good points, thanks for the reminder. . . and from what I recall, people also stress that a wide
FOV doesn't do much good if the edge of your lenses produces a blurry
image
True and a perfect example of the trade-offs one finds when looking at a wide field of view versus a comparably narrower one.
I have always been an advocate for wider field of view binoculars because I believe they provide a more relaxed image to the eye...especially when all else is equal. The problem arises though in that seldom is everything else equal. Getting a wider field of view can compromise eye relief, edge sharpness, stray light control, etc... Only in many of the more expensive models have you found designs that can control all of these issues well.
And, truthfully, up until some of these new ED bins started debuting I would have doubted that anyone could produce a wide field of view binocular with good edge sharpness, color fringing control, etc.... but at a relatively inexpensive (considering a comparison with $1000+ bins here) price.
Having said that there are at least a few fairly narrow field 8x binoculars in my possession right now (Leupold Cascade porro and Bushnell Legend roof) that offer totally satisfying images despite their fairly narrow field of view. I think the fact that they perform well in alternative optical qualities is the reason for this satisfaction. The Bushnell, as Kevin mentioned, controls stray light very well but it also offers, to my eyes, a very high level of contrast. Comparing it directly with its porro prism counterpart makes this extremely evident to my eyes. The cost? Well beside the narrower field of view it also displays noticeable levels of color fringing. But beyond that.....
The Cascade porro suffers from the same narrow field of view but what it does offer is excellent depth of field...equaling or excelling past almost any other bin I have owned...plus it also has very good edge sharpness. Both of these characteristics take one's attention away from the narrower field of view that it presents.
