Focusing with the Nikon 8x32 LX (1 Viewer)

[graeme782]

I very recently bought new binoculars. I went with the intention of buying the 8x32 HG's due to the fact they were less expensive than the rest. I tried several models of the same binocular and, although the view was good, i agree entirely with all the comments made earlier by Jonathan B. I went away with the EL's.

 

[trealawboy]

I very recently bought new binoculars. I went with the intention of buying the 8x32 HG's due to the fact they were less expensive than the rest. I tried several models of the same binocular and, although the view was good, i agree entirely with all the comments made earlier by Jonathan B. I went away with the EL's.

I like the focus on the Nikons. Fast and smooth.

 

[henry link]

i am still having this problem whats going on with these bins?

The fast focus could be a red herring. As Ikka mentioned, difficulty reaching secure focus can be a sign of some sort of optical defect, some of which are hard to diagnose.

Try evaluating just one side of the binocular at a time using the same eye to look through each side(tripod mounting will make it easier). Defects like astigmatism, misalignment, pinching and excessive spherical aberration usually occur in only one side. Does the image look the same in both sides? If you are able to reach good focus in both barrels when using only one eye then the collimation between the barrels may be off or you may need to more carefully set the diopter adjustment or the IPD.

You can quickly check collimation by placing a distant horizontal line (building roof, etc.) across the center of the field. Slowly move your eyes away from the eyepieces until you see two small circles next to each other. Is the horizontal line at the same level in both circles? This isn't a complete test of collimation but if the lines are not level you know the collimation is off.

 

[Steve999]

Good points by Henry.

The diopter setting is definitely worth a little experimentation. I normally set a diopter to the centre mark but with my 8x32 HG, have found that I need to offset it slightly.

I have considered a number of explanations for this including my own known optical imbalance shortcomings but can't explain it definitively. Nevertheless, a small diopter adjustment on the HG works for me.

Steve

 

[iambirding]

Thanks Everybody But...

I tried everyones recommendations found no problems other than its just Doesnt Snap Into Focus. Its Very Upsetting to find out these Great Bins are Not So Great Or Some Are Great And Others Are Not. I will stick to my Pentax DCF SP which are Great- Great Focus, Bright, Easy To Hold- Except the Field Of View is narrow. I will return the Nikons tomorrow.

 

[pduxon]

I love the Nikons but hey.... when you see so many contradictory statements on BF you realise why we say you must try before you buy.

 

[iambirding]

I love the Nikons but hey.... when you see so many contradictory statements on BF you realise why we say you must try before you buy.

some of us live in the middle of nowhere and dont have those luxuries. if i had a store nearby that carried a selection of bins i would try them buy them and have no need for this forum other than to help others in my situation.

 

[iambirding]

The fast focus could be a red herring. As Ikka mentioned, difficulty reaching secure focus can be a sign of some sort of optical defect, some of which are hard to diagnose.

Try evaluating just one side of the binocular at a time using the same eye to look through each side(tripod mounting will make it easier). Defects like astigmatism, misalignment, pinching and excessive spherical aberration usually occur in only one side. Does the image look the same in both sides? If you are able to reach good focus in both barrels when using only one eye then the collimation between the barrels may be off or you may need to more carefully set the diopter adjustment or the IPD.

You can quickly check collimation by placing a distant horizontal line (building roof, etc.) across the center of the field. Slowly move your eyes away from the eyepieces until you see two small circles next to each other. Is the horizontal line at the same level in both circles? This isn't a complete test of collimation but if the lines are not level you know the collimation is off.

got a hold of tripod tonight. collimation is off- i think? i did a test indoors with a blue tape line on the wall at 30 ft and stepped back 2 feet and the line did not meet in the eyepieces. very off. i did it at 30 feet because that is usually at the range th problem is most obvious. is that a sufficient collimation test? what should i do? these are new should i return them? or do more testing or send them to nikon i think it is awful that nikon is constanly doing this. but at the same time i cant find a better pair based on reviews for 600 dollars. thanks for the help. any more help would be apprrecciated. also cant get both barrels to resolve detail separately.

 

[Atomic Chicken]

iambirding,

I did a variation of the test you describe a few minutes ago with my own Nikon HG 8x32's, but using a strip of black electricians tape instead of the blue tape you used. I put my binoculars on a tripod using my tripod strap mount, and looked through the binoculars with an index card blocking one objective lens. I removed the index card, and the tape position did not shift at all. As far as I can tell, my Nikon HG's are perfectly collimated... at least at the 30 foot range.

I would definitely get yours repaired under warranty if they do turn out to be miscollimated, they are truly fantastic binoculars when they are operating properly.

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[henry link]

got a hold of tripod tonight. collimation is off- i think? i did a test indoors with a blue tape line on the wall at 30 ft and stepped back 2 feet and the line did not meet in the eyepieces. very off. i did it at 30 feet because that is usually at the range th problem is most obvious. is that a sufficient collimation test? what should i do? these are new should i return them? or do more testing or send them to nikon i think it is awful that nikon is constanly doing this. but at the same time i cant find a better pair based on reviews for 600 dollars. thanks for the help. any more help would be apprrecciated. also cant get both barrels to resolve detail separately.

From your description collimation appeares to be off but two things make me doubt that collimation is the whole problem. One is that you say the problem is worse at a particular distance and in the last sentence you say you are unable to resolve detail in each barrel separately. You might try a quick resolution test comparing the Nikon to your Pentax. With each binocular mounted on a tripod and using only one eye see how much detail you can resolve on a dollar bill at 30 feet through all four barrels.

Trying to help from a distance is difficult. We can't look through your eyes. I know it's an unhappy event to bring home a new pair of bins and find that you don't like them as well as your old ones. I would try the resolution test and the collimation test a few more times at different distances to see if the results are consistent and play with the diopter adjustment. If things don't improve I would return them to the dealer. IMO the service departments of every firm should be considered the last resort, especially in a case like yours where you are not sure whether the binocular is defective or you just don't like it.

Henry

 

[iambirding]

i ve tried everything still not happy with the the view and yes my pentax do snap into focus. i apprecciate everyone's help. here's my dilemna before going back into the store- 1. i got a really good deal on these bins. 2. if i returm them no one else has this deal. 3. as far as reviews go no one else can touch these bins as far as this price and this quality optics.

i know everyone loves leica and says how wonderful they are but every review says they are second rate to the nikons. i was thinking of sending the bins back to nikon and having them replace or fix the pair? not sure what to do but i am faced with this dilemna. in the US these bins sell for 900 and i got them for 600 and they are new it just seems nikon has really bad quality control. any one had experince with nikon warranty and customer service?

any advice on bins and so on... leica is too expensive for second best. thanks. maybe stick with narrow view of of my pentax that seem to get close to the very best?:eek!:

 

[Bill Atwood]

Take them back to the store already! Sheesh! A reliable store could look through those, figure there was a problem and give you a new pair. Are you saying that these are the only one of that model they had? I wonder why you got this "good deal" on a bad pair of bins?

Are they the 32 mms or 42 mms? It shouldn't be difficult to find the 1st version HG 32 mms for under $900.

 

[Pileatus]

i ve tried everything still not happy with the the view and yes my pentax do snap into focus. i apprecciate everyone's help. here's my dilemna before going back into the store- 1. i got a really good deal on these bins. 2. if i returm them no one else has this deal. 3. as far as reviews go no one else can touch these bins as far as this price and this quality optics.

i know everyone loves leica and says how wonderful they are but every review says they are second rate to the nikons. i was thinking of sending the bins back to nikon and having them replace or fix the pair? not sure what to do but i am faced with this dilemna. in the US these bins sell for 900 and i got them for 600 and they are new it just seems nikon has really bad quality control. any one had experince with nikon warranty and customer service?

any advice on bins and so on... leica is too expensive for second best. thanks. maybe stick with narrow view of of my pentax that seem to get close to the very best?:eek!:

Leica is not second best when you can use them all day and never tire of them. In fact, they're so good it's difficult to put them down.

Nikon gave you a No-Fault, lifetime warranty, so they will do whatever it takes to get them properly collimated for you. Send them back and let us know how their service was. I'm sure they've heard of Birdforum by now!

Good luck.

John

 

[Atomic Chicken]

iambirding,

Where on earth did you hear or get the idea that Nikon is the best and Leica is 2nd best?

Don't let anybody tell you any particular binocular is "the best"... try out as many as you can and make the determination for yourself. Binoculars are one of the most subjective purchases you can make, every model (and even individual samples within a batch) has it's own unique variations. Everyone's eyes are different, and although many binocular attributes such as FOV, resolution, brightness, etc. can be measured, that does not mean that the resulting image will be acceptable to you. The best specifications in the world don't necessarily mean the binocular will be pleasing to your own eyes... personal experience is the only true measure of a binoculars worth.

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[iambirding]

Where Did I Hear This? Bvd, Alula And My My Fellow Birders. Friends Here Do Not Like The Leicas And I Was Not Impressed With Trinivoid.

 

[iambirding]

Take them back to the store already! Sheesh! A reliable store could look through those, figure there was a problem and give you a new pair. Are you saying that these are the only one of that model they had? I wonder why you got this "good deal" on a bad pair of bins?

Are they the 32 mms or 42 mms? It shouldn't be difficult to find the 1st version HG 32 mms for under $900.

wake up billy- the forum thread's title is- focusing with the 8x32 HG.

they are the first version. and yes they were the only one. others have mentioned similar problems. SHEESH!

 

[Bill Atwood]

Well iambirding, you were not the original poster and it was not real clear what bins you had.

 

[iambirding]

Well iambirding, you were not the original poster and it was not real clear what bins you had.

SHEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!