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

HR WP Thoughts (1 Viewer)

Torview

Torview

Well-known member
Recent acquisition due to pet bills.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=248795


I was after something with resolution that could match my Victory FL, but with very little funds left for luxuries I went Porro Prism.

Normally I would go 8x42 but this 10x42 was on offer ex-demo at £130, so 10x it was, I`m not sure who if anybody actually ever demo`d it as its flawless, as new. Nice case.

Razor sharp optically, someone on here said "as sharp as anything at any price", they`re not wrong, easily a match for the Victory, dare I suggest even sharper, (this is from memory).

Very bright, whites are pure, blacks inky and deep, neutral colours to my eyes, wonderful Porro 3D image and great depth of focus, Birds really pop from the background.

Top build quality and lovely ergonomics, (for me).

Downsides ?, focus a tad slow and of course the narrow fov, I think I can learn to work round this with time and familiarity.

But that wonderful view, "washed clean" I`ve seen it described as on here, IMO anyone looking for, dare I say reference quality resolution, (I know some will chuckle), what roof anywhere near the price can come close ?, or match the 3D view ?

Thank you Porro Prisms, Thank you Opticron, I`m delighted.
 
If I understand this and your other posts correctly, you haven't been able to do a direct comparison between the HR WPs and your Zeiss Victory FL bins with their fluoride glass? (I trust your dog has now made a complete recovery.)

However, if porro bins at around £250 are a real match to similar spec'd roof bins at around £800+ or whatever, then it seems to me that very many of us have been willingly conned by the manufacturers over the last few years! When I made a special journey around two years ago to an Opticron dealer to try a pair of the HR WPs, (before making the journey, I had checked on his webpage.) he tried selling me just about any roof prism bin, until I twigged, and asked whether he had the HR WP in stock...

I do keep a pair of 8x25 roof in my rucksack but they are nowhere near as easy to use as any of my porro bins, 7x35, 8x42, and 7x50, all of them fairly low cost, with the 8x42s having a noticeable yellow tint. The small exit pupil on the 8x25s makes getting the inter pupil distance simply too fussy, but they are compact, waterproof, but not phase coated, and don't weigh much, 338g inc. case and they normally do travel with me, so tend to get used on my non-birdwatching outings.
 
Let me start off by saying that I don't doubt your experiences with them. I have owned all three of the internal focus porros that were/are available. They are amazing binoculars in almost every sense. I certainly agree with your overall assessment of them.

One thing that has niggled me at the back of my mind is the issue of CA control with these bins. I know Henry has mentioned other aberrations can play a larger part in optical performance but CA is still the "hot topic" when it comes to bin designs in the current market. Going by memory here the internal focus porros do a good job of controlling CA overall but they still fall a bit short of some of the better ED glass roofs in this area. That is my opinion and obviously not something I have tried to experiment with scientifically. Still, I believe it to be true.

My experience also tells me that CA can rob image quality in the areas of apparent sharpness and richness of colors. Since I never hear anything about a lack of apparent sharpness or the lack of colors in the internal focus porros I am left a bit confused. Any thoughts or ideas?

One hypothesis I thought of which may explain part of that is the fact that these are porros with the most pronounced 3D effect I an remember seeing (with the exception of the Vixen 7x50 Foresta). Could that pronounced 3D effect be giving the impression of excellent apparent sharpness? I know the easy answer to that one is simply to only look through one eyepiece but I can't say that I remember ever doing that to verify the situation one way or another.
 
Malcolm, sadly Kate succumbed to her problems, but thanks for asking.

I was actually able to compare HR WP and Victory side by side when I purchased the Victory`s, of course I`d gone with the funds to seal the deal and talked myself into the Zeiss, (after all it had to be better surely ?), but the view through those porro`s kept niggling the back of my mind, when I needed to start from scratch again I thought I`m going to buy the HR WP and see if I`m right.

Well I am right, these things are staggeringly good, I honestly find the image better than anything else I`v tried at any price, (I look forward to putting them alongside an HT !!), I`m not looking to buy anything else anytime soon, except probably an 8x42 HR WP to give me more choice, yes they really are that good, narrow fov aside.

Frank, I am susceptible to CA, the thing that leaned me toward the FL in the first place, it has`nt been an issue on the Opticron yet, so I doubt it will be much of a problem when/if I do see it.
 
I have owned the Victory FL and Opticron HR WP 8x42s. I agree with all assessments above; they do offer a staggering resolution but in my experience, CA was a bit of an issue. The other snag for me was the size of the optical sweet spot: if the whole FOV was the diameter of a tuppence then the sweet spot was a penny - pretty little given the already narrow FOV.

Sadly, although porros are technically superior to roof prisms, I regard their 3D effect as a form of distortion, because you are looking at images different from a simply magnified view of the naked eye's image (this incidentally, is why images appear smaller than roofs of the same magnification).

I still have the HR WPs but don't use them any more - I use Opticron roofs and take the hit in resolution.
 
smithhaddon123 said:
I have owned the Victory FL and Opticron HR WP 8x42s. I agree with all assessments above; they do offer a staggering resolution but in my experience, CA was a bit of an issue. The other snag for me was the size of the optical sweet spot: if the whole FOV was the diameter of a tuppence then the sweet spot was a penny - pretty little given the already narrow FOV.

Sadly, although porros are technically superior to roof prisms, I regard their 3D effect as a form of distortion, because you are looking at images different from a simply magnified view of the naked eye's image (this incidentally, is why images appear smaller than roofs of the same magnification).

I still have the HR WPs but don't use them any more - I use Opticron roofs and take the hit in resolution.
Click to expand...

Interesting take on the sweet spot size, I don`t have an 8x to compare but find my 10 is sharp almost to the edge, (Allbino`s quote first blurring at 93% on the 10x), CA still not been an issue yet but this may change as light levels increase through the coming Seasons, just a faint showing at the edge, infrequently.
 
Possibly a personal thing - it's certainly field curvature rather than lens quality (you can focus out most of the blur), so could be fussy eyes. I do find it noticeable, though.
 
Absolutely, I wonder how many reject the bin on first try due to the nfov and never look long enough to appreciate the resolution on offer, its not a bin for everyone but its great to know I`v not lost the plot regarding just how sharp these things are.
 
Another thing to consider with the HR WP's....

I have occasionally had an issue with how relaxed the image is to my eyes because of the image overlap/narrow field of view. Yesterday I tinkered with extending the eyecups as I noticed that the eyes train associated with this was lessened considerably as I moved the bins away from my eyes. Now you have to understand that I typically use all my bins with the eyecups fully collapsed as the shape of my face, and nose in particular dictates this. I don't wear glasses and I don't have problems with blackouts if I have the eyecups fully collapsed.

With the eyecups extended a quarter to half an inch I can still see the full field of view and the issue with the image overlap disappears completely. Interesting.

As for the size of the sweetspot, the 8x I have on hand now appears to have a generous sweetspot in daylight use. There is some field curvature as mentioned but I don't find it excessive and it appears, to my eyes, to be beneficial in the sense of apparent depth of field of which these bins excel.

As I use them again I am reminded of why/how so many people can compare them with much more expensive glass in a variety of areas.
 
In a side by side resolution test, is there anything at any price that is better ? If the tester is competent, honest, and has good vision, I believe the answer would more than likely be no.
 
Hr wp + BA = Heaven

Torview said:
Recent acquisition due to pet bills.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=248795


I was after something with resolution that could match my Victory FL, but with very little funds left for luxuries I went Porro Prism.

Normally I would go 8x42 but this 10x42 was on offer ex-demo at £130, so 10x it was, I`m not sure who if anybody actually ever demo`d it as its flawless, as new. Nice case.

Razor sharp optically, someone on here said "as sharp as anything at any price", they`re not wrong, easily a match for the Victory, dare I suggest even sharper, (this is from memory).

Very bright, whites are pure, blacks inky and deep, neutral colours to my eyes, wonderful Porro 3D image and great depth of focus, Birds really pop from the background.

Top build quality and lovely ergonomics, (for me).

Downsides ?, focus a tad slow and of course the narrow fov, I think I can learn to work round this with time and familiarity.

But that wonderful view, "washed clean" I`ve seen it described as on here, IMO anyone looking for, dare I say reference quality resolution, (I know some will chuckle), what roof anywhere near the price can come close ?, or match the 3D view ?

Thank you Porro Prisms, Thank you Opticron, I`m delighted.
Click to expand...

I rescently sold my Ultravid 8x42s and have replaced then with some 8x42 hr wp and to be honest, I dont see a great deal of difference .They are simply superb in all respects except FOV which I can live with. I then had the chance to get a pair of 8x32 ba at a very resonable price so now I am one happy bunny owning two of the best binoculars available having spent approx £500 for both. I dont think I will be replacing either of them for a very long time.....unless I win the lottery ofcourse.;)
 
Those little Trinnie`s are brilliant are`nt they ?, I had a good first try of the 8x32 Ultravid last Month, really liked those as well.

Going Birding on the Tamar Lakes tomorrow with the HRWP, still loving that pristine view, somehow the Birds look smarter !
 
Torview - have used Leupold 8x42 & 10x42 hr wp extensively - am person who doesn't see CA or look for it - other than cosmetics, the Leupold is identical to Opticron. Did a test a few years ago comparing the 8x42
in late dusk against SE 8x32 & FL 8x32 on deer. The 8x42 showed more detail than either the Nikon or the Zeiss. Shows what an extra 10 mm in obj. lens at dusk or 6 mm or 4 mm in exit pupil will do in poor light. Cost on a dollar basis probably makes it a best buy, period.

John
 
I do have to agree with everyone else's assessment of the HR WP.

I have recently had the opportunity to re-evaluate this binocular and I have to say that, aside from the field of view, the optical performance of this bin truly is impressive. I believe it to be the high light transmission level coupled with the 3D effect. It does display a moderate amount of CA outside of the sweet spot but obviously not enough within the sweetspot to take away from the excellent detail that the image provides.

Love the ergonomics too.
 
Had a great day at Tamar Lakes (20 Goosanders) and Bude Marshes, 1 Greenland White fronted Goose, I find in the first few moments I think "bit narrow on the fov", but once looking at and enjoying the Birds, the sheer quality of the view offsets that niggle, and it gets pushed to the back of my mind.

Did notice a tiny bit of CA at the edge if I went looking for it but otherwise pretty much a non issue.
 
I keep harping about these because I believe they are unique in the fact that they offer raw optical quality in their narrow FOV that is vastly superior to anything close in price. I have the 6.5X Fury and 8X ED2, so I do understand the enjoyment of a generous FOV and I love both of those models because of it. I am on the high end of the sensitivity scale when it comes to being bothered by CA, and that is my only serious gripe with the HR WP and also why I enjoy the ED2 so much. If you can accept a couple of minor caveats, the overall view is magic.
 
I`v been thinking back to what I`v tried that has the same quality of image (leaving out fov), and at what price that similarity came. Opticrons own DBA Mg and Aurora are excellent, (I`m a fan), but in terms of purity and clarity are beaten by the HRWP IMO.

For me the same level of image comes with the Meopta HD and thats 3-4 times the price.
 
The fact that this is being said about a lower mid-priced binocular is amazing, and it's also quite true. The thing that's even more amazing is the general lack of interest beyond a small group of owners. This family of IF Porros are the Rodney Dangerfield's of the binocular world.:-O

Torview said:
Malcolm, sadly Kate succumbed to her problems, but thanks for asking.

I was actually able to compare HR WP and Victory side by side when I purchased the Victory`s, of course I`d gone with the funds to seal the deal and talked myself into the Zeiss, (after all it had to be better surely ?), but the view through those porro`s kept niggling the back of my mind, when I needed to start from scratch again I thought I`m going to buy the HR WP and see if I`m right.

Well I am right, these things are staggeringly good, I honestly find the image better than anything else I`v tried at any price, (I look forward to putting them alongside an HT !!), I`m not looking to buy anything else anytime soon, except probably an 8x42 HR WP to give me more choice, yes they really are that good, narrow fov aside.

Frank, I am susceptible to CA, the thing that leaned me toward the FL in the first place, it has`nt been an issue on the Opticron yet, so I doubt it will be much of a problem when/if I do see it.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
3rd. time lucky*

I'm more into long lens bird photography than birding per se, but have had an interest in the small Opticron HR WP range for some time. Actually purchasing a pair has proved elusive until today, when my ex-demo pair of 10x42 arrived by courier. (They were effectively as new complete with Warranty Card.)

I've taken a great interest in and guidance from the comments posted here, so even though the weather here in Milton Keynes today has been foul (very dull indeed, and drizzle or rain, but at least not windy or cold), I've been out twice to try out my new toy. Unfortunately I don't own any particularly exotic pair of binoculars to compare with, but this morning I did notice the very clean whites and the ability to define small highlights such as raindrops on birds' feathers. (My other binoculars simply weren't in the same league.)
Later, in the afternoon, when the weather was worse, I was watching a dunnock scrabble around below a dripping hedge, and its stripes were clearly marked. I did a brief check for CA using the fine branches of a tree against the sky, and saw none. I did notice the 3D effect, and perhaps it's my imagination, but it seemed more pronounced than with my other bins - 8x42 Porro & 7x50 Porro. Don't understand, but perhaps the slightly higher magnification, 10x, was helping.

So, thanks to all here for your comments.

(* 1st. attempt at purchase (of 8x42) - drove 40 miles to specialist binocular stockist whose website had them listed. He tried to sell me any roof prism, until I asked if he actually had them in stock...
2nd. attempt. On returning from Birmingham last Monday I dropped in to another specialist. Apparently, they were listed on his stock-list, but weren't in the display cupboard or stockroom.
3rd. attempt. Spotted a pair of ex-demo 10x listed by Sherwoods, so I ordered. First class service, complete with courier who gave me the predicted delivery time to within an hour slot - excellent! They arrived just about in the middle of the time slot, well packed etc.)
 
I spent a lovely day at Bude and Widemouth Bay today, very bright blue sky and warm sunshine especially in the Pub beer garden overlooking Widemouth Bay, where I enjoyed a fine pint of Tribute.

It was the first time I`v been able to use the HRWP in really bright light, I looked for flaring when pointing towards the Sun and found none even pointing dangerously close to the Sun, better than all my other recent bins, very impressive.

I also looked for CA in the obvious places and found it very well controlled, there was some at the edge if looking for it but nothing of any concern.

I was more aware of the distortion that Allbino`s spoke of, but this was when deliberately looking for it.

My respect for this binocular keeps growing.
 
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