I’ve been reading many of your discussions. you guys sure know glass.
I’ve always had avg binocs but I figured I’ve worked long and hard enough that it’s time for a big upgrade.
Before I start testing I’d appreciate suggestions for an Alpha binocular in 42 that’s fantastic in low light dawn/dusk. Most of my viewing will be in stationary and close range within 150 yards. Thanks in advance!
Hi, Your Raginess,
Sorry I'm late.
As a new member—welcome, by the way—I would just like to make you aware that in order to best answer your questions, you will (OVER TIME) have to provide more of YOUR needs and opinions for your respondents to sink their teeth into. ‘What aperture? What magnification? What’s you budget? are key questions. But ... steady as you go. Your decision is not a life or death matter.
To answer it accurately is to offer the personal opinions of as many observers as asked. Thus, your question could be answered by a
FEW HUNDRED models. There are many fine instruments out there at most price—points. There were no ....
“ALPHAS” until some observers had to have something new to talk about. I estimate the basis of binocular forums is about 30 to 1 opinion versus fact. So, here are a few of mine:
1. I had the, now legendary, Nikon 8x32 SE long before it was given “ALPHA” status. In those days, it was just a very good binocular at a very good price. It is in my closet—in pristine condition—awaiting to be an inheritance gift.
MY everyday birding binocular is a Bausch & Lomb 8x40
Legacy. Also in pristine condition, it was bought on eBay for about $30. I have it on authority that the birds don’t actually care. It’s about YOUR enjoyment! For some folks, that comes down the view; for others it’s bragging rights, which can be an endless pit of eternal
“UPGRADES.” You must decide.
2. You have been given lots of very good choices.
3. For now, be conservative with your money and hang on to the big bucks at this juncture. Buy any reasonably priced binocular and
USE IT FOR A YEAR, keeping your eyes and ears open to learn all you can about real world optical basics.
4. After a year of research, buy with confidence, knowing no matter what you buy there will be those who will treat you as a brother and others who will scoff at you for not buying what they said you should buy.
5. You mentioned “low light.” Too many observers place too much emphasis on AR (anti-reflective coatings) without considering the contributions of baffling, edge blackening, absorption into glass, glass types, number of elements, prism types, prism size, the size of the field stops, the position of the field stops, the knife-edge on the field stops, imprecise curvatures and spacings, and a few other details. Many observers don’t consider these things, so it must be the AR coatings ... right? Besides, that's what the manufacturers and importers have told them.
Fact is, all else being of equal quality,
APERTURE IS KING! A 35mm binocular with the most modern multi-coatings is not going to gather as much light as a 50mm binocular with the traditional magnesium fluoride coatings.
Some Birdforumers get annoyed with my verbosity, so I’ll crawl back into my hole, now.
