Brock,
you are absolutely correct. I went to our NJ Audobon center today and did notice on the trees against a couldy and very whitish sky the color abberation that everyone is talking about. It's evident, but it's not too annoying since it doesn't seem to be extreme or anything. It is there though and the higher models probably don't seem to have that.
Bob,
I did check out the 'alpha' bins at the Audobon center today. WOW. The guy that helped me said that I will regret trying them b/c I will then feel bad about what I already have haha. I tried the Leica 7x42 and the Swarovski 8x32 and they are both quite amazing. I especially like the Swarovski (more for comfort reasons). OMG...they are SUPER comfortable and a little lighter (open bridge design). Of course, the optics are REAL good. I'm not too technical minded on this stuff and can't really describe too well how I know they are superior to my Leupold. When I focused on the trees about 20-30 yards in front of me, it seemed that the middle-ground and backgroud were not really that out of focus. In other words, more objects at different depths seemed to stay in focus well compared to my Cascades. I guess that is a great 'depth of field' ... duh...I'm just realizing this as I type. Clarity, depth of field and the trueness of color were all noticeably better than the ones I have.
but yeah...I still love my Leupold 7x42...they are still super clear , have very good FOV and the color abberations isn't a deal breaker since it's not all that bad. With that said...I will someday pick up an 'apha' brand as you say. Boy those swarovskis are great, but the guy told me they don't make 7x anymore with the new models. So, I will look for 7x42 in the elite brands someday if they are available. Maybe the Leica? If not, then I will have a great excuse to keep using my cascades. I will use them for a year or two before I get a super duper alpha pair. This stuff is expensive...what am I made of money ?
It looks like the 7x is not envogue these days, but that is what I prefer.
I like the cascades with the 'leaf design' on the body that you say are superior to the ridges design. I have the ridges...I was unable to find a place that sold the leaf (Hawthorne) one. They are prettier too...I'm sure you guys don't give a rat's behind about a binocular's prettiness factor like I do haha. Well, you are right-on about mid priced and inexpensive binos when you say it's not so terrible if they are stolen. I wouldn't know where to hide a super expensive pair in my tiny apartment. I'd probably worry too much !
thanks for the advice and comments guys ... happy birding.
Annabeth,
Glad the CA wasn't too annoying on your Loopys, apparently it is for some people.
The Swaro 8x32 EL is "SUPER comfortable" for me too, and I have large hands. I think that's part of the appeal of this model, it fits a variety of hand sizes whereas the longer, heavier and bulkier full sized EL WB might not be the darling of the small handed. Even I thought they were somewhat of an albatross. But the 8x32 EL feels like Baby Bear's porridge - "just right". The price, OTOH, is like the Big Bad Wolf.
Here's the conundrum about depth of field (if binoculars even have "depth of field" - one of our experts says no). But here's how it's supposed to work - the lower the magnification, the better the depth perception (let's use that term to avoid a technical discussion breaking out since we already had a thread about that recently, if I find it I'll post a link).
So in
theory, your 7x Leupold should have better depth perception than an 8x Swaro. There's nothing about alphas that make them superior in that regard.
But in practice, it doesn't always look that way. One reason is that fast focusers can create the impression of shallow depth because with just a nudge you can run through more real estate than a bin with a more "pokey" focuser.
The 8x32 EL WB, which is what I assume you tried, not the new SV EL, has a faster focuser than the original 8.5x EL, which was so Pokey that even Gumby would be moving at only 12 frames per second, just barely detectable.
So even though the 8x32 model wasn't as pokey, compared to the 8x32 Nikon LX/HG, it turns at a reasonable pace.
My Kreskin guess is that your Leupold has a faster focuser than the EL.
Also, note the length of the EL vs. your Loopy. For a midsized bin, the 8x32 EL is fairly long. Most midsized roofs are fairly short, which I think contributes to their lesser depth perception (a controversial theory, I might add). Focal ratio does affect depth of field, but since most bins are f/3-f'4, some would argue that a longer binocular doesn't make a difference. I'm not convinced. So take that one with a grain of salt (and a shot of Vodka
.
The 8x32 EL is the only midsized roof I've tried so far that gives good depth perception. The rest give more of a 2-D view.
According to 8x32 EL users who are sensitive to chromatic aberration (CA), the EL shows CA. Even allbinos mentioned it in their review. So in that regard, you might not be any better off with the 8x EL than you would with your 7x42. But the EL's handling, depth perception and sharp, bright view for a midsized bin is very appealing.
Someday I'd like to own one. Okay, maybe not this lifetime, but for sure in the next incarnation if I don't come back as an eagle (in which case I wouldn't need binoculars, because I'd have them built-in
.
Brock