• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

EL 8.5x42 vs EL 10x42 (1 Viewer)

S

Shumi

Well-known member
Ukraine
Hi All, I plan to upgrade from my current Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 - and I am looking at Swarovski EL 8.5x42 or EL 10x42. These would my main, all-round, "general purpose" binoculars - used in a variety of habitats and under different light conditions.

So the big question for me is - which one would be a better option, given the above? My current best guess is that I should go for EL 8.5x42, but I would be interested in comments from people who have tried one or both of these binos in real-life conditions on their birding trips.

And yes, I will of course try both binos before I buy - just looking to gather some first-hand experience of other people as of now.

Many thanks
 
Shumi said:
Hi All, I plan to upgrade from my current Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 - and I am looking at Swarovski EL 8.5x42 or EL 10x42. These would my main, all-round, "general purpose" binoculars - used in a variety of habitats and under different light conditions.

So the big question for me is - which one would be a better option, given the above? My current best guess is that I should go for EL 8.5x42, but I would be interested in comments from people who have tried one or both of these binos in real-life conditions on their birding trips.

And yes, I will of course try both binos before I buy - just looking to gather some first-hand experience of other people as of now.

Many thanks
Click to expand...
Having both id go with the 8.5. I feel it’s a better all around , do everything binocular. To me it checks more overall boxes, brighter, easier to hold steady especially in windy conditions, a kind of calmer image, has more DOF , which is kind of nice, and a wider FOV if that matters to you. 8x (8.5 EL42) are my goto 42 and 32 general use binoculars. To me 10x+ and 7x are designated for more specific observing. But of course can also be used as all around general binos.
 
going from 8x to 10x is a big move, I would definitely try them first. I prefer 8x due to the stability, wider field, easier eye placement, I would go with 8.5x. However, many people like 10x for the closer detail on the birds.
 
Shumi said:
Hi All, I plan to upgrade from my current Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 - and I am looking at Swarovski EL 8.5x42 or EL 10x42. These would my main, all-round, "general purpose" binoculars - used in a variety of habitats and under different light conditions.

So the big question for me is - which one would be a better option, given the above? My current best guess is that I should go for EL 8.5x42, but I would be interested in comments from people who have tried one or both of these binos in real-life conditions on their birding trips.

And yes, I will of course try both binos before I buy - just looking to gather some first-hand experience of other people as of now.

Many thanks
Click to expand...
Shumi missing in your question and in the answers to date, plus others to come (I suspect) is how and where you expect to use your binocular. Context is critical in the answer to this question.

I used a 10x40 Zeiss off and on for 40 years before buying a 10x42EL 4 years ago. I now own 3 8xsss, largely based on the "consensus" views often expressed here. I live in Oakland, CA. Its a short 12 minute drive to the Bay Trail where I walk for several miles with a salt marsh on one side offering views out to a hundred yards or so. On the other is San francisco Bay with views over a mile to the Golden Gate Bridge. I walk, I stop. There are hand rails a few places there to brace. I drive one day a week to a place in Marin called Las Galinas. It has views over multiple ponds, one at least over 400 yards. To the north is a very large farm field with hundreds of yards to view, south and east are very large salt marshes. A third favorite weekly stop is a fresh water reservoir inland in Moraga called Valle Vista. The views from the main trail out across the water to the far shore is a bit over a hundred yards, but can be much longer looking above the shore or lengthwise or in the opposite direction where its pasture lands. Ranges are measured with a range finder.

Hopefully its obvious, from these descriptions, but my primary targets are waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, with passerines a distant 4th.

If I could have only one it would be my EL 1042. If I could have my scope, (now consider essential) the bino of choice would be my NL8x32.

YMMV
 
Last edited:
EL 8,5x42 and EL 10x42 are both alround and really nice. The question is, what do you like the most: 10 or 8,5 magnification?
I like 10 power, so I would opt for the EL 10x42. The 8,5x may be a bit brighter in the dark.
 
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 EL was introduced to the world as the "Universal Distance Viewer" back in
1999. A very nice size, just a bit more reach than 8X, and does offer some advantages over 10X,
especially low light gathering and less shake when wanting a perfect view.
That would be my recommendation.
Jerry
 
Light isn't that important in this case, the difference is probably less than 10 minutes after the sun goes down.

For 15 years I use a 10x42 but you need a monopod to see all the details if you're watching for longer periods. And when you use a monopod you get much more details with 15x binos or a small scope.

This is my decision, after years of doubt and mental pain. My combination will be: 8x binos, Swaro 17-40 x 56 STC and a monopod.

Because I'm a moving birder (hiking, cycling) and I don't want to carry 80 mm scopes and heavy tripods with video heads.

This year I bought the STC, best buy ever, it's great on a monopod. And seriously, I'm going for the 8x42 because of ease of view, less shaking and FOV.
 
Last edited:
TheBlackGrouse said:
Light isn't that important in this case, the difference is probably less than 10 minutes after the sun goes down.

For 15 years I use a 10x42 but you need a monopod to see all the details if you're watching for longer periods. And when you use a monopod you get much more details with 15x binos or a small scope.

This is my decision, after years of doubt and mental pain. My combination will be: 8x binos, Swaro 17-40 x 56 STC and a monopod.

Because I'm a moving birder (hiking, cycling) and I don't want to carry 80 mm scopes and heavy tripods with video heads.

This year I bought the STC, best buy ever, it's great on a monopod. And seriously, I'm going for the 8x42 because of ease of view, less shaking and FOV.
Click to expand...
Well said, all of it.
 
agus_m said:
why not the NL pure 8x42?
Click to expand...
though EL is sharper, NL is better overall optically.
but personally, I don't prefer super wide FOV more then 8 degrees.

personally
it feels like I'm focusing on the landsacpe not the object I seeing.
like I'm lost in the FOV

though in test, it's central image is just fine.
but the presonal feel of unease in real usuage kept me from using super wide bino in real field...
same as SRBC 8x42

and EL's 0.5 more magnification was indeed useful in terms of resolution
 
Last edited:
jackjack said:
after seeing buch of pricy binos, ELSV 8.5x42 is the bino that I would choose if I have to use only one bino for viewing everything.
second sharpest 8 power bino I've seen(though it is 8.5...)
Click to expand...

Maybe it's sentimental because a late pre FP SW SV 8.5x42 was my first high end roof, but it remains my "reference" binocular. IMO for a one and only all around full size bin it's hard to beat. I tend to think of a 10x42 as something of a specialist (but to be clear certainly not a niche) format.

I still wonder why the NL was not made in 8.5 as opposed to 8x.

Mike
 
jackjack said:
many people on birdfroum will knew the difference between sharpness(acutance)and resolution 😀
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you.

What is the definition of acutance, and in what units is it measured?

I quote you “though EL is sharper, NL is better overall optically”

What is the acutance of each of those binoculars?
 
Last edited:
Maljunulo said:
Okay, thank you.

What is the definition of acutance, and in what units is it measured?
Click to expand...
www.filmmakersacademy.com

Filmmakers Academy Premium Education

Filmmakers Academy is a premium educational platform for filmmakers by industry leaders who reveal how to master your craft in cinematography, directing, post-production, and more!
www.filmmakersacademy.com www.filmmakersacademy.com

similarly explained.

sharpness is one terms of making up resolution with contrast, lens size, ease of view.

such as you look at the lines like

llllll

high sharpness make those vertical lines sharper.

high resolution make the gap between the lines more distinguishable

more easy to seen even with bad eyecondition.

I test resolution but mainly review about sharpness not resolution.

because resolution in long distance are influenced highly with size of the lense.
 
jackjack said:
www.filmmakersacademy.com

Filmmakers Academy Premium Education

Filmmakers Academy is a premium educational platform for filmmakers by industry leaders who reveal how to master your craft in cinematography, directing, post-production, and more!
www.filmmakersacademy.com www.filmmakersacademy.com

similarly explained.

sharpness is one terms of making up resolution with contrast, lens size, ease of view.

such as you look at the lines like

llllll

high sharpness make those vertical lines sharper.

high resolution make the gap between the lines more distinguishable

more easy to seen even with bad eyecondition.

I test resolution but mainly review about sharpness not resolution.

because resolution in long distance are influenced highly with size of the lense.
Click to expand...


Jack:
Those things cannot be measured, just subjective opinion, another example of not sure.
How many panes of glass do you look through when doing your comparisons.
Jerry
 

Similar threads

O
Is it worth it to upgrade from a GPO Passion HD to an EL?
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
4K
Ouroboros
O
John A Roberts
12x42 added to EL Range TA Line
Replies
0
Views
305
John A Roberts
John A Roberts
Evan Atkinson
Looking at upgrading
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Maljunulo
M
M
used EL 8x32 or new NL 8x32
2
Replies
28
Views
4K
tenex
tenex
C
10x32 EL SV or 10x42 SLC
Replies
9
Views
2K
[email protected]
D

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top