Yes, very happy. Like having brand new eyes!
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Confused: Swarovski, Zeiss, 8x, 10x (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter KeesJ
- Start date
I've been trying to figure out these issues of best magnification too, it's tricky, preferences are different for each person. I've decided it's best to have 10x and 7x and 8x for a while and see which I prefer. It takes a long time and observing in different situations and distances. I mostly favor lower magnification with 7x being my favorite and 8x being the most useful.
However, certain situations require 10x. Watching ducks and seabirds on the water is perfect for 10x because they don't move much, they generally stay put while you're watching. They're farther away and you need power to see details to identify them. The smaller depth of field with 10x is not a problem - I enjoy the greater DOF of low power when I"m watching birds in flight.
I wanted a 10x binocular dedicated to birding (and not astronomy) so I've settled on my favorite - the NIkon 10x35 E2. At 21 ounces it's the same weight as most 32mm but you get 10% more aperture and 10% larger exit pupil which I like. The sharpness and brightness of the current version of these is off the charts, and I find the porro body more comfortable to grip than compact 30-32mm roofs. I just did some comparing with the E2's and my 8x42 Zeiss SF's and the E2 seem like a match in terms of brightness, sharpness and clarity.
Also the short and stubby porros seem easier to hold steady at 10x then longer, more forward-balanced roofs to me. FWIW.
However, certain situations require 10x. Watching ducks and seabirds on the water is perfect for 10x because they don't move much, they generally stay put while you're watching. They're farther away and you need power to see details to identify them. The smaller depth of field with 10x is not a problem - I enjoy the greater DOF of low power when I"m watching birds in flight.
I wanted a 10x binocular dedicated to birding (and not astronomy) so I've settled on my favorite - the NIkon 10x35 E2. At 21 ounces it's the same weight as most 32mm but you get 10% more aperture and 10% larger exit pupil which I like. The sharpness and brightness of the current version of these is off the charts, and I find the porro body more comfortable to grip than compact 30-32mm roofs. I just did some comparing with the E2's and my 8x42 Zeiss SF's and the E2 seem like a match in terms of brightness, sharpness and clarity.
Also the short and stubby porros seem easier to hold steady at 10x then longer, more forward-balanced roofs to me. FWIW.
You describe my mood rather well ...
Owlbarred
Well-known member
A personal choice for sure. Don't have SF's, but I abhor clunky lens covers (front and rear) and have never used them on my 2003 EL's (still used frequently). I do use the convenient objective lens covers ('built-in') on my newer SV's. Regardless, the 2003's lenses are still like new.
Yes, however, I would never reject a binocular, or buy a different one for such a reason as “clunky lens covers”.
Just get the Meopta Meostar 8x or 10x32 , either in the B1, B1.1 or the Plus version. You will pay half or a third of the cost for a binocular of equal optical quality, less the Alpha name on the outside of the binocular.
I wasn't thrilled with the SF objective covers either, or the case, but you can find aftermarket replacements for them if desired.
What did you not like? I think I wouldn't like the fact that they are dangling on the neckstrap or are stuffed away somewhere when the SF is in use.
edwincjones
Well-known member
If you have held each in your hands for 30 minutes, that is much better information than what anyone here can tell you
edj
After those 4 x 30 minutes I was not able to make a decision, so I appreciate all extra info from users and experts here.
tenex
reality-based
My advice would be not to worry too much, despite the expense involved. You should be very happy with any of the excellent options you're considering for quite some time as long as there's nothing you dislike about it, and then if you do begin to feel that something else would serve you better, it will retain good value for resale (due to both quality construction and service support), and you'll have a better sense of what you're doing and why the next time. That's actually quite normal and even starts to make a good story.
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Tenex, you may be right about just pick one because it will be good. But about good value for resale I am not sure. It seems a lot of you guys here are buying and selling their bino all the time. Are they selling back to the shop or on eBay and getting a good price? It's hard to imagine here in the Netherlands that something second hand will keep its value.
That is not the norm.
Most normal people buy something, and then use it, rather than obsessing over how much they can get for it after the next thing catches their eye, or they are tired of it, or their constant search for flaws makes them unhappy with it.
Don’t fall into that trap.
Mine are “stuffed away” and not dangling.
My rain/spit guard dangles on a simple loop of string, from the neck strap.
tenex
reality-based
A few do a lot of that, some are serious collectors, others (like me) buy or sell only occasionally. Some sell directly to one another in the Classifieds on forums like this one or Cloudy Nights or Astromart; you could browse here and see, or even consider buying pre-owned yourself. And yes, some shops take used equipment as trade-ins or to sell on consignment, as I'll bet House of Outdoor in Maarssen does for example, and of course there's eBay. Some buyers are even looking for discontinued models; last year I found a 2011 SLC HD that's now my most used binocular, and Swarovski refurbished it under warranty. So you have even more options, sorry about that...
William Lewis
Wishing birdwatching paid the bills.
This is great, a gluttony of contemplations! Next course, different types of prism with yay or nay to image stabilisation for pudding, a sumptuous binocular banquet - enjoy.
Will
Will
Fantastic optics those Meostars
edwincjones
Well-known member
Some do and they seem to post a lot about it, others keep using their optics for years.
Our interests change, we get bored with them, newer and hopely better ones appear.
I keep looking for that perfect binocular, and never find it.
edj