brocknroller
porromaniac
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The Most Beautiful Binoculars in the World (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter chirundu
- Start date
chirundu
Well-known member
I do like your selections, in fact the the Swarovski EL & Zeiss HT are already in my gallery. The Minox APO HG is also a beauty as indeed I personally think are most of their new bins -as you can see I already have a couple of theirs on the list.
As for the pic of the Nikon's you posted ... they are really nice, but perhaps the user is even more beautiful?
The Zeiss Dialyt 7x42 definitely makes me go WOW! What a Beauty.
I think one thing that has already come out of this thread is just how many still like the look of the older designs, so perhaps I should create another gallery just for discontinued or even vintage models?
Robert Wallace
Well-known member
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Kammerdiner
Well-known member
This one gets my vote.
Just kidding. Actually I just googled "ugly binoculars" to find it. I don't even know what it is. Sorry, but I think porros are mostly uglier than roofs. They generally look like improvised contraptions. Some kind of steampunk thing. If that's your style...have at it.
Mark
Just kidding. Actually I just googled "ugly binoculars" to find it. I don't even know what it is. Sorry, but I think porros are mostly uglier than roofs. They generally look like improvised contraptions. Some kind of steampunk thing. If that's your style...have at it.
Mark
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NoSpringChicken
Well-known member
I have to agree with you, although I think those Minox porros on Chirundu's list are pleasingly crisp and stylish.
Ron
Kammerdiner
Well-known member
Agreed on the Minox. I almost bought the Minox 10x44 BD BP BT BLT BS B...what? back when they were closing them out. The narrow FOV kept me from doing so. I kind of regret it though.
Mark
To me, that is clearly the Leica Ultravids 8x20 and 10x25. But not the one you selected, rather the all black versions.
Of the porros, it's Leupold Yosemite 6x30 or 8x30, in their original design.
I love clear lines that have no major interruptions. Thus no bi-colored ones, for example. And no lady-bug dots either. Add to this the feel they convey, even when one only looks at them. Thus no irritating (to the touch) ribs of any kind. Without handling such ribbed models, I already feel irritated just by thinking how non-smooth they must feel.
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james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
Stephen,
It looks like you live in birding / bino heaven - I am quite envious. What a backyard!
It looks like you live in birding / bino heaven - I am quite envious. What a backyard!
A sample of (2) Different styles- for different folks.
Both have different lines and to me are beautiful in their own way. I do like the aesthetics of the EL/SV binoculars along with the traditional Habicht's.
stephen b: I agree with your view on both binos as being beautiful--I would probably throw in the EL 42 & EL 50 SVs in as well! :t:
Chosun Juan
Given to Fly
I just googled "sexy binoculars" ...... I can't even post what came up !! :eek!: :-O
Chosun :gh:
Robert Wallace
Well-known member
Stephen B's excellent photograph demonstrates the aesthetic differences between porro and roof prisms. I think it also demonstrates the smooth and silky styling of the roof prism giving them overall advantage in the beauty competition.
On reflection there are also significant differences between the European (Z) stying and the American (B) porro prism styling. I remember the popularity of the Swift Audabon 8.5 x 44 amongst UK birdwatchers in the 1970s. The smooth flowing body coupled with a large focussing wheel between the bridge hinges, produced an aesthetically attractive binocular.
I own and use the Classic Zeiss 7x42 and 10x40 but would never describe the 7x42 as "beautiful", the 10x40 IMO is much better looking. Since the 10x40 Dialyt I don't think Zeiss have produced a nice looking binocular until the new HD and HTs. I could almost describe them as "sexy" but won't (see post above)!
On reflection there are also significant differences between the European (Z) stying and the American (B) porro prism styling. I remember the popularity of the Swift Audabon 8.5 x 44 amongst UK birdwatchers in the 1970s. The smooth flowing body coupled with a large focussing wheel between the bridge hinges, produced an aesthetically attractive binocular.
I own and use the Classic Zeiss 7x42 and 10x40 but would never describe the 7x42 as "beautiful", the 10x40 IMO is much better looking. Since the 10x40 Dialyt I don't think Zeiss have produced a nice looking binocular until the new HD and HTs. I could almost describe them as "sexy" but won't (see post above)!
I agree with you. The Nikon SE is beautiful to an engineer thanks to the high quality finish, but probably not to ordinary people.
Most Swarovskis bins are rather attractive, clearly they take care to make them look nice. The old Trinovids are not bad either.
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2nd that! I feel the Habicht are the most beautiful binoculars I have ever seen and I have had a lot of them.Agree ^
I know that I think mine is both beautiful to look at and to look through!
I much prefer the look of porro's with their classic lines and I much prefer their view. I get this one next week. I also have the 10x42 version under the Leupold Cascade name. Superb value and to me beautiful lines. The Opticron 8x42 HR WP. A waterproof internal focusing state of the art porro that will outperform almost any roof with spectacular 3D images and crystalline clear razor sharp views.
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Robert Wallace
Well-known member
Oh Denis I thought you were like Emperor Nero, an "arbiter of style".
I own both East and West German Zeiss 8x30 porros and both are better looking than the Habicht.
The CZJ 8x30 was probably the template for the style of the Habicht model but why the ugly exposed screw heads on the bridge absent from the CZJ?
Unfortunately I asked my wife which she thought the better looking and she chose the CZJ rather than the West German Zeiss. I can't argue about her taste because years ago in the tap room of "The Murgatroyde Arms" was displayed this notice. "Never criticise your wife's judgement. Look who she married".
I own both East and West German Zeiss 8x30 porros and both are better looking than the Habicht.
The CZJ 8x30 was probably the template for the style of the Habicht model but why the ugly exposed screw heads on the bridge absent from the CZJ?
Unfortunately I asked my wife which she thought the better looking and she chose the CZJ rather than the West German Zeiss. I can't argue about her taste because years ago in the tap room of "The Murgatroyde Arms" was displayed this notice. "Never criticise your wife's judgement. Look who she married".
