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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BruceH" data-source="post: 3622856" data-attributes="member: 106398">The much more notciable shake may be partly due to the much greater size, weight and forward balance of the 50 mm compared to a 42 mm.  The 10X50 mm is a heavy beast and I find it harder to hold steady free hand compared to a 10X42.  It is also more front heavy with the 50 mm of glass up front.  It would interesting if you notice the same amount of additional shake comparing your 8.5X42 with a Swaro EL SV 10X42.  I suspect you will find some due to the additional magnification but not as much of a difference that you found comparing to the 10X50.  I was out yesterday evening using a recently acquired Opticron 10X42 BGA VHD iMagic.  It is relatively light for a 42 mm weighing only 24.6 oz (no strap or caps) and is relatively small in size.  The place was an area of large open water reclaim ponds with no place to brace.  I found the iMagic to be easier to hold steady than most other 10X binoculars I have used.  I attribute a lot of that to the lighter weight and the smaller size putting the balance in the hands.  It is a very nice binocular.  One of the Swaro reps uses the 12X50 EL SV as his primary binocular, even for warblers.  He said he likes the detail.  I was able to pick up a 12X50 EL SV on close out and shortly there after took it out for a couple of hours at the local riparian.  It was a much different viewing experience from even a 10X42 and some of the detail was stunning.  However it is not something I would want to do on a regular basis.  It takes much more effort and concentration in holding the 12X steady and finding a subject.  In other words, using the 12X50 for general viewing is a lot more work.  I have not noticed any difference in my ability to get a subject in focus between using my 10X50 EL SV and the 12X50.  I will have to watch for that in the future.  Did you find it more difficult to achieve a quick focus with your 8.5X compared to the 12X?  The 10X50 and the 12X50 are more special purpose binoculars for my use.  Your 8.5X42 does sound like a great all round general purpose choice.  If I wanted just one binocular, then I can see the case for the 8.5X as a compromise for the advantages for both.  However in my case, going with both a 8X and  10X, then I would go with an 8X over a 8.5X to get more of the advantages of the lower magnification (less shake, more depth of field, larger exit pupil).</blockquote>

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