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Which binocular(s) did you use today? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Binocollector
- Start date
I just wanted to use the old 10x50 on Friday. Its superlative build quality always enthuses me, and the old single coatings are least disadvantaged in bright sunlit conditions (indeed could almost be said to be an advantage when searching brightly lit clouds). As always it took a bit of getting used to, but once I had properly reacquainted myself with it, it was a joy to use.
Big sky, big binos (but not that big compared to the Docter):
Big sky, big binos (but not that big compared to the Docter):
The last four days I've used the UVHD+ 8X32, Kowa Genesis 8X32, and the Opticron Aurora 8X42. All are super birding binoculars. The Kowa doesn't give up too much to the Leica for sure.
Saw a black-throated green, blue headed vireo, and a Louisiana waterthrush....all a little early. It was great to get to see them. I heard the LOWA and knew what it was the moment I heard it. Those those sure will get your blood flowing in late March!
Saw a black-throated green, blue headed vireo, and a Louisiana waterthrush....all a little early. It was great to get to see them. I heard the LOWA and knew what it was the moment I heard it. Those those sure will get your blood flowing in late March!
Thotmosis
Well-known member
Because of some focuser talk about an UVHD+ 7x42 in another thread, i took my non + for a walk and had some nice views of boats, crows and clouds.
The UVHD 7x42 mm is a very compact binocular that fits perfectly in one of the many pockets of my Fjallraven reporter vest.
I also added some winged eyecups to try and they work good.
The UVHD 7x42 mm is a very compact binocular that fits perfectly in one of the many pockets of my Fjallraven reporter vest.
I also added some winged eyecups to try and they work good.
that is very cool! They are not up here yet (Massachusetts) I'm still seeing juncos in my yard
looksharp65
Well-known member
Today and yesterday my EDG 7x42, one of my less used binoculars. I use to say that divorcing the EDG is a sin, then I realise it's a sin not to use such a fine binocular. It is in fact the purchase of a MHG 8x42 that intrigued me into investigating the EDG again. One of the reasons I didn't use it was that I saved it mostly for use with spectacles which happens increasingly more seldom because my tears run excessively in the wind, so I must use contacts and wraparound style safety glasses. But I can keep them on while looking through the EDG, and take them off and raise the eyecups.
It's mysterious that I didn't figure out earlier that this makes the EDG a far more allround binocular than I perceived it to be.
And should my contacts misbehave while I'm out, I can just ditch them and use my spectacles and accept my flooding tears.
//L
It's mysterious that I didn't figure out earlier that this makes the EDG a far more allround binocular than I perceived it to be.
And should my contacts misbehave while I'm out, I can just ditch them and use my spectacles and accept my flooding tears.
//L
hopster
Well-known member
The last four days I've used the UVHD+ 8X32, Kowa Genesis 8X32, and the Opticron Aurora 8X42. All are super birding binoculars. The Kowa doesn't give up too much to the Leica for sure.
Saw a black-throated green, blue headed vireo, and a Louisiana waterthrush....all a little early. It was great to get to see them. I heard the LOWA and knew what it was the moment I heard it. Those those sure will get your blood flowing in late March!
I don't think everyone recognises how good the Aurora 8x is optically. Shame that the focuser has not been smooth on any that I tried.
hopster
Well-known member
I hope the focuser worked well for you!
hopster
Well-known member
Looking forward to try the EDG 7x42 as soon as I can. Perhaps this will end my 7x quest.
yes, in certain cases perhaps it's better to seek an annulment from Zeiss or Swaro
Two lovely optics there!
When we lived in Herentals we visited the Bosteels Brewery, a really traditional and very interesting place. They were suffering from the popularity of the pilsner type beers at the time and introduced an awful beer (IMHO) called Kwak. With the grace of good luck, and a nearby Abbey for inspiration, the delightful Tripel was 'born'.
Praise be to the Lord!
Thotmosis
Well-known member
Cheers Pat 🍻
Salut! Proost!
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For the last few weeks I've used the Docter Nobilem 10x50 (aka Brontosaurus, The Dumbell, Dr No) almost exclusively. You can never have too much time with a binocular, but 2 to 4 hour stints glued to the binoculars (virtually all my targets are beyond the naked eye), in conditions ranging from pure-white cloud illuminated by bright midday sun to dull grey overcast and late afternoon (@10 minutes before official sunset) light, and on birds from about 30m away to dot size, makes for a reasonably good trial... I think anyway.
I commented on this binocular a month or so ago (link) and still agree with most of what I liked and disliked about it. Optically I think it's very good indeed. The combination of comfortable exit pupil, wide field of view and the immersivity of using them straight to the eyes with the rubber eyecups shielding stray light seem to make for great viewability. Sharpness seems as good or better than the Nikon 10x42 SE and viewing comfort better, which I suppose is to be expected from a larger binocular with more aperture, and sweet spot is generous too. This thing combines much of the best of the 12x50B Nobilem Spezial and the 10x50 Zeiss West with more modern coatings/colour rendition than either - although today's best, and probably second-best, are (unsurprisingly) better yet. It'd be interesting to know if there was any improvement between the model I have and its final iteration with the more contemporary armouring.
So it's great in terms of viewability, and very good mechanically too, all moving parts seeming tight and precise (although, as noted in my earlier post, I'd have preferred a stiffer and slower focuser). But as far as usability is concerned, it's almost the opposite. If you free-hand it you'll find yourself wishing for somewhere to brace your elbows pretty quickly - 1.3 kg may not sound like much, but if you have to point the binoculars almost directly upward to stay on a bird that insists on circling high overhead, that weight really makes itself felt. I don't find Zeiss's marketing slogan for the SFL ("Feel the intensity. Not your equipment") quite so funny any more. Any smaller binocular seems like a joy to use afterwards!
...which begs the question - is the weight worth the hassle? Does what the brontosaurus offer make up for it being such a PITA? I can say with confidence that the 10x50 format really works well for my kind of birding, offering a great combo of long reach, reasonable steadiness and good viewing comfort (very important when scanning for distant targets for hours, and hopefully following them for long periods). I think the last factor is so important that it makes me willing to put up with a large and unwieldy device a lot of the time. I sure wish it could be packaged into something the size of the Zeiss West 10x50 though, or ideally smaller yet. I guess I ought to go look at the Maven or SFL 10x50s now, shouldn't I?
I commented on this binocular a month or so ago (link) and still agree with most of what I liked and disliked about it. Optically I think it's very good indeed. The combination of comfortable exit pupil, wide field of view and the immersivity of using them straight to the eyes with the rubber eyecups shielding stray light seem to make for great viewability. Sharpness seems as good or better than the Nikon 10x42 SE and viewing comfort better, which I suppose is to be expected from a larger binocular with more aperture, and sweet spot is generous too. This thing combines much of the best of the 12x50B Nobilem Spezial and the 10x50 Zeiss West with more modern coatings/colour rendition than either - although today's best, and probably second-best, are (unsurprisingly) better yet. It'd be interesting to know if there was any improvement between the model I have and its final iteration with the more contemporary armouring.
So it's great in terms of viewability, and very good mechanically too, all moving parts seeming tight and precise (although, as noted in my earlier post, I'd have preferred a stiffer and slower focuser). But as far as usability is concerned, it's almost the opposite. If you free-hand it you'll find yourself wishing for somewhere to brace your elbows pretty quickly - 1.3 kg may not sound like much, but if you have to point the binoculars almost directly upward to stay on a bird that insists on circling high overhead, that weight really makes itself felt. I don't find Zeiss's marketing slogan for the SFL ("Feel the intensity. Not your equipment") quite so funny any more. Any smaller binocular seems like a joy to use afterwards!
...which begs the question - is the weight worth the hassle? Does what the brontosaurus offer make up for it being such a PITA? I can say with confidence that the 10x50 format really works well for my kind of birding, offering a great combo of long reach, reasonable steadiness and good viewing comfort (very important when scanning for distant targets for hours, and hopefully following them for long periods). I think the last factor is so important that it makes me willing to put up with a large and unwieldy device a lot of the time. I sure wish it could be packaged into something the size of the Zeiss West 10x50 though, or ideally smaller yet. I guess I ought to go look at the Maven or SFL 10x50s now, shouldn't I?
OrnithologyDevotee
Well-known member
I have a really nasty cold so I'm quarantined away from the family. I've been using my Nikon Monarch M7 to watch the hummingbirds drinking from the flowers from my window. Today I've seen some hummingbirds fight, a hawk perch on a tree, some butterflies do their business, and the population of house finches I feed sitting in the trees. The window is sealed shut because of how old and water damaged it is so I have to look through the filthy window. Still can't figure out how to pry the window open!
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