I am a binocular user with the early stages of Parkinson's. I now use 6x binoculars and find that these low power binoculars provide an acceptable image. As my disease progresses I will have to consider using image stabilising binoculars. Has anyone with Parkinson's, experience of using image stabilising equipment?
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User with early stages of Parkinson's (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mgsphilip
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edwincjones
Well-known member
Or going one step further with tripod mounted binoculars?
IS seems reasonable, but I have no experience with them either.
edj
IS seems reasonable, but I have no experience with them either.
edj
I have tried using binoculars mounted on a tripod. An excellent combination for distance viewing of landscapes.
However I prefer the experience of using my Nikon ED50 telescope with a 16x eyepiece. The wide angle view is like looking through a clear widow, the image is almost distortion free.
However I prefer the experience of using my Nikon ED50 telescope with a 16x eyepiece. The wide angle view is like looking through a clear widow, the image is almost distortion free.
Apologies, I know very little about the disease and the degree of stabilisation that might be required. From my limited experience of Canon IS I suspect the dynamic range may not be adequate. I believe the Fujinon and Nikon may be better in that regard. It might be a naive suggestion, but I find weight to be a very effective damper. Adding a few hundred grams to your current pair is a very cheap experiment.
Best wishes,
David
Best wishes,
David
I could easily imagine that IS does help you. I'd recommend the 10x30 Canon IS because of lightweight. It would be very useful to try these in a shop before buying. An alternative with a more effective image stabilisation would be the 12x32 Fujinon Technostabi. But this comes with an increase of weight compared with the Canon.
Steve
I have only tried Canon 10x30 briefly, and the stabilization is amazing. However, there was an odd dizzying effect on me, although few people complain of it. The stabilization removes all visual queues as to your body orientation. The image was steady, but I felt like I was beginning to lean over. The image remained steady, and the effect got stronger, until I darned near toppled off my feet! I imagine a little practice would get over that though.
I've read some discussions of the merits of the various brands. It is said that while the Fujinon and Nikon have a greater angular stabilization range, they are most effective for the rather slow undulations of a swaying boat. The Canon allegedly works better for the higher frequencies of nerve jitters.
You have a good attitude. Good birding and good luck.
Ron
I've read some discussions of the merits of the various brands. It is said that while the Fujinon and Nikon have a greater angular stabilization range, they are most effective for the rather slow undulations of a swaying boat. The Canon allegedly works better for the higher frequencies of nerve jitters.
You have a good attitude. Good birding and good luck.
Ron
There is a 10x30 IS in the classifieds:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=208797
I hope you can find something that works for you.
Todd
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=208797
I hope you can find something that works for you.
Todd
edwincjones
Well-known member
this is a topic we know little about
please give us followup of you choices and results
edj
please give us followup of you choices and results
edj
mercedes_sl1970
Active member
Hi - very sorry to hear about your situation. My father-in-law had Parkinson's disease and still found he could use 7-8x binos, however I am sure he would have benefited from image stabilisation.
Best of luck.
Andrew
Best of luck.
Andrew
Pose a question up in the Canon subforum. There are some IS users here, but your question, as it appears on the displayed line, would not especially attract their attention. You can even do a search of that forum on various keywords like "10x30" and found a lot of information.
Ron
Ron
mooreorless
Well-known member
I have had Parkinson's for about 5 years. And the setup that works very well for me is a pair of Zeiss 7x42 on a monopod with a swivel head.
The7x42's large exit pupil helps a lot
The monopod is a Bogen 334B three (3) section monopod that utilizes a single handed trigger to quickly adjust the height.
If you do most of your birding looking fairly horizontal you don't need a head. You can just attach a Leica universal binocular adapter to the monopod and you are in business. I have owned both the Leica and Zeiss universal adapters and I prefer the Leica model
If you look up into trees you need a swivel head between the monopod and the adapter. You can buy the simple (and cheap) Bogen 234RC Monopod Tilt Top head. Or a better and smoother unit would be the Bogen 700RC2 and just take the handle off.
The monopod costs about $100. The 234RC head costs about $40 and the Leica adapter costs about $100. So for about $240 you can whip that blankety blank Parkinson's Disease.
My PD is so bad that I am unable to write at all. But the above described unit keeps me doing the thing I enjoy
God bless
Dan Bogler
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