Position of focus wheel (1 Viewer)

[Canip]

Here is a random selection of binoculars showing how widely the position of the focus wheel can vary. From right to left, Kite Cervus has the focus wheel next to the eyepieces; the Bushnell Forge has it just a bit further away from the eypieces, while the Swaro NL moves it closer towards the center of the binocular. The Zeiss SFL has them at the center or even slightly closer to the objective lenses. The Kern Alpin had the focus wheel fully down by the objectives, whereas the Optolyth Royal left the user the choice between two focus wheels, one close to the eyepieces and on at the other end.

Is my impression correct that especially in the premium sector, some manufacturers lately have been moving the focus wheel more towards the center of the binocular (Zeiss SF, SFL, Swaro NL - exception Leica), since that seems to leave the user ergonomically more choices?

 

[William Lewis]

I think tradition has a bearing on where the focus wheel is usually currently placed. Old porro's always (almost, I'm sure there's an exception!) had then down near the eye cups as it needed to move the eye cups so it made sense to have it there. This was then adopted as the position for roofs, it also makes sense to have it near the eye piece for central diopter adjustment. Is it better near the objectives? For stability when focusing - yes, for agility probably not, a more central focus wheel gives you a bit of the best of both worlds. It probably makes most sense to have the focus wheel in a slightly different place depending on the magnification of the binocular.

 

[Bino Steve]

I have a vintage 20x60 Tasco porro that has focus wheel way up by objective end. Every time I reach to focus, it's not where I think it should be. Lol. Too trained on the traditional location near the eyepieces. Lol.

 

[Hermann]

IOld porro's always (almost, I'm sure there's an exception!) had then down near the eye cups ...

Among the exceptions are few pretty well known Zeiss West porros: 8x50B, 10x50 and the 15x60 in its various incarnations, including the 15x60 BGAT*.

Hermann

 

[Thotmosis]

I have a vintage 20x60 Tasco porro that has focus wheel way up by objective end. Every time I reach to focus, it's not where I think it should be. Lol. Too trained on the traditional location near the eyepieces. Lol.

I had something similar the first week i got my 8x30 IF 😂

 

[james holdsworth]

Zeiss started their recent concept with the HT focus wheel placement.

 

[Maljunulo]

Zeiss started their recent concept with the HT focus wheel placement.

As I recall, they trumpeted rather loudly about it too.

 

[John A Roberts]

Regarding the Zeiss HT and SF models (and an unnamed competitor), in relation to focuser placement and balance,
see 4 pages from 'The Art of Precision' brochure, that was released with the introduction of the SF.
The 32 page 12 MB brochure can be found at: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1261/5661/files/victory_sf_-_the_art_of_precisionii_original.pdf


John

 

[John A Roberts]

Like some others mentioned, some earlier Swarovski’s also had the focuser located at the front of the bridge:
the SL Porro prism line starting in 1980; the SLC x30 roof prisms starting in 1985, and; the original Pocket models starting in 1989.


John

Not anywhere near to scale: SL 7x50; SLC neu 8x30, and; Pocket 10x25

 

[Foss]

Cool thread, Canip.
The SFL & 8x32 NL look similar in size in the photo. Has anyone (ahem) done a shootout between the two?
~ Foss

 

[dries1]

Good thread Canip, and thanks john for the additional photos. The SLC Neu 8X30 with the focus near the objectives, it is a very useful glass, for those one handed situations. The optics are excellent.

 

[pat mitchel]

A couple of old porros had a focus wheel aft of the hinge in addition to a focus drum between the hinges. Several had the wheel forward of the forward hinge. An aside, was there ever a "fast focus"- rocker style roof, or the under the body thumb lever fast focus on a roof? another aside, I do have several porros that have the diopter adjust on the objectives. Regards, Pat

 

[Loud Green Man]

Courtesy of “Cloudy Nights” website:

LGM

 

[Troubador]

Zeiss started their recent concept with the HT focus wheel placement.

Exactly James. HT provided an 'open-hinge grip' with 1st finger falling naturally on the focus wheel which was located closer to the objectives than was traditional, and all without an open-hinge!

Lee

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi James and Lee,

The focuser style used on the Zeiss HT (2012) and the SF (2015), was used earlier on the little promoted Weaver Super Slam x45 of 2009.
All have a more forward located 'upside down focuser’ (one attached to the front face of the bridge containing the mechanism),
to give a more natural index finger placement.

As can be seen, the Weaver lacks an additional bridge immediately in front of the focuser, and instead has a separated one
like the Swarovski EL and EL SV (some more details are at: Weaver Super Slam - an Interesting Oddity? )


John

 

[james holdsworth]

With a name like “super slam”, I’m sure it was a durable product.

 

[Loud Green Man]

I would need to trawl my 1970’s editions of Guns & Ammo to confirm exactly which sports optics manufacturers offered a model with the rocker fast-focus feature but there were most certainly a few. I’m sure Weatherby was one of them along with more familiar names such as Burris, Nikon, Tasco and Leupold.

LGM

 

[Bino Steve]

The worst being this Focal Siam Cat with the vertical , not horizontal, paddle bar you push with your finger tips. This in mine. Awful device.

 

[james holdsworth]

I would need to trawl my 1970’s editions of Guns & Ammo to confirm exactly which sports optics manufacturers offered a model with the rocker fast-focus feature but there were most certainly a few. I’m sure Weatherby was one of them along with more familiar names such as Burris, Nikon, Tasco and Leupold.

LGM

My 2nd ever pair, Bushnell 7x35 Sportview Instafocus, had a rocker. Way too fast and imprecise.

 

[Loud Green Man]

My 2nd ever pair, Bushnell 7x35 Sportview Instafocus, had a rocker. Way too fast and imprecise.

I’m sure and can only imagine what a horrible experience it would be once a degree of slop/over-travel crept in due to loosening of the gearing, as is certain to be the case given the leverage in play with this type of mechanism.

LGM