hair in Greek), astigmatism, spherical aberration and so on.
  16. fazalmajid

    Recommendation please

    If you were not sensitive to CA I'd recommend the Kowa TSN-501/502. Extremely light, you can pack it and not even notice it's there, surprisingly good quality for a non-ED scope. Otherwise the Opticron MM4 ED scopes are excellent. I've seen some amazing clearance deals of late on Meopta spotting...
  17. fazalmajid

    Chromatic Aberration, CA, what, why, how?

    CA is caused by glass not having a constant refraction index as a function of wavelength, which means different colors are focused in different places. Generally the way to correct it to use glass of different characteristics, specially ED or fluoride glass. Look at stark bright/dark transitions...
  18. fazalmajid

    Binoculars around £1000

    The TSN-500 are incredibly light, and optically surprisingly decent despite lacking ED glass. I'd recommend the straight TSN-502 over the angled TSN-501, however (I have both). Another option would be the stabilized Sig-Sauer Zulu6 HDX 20x42. I got mine from Amazon UK, and yes, they are above...
  19. fazalmajid

    Looking for Travel Scope but Cheaper End of Market

    The TSN-501/502 are surprisingly good for the price despite lacking ED glass, and ridiculously light. I also have an Opticron MM4/50 and a Meopta Meostar S2+ 82 HD. In a scope that won’t necessarily be mounted on a tripod the straight TSN-502 made more sense for me.
  20. fazalmajid

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    I got my 20x42 from Amazon UK. Very straightforward.
  21. fazalmajid

    What is this interesting optical design?

    Well, on my USB microscope there is one focus position, and if you keep turning long enough there is another position at much higher magnification. How they do it I have no idea.
  22. fazalmajid

    What is this interesting optical design?

    I have one. I assume it works much the same way the Leica Duovid does, just with Infrared optics.
  23. fazalmajid

    Bay Area/Sac - Northern CA Dealer Suggestions

    Out of this World in Mendocino is supposedly good, but it’s not exactly on the way to Reno. Camera West in Walnut Creek has a good selection of Leica optics, as does the SF Leica Store, obviously. SF had an outstanding sports and astro optics in Scope City, but it closed about a decade ago...
  24. fazalmajid

    Marc Newson on designing the AX Visio

    An interesting interview on the design process: https://www.core77.com/posts/127513/Marc-Newson-on-Designing-the-AX-Visio-Smart-Binoculars
  25. fazalmajid

    Kite APC 16x42 … gimmick, replacement or addition? (my report)

    Optically the Zulu6 is better, it lacks the visible CA of the Kite. The build quality is roughly the same (the Zulu6 is lighter, and thus feels less substantial).
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