Some time ago I posted a thread about using reading glasses to increase the magnification and apparent field of view of binoculars. The thread is too old now to post to, so I've had to start a new thread.
Anyway I found they made a big difference increasing the apparent field of view and slightly increasing the magnification. Since then I've experimented and to avoid having to wear them I've shaped them into circular lenses that fit snug in the eye cups when down and are held just above the eye piece lens, so not in direct contact.
Firstly there was a bit of glare, but I then blackened the sides of the lenses and that got rid of that. Getting the most easy view needed the lenses to be facing outward and the rotation of the lenses was quite critical (glasses aren't uniform).
The end result is superb for me. I've tried the bins with and without the lenses countless times to be sure, but I absolutely prefer the binoculars now with the lenses on them. I've tried all different environments and lighting and the result is the same. They are now definitely my favorite binoculars and the one I use most.
The apparent field of view of them now is 62.6 degrees. That's up from 60 degrees without the lenses. Considering the Zeiss SF 8x42 is 64 degrees it's a very noticeable increase. The magnification is now 8.80x instead of the 8.44x that Allbinos measured and the closest focus is now 1.35m.
All in all the seemingly minor improvements have amounted to a superior pair of binoculars for me. Most importantly the apparent sharpness through increased details is improved, but they remain stable keeping all of the wide field of view. I know people on this forum tend not to mess with binoculars and would rather buy a new pair than adapt an existing pair and that's fair enough. But this is one trick that's totally paid off - it's like getting a new pair of binoculars.
The main downside is the look of them since the lenses are held on with layers of gaffer tape. I'm only concerned with the view so haven't spent time making them look better.
Anyway I found they made a big difference increasing the apparent field of view and slightly increasing the magnification. Since then I've experimented and to avoid having to wear them I've shaped them into circular lenses that fit snug in the eye cups when down and are held just above the eye piece lens, so not in direct contact.
Firstly there was a bit of glare, but I then blackened the sides of the lenses and that got rid of that. Getting the most easy view needed the lenses to be facing outward and the rotation of the lenses was quite critical (glasses aren't uniform).
The end result is superb for me. I've tried the bins with and without the lenses countless times to be sure, but I absolutely prefer the binoculars now with the lenses on them. I've tried all different environments and lighting and the result is the same. They are now definitely my favorite binoculars and the one I use most.
The apparent field of view of them now is 62.6 degrees. That's up from 60 degrees without the lenses. Considering the Zeiss SF 8x42 is 64 degrees it's a very noticeable increase. The magnification is now 8.80x instead of the 8.44x that Allbinos measured and the closest focus is now 1.35m.
All in all the seemingly minor improvements have amounted to a superior pair of binoculars for me. Most importantly the apparent sharpness through increased details is improved, but they remain stable keeping all of the wide field of view. I know people on this forum tend not to mess with binoculars and would rather buy a new pair than adapt an existing pair and that's fair enough. But this is one trick that's totally paid off - it's like getting a new pair of binoculars.
The main downside is the look of them since the lenses are held on with layers of gaffer tape. I'm only concerned with the view so haven't spent time making them look better.
