• 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.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Is the best roof in the world better optically than the best porro? (1 Viewer)

Well that does it then, I will immediately abandon my Porros and order an SV. Dennis's reputation as a non waffling arbiter of all things optical has made this previously confusing issue crystal clear to me. Damn what a relief. :-O

[email protected] said:
I agree with you. The SV's have left the porro's in the dust with all the improvements in their latest incarnation. For $600 you can't beat the SE or EII but they aren't the optical equal of the SV's. It is just that when I look through the SV, SE, and EII I am amazed that the SV is quite a bit better. If you want the best view you have to pay the $2K. Sorry, porro's lovers.
Click to expand...
 
[email protected] said:
I agree with you. The SV's have left the porro's in the dust with all the improvements in their latest incarnation. For $600 you can't beat the SE or EII but they aren't the optical equal of the SV's. It is just that when I look through the SV, SE, and EII I am amazed that the SV is quite a bit better. If you want the best view you have to pay the $2K. Sorry, porro's lovers.
Click to expand...

I hate to keep this going but, Dennis, didn't your SV's fail the vaunted '' DVD test'' against all of your porro's?
 
But in fairness Dennis...you've never tested this one against the SV:
 

Attachments

  • Giant%20Binoculars%20WEB1.jpg
    Giant%20Binoculars%20WEB1.jpg
    22.4 KB · Views: 142
Torview said:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2618059&postcount=414

"Nothing can beat a porro outside of another porro. In terms of sheer optical performance a roof will(As Taylor Swift puts it) never ever, ever, ever beat a porro."


"never ever ever ever eh !
Click to expand...
That was before I tried the SV. It is the first roof I have tried that beat's the top porro's. It's the best all-around birding binocular you can buy. I sold my SE because I wasn't using it. The SV is just better. I kept the EII for it's big FOV bit it isn't as good either. Go ahead porro lovers pop for the $2K you won't be sorry. You won't have to worry about the rain and dust and fog.
 
Last edited:
mulligatawny owl said:
Just a personal preference, but I still prefer the view from the SE and EII better than any roof out there, and I must have tried them all by now, including SV's. Most recently I owned an SLC HD 8x42 for a few months so got to know it quite well, and a stunning bin it was ( apart from the awful focuser) but still it didn't wow me quite as much as the SE.
I guess my eyes just settle more easily into the porro view. Apart from the obvious 3D advantage I seem to perceive a sharper, more transparent, more clearly defined image with the SE's , though I doubt they are really any sharper than the SLC HD or SV.
So, from a purely optical point of view, for me, the SE's are still unsurpassed.
Click to expand...
Have you compared the SE head to head with the SV? It is easy to see the SV is superior. Bigger FOV, less CA, sharp edges and better eye relief. If you only want one get an 8x32 SV.
 
Last edited:
Pileatus said:
But is the SV really worth 3.27 SE's?
Click to expand...

I am thinking the Swarovision is a little bit better than the 8x32 SE
but not by a significant difference.

My calculation is around 1.25 : 1. Do the math, and that means they are
both very nice optics.

If you need help in comprehending the data, get back to me. |;|

With, higher end optics, it does come down to personal choice.

Jerry
 
NDhunter said:
I am thinking the Swarovision is a little bit better than the 8x32 SE
but not by a significant difference.

My calculation is around 1.25 : 1. Do the math, and that means they are
both very nice optics.

If you need help in comprehending the data, get back to me. |;|

With, higher end optics, it does come down to personal choice.

Jerry
Click to expand...
How did you come up with 1.25x?
 
Pileatus said:
But is the SV really worth 3.27 SE's?
Click to expand...
The SV is the best. The best of anything is always more expensive. You have to decide if it worth it to you to get the very best view of the bird and be able to use it under any condition for $2K. That is not a lot nowadays for a hobby. The SV could replace all your binoculars.
 
[email protected] said:
Have you compared the SE head to head with the SV? It is easy to see the SV is superior. Bigger FOV, less CA, sharp edges and better eye relief. If you only want one get an 8x32 SV.
Click to expand...

Not compared the SE head to head with the SV but I did with the SLC HD ( I believe the SLC HD is very much on par with the SV apart from the edges)

Anyway I agree with you, the SV has a bigger field of view, less CA, sharp edges and better eye relief than the SE, no doubt about it, its a better all round modern birding bin than the SE, but I still prefer the SE! Optically speaking though, I think they are both so good its a matter of preference and I prefer the SE ( bit like you did not long ago;) )
 
[email protected] said:
The SV is the best. The best of anything is always more expensive. You have to decide if it worth it to you to get the very best view of the bird and be able to use it under any condition for $2K. That is not a lot nowadays for a hobby. The SV could replace all your binoculars.
Click to expand...

You're really building up a sales campaign here. You're right, sell it now, the resale value will drop once there is a better bino out there. I guess it's the discussion on the future Zeiss 32 HT that made you nerveous.
3:)
 
[email protected] said:
I sold my SE because I wasn't using it.
Click to expand...


You kept that quiet !!

[email protected] said:
The SV is the best.
Click to expand...


I have no doubt the SV is better, it bloody well ought to be, and even if it was`nt are the pair really competitors in the same binocular market ?

Not to me, one is easily available, the other takes real effort to seek out from a committed buyer.

Lets have a real revue or comparison for once to back up your stance, rather than these one or two word superlative statements.
 
I don't give a rat's ass about the premise of this thread, but don't you just love the expression "best in the world"? It's so grade school!

I get visions of Dennis' garage with a poster of some fire breathing Lamborghini with a bikini clad model next to it.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 11 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

J
Nikon ProStaff/Travelight compared to Zeiss Terra ED?
Replies
3
Views
728
Jaywalk
J
J
What binoculars are as good as Nikon Superior E?
2 3
Replies
46
Views
3K
Jaywalk
J
S
Vintage binos???
Replies
4
Views
352
Gumball
G
J
Do you consider Resale Value/Opportunities due to Brand Recognition?
Replies
14
Views
687
Patudo
P
I
Analysis Paralysis- Please help me choose!
2 3
Replies
42
Views
2K
Patudo
P

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top