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Best compromise for a pair of Woodland binoculars ideally 7x ? (1 Viewer)

Boogieshrew said:
Before spending £1000 how about trying the

Opticron Discovery WP PC 7x42​

If you like it you'll save a packet. It's only £180.

I've not tried it myself but I think there were some good opinions of it here when it was released.

If you decide 7x42 isn't for you, you haven't lost much at all.
Click to expand...
I owned a pair …they are very nice…but they don’t wow me either
 
Richard D said:
I'd consider 7x35, but the only one I know of is the 'Retrovid' and new in the UK I've not seen them for less than £1200. I can see their appeal, although I think Leica is charging a lot for nostalgia value / retro appeal when you compare the pricing to their other Trinovids.
Click to expand...
They might be retro but the optics are fully modernized. You can’t compare them to trinovid. Some reviewers rate them higher then some of the binoculars you mentioned in your original post


Leica Trinovid 7x35 ('Retrovid') Review

scopeviews.co.uk scopeviews.co.uk
 
Has anyone any experience of the Optolyth 7x42 Roof Tourers? I seem to remember they were pretty well thought of in the late 90's but I'm guessing they're probably lacking good coatings compared to modern binoculars. I came across a pair described as in exceptional condition for £200. My only experience with Optolyth was with a used 80's draw scope many years back that I passed on. They seem to have largely disappeared as a serious player.
 
Richard

Consider the Swift Osprey 7.5x42. On a quick read, it ticks all your boxes. The Osprey survives the years very well. I've bought two, both in perfect, effectively brand new, condition. They would have saved you some change: they each cost me under £20. They cost a little more now. If you read up the Osprey, you see'll that Simon Spiers, Bencw, I think it was Optic Nut, and maybe others speak well of the Osprey, but comment upon the 'tunnel like' or 'restricted' field of view. I've just posted on the Swift section how I've successfully fettled mine to get the full 7* field of view. The other issue with the Osprey in my hands has been blackouts. I managed to limit their occurence to the same low incidence that I experience in my other binoculars. Essentially, working backwards, I conclude in both regards that the Osprey is particularly sensitive to the exact positioning of the eyes at the point of eye relief.

Stephen
 
Richard D said:
I'm mainly an open land /coastal border - for anyone who knows Kent typically- South Swale NNR, Oare Marshes and the creeks in between. Here my Habicht 10x40's suit my needs well - I can track Marsh Harriers in flight happily, I'm not radically changing distances frequently and the 10x DoF isn't a problem. For general walks I carry CL 8x25's and again find they work well as general purpose binoculars - I've rarely felt the need for full-size 8x30s. However I'm wanting to do more woodland birding and neither pair is ideal for that once the tree canopy has formed.

Optics manufacturers seem to have largely abandoned the 7x42 format and choices are slim. Budget £1000 max, preferably lower - don't mind ex-demo or secondhand if in great condition but not looking for a beaten up pair that might involve substantial servicing costs a year down the line.

Happy to compromise on:

Edge sharpness, just want a decent central sweet spot
Weight (I don't mind bricks)
Much as I love the Porro 3D view will put up with flatter views
Styling
Water Resistance - don't need fully waterproof but want something that won't fog up from being caught in a shower or through temperature changes
Eye relief - I don't wear glasses and only need 0.75 dioptre difference
Would consider 8x and reduction in DoF if that's best option

Don't want:

Anything but very slight CA - I seem sensitive to it, obviously light edge CA is bearable but even 'moderate' central CA is a no go.
Sloppy focusing
Anything likely to be unrepairable if it develops a fault.
Strong colour cast

Thoughts:

The 7x42 Habichts are an obvious option, liking the 10x42, but the limited FoV does raise questions. Within budget and available new.

7x42 Leica Ultravids - used seem to sell for more than budget - might be lucky with the pre HD+ model

7x42 Leica BA/BN - Seem to be about £700 for a good used example - how well do they control CA? Do seals and focusing hold up as they're getting pretty old.

7x42 Swarovski SLC - Seem rare secondhand and mainly the older black versions in heavily used condition (I get completely confused as to how to tell the versions apart though, and what the practical differences are).

7x 42 Zeiss Diaylt - Anything other than a pair with cracking armour or a hard life seem to be at top of budget and getting very old.

7x42 Nikon EDG - top of budget used, hard to find and Nikon might not repair second owner models

Curveball option - seen New Old Stock 7x50 SLCneu s for about £900 - only seen reviews from astro and killing communities. Other than being weighty are they an option?

Should I reconsider 8x40/42s even with the reduced dof?


Thanks for any thoughts/additional suggestions
Click to expand...
Hi Richard, an additional suggestion would be the 6.5x32 RSPB HD binoculars. Not quite 7x power I know but a very good performer for the money (£379). It focusses clockwise to infinity has a 10 year warranty and is serviced if necessary by Viking Optical.

RSPB HD Binoculars 8 x 32 - RSPB Shop Drop down menu links to the 6.5x model.
 
Mike C said:
Have you considered a "cheap" second hand pair ?
I spotted this advertisement earlier.
This isn’t a recommendation, just a suggestion

Click to expand...
Used is certainly an option I'm considering - I'm wary of going too low end as in my experience excellent control of CA and cheap roofs rarely go together, and I seem sensitive to CA (I've bought reasonably high end Bushnells in the past and had to give them away).
 
Richard D said:
Used is certainly an option I'm considering - I'm wary of going too low end as in my experience excellent control of CA and cheap roofs rarely go together, and I seem sensitive to CA (I've bought reasonably high end Bushnells in the past and had to give them away).
Click to expand...
If not for buying for far under retail I wouldn't have my Ultravids. Buying used is the best dollar stretcher available and allows one to buy above their given budget allowance.
 
Indeed a used Zeiss FL 7x42 does look like an excellent fit. Saw one recently on the LCEGroup site but, as you suggest, it wasn't there for long :rolleyes:. Someone gave a link further up to the Scopeviews review of the Trinovid 7x35. Here's the 7x42 Victory FL one :

Zeiss Victory 7x42 FL Review

www.scopeviews.co.uk www.scopeviews.co.uk
The criticism there of the field curvature may not apply to woodland birding; in fact quite the reverse since it may give the impression of increased depth of field. Wonder if tinted light under a woodland canopy would reduce chromatic aberration issues for you. Then again I suppose looking up into canopy there's still the risk of fringed silhouettes...

The Kowa BDII 6.5x32 might be worth a look for its fabulous FOV; reports of decent control of false colour issues though maybe distortion at the periphery might bring attention to itself while panning.

If I knew how to send a pm I'd be asking BFer edwincjones how he's getting on with the Kowa for woodland birding. I've seen a post over on Cloudynights where he suggested he preferred the Zeiss FL 8x32 perhaps suggesting he's finding the 6.5 magnification a bit low.
 
Richard D said:
Used is certainly an option I'm considering - I'm wary of going too low end as in my experience excellent control of CA and cheap roofs rarely go together, and I seem sensitive to CA (I've bought reasonably high end Bushnells in the past and had to give them away).
Click to expand...

Well, in this case, it would cost a whopping £94 to find out, whereas it’s going to be hundreds (many hundreds following some suggestion).

If I had this predicament, I would buy the £94 ones as advertised and agree with a fellow bird forum member on the possibility of a refund if you weren’t happy.
 
normjackson said:
Indeed a used Zeiss FL 7x42 does look like an excellent fit. Saw one recently on the LCEGroup site but, as you suggest, it wasn't there for long :rolleyes:. Someone gave a link further up to the Scopeviews review of the Trinovid 7x35. Here's the 7x42 Victory FL one :

Zeiss Victory 7x42 FL Review

www.scopeviews.co.uk www.scopeviews.co.uk
The criticism there of the field curvature may not apply to woodland birding; in fact quite the reverse since it may give the impression of increased depth of field. Wonder if tinted light under a woodland canopy would reduce chromatic aberration issues for you. Then again I suppose looking up into canopy there's still the risk of fringed silhouettes...

The Kowa BDII 6.5x32 might be worth a look for its fabulous FOV; reports of decent control of false colour issues though maybe distortion at the periphery might bring attention to itself while panning.

If I knew how to send a pm I'd be asking BFer edwincjones how he's getting on with the Kowa for woodland birding. I've seen a post over on Cloudynights where he suggested he preferred the Zeiss FL 8x32 perhaps suggesting he's finding the 6.5 magnification a bit low.
Click to expand...

I have the Kowa 6.5x32 and I love them. Crazy wide field of views, no CA, but some distortion that can be focused out.

I prefer the Kowa 6.5x over all my 8x32 for astronomy. They have a better exit pupil and I can pick up nebula better. They also outperform my 8x32 in dusk or low light situations

the 8x32 I have are the mavens, Nikon m7, and Meopta
 
Last edited:
Precision focussing
normjackson said:
Re-reading the original post, I note one of Richard's peeves is sloppy focusing. How do you feel they perform there?
Click to expand...
One of my reasons for mentioning the Swift Osprey was that Swift's 'Precision' design of focusser, as fitted to the Osprey, has been singled out in the past by posters on the Forums with experience of using and repairing other models of binocular for high praise.

The caution, as for other old binoculars, though of course still applies: In my experience of Ebay purchases, etc, Swift 'Precision' focussers can wear out!

Stephen
 
Thank you for people's thoughts. I've probably cut out as many options as I've added now :)
I don't desperately need a pair until the trees are in full leaf so it's not urgent (although impatience or rash action may get to me first!).
 
RichardD, post 24,
On the WEB-site of House of Outdoor we have published an investigation of the Optolyth Touring 7x42 roof. Its shape seems to be inspired by the Leitz 7x42.We found the following data: weight 835g, FOV 140m/1000m, Close focus 7,6 m, transmission 68-69%, handling comfort is allright.
The 7x42 Kite seems more attractive from our short investigation, but I have to look for the data we found.
Gijs van Ginkel
 
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