• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Search results

thxpress_search_the_forum Search Opus
  1. jafritten

    Alpha-class binocs?

    I agree. The sweet spot is enormous, that's for sure. I remember how surprised I was at discovering that the edges focus closer than the center when I tried the closest focus distance looking down at a gravel path. Naturally, the field curvature is not apparent at long ranges and in open...
  2. jafritten

    Alpha-class binocs?

    I don't know the difference between the "Legend" and the "Field Pro" versions but it seems I own the "Shattered Myth" version from 2023. I have never had any glare issues with my 8.5x42s and my unit is not "sharp to the edge" as many say; mine has some field curvature at the very edges, which is...
  3. jafritten

    Swarovski Field Pro EL - x8.5 or x10

    Hi Gander, I own the Field Pro ELs in the 8.5x configuration and Leica Ultravid 10x42s. At longer ranges the 8.5x show me more detail than my 10x42 Ultravid HD+. At very close ranges, like 5 metres or so, I would say that the 10x has a slight edge over the 8.5x magnification; the 10x show me...
  4. jafritten

    What did you see in your binoculars today?

    I spent a few days in North Germany. I had my Swaros and my Retrovids with me. (I happened across a very good example of those Retrovids recently and couldn't resist... My first unit of these had a funky focusser and a loose diopter- Leica said everything was fine but I was not convinced.) Ardea...
  5. jafritten

    Desert Island Binocular.

    Good choice. These will also resist high humidity and may prove useful in case of a cannibal attack. They won't go out of collimation, if you knock these over their heads.
  6. jafritten

    Which Binoculars?

    Zeiss Jena Delturis 8x24, I think. Should be about 100 years old.
  7. jafritten

    For the same model of roof binoculars which one is less prone for CA 8x32 or 8x42?

    Ernst Leitz and Carl Zeiss would have referred to this phenomenon as gefährliches Halbwissen. A very useful term.
  8. jafritten

    Leica Pocket like all purpose bino?

    What is the diameter of the gaskets? I'd like to try your modification as well. Some time ago I greatly improved the stability of my UV 8x32 by putting the rubber sleeves of some Bushnell eyecups over those of my Leicas. I am always up for experiments.
  9. jafritten

    Question for Trinovid 10x42 owners

    You're welcome. Enjoy your Leicas.
  10. jafritten

    Question for Trinovid 10x42 owners

    The Trinovid HD focus clockwise to infinity. Closer by turning the focus wheel counter-clockwise. I have never handled an old Trinovid 10x42. But the Trinovid 10x32 BN focus clockwise to infinity, too.
  11. jafritten

    Updated Nikon 10x25S and 12x25S Stabilized binoculars

    These Nikons are now available in Germany. https://www.birdforum.net/threads/new-binocular-bargains-thread.449338/post-4723480
  12. jafritten

    New Binocular Bargains Thread

    The new Nikon 10x25 stabilized are available in Germany for 735€! https://orniwelt.de/fernglaeser/neu/24773/stabilized?number=201933
  13. jafritten

    Choosing 8x32 vs 7x42 vs 8x25

    Sounds to me as if there were two questions you should answer for yourself. (1) Do I want to spend money on another pair of binoculars? (2) Do I think the 8x25 is sometimes too big to carry around? Maybe this hepls.
  14. jafritten

    Cheap binos for kids that are still good

    How old are your kids? And how much are you willing to spend? You won't get them into it with poor optics. Consider something used perhaps. Check out Gijs' test: Gijs' new test: Compact binoculars suitable for children
  15. jafritten

    Updated Nikon 10x25S and 12x25S Stabilized binoculars

    I wouldn't mind a slight reddish hue, I think. But a yellow hue would be a deal breaker for me. I have been amazed with the stabilisation in my 500mm Nikon telephoto for many years. I am delighted to see it implemented in a normal looking binocular at last. I am pretty curious to see for myself.
  16. jafritten

    Updated Nikon 10x25S and 12x25S Stabilized binoculars

    Dennis, what are the colours like?
  17. jafritten

    Binocular recommendations for wet conditions

    The main reason why I recommended 8x32s is the size of the exit pupil. 3.2mm or even 3mm exit pupils may be just a tad too dim. To my liking anyway. The Scottish Highlands are not California, are they? 10x42s are bigger and heavier than 8x32s and have a narrower field of view. I wouldn't mind...
  18. jafritten

    Binocular recommendations for wet conditions

    I wish I were in the Highlands now... For daytime use (even gloomy days in the Highlands) I'd go for a quality pair of 8x32s. There are good optics shops in the UK that sell used binoculars like Leica Ultravid (eye relief can be a problem with glasses) or Zeiss Victory FL. Both are small and...
  19. jafritten

    What's your most used binocular?

    Well, the Leica focuser is better and I don't feel I have to baby them as much as the Curios. And the strap lugs are in the right place so that the Ultravid sits flat on my chest whereas the Curios are always at an angle, which I find uncomfortable. I worked around this problem by slinging the...
  20. jafritten

    What's your most used binocular?

    A few months later it is a clear cut case: It is the Leica Ultravid 8x32. There's one gripe I have with the FLs and that is their colour balance. A couple of years ago, when I had my first sample, I thought their greens were too green. Now, looking through my second sample, I am thinking their...
  21. jafritten

    How long before refilling with gas?

    Thank you, John. Sound advice.
  22. jafritten

    How long before refilling with gas?

    My Ultravid 8x20 is ten years old and still my go-to pocket binocular. I understand nitrogen purged bins need refilling at some point in order to maintain their waterproofness. Has anyone ever had their bins refilled with gas and if so, what intervals do you think are reasonable?
  23. jafritten

    Halloween Post: The Return of the Rolling Ball Effect!!!

    It might minimize or even go away. But I wouldn't be too optimistic about it. I used to be very sensitive to the rolling ball effect to the point I found some binoculars practically useless. I remember trying out a few Swarovski ELs in various configurations outside a shop and the RB really...
  24. jafritten

    ULTRAVID 10x42 BR, HD and HD-Plus differences

    Which picture is the UV+ and which is the Noctivid? Were these two photos taken with the same parameters? The white balance in the bottom one seems to be a bit off...
  25. jafritten

    What did you see in your binoculars today?

    A couple of days ago I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this streaky jackdaw on an East Frisian island in the North Sea. I also watched hen harriers through my Ultravid 10x42 and 8x20. Not exceptionally rare but a good shot:
Back
Top