BobinKy
Well-known member
I have become interested in the topic of color rendering, color bias, color resolution, color balance (or whatever terms we use to describe the color differences seen through the binoculars of different manufacturers).
My guess is optical manufacturers produce the color rendering they think will help sell the most binoculars. Toward that end, it would be interesting to know which color rendering the majority of binocular users prefer.
Myself, I am drawn to the blue/grey bias. However, for some unfounded reason, I am of the opinion the majority of binocular users prefer the red/yellow bias, and consequently, the majority of binoculars that are produced transmit this red/yellow bias.
. . .
This week I went to the eye doctor to select a new pair of glasses. Inquiring about the cost of clip-on sunglasses ($160 for a polarized pair of clip-ons), I became interested in transition lenses--the type that darken when you step outside in bright sunlight and return to clear when you step inside). The sales person asked me if I wanted blue/gray or brown transitions. Puzzled, I ask her to describe the difference. She picked up samples of each and placed them in my hand.
My first object for the transitions was the young pretty face of the sales person. She looked very pale in the blue/gray transitions. However, her skin took on a warm, pleasant golden hue in the brown transitions. Obviously, brown transitions fare better if the observer is an old man and the object of observation is the pretty face of a young woman.
Next, I walked outside for additional tryouts. The blue sky and various cloud formations were brighter and more appealing through the blue/gray transitions. Particularly the blue sky--a pleasant, but unnatural, blue--the type of blue that leads to philosphical speculation about the world around us.
Then I looked at the trees with their limbs and autumn color leaves. The leaves brightened through the brown transitions, while the tree trunks and limbs appeared paramount through the blue/gray transitions. Through the brown transitions I noticed the COLOR of the leaves, while the FORM of the twisting tree limbs became the point of observation through the blue/gray transitions. Does color bias in the lenses we look through blind us to other non-color aspects of the objects we observe?
. . .
Finally, I struggled a bit in trying to decide upon which binocular-brand forum to post this thread. After some reflection, I selected Leica because an engineer once told me that Lecia was the only binocular to be free of color bias.
Was he right?
My guess is optical manufacturers produce the color rendering they think will help sell the most binoculars. Toward that end, it would be interesting to know which color rendering the majority of binocular users prefer.
Myself, I am drawn to the blue/grey bias. However, for some unfounded reason, I am of the opinion the majority of binocular users prefer the red/yellow bias, and consequently, the majority of binoculars that are produced transmit this red/yellow bias.
. . .
This week I went to the eye doctor to select a new pair of glasses. Inquiring about the cost of clip-on sunglasses ($160 for a polarized pair of clip-ons), I became interested in transition lenses--the type that darken when you step outside in bright sunlight and return to clear when you step inside). The sales person asked me if I wanted blue/gray or brown transitions. Puzzled, I ask her to describe the difference. She picked up samples of each and placed them in my hand.
My first object for the transitions was the young pretty face of the sales person. She looked very pale in the blue/gray transitions. However, her skin took on a warm, pleasant golden hue in the brown transitions. Obviously, brown transitions fare better if the observer is an old man and the object of observation is the pretty face of a young woman.
Next, I walked outside for additional tryouts. The blue sky and various cloud formations were brighter and more appealing through the blue/gray transitions. Particularly the blue sky--a pleasant, but unnatural, blue--the type of blue that leads to philosphical speculation about the world around us.
Then I looked at the trees with their limbs and autumn color leaves. The leaves brightened through the brown transitions, while the tree trunks and limbs appeared paramount through the blue/gray transitions. Through the brown transitions I noticed the COLOR of the leaves, while the FORM of the twisting tree limbs became the point of observation through the blue/gray transitions. Does color bias in the lenses we look through blind us to other non-color aspects of the objects we observe?
. . .
Finally, I struggled a bit in trying to decide upon which binocular-brand forum to post this thread. After some reflection, I selected Leica because an engineer once told me that Lecia was the only binocular to be free of color bias.
Was he right?
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