• 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. L

    Carrying Full Size Binoculars whilst Cycling

    I do it in two ways. If I am mountain biking, I have a backpack, and in a side pocket, I keep my Zeiss 8x25 Terra in a padded case (I use the one Swaro sells for its 8x25). To pull them out, I need to stop, lean the bike down, get the case out of the backpack, and get to the binoculars. Not...
  2. L

    Image Stabilisation Paradox

    On the other hand, as a bino to use on a car or boat, the Fujinox 12x28 stabilize is fantastic. Usable from a moving car! Great on a boat on the water! And very light, so one can take normal high-contrast binos for normal use, and the Fuji when one needs a stabilized option.
  3. L

    Binoculars mounted on tripods. What is the use?

    I have a monopod (with simple foot, not a tiny-tripod-foot). But, with my 10x42, I do not find the monopod to be appreciably more stable than hand-holding. In the end, the binocular can still freely move around 1.5 axes (compared to 2 when handheld); 1 vertical axis, and 0.5 horizontal (0.5...
  4. L

    Does it make sense having a 10x32 and a 10x42 of the same type?

    I have the Leica UVHD+ in both 10x42 and 10x32. I love, love the 10x42. I have a much less comfortable view with the 10x32. So much so that I am considering selling them. They are perfect, crisp, etc, but I just prefer either the 8x32 or the 10x42. Evidently I need 4mm for comfort viewing.
  5. L

    Are scopes equally sharp at high altitude?

    Yes, at sea level, my scope is sharp. For the moment, my leading explanation is that the air was differentially heated on the lake surface, in spite of the wind, and that caused a diffraction effect that gave the double image / halo. In a bit, I will have a chance to go to the mountains...
  6. L

    Are scopes equally sharp at high altitude?

    In short: if you correct for aberrations a refractor scope at 0m MSL, are aberrations also corrected at e.g. 2000m MSL? I had an interesting situation (see another post I wrote), were my scope was not giving me a sharp image in Mono Lake, at an altitude of 2000m. It was as if there was a sort...
  7. L

    Mono Lake scoping...

    I was recently at Mono Lake, California, one of my favorite locations. And of course, I was using my Opticron MM4 60 trying to scope the birds on the lake. As I mounted it on the tripod and had a look, I almost had a fit: I thought my scope had broken. I could not focus on the birds, nor on...
  8. L

    What to upgrade from Opticron MM4 60 : Leica, Swaro, Kowa?

    My Opticron MM4 60mm is very good till 30x, or a 2mm exit pupil. I am starting to wonder: perhaps the brightness, more than the theoretical sharpness, is what I find missing at 40 or 45x. So perhaps an Opticron 77mm, which can be had (minus the ocular, which I have) for less than $1,000, could...
  9. L

    What to upgrade from Opticron MM4 60 : Leica, Swaro, Kowa?

    This is a very interesting suggestion. I could, for example, get the Opticron body in 77mm, and then use my good zoom objective from the 60mm on it as well -- this would be a cost effective way to gain more reach when necessary. Thank you; I may go this way.
  10. L

    What to upgrade from Opticron MM4 60 : Leica, Swaro, Kowa?

    You may be right about the itch! But, I was at 45x, the other scopes were at 50x, focusing on tiny little plovers, in a cold morning without heat shimmer. The contrast and clarity of the other scopes was superior. I agree that with heat shimmer, and around 30x, the scopes are more...
  11. L

    What to upgrade from Opticron MM4 60 : Leica, Swaro, Kowa?

    I want contrast, sharpness, wide field of view in a scope that is still portable, that is, likely under 70mm diameter.
  12. L

    What to upgrade from Opticron MM4 60 : Leica, Swaro, Kowa?

    Today I went birding with others, and I had an occasion to compare my Opticron MM4 60 with other scopes, including Swarovski around 65mm opening. My Opticron was struggling at 40x; those Swarovski were crystal clear at well over 50x. The contrast was better, and so was the angle of view. If...
  13. L

    Leica Ultra HD Plus 8x32 vs 10x32...eye relief?

    I have the 8x32 UV HD+, but for 10x, I decided to go for the 10x42 UV HD+, to maintain the 4mm exit pupil and ease of view. I am very very happy with the choice, and the extra weight of the x42 helps with holding them steady.
  14. L

    Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 vs. 8x42 for birding

    For these conditions, I would likely use my 7x42: bright and a large field of view to search for birds. Not the best in open landscapes for IDing distant birds, but very good for birds under canopies and when light is suboptimal. My 8x42 are a bit better than 8x32 but not enough to make a large...
  15. L

    New 10x42s wanted. But which ones?

    Curious, as I don't have the Habitch and I often hear them praised: What did you like about them in particular? The 3D view? Luca
  16. L

    New 10x42s wanted. But which ones?

    I like very very much my Leica UV 10x42 HD+, but they are expensive. As for the weight, my advice is to use a harness; I use the Rick Young one and I am very happy with it.
  17. L

    Leica, Zeiss & Swarovski binoculars compared: A personal report

    I have recently bought 10x42 binoculars (Leica UV HD+); previously I had only 8x. There is a bit more shake, but my hands have learned to be quite steady, and the weight of the 10x42 helps. I have grown to love them! Yes, 8x is better in woodland, and one can find the bird easier, and... But...
  18. L

    Wondering about Ultravids, esp. 12x50...

    I just got some Leica UV HD+ 10x42, taking advantage of a temporary reduction in price. I could not be happier! They are fantastically sharp, relatively small compared to other x42, with great ergonomics (I love their traditional objective covers, very practical). I see them fairly often in...
  19. L

    Looking for a good super zoom compact camera

    The best I have found is an Olympus OM with a 75-300mm lens. The lens is equivalent to a 600mm lens on full format, and the sensor is reasonably large (4/3 format). It's 1 Kg, which is the same as the Nikon D950 superzoom, but it has a proper manual zoom lens (much more responsive) and a large...
  20. L

    New / Updated Leica Ultravid HD+ coming

    On the other hand, slightly scuffed binoculars are fashionable among birdwatchers (they are a sign you are not new to the passion), and rubber armored Leica's are practically indestructible -- you always look like a new birder with them. So that's a plus for metal and leather ones!
  21. L

    New / Updated Leica Ultravid HD+ coming

    Re. field use: in very cold weather, the metal can be cold for the hands. Other than that, it's a bit of a wash. Rubber protects from dings and hits (but I don't typically hit the binoculars that much...). On the other hand, rubber, and especially the thin plastic over the hinge, can get...
  22. L

    New / Updated Leica Ultravid HD+ coming

    Note though that Leica sells these custumized without objective caps, and without case. You will need to also get a Leica 8x32 case (about $80) and Opticron lens covers of the right diameter. A bit of a hassle. But once you do it, these will be wonderful binoculars.
  23. L

    New / Updated Leica Ultravid HD+ coming

    Yes seems a re-issue of the customized. I have them and I love them. Especially the metal hinge; on the armored model, the hinge is covered by thin plastic that always gets damaged. Nice!
  24. L

    Best current 7x42 roof option?

    I have the Leica UV 7x42 HD+. I cannot see any CA in the center. I perhaps can see a tiny bit of it if I just angle my eyes right to squint at the edges, but it really does not bother me. They are quite resistant to flare, and they have superb contrast; in this respect they are far better...
  25. L

    Why are there so few x9 binoculars?

    I would like some 11x44 actually... Just so that when I am birding with others, I can give them a side glance and say, "mine goes up to 11!"
Back
Top