What would it take to optically improve the SV to any significant degree ? I'm assuming if there were a cost effective way to do so we would have seen it in the new Field Pro.
The newest model SV I tried, circa 2013, had less rolling ball (though still present, which is expected in flat-field binoculars), but still presented notably more CA than the pristine, CA free (or nearly so) image presented by either the Victory FL*T or Kowa Genesis. Until they correct that flaw, I would never own a pair.
I personally preferred the SLC WB/HD, but even that still showed more CA than I'd prefer seeing...
Which SV did you see ?
I also wish they would make a EL model without the field flatteners. I know that I could get a 1st gen EL, but I love the ergo's and the new improvements of the Field Pro.
SLC is exactly that.
But seriously, sharp edges are pretty useful
finding birds is easier,
and less active panning is needed,
best way to detect movement is holding your bins still.
Your method of birding is the complete opposite of mine - I pan all the time. Sure, holding your bins steady is the best way to detect moment - but close in that will be just a few tiny degrees of your real FOV....panning is done along shores, ridges, flats, skylines to vis-mig and scan for raptors. I wouldn't see much of anything if I stopped panning.
I find sharp edges enhance the 3D effect since more of the image is in sharp focus. At a certain point, I find soft edges very distracting, creating more image confusion than I want to tolerate. Over the long haul I find the SV image to be extremely relaxing, an attribute with few if any data points.Get rid of the flat field design which I find makes the image less 3D like - at least to my eyes.
I find sharp edges enhance the 3D effect since more of the image is in sharp focus. At a certain point, I find soft edges very distracting, creating more image confusion than I want to tolerate. Over the long haul I find the SV image to be extremely relaxing, an attribute with few if any data points.
Your method of birding is the complete opposite of mine - I pan all the time. Sure, holding your bins steady is the best way to detect moment - but close in that will be just a few tiny degrees of your real FOV....panning is done along shores, ridges, flats, skylines to vis-mig and scan for raptors. I wouldn't see much of anything if I stopped panning.
The attribute was "relaxing" and I have yet to find a single measurable data point to express it.What does "an attribute with few if any data points" mean? Something that may be an idiosyncrasy? Just curious.
Ed
I find sharp edges enhance the 3D effect since more of the image is in sharp focus. At a certain point, I find soft edges very distracting, creating more image confusion than I want to tolerate. Over the long haul I find the SV image to be extremely relaxing, an attribute with few if any data points.
I will take the sharp edges of the Swarovision and the Zeiss SF over soft edges:C anytime. Why wouldn't you want the whole FOV to be sharp? If I want blur I will just defocus my binoculars or get a Tasco.8-Pyep, soft edges are like warm beer.
B o