ED Glass binoculars? (1 Viewer)

Gzoladz74 · Jul 30, 2015

Hello

I am toying with the idea of upgrading. My current binoculars are Imagic BGA SE 8x42, which I like a lot. I also have an mm3 x 60 with an sdl v2 eyepiece which are a bit brighter and crispier. And when I compare with alpha binocs with ED I have similar findings.

I'd like to try Opticron binocs with ED glass but I dont think they exist yet (the Oasis dont have it). Is there a plan to introduce a model that does?

Thanks,
G

typo · Jul 31, 2015

G,

I know Opticron haven't been convinced that ED glass is necessary and their one attempt, the ED-X, wasn't great, but it's absence from their current line-up does look rather odd these days. I've heard there are new models in the pipeline but know nothing of their specification. Perhaps one of the Opticron guys can say something more?

David

Gzoladz74 · Jul 31, 2015

Yes there has to be.

The performance of the mm3 makes me want that on the binocs, and one of my first thought was that it cannot take long before the same glass is put in a binocs model.

Hopefully we will get something by winter when better low light performance is even more appreciated

typo · Jul 31, 2015

G,

There is a gap in their line-up since the Aurora was discontinued.

Not sure what ED glass has to do with low light performance, but I would hope anything new would have the latest coatings as well.

David

Rob Laughton · Jul 31, 2015

Gzoladz74 said:
And when I compare with alpha binocs with ED I have similar findings.

As far as I know, none of the "Alpha" Brand binoculars Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica, use or market their binoculars as having ED glass. Which says to me just how improtant ED glass is in contributing to having the best optics in binoculars....

Vespobuteo · Jul 31, 2015

Rob Laughton said:
As far as I know, none of the "Alpha" Brand binoculars Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica, use or market their binoculars as having ED glass. Which says to me just how improtant ED glass is in contributing to having the best optics in binoculars....

Nikon EDG binos have ED glass,
It's just a marketing name for Nikons low dispersion glass,
just like HD, FL, XD or whatever the manufacturers call their own variant.
Nowadays Nikon have also super-ED and FL glass (in their camera lenses).

http://nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/edg/7x42edg/index.htm

The funny thing with Opticron is that they have one model with "HD" in the name, but as far as I know Opticron don't seem to state that they have any type of low-dispersion glass.

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/verano_bga_hd.htm

It was a while since I tested them, but as I remember, the CA was pretty good under control for the price range. Quite nice bins actually, good eye relief and solid build.

How they compare today with for example the Zeiss Conquest HD, I can't really say. But since they are a bit cheaper I think they still are good value for money.

Rob Laughton · Jul 31, 2015

Vespobuteo said:
The funny thing with Opticron is that they have one model with "HD" in the name, but as far as I know Opticron don't seem to state that they have any type of low-dispersion glass.

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/verano_bga_hd.htm

For some reason I personally dont consider Nikon to be an alpha brand over here in the UK. Maybe it's because I actually can't remember the last time I saw a Optics specialist stocking them?

Opticron also have the Countryman BGA HD in their range:

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/cman_bga_hd.htm

Best wishes
Rob

typo · Aug 1, 2015

Rob,

I had a nice little chat with one of the Zeiss guys about lens configuration in the SF, including where the 'low disperion element' was positioned, and how it differed from the Swaro EL SV arrangement. Who's ED glass he didn't say though.

I think the Kowa Genesis is probably the best I've seen for CA control and that uses two ED elements.

Confusingly, it seems some companies use HD to a denote a grade of ED glass with higher Abbe values, but often it's some other upgrade, or just marketing.

David

Gzoladz74 · Aug 1, 2015

Rob Laughton said:
As far as I know, none of the "Alpha" Brand binoculars Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica, use or market their binoculars as having ED glass. Which says to me just how improtant ED glass is in contributing to having the best optics in binoculars....

Got it, got it... That is probably my over simplistic assumption from reading the details of both the mm3 scope and the latest binocs. The ED treatment to the scope is attributed largely its great performance so I assume that something similar applied to binocs should work.

Perhaps I should ask if there is a model in the pipeline whose glass will be equivalent to that in the mm3.

Right or wrong my perception is that it does not currently exist in their line up.

At the end of the day, ED or other, it is about trying and testing.

Bencw · Aug 1, 2015

Reading this made me reflect on really how personal preferences differ with binoculars, I have had Nikons with ED glass and the Zeiss Victory FL with modern formula glass, and have gone back to my Zeiss 7x42 TP* classic as I prefer the less harsh tone, even at the expense of losing a minute fraction of brightness. ED did nothing for me.

plc22 · Aug 1, 2015

Gzoladz74 said:
Hell

I'd like to try Opticron binocs with ED glass but I dont think they exist yet (the Oasis dont have it). Is there a plan to introduce a model that does?

Thanks,
G

Yes, Opticron will replace its current BGA S-coat Oasis and the now discontinuated Aurora by a brand new model with higher specs later this year (automn 2015).

Gzoladz74 · Aug 2, 2015

Thanks for confirming. The Oasis is actually discounted in some places, and between that and the retirement of the Auroras I was expecting that that would be the case.

FrankD · Aug 3, 2015

I think there is some confusion with regarding with the the term "ED glass" in this discussion. My interpretation was that the original poster was asking why the MM3 series scopes use it but not any of the Opticron binoculars....especially since the "Alpha" brands such as Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, etc... all utilize some type of glass (ED, FL, etc...) to control CA in their binoculars.

Based on that...a couple of thoughts....

1) Though my experience is that there definitely is a benefit to utilizing ED "style" glass in optical instruments with magnifications typical in birding binoculars I think its benefit is more noticeable in spotting scopes. The higher magnifications in scopes does magnify (pun intended) CA.

2) I have owned/handled many binoculars, including several in the Opticron lineup, that don't utilize (or at least don't advertise that they utilize) ED glass and yet CA control is just as good as many of the ED glass models.

3) Based on number 2 my opinion is that in order for any type of ED/FL/etc... glass to be truly effective then the entire rest of the binocular has to be designed to take full advantage of it.

Lastly, I heard rumors as well about a new high performance model coming for the Opticron lineup but lips are pretty tight on any specifics.

plc22 · Aug 3, 2015

FrankD said:
) Based on number 2 my opinion is that in order for any type of ED/FL/etc... glass to be truly effective then the entire rest of the binocular has to be designed to take full advantage of it.

Lastly, I heard rumors as well about a new high performance model coming for the Opticron lineup but lips are pretty tight on any specifics.

Automn 2015 from Opticron themselves.

Absolutely true about CA control and general design, too many models with low dispersion glass still suffer from an excess of CA because the focal length is too short and counterbalance the benefit of ED, as if just because it's ED or "HD" would make CA disappear in all circumstances which is foolish.
Just look at the new Zeiss SF, it has state of the art FL lenses AND a long focal.

Gzoladz74 · Oct 23, 2015

A bit more info on the link below

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/competition/detail.asp?comp=322

Funnily enough, it says it has ED glass.

Looking forward to the official specs.

A2GG · Oct 23, 2015

Gzoladz74 said:
A bit more info on the link below

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/competition/detail.asp?comp=322

Funnily enough, it says it has ED glass.

Looking forward to the official specs.

Wonder what they mean by 'European made'...are they talking about just the diopter? I thought their higher end bins are all made in Japan. Perhaps just this one part is made and/or designed in Europe (?)

"With an all new-rubber armour design, central, lockable dioptre adjustment and brand new European made and will be available in December priced from £629."

A2GG · Oct 23, 2015

Gzoladz74 said:
A bit more info on the link below

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/competition/detail.asp?comp=322

Funnily enough, it says it has ED glass.

Looking forward to the official specs.

In the new video on Opticron's website you can see 7.0 on the focus wheel.
It's a tiny bit disappointing that the FOV is still a bit narrow. I have the Countryman HD 8x42 which also has 7.0 degree FOV. I get by fine with it, but was hoping a new high end Opticron bino would come with a bit wider FOV. The resolution is very good with the Countryman which makes me forgive or ignore the narrow-ish FOV most of the time.

pete_gamby · Oct 24, 2015

The Birdwatch post conveniently misses a key word when it comes to the European made part - the case is European made (by the same company that makes cases for one of the alpha brands beginning with S.. or maybe Z. Or could be L. But definitely it's Germanicish and typically green). This despite the fact that we sent them the text AND proofed the text of their printed competition copy... Hey ho.

The binocular is Japan-made and utilises ED glass. There seems to be a vogue for non-alpha brands to require to use ED in order to step up to the plate and bat well. Personally I'm not convinced that this is the show stopper, especially when I compare CA control at comparitively lower price points.

DBA VHD is coming this winter. There's a whole lot more to enjoy next spring...

HTH

Pete

A2GG · Oct 24, 2015

pete_gamby said:
The Birdwatch post conveniently misses a key word when it comes to the European made part - the case is European made (by the same company that makes cases for one of the alpha brands beginning with S.. or maybe Z. Or could be L. But definitely it's Germanicish and typically green). This despite the fact that we sent them the text AND proofed the text of their printed competition copy... Hey ho.

The binocular is Japan-made and utilises ED glass. There seems to be a vogue for non-alpha brands to require to use ED in order to step up to the plate and bat well. Personally I'm not convinced that this is the show stopper, especially when I compare CA control at comparitively lower price points.

DBA VHD is coming this winter. There's a whole lot more to enjoy next spring...

HTH

Pete

cool ... thanks for the info

Gzoladz74 · Oct 24, 2015

pete_gamby said:
DBA VHD is coming this winter. There's a whole lot more to enjoy next spring...

HTH

Pete

Interesting... This will force me to put a potential xmas present on hold until then...

Without having seen the DBA VHD it looks promising, but wouldn't like to decide buying it and then realise that I should have wait a few months.

I wonder if spring will bring high end models too.

ED Glass binoculars? (1 Viewer)

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