Thank you very much Marc, for your experience (via the girlfriend) and the link to the review which I have now read - it seems like the MkIII IS ones are the ones to go for although they are a bit more than I was budgeting for.I've not used these, but I researched them for a while. Same problem, my girlfriend has some shakes when using binoculars. So far, we've been able to suitably address it using some 7x bins instead of the 10x that she had been using. She reports much sharper views and she sees more with the 7x than she did with the 10x.
What I understand is the newest generation of Canon IS binoculars is very good, including the 10x32 IS which uses the IS iii system One big advantage of these over the old ones is the IS activation button. On the old ones, you had to keep the button depressed to run the IS. On the new ones, you push it on then it will auto turn off after a bit. You don't need to keep it depressed, which is big for me.
Here's a review of it: https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/binoculars/canon-10x32-is-iii-binocular
Looking at a .co.uk retailer, they are a bit over your price range, though maybe you could find a used pair?
Marc
Thank you very much for all the info 'Binastro' I will go through all the bins you have mentioned.If one uses glasses then one would have to see if the Canon IS has enough eye relief.
Also maybe only 3 dioptres adjustment.
My Canon 10x30 IS Mk 2 probably has the best IS of any of the IS that I have used. But they vary.
The Canon 12x36 Mk 3 is of the same era and should be good.
The 32mm Canon IS have not possibly been a good seller because of the much higher price.
I haven't tested any of them, and they may be difficult to buy secondhand.
I would never buy any IS binocular secondhand unless really cheap, so I wouldn't mind the failures such as those of an old (10 plus years in damp conditions?) Canon 10x30 IS Mk 1, which has internal moisture, and a useless Bushnell 10x35, both secondhand mistakes.
An 8x25 IS also has very poor IS although the other two used were very good, except that the optical windows fall out.
The Canon 10x42 L IS can be very good and is waterproof, but is heavy and may be a bit expensive.
I think now the Canon IS have about a two year warranty in the U.K.
But usually if they last a year without a fault, they should hopefully have a good lifetime.
I have used about fourteen various IS binoculars over almost twenty years.
Thank you very much for all the replies guys. Over the past 10 years or so I have been mainly photographing birds and currently have several Canon 'L' class IS lenses so know just how good the stabilisation is but I was unsure how good it was on Binoculars - seems like it works very well from the feedback I am getting.
At the moment the Canon 10 x 42 L IS WP is the favourite for me, at 1100g it is lighter than anything I am used to with Camera and lens (and cheaper!!).
How come there is not a 8x42 IS bin?
I understand that Lee but they do a 8 x25 ISProbably because the average person can hold 8x steady enough without IS help.
Lee
I understand that Lee but they do a 8 x25 IS
Usually IS binoculars have small exit pupils.
With the electronic stabilised IS monoculars there is a limit of about 25mm to 30mm aperture.
Thank you very much for all the feedback folk. I have now read a lot of reviews and comments on the 10x42 L IS WP bins and all seem to indicate that the optical image is superb once the IS is switched on. The cons seems to be with the Mechanics. There is no chance of me trying them locally so I may just take a chance on them. Are there any cons that I should really be concerned with? thanks again guys.
Thanks for all the great advice Guys. Just before I order a pair of 10x42 L IS Bins I have a query on interpupillary distance - I have a short distance (my current 8x40's are almost closed right up), I have read the follow review on-line :-
"Some have complained about the eyepieces being too hard or too large. I haven't found that to be a problem with my facial dimensions. Yeah, softer cups might be more comfy, but then they don't provide the stable connection between the back of the bins and the front of my face. Their diameter isn't a problem for me, either, but if your interpupillary distance is on the short side, it might be"