Kimmo,kabsetz said:Joe,
Your bottom line is valid and sensible. However, my experience with IS binoculars has shown me that birders by and large do not understand or appreciate the benefits unless they have given themselves enough time with the binocular in the field. In quick trials, at least with the 15x50, they tend to be initially awed by the IS, then they very quickly shift their attention to weight, bulk, odd handling (and the the case of the 15x50, also the slightly softer, dimmer and lower-contrast image), the need for electricity etc., and then convince themselves that "this is fine, but not for me". They also manage to consider them hugely expensive, although they actually cost less than many non-IS premiums. We'll see if this conclusion will be significantly harder to reach with the 10x42, but I have decided that if and when I get myself a 10x42 IS, I'll try to respect other people's right to think that because it looks odd or weighs 200g more than binocular X or Y, it is not for them. The truth of the matter is that nobody can see the same amount of detail in a handheld non-IS binocular, even if the magnification is only 8x. Most people are accustomed to a shaky image and don't realize how much it takes away from the view, but once you get used to a stable image, shaky ones are pretty intolerable.
By the way, how does your Canon behave with points of light such as stars? The 15x50 IS tends to induce coma if you don't hold the binocular quite still - does the 10x42 suffer from this at all?
Kimmo
oddbodd said:I hope it's alright to post a link to an internet retailer? I noticed these bino's at a good price so thought I'd let you know http://www.abc-digital-cameras.co.uk/p2626-canon-10x42l-is-wp-binoculars.htm
Cheers,
Oddbodd.
oddbodd said:I hope it's alright to post a link to an internet retailer? I noticed these bino's at a good price so thought I'd let you know http://www.abc-digital-cameras.co.uk/p2626-canon-10x42l-is-wp-binoculars.htm
Cheers,
Oddbodd.
oddbodd said::eek!: They have shot up! That is a lot of money for a pair of bino's, can't see how they will sell many at that price.
Cheers,
Oddbodd.
jimscarff said:I bought my 10x42L IS binocs at Eagle Optics for $1,200 - $100 Canon rebate. The price there and at other discounters (BH Photo) is now back as MSRP $1,599! At that price, I think that Canon is asking a lot, given their weight.
jogiba said:Ok, you are right but the 10x42L's have better optics, lighter weight , much longer battery life and a close focus of 8.2 ft vs 19.7 ft for the 15x50 and 18x50's. I can pan birds or planes in flight much better with the 10x42L's than my 12x36 IS II's and I think 15x or 18x is pushing the limits of the Canon IS system IMHO.
Joe
werewolf said:I think they could be the best binoculars of them all, by far - but not yet. Wait until they get the bugs out, wait for the next generation.
Mark Ansell said:Any specifics? What is it about them you don't like?
Mark
I use 12X36s and I love them but I have to be honest and say the IS is of very little use in high wind, you would be very disappointed if you bought them for that reason, close focus is none to clever either.Mark Ansell said:I use Zeiss Classic 7 x 42's bins right now and wouldn't trade them for anything, but there are times when the extra magnification and IS feature would come in handy ,especially for windy conditions.
Thanks
Mark
Mark Ansell said:Any specifics? What is it about them you don't like?
Mark
hinnark said:Nothing but the weight...
Steve
Mickymouse said:I use 12X36s and I love them but I have to be honest and say the IS is of very little use in high wind, you would be very disappointed if you bought them for that reason, close focus is none to clever either.
Mick
That is probable true, I have never compared I just didn't want to make any outrageous claims for what the Canons can do, wind buffeting is not their strong point. When and if I ever find myself with pots of money to upgrade my bins it will be for one of the aforementioned Canons, having got used to IS I wouldn't consider spending big money on bins that didn't have it.hinnark said:Mick,
but on the other hand: wouldn´t the Canon IS binocular work better in high wind than any non stabilized binocular?
Steve
werewolf said:The eyepiece adjustors are too bulky and uncomfortable and poorly made - like a crude screw device - they do not lock in place properly. Also, the binocs were not perfectly collimated.