How MANY binoculars do you have? Impressive.Leica size… YES it IS.. Really there is not a WHOLE lot of difference between IT and a 32mm.
Leica build quality…. I've only had these a SHORT time but two things that REALLY stand out are build quality and user friendliness. The diopter adjustment beats every binocular I've ever owned and by a long shot. One twist of the eye cups makes you wonder why everyone else doesn't do it this way. Everything about the binocular works, well PERFECTLY.
OPTICALLY? I really haven't come to any conclusion. I've used them a LITTLE. Colors seem to be SUPER and of course optically it is excellent. We'll see how it compares to a Vortex Viper HD and a Vanguard Endeavor ED II, both 8X42s later on.
Split rings… Yeah… They are so I can snap on and snap off using a harness. So far I see no real wear on any binoculars though I'm sure it's worse than the OEM nylon strap. So far that's the best solution I've come up with. OP/TECH USA offers a Uni-loop style attachment. You just loop around the ring that's part of the binocular then it has a clip for easy attachment. I've got it here but haven't used it yet.
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What is your favorite 10x? (1 Viewer)
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Those Blacklines and Silvelines are very nice and at 24.7 oz. amazingly light for a 10x42.
So you prefer the SF over the HT 10x42?
Rathaus
Well-known member
Facial features, ergonomics, instrument tactility, value, durability, eyesight, sentimentality etc all come into play too I guess. However, despite their lower price, I do find the 10x40 Habicht GA to be my favs. I can say they're brighter and sharper and more brutally colour neutral with better contrast than my Canon 10x42L or my 8.5SV among others, but I think it's something else...maybe intangible. It's my number one 10x. Easy.
There's much more to a bino than light transmission...but Just looking at some stats....I'm not sure why people are so excited about the Zeiss SF re its light transmission stat of 92%. I'm sure they're really good roofs in many many ways but let's not get carried away.
The Fujinons and Habichts are all in the 95-98% transmission range, and that's been the case for a long long time.
Rathaus
There's much more to a bino than light transmission...but Just looking at some stats....I'm not sure why people are so excited about the Zeiss SF re its light transmission stat of 92%. I'm sure they're really good roofs in many many ways but let's not get carried away.
The Fujinons and Habichts are all in the 95-98% transmission range, and that's been the case for a long long time.
Rathaus
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karstenkoch
Active member
I've been using my Eagle Optics Ranger ED 10x32 (previous metal frame version) the most of any of my 10x binos lately. I have some nice 42mm and 50mm pairs, but the 32mm gives up little to them during the day and is easier to carry around.
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Rathaus, post 64,
98% lightransmisson? We never have measured in the different instruments we have investigated such a high light transmission, so that must be something special.
Gijs van Ginkel
98% lightransmisson? We never have measured in the different instruments we have investigated such a high light transmission, so that must be something special.
Gijs van Ginkel
Rathaus
Well-known member
That's everyone's favourite 'allbinos' test figure for the 7x50 Fujinon at $500-600! I don't particularly trust the site, but this bins light transmission, even tested on different equipment all over the Internet, is right up there near or at the top. I do own the bin too.
Swarovski rates all their Habichts at 96%. I don't doubt them.
Rathaus
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It's hard to find an exact number, but I have seen the FMT-SX 10X70 quoted at better than 95%, but I have no knowledge of the smaller ones..
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Porro's always have higher transmission because the light has fewer optical surfaces to pass through. That is one nice thing about them. Simplicity.
The 10x32 would give you a 3.2mm exit pupil. Could I ask what age group you are? It is interesting that you notice no difference in brightness even between a 50mm.
The 7x50 Fujinon is really bright. Excellent binocular especially for the price. I don't doubt the transmission numbers. Excellent build quality also.
chill6x6
Well-known member
Interesting. A 10x32 might suffice for daytime birding then.
Those Minox 9.5x42 actually look pretty cool. How much did you have to give for them? Here is a review on them.
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/560553/site_id/1#import
perterra
Well-known member
wanna say $239 but I could be wrong. Got it from Doug, crappy close focus at maybe 30 feet. But it's a respectable binocular. Holds it's own well even today.
karstenkoch
Active member
early 40's. I didn't necessarily mean brightness but rather useability. My Zeiss 10x42 can sometimes be too bright during the day, but that isn't necessarily helpful in all situations. At night I see a noticeable difference, esp. looking at stars. I find myself carrying those 10x32s most of the time during the day.
PeterPS
MEMBER
My favorite 10x: SF 10x42. I have compared them with quite a few other 10x42 and 10x32 bins, and they have (to my eyes) the most relaxing view and best handling. However I do believe that right now Zeiss has QC issues with the SF---one of the SF examples that I tried had some kind of impurity on/in the focusing lenses that produced black dots near the edge of the field stop.
Peter.
Peter.
Maybe Zeiss has forgotten what clean is. There seem to be quite a few complaints with particles inside the binoculars. Although they may or may not affect the view they shouldn't be there.
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