Halloween Post: The Return of the Rolling Ball Effect!!! (1 Viewer)

[dozercsx]

Greetings,
So I just purchased a lovely pair of 10x50 ED Flat Field binoculars from Aomekie (I am currently writing a review). As I was field testing the glass, I experienced a strange, otherworldly sensation - that of the binocular image being "rolled over" a convex curved field! This occurs any time I pan the glass across a daytime background - spooky!

In online research I came across some early descriptions of "the Rolling Ball Effect", first noted on Swarovski EL glasses in the 2008-2010 timeframe. Swarovski eventually exorcised this effect by designing in "pincushion distortion" (called Swarovision!) which apparently minimized things.

I have never experienced this in any of my numerous binoculars - and it was quite disconcerting! I felt a tinge of nausea (which is apparently common with this effect). Reviews mention that this may go away after repeated use. I also read that it is not noticeable when not panning, and that flat field is, in fact, desirable in astronomy binoculars (which will be a primary use for these).

Question: has anyone experienced this "Rolling Ball" effect before? Does it go away or minimize? Which bins? Are my binoculars haunted? I'd hate to blame this on Halloween!

 

[Canip]

Does it go away or minimize?

Only if you store your binoculars for two consecutive days in a box together with some garlic 🤔

 

[NSH]

Hi, I have experienced this whenever I tried Swarovski bins, I have stuck with Leicas with no issues ever. I also suffered from the same effect when using a Questar scope but believe that was due to the reverse image? I am susceptible to sea sickness and some travel motion discomfort so I think its me. Can't say that it has ever gone away as not used anything that causes it for any period of time as too unpleasant.
Neil

 

[Thotmosis]

Question: has anyone experienced this "Rolling Ball" effect before? Does it go away or minimize? Which bins? Are my binoculars haunted? I'd hate to blame this on Halloween!

I tried a NL Pure 14x52 for two days and unfortunately discovered that im sensitive to this so called “rolling ball” effect. It was minimal but enough to send the binocular back. Just my short experience with this haunted binocular. I also don’t like this so called amusement rides, like rollercoasters or even worse: Haunted attraction (simulated) - Wikipedia it makes me seasick and dizzy. I think i stick with binoculars without field flatterers, its better for my health. I even think that they should have a mandatory big yellow warning sticker: “WARNING CAN CAUSE ROLLING BALL EFFECT” 😜.

 

[Thotmosis]

Hi, I have experienced this whenever I tried Swarovski bins, I have stuck with Leicas with no issues ever. I also suffered from the same effect when using a Questar scope but believe that was due to the reverse image? I am susceptible to sea sickness and some travel motion discomfort so I think its me. Can't say that it has ever gone away as not used anything that causes it for any period of time as too unpleasant.
Neil

The Swarovski Habicht binoculars that i own don’t have field flatterers and no “rolling ball” effect. I also tried Swarovski SLC, really very nice binoculars without this effect.

 

[PatR]

I tried a NL Pure 14x52 for two days and unfortunately discovered that im sensitive to this so called “rolling ball” effect. It was minimal but enough to send the binocular back. Just my short experience with this haunted binocular. I also don’t like this so called amusement rides, like rollercoasters or even worse: Haunted attraction (simulated) - Wikipedia it makes me seasick and dizzy. I think i stick with binoculars without field flatterers, its better for my health. I even think that they should have a mandatory big yellow warning sticker: “WARNING CAN CAUSE ROLLING BALL EFFECT” 😜.

Just goes to show how different we are and how some bino's affect others. I haven't experienced any rolling ball effect with my 14x52's or any of the Pure's but I was warned by a fellow owner that he had experienced it......but could live with it.

The only bino's that I have experienced a slight rolling ball or dizzyness whilst using them are my wife's Canon 10x30 IS ii's which is a shame as otherwise they are cracking and the IS is rather good.

But a trip to Belgium (figuratively speaking, will order on line) is on the cards as the Kite APC 18x50's have started an itch which may need scratching.

 

[Maljunulo]

Question: has anyone experienced this "Rolling Ball" effect before? Does it go away or minimize? Which bins? Are my binoculars haunted? I'd hate to blame this on Halloween!

It never went away or minimized, with my EL SV.

It was very annoying, but I forced myself to ignore it.

 

[jafritten]

Question: has anyone experienced this "Rolling Ball" effect before? Does it go away or minimize? Which bins? Are my binoculars haunted? I'd hate to blame this on Halloween!

It might minimize or even go away. But I wouldn't be too optimistic about it.

I used to be very sensitive to the rolling ball effect to the point I found some binoculars practically useless. I remember trying out a few Swarovski ELs in various configurations outside a shop and the RB really put me off. That was many years ago and at a time when I mainly used binoculars with pronounced pincushion distortion (Leica Ultravid 10x32). At some point I bought a pair of Leica Ultravid 10x42s and I thought I saw a bit of RB. Today, I don't see anything like RB in the Ultravid 10x42. I also bought a pair of Swarovski ELs in the 8.5x configuation at some point. I still see the rolling ball effect in these, but I don't mind it, really because it seems much milder to me today. I guess, one's brain can (doesn't mean it will) adapt to it.

 

[Scott98]

Yes, I see annoying bending and warping in most wide-field binos, it's very strong in my Zeiss SF 8x42. It's not going away anytime soon.

For this reason I've settled on using Nikon EDG 7x42 during the day. The 7x42 and 8x42 EDG appear sharp to the edge and have virtually no bending & warping.

That said, it bothers me a lot less doing astronomy, and the SF 8x42's are my favorite 42mm for astronomy.