Conndomat
United States of Europe
None at all, I use a 15x56 SLC which is practically CA-free!
Yes I can confirm...
Andreas
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Why is Alpha better than high grade. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Paultricounty
- Start date
Andreas
Handheld?
Conndomat
United States of Europe
no...
That sounds convenient 😁
This can lead to some interesting situations. Let's say manufacturer A has got two different ranges of binoculars. Their top range is slightly better than the other, so that's clearly an alpha. Their second range isn't. However, that range is still "better" (whatever that means) than the top range of manufacturer B. The top range of manufacturer B would, however, be considered alpha, after all, it's their top range. The second range of manufacturer A wouldn't, even though it's better. Mind- boggling, right?
Houston, we've got a problem ...
Well, in the examples I gave there were enough cases reported here and elsewhere to call that a quality issue. And if your binocular stops focusing in the middle of nowhere on a long trip it's hardly a consolation if there are very few such failures compared to the sales numbers. (That happened to a friend. He didn't have a spare pair ... )
Hermann
Vespobuteo
Well-known member
I think the term "Alpha binocular" originally was coined in a BVD-articles from 2005/2006 as far as I can google, a description of the optically best binocular in its class. First mention I can find here on BF (quoting BVD) is 2009. But I might be wrong.
"The current market which demands a wide angle of view and long eye relief pushes optics engineers to the limits of what is possible with current technology. Meeting these antithetical demands requires an exotic (very expensive) multi-element eyepiece, which is one of the reasons that alpha class binoculars cost so much. Manufacturers of more modestly priced binoculars commonly address the problem by allowing the wide angle to reduce the eye relief to a lower number than that included in their specifications -- a solution which makes it difficult or impossible to see the edges of the field with or without eyeglasses -- and negates some of the benefit of a wide angle of view. "
I couldn't agree more, having an immersive view (also with glasses) is one very important property of an alpha bin.
Is this article from 2009?
Alpha bins from that era are superceded by modesty priced bins of today ....... As is the history of every product I can think of.
Conndomat
United States of Europe
A deckchair and what? A tripod or p-mount?Yes in a deckchair, very comfortable...
Andreas
Vespobuteo
Well-known member
This can lead to some interesting situations. Let's say manufacturer A has got two different ranges of binoculars. Their top range is slightly better than the other, so that's clearly an alpha. Their second range isn't. However, that range is still "better" (whatever that means) than the top range of manufacturer B. The top range of manufacturer B would, however, be considered alpha, after all, it's their top range. The second range of manufacturer A wouldn't, even though it's better. Mind- boggling, right?
Houston, we've got a problem ...
Well, in the examples I gave there were enough cases reported here and elsewhere to call that a quality issue. And if your binocular stops focusing in the middle of nowhere on a long trip it's hardly a consolation if there are very few such failures compared to the sales numbers. (That happened to a friend. He didn't have a spare pair ... )
Hermann
Don't draw to much conclusions from anecdotal data, and always bring spare batteries....
Not mind boggling at all, as I don't think any alpha is clearly better than the other, just a bit different. They all have pros and cons. But one thing they all have in common and that's sufficient eye relief and an immersive view.
Conndomat
United States of Europe
Vespobuteo
Well-known member
No, they are certainly not...
EL SV (2010), Leica UV HD (2007), Zeiss FL (2004!), still outperform any of the current midrange bins.
EDIT: You could probably add the Nikon EDG (2008) as well, a bin that I know many regard very high.
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What have you tested against these?
Vespobuteo
Well-known member
Zeiss Conquest HD, Leica Trinovid HD, Swaro SLC, Nikon Monarch HG, Kowa Genesis etc.
The SFL:s I haven't yet tried, but at least the price is not midrange.
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WJC
Well-known member
Be more suitable
dorubird
Well-known member
Very correct, I like that! It is a proverb in Romania: "The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!!!"
An experienced observer with cheap binoculars (but still collimated
), will have better results at the end of the day than an inexperienced one with high-performance binoculars. But what happens if this experienced observer uses high-performance binoculars? He will make his observations easier and more pleasant!
I don't think that the 18x50s claim to be waterproof.
With a 3x booster my one is awful.
However, I have used it for 22 years.
Some testers say the gain at night is a fraction of a magnitude.
I clearly see very faint stars, tiny points of light when I switch the IS on.
The gain is 1.0 to 1.5 magnitudes or 250% to 400% for faintest stars seen.
B.
With a 3x booster my one is awful.
However, I have used it for 22 years.
Some testers say the gain at night is a fraction of a magnitude.
I clearly see very faint stars, tiny points of light when I switch the IS on.
The gain is 1.0 to 1.5 magnitudes or 250% to 400% for faintest stars seen.
B.
From Canon website the 18x50 AW (All weather) :
"Enjoy excellent viewing in harsh weather conditions thanks to weather resistance to JIS 4 specification. The rugged build quality features a rubber finish to withstand the harshest conditions, making these binoculars ideal for heavy-duty use."
Googling this.....means splash proof from all directions. Next level up JIS 5, is water jets from all directions. JIS scale is 0 to 8.
Not immersible, but allegedly suitable for a marine environment.....? So should be suitable for wet birding.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Canon L WP are water proof and gas filled, Canon will not disclose if nitrogen or argon gas is used. All the other canon I S binoculars are not gas filled and only water resistant. Canon explains that water resistant does it mean water won’t get in , it just means the construction materials can withstand certain weather conditions. This is according to reputable knowledgeable sources at Canon.
I know for some waterproofing is very important and of course it’s a nice little insurance policy. Last week I got caught in a wall of water in the Florida Everglades raining down on me out of nowhere with my SF’s. But even when you’re not in the potential position to get a waterfall on you they are still extremely useful in cold and or damp humid conditions.
