The Kingfisher
Well-known member
The word is free.. |=)|
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Optical performance: Nikon 8x32 SE vs the new EDG? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter The Kingfisher
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Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
The word is ... puzzlement.
Have you been at the vodka again, Kingfisher?
Could you rephrase that posting in the form of a question or a statement?
Have you been at the vodka again, Kingfisher?
Could you rephrase that posting in the form of a question or a statement?
John M Robinson
Well-known member
I'll take an 8x32 SE if it's free, or are you talking about the EDG? In that case I'll take one of those to.
John
John
The Kingfisher
Well-known member
The word is ... puzzlement.
Have you been at the vodka again, Kingfisher?
Could you rephrase that posting in the form of a question or a statement?
"vs" in the headline stands for "versus"..
But OK, here is a question for you ..
How do you think the Nikon 8x32 SE stand against EDG 7x42 in terms of optical performance?
Bottom up ..
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A "discussion" would make slightly more sense if the EDGs were actually available, wouldn't it
(they aren't in Europe .... at least in western and central Europe)
Tom
"vs" in the headline stands for "versus"..
But OK, here is a question for you ..
How do you think the Nikon 8x32 SE stand against EDG 7x42 in terms of optical performance?
Bottom up ..
Well, I think it's a certainty that they will perform differently. But that would be expected given the different specifications and a 3x price differential.
It would be interesting to read a comparison of binoculars that were closer to the 7x42 EDG.
The Kingfisher
Well-known member
I will just check one thing..did you mean that the SE should be better than the new EDG?
Hi!
It is USUALLY a problem of not properly aligning the eyepieces with the observer's eyes. Setting the interpupillary distance (IPD) in most cases cures the problem.
When blackout occurs, the IPD is usually slightly too wide; decreasing it slightly frequently eliminates the blacking-out.
Tom
henry link
Well-known member
Kingfisher,
I did some comparison of these two binoculars on this thread, primarily off-axis performance.
http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=116087
Both of these are excellent examples of their types, but the types are so different that I think a choice between them will come down to whether you prefer an 8x32 Porro or a 7x42 roof.
Blackouts in the form of flickering kidney bean shaped shadows occur with the SE if the eye is placed too close to the eyepiece. This can happen because the fold down rubber eyecup doesn't offer much adjustment. Depending on facial structure and eyeglass design some people cannot position their eyes far enough behind the eyepiece. The biggest problem seems to be for eyeglass wearers when the eyecups are rolled down. I don't wear glasses, but I would prefer it if the extended eyecup were slightly shorter. I have to press against the eyecup to see the entire field easily. Alas, these problems would be completely solved by modern twist type eyecups with intermediate settings. As things are there's really no substitute for trying out the SE on your own face before purchasing (and be sure to order an extra set or two of replacement eyecups in case they are no longer available in the future).
Henry
I did some comparison of these two binoculars on this thread, primarily off-axis performance.
http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=116087
Both of these are excellent examples of their types, but the types are so different that I think a choice between them will come down to whether you prefer an 8x32 Porro or a 7x42 roof.
Blackouts in the form of flickering kidney bean shaped shadows occur with the SE if the eye is placed too close to the eyepiece. This can happen because the fold down rubber eyecup doesn't offer much adjustment. Depending on facial structure and eyeglass design some people cannot position their eyes far enough behind the eyepiece. The biggest problem seems to be for eyeglass wearers when the eyecups are rolled down. I don't wear glasses, but I would prefer it if the extended eyecup were slightly shorter. I have to press against the eyecup to see the entire field easily. Alas, these problems would be completely solved by modern twist type eyecups with intermediate settings. As things are there's really no substitute for trying out the SE on your own face before purchasing (and be sure to order an extra set or two of replacement eyecups in case they are no longer available in the future).
Henry
The Kingfisher
Well-known member
Nice to hear! Maybe that saves me from paying 18000 SEK (about £1400 or $2100) for a new EDG binocular. Suddenly I feel I won money on the lottery.. :t:
Thanks for the translation, Tero....nice expression!
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
I concur with ThoLa ... I get KBing in my right eye with the SE (more astigmatic correction in the glasses has something to do with it ... -2D more cylinder than my left eye that doesn't have problems) but it's reduced to essentially zero when
I've noticed this with other bins too ... usually adding a little bit of twistup (assuming the eyecup allows that) usually solves the problem. And as Henry says the SE really missed out on not having twist up multi-position eyecups.
The SE shows up (more strongly) problems that some folks (like me) have in a weaker form with other bins. Perhaps I'm just borderline with my eyes + glasses just straddling the critical needed eye relief but I also suspect the exit pupil of the bin is curved and some people seems to be more susceptible to that e.g. even when not blacking out with normal use I can't swivel my eyes to look at the edge of field with these bins without a blackout.
As lot of others have said the only way to know is to try them.
Perhaps you could get an estimate of the odds with a quick survey here of people who have looked through/used an SE.
+1 fixable blackouts: but not enough for me to stop using them.
That wasn't an opinion, Tom. It was a prediction. It's based on the 10 or 11 year history of the binocular. As far as I know (and correct me if I'm wrong) the SE has been unchanged since it's introduction in 1998 or 1989. During this period of time it's optics have been favorably used as the standard of comparison with the new models of roof prisms that appeared with all their various technical changes. That is a remarkable run! If it was Nikon's goal to make the finest general purpose porro prism binocular possible when they designed the SE then it's hard to argue that they didn't succeed. The major complaints against it are it's lack of waterproofing and the Kidney Bean effect discussed above.
Time will tell if the EDG is optically equal to it, or better. But then, one wonders if newer modern coatings on the lenses and prisms of the SE's
would make them even better?
Cordially,
Bob
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Bob,
I doubt there would be a big difference. Anti-reflection coatings have already been very good in the first generation of the SEs, and all those advanced & expensive dielectric mirrors and phase-coatings are not even necessary in the porros. Improved scratch resistance and water-repellent coatings would be nice though. :t:
Best regards,
Ilkka
