Firstly, i've put this in the general bins category as the issues may apply to other small EP optics where users might have experienced problems.
As context, various posters have in the past discussed the Nikon M7 8x30. Initially, there were reports of unpainted rings in early models, while others experienced various glare issues, particularly in slanting, low light (often veiling glare, but - as in my own case- occasional small 'crescents' in the lower quadrant).
I've had mine two years now, and feel that (after using them in many light conditions and trying to induce as many problems as possible) the main issue is that eye position needs to be very, very precise.
This is not a problem if these are your only bins, as you soon develop 'eye memory;' however, my main tool is a Zeiss FL 8x32, and swapping back to the M7 often requires a period of assimilation.
A colleague of mine (and a birder of some repute) never seems to employ the eyecups on either his binoculars or scope, despite never wearing glasses for birding or otherwise, but hovers his eyes off the eyepiece in what i began to think of as 'virtual eye relief.'
While having experimented with other positions on the M7 eyecups, i'd never tried this, so - while out on a local survey last weekend - thought i'd see what it was like.
A revelation was what it was like! Obviously, it took a little experimentation, and at first i developed a technique of ensuring the thumb knuckles (under the barrels) were just touching either side of my nose. This kept a degree of consistency, and ensured the bins remained in line with my eyes (never appreciating before the role of the eye cup in locking the two together).
The view was wide, bright and effortless (after a while) and i even found i could wander around the view, in a way i couldn't with eyecups extended; when the bins were brought up fast, i'd forget, and bang the eyepiece into my face, but even that stopped after a while. I experienced no glares, reflections or vignetting at all, and i don't think it's overstating it to say it was like having new bins.
I haven't tried this with my other sets, principally because they have never been the subject of such a discussion, but i thought i'd put this out there for any of the other M7 users who may still be struggling with getting the right eye position consistently. I was using them on a very bright, sunny morning, and used them with the sun in front, behind and to the side of me.
I should point out that i don't wear glasses, and do not have particularly deep-set eyes. These may or may not be important factors, but all i can say is that it worked for me, and i'm now running the eyecups flat on the M7 and have got used to not wandering off the exit pupil when panning, which was the initial issue with this technique.
My friend's bins are 10x42 Swaros, so he's not doing it for the same reason - he just likes it, and is obviously very used to it, as he does exactly the same on his Habicht 80mm scope.
Paddy
As context, various posters have in the past discussed the Nikon M7 8x30. Initially, there were reports of unpainted rings in early models, while others experienced various glare issues, particularly in slanting, low light (often veiling glare, but - as in my own case- occasional small 'crescents' in the lower quadrant).
I've had mine two years now, and feel that (after using them in many light conditions and trying to induce as many problems as possible) the main issue is that eye position needs to be very, very precise.
This is not a problem if these are your only bins, as you soon develop 'eye memory;' however, my main tool is a Zeiss FL 8x32, and swapping back to the M7 often requires a period of assimilation.
A colleague of mine (and a birder of some repute) never seems to employ the eyecups on either his binoculars or scope, despite never wearing glasses for birding or otherwise, but hovers his eyes off the eyepiece in what i began to think of as 'virtual eye relief.'
While having experimented with other positions on the M7 eyecups, i'd never tried this, so - while out on a local survey last weekend - thought i'd see what it was like.
A revelation was what it was like! Obviously, it took a little experimentation, and at first i developed a technique of ensuring the thumb knuckles (under the barrels) were just touching either side of my nose. This kept a degree of consistency, and ensured the bins remained in line with my eyes (never appreciating before the role of the eye cup in locking the two together).
The view was wide, bright and effortless (after a while) and i even found i could wander around the view, in a way i couldn't with eyecups extended; when the bins were brought up fast, i'd forget, and bang the eyepiece into my face, but even that stopped after a while. I experienced no glares, reflections or vignetting at all, and i don't think it's overstating it to say it was like having new bins.
I haven't tried this with my other sets, principally because they have never been the subject of such a discussion, but i thought i'd put this out there for any of the other M7 users who may still be struggling with getting the right eye position consistently. I was using them on a very bright, sunny morning, and used them with the sun in front, behind and to the side of me.
I should point out that i don't wear glasses, and do not have particularly deep-set eyes. These may or may not be important factors, but all i can say is that it worked for me, and i'm now running the eyecups flat on the M7 and have got used to not wandering off the exit pupil when panning, which was the initial issue with this technique.
My friend's bins are 10x42 Swaros, so he's not doing it for the same reason - he just likes it, and is obviously very used to it, as he does exactly the same on his Habicht 80mm scope.
Paddy
