The amount of optics erudition revealed in this thread never ceases to amaze me, and I am not being sarcastic. Here in White Suffering Springs, Mt. with an elevation of over 5,000 feet and a low relative humidity, on a clear day one can see over 80 miles. Wind keeps out the particulates that create haze in more populated areas, i.e., when forest fires have died down. Less than 2,000 people live in a county of over 2,400 square miles. Here binoculars take on even a more special meaning for long distance viewing.
We experience the mirage factors big time, whether from heat, wind, or light. Reflection off snow creates special viewing problems in particular.
On any given day elk, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, coyotes, red fox, and beef cattle and horses can be seen from my bay window. Raptors are always present, mostly redtail hawks, and bald and golden eagles, which choose to winter here. Surprisingly, mallards and Canadian geese stay in the mountain valleys, eschewing the warmth of the lower states. The Sandhill Cranes return each spring to entertain us with their raucous calls.
Just as the sun had set, with temperature in the 40s (F), no wind, and most of the snow gone, I set up a number of binoculars to make some comparisons off a steady rest. My targets were black and red beef cows in hay meadows a half mile away and a herd of antelope several miles away. I had about a half hour of twilight to work with.
The binoculars were Nikon 8x32 SE, Zeiss Fl 8x32, Leupold Cascade 8x42, Bushnell Featherlights 8x40, Bushnell Featherweight 8x30, Fujinon 8x30, Nikon 8x23 Diplomats,
Celestron Regal LX 10x42, and Leupold Yosemite 6x30. All but the Bushnell 8x40 and Fujinon 8x30 were center focus. These were on waist high benches so I could pick one up and put it down rapidly meanwhile putting each binocular for viewing on a big Bogan tripod with a special platform for complete steadiness.
Was there a remarkable difference in what I could see? Not really. The diminutive Nikon 8x23 Diplomat did quite well, particularly in 50% of the field. If you have not had experience with either the 8x23 or 10x25 Diplomats, you should. Under ordinary viewing conditions, their performance is startling.
As could be expected the old Bushnells were a little bit washed out in color, but the detail held up with the newer stuff, giving me the opinion that it is in the coatings that the real improvements have been made.The 8x40 Featherlight IF was the most comfortable binocular to my eyes. Of course the 5mm exit pupil helps with that.
The Fujinons were very bright. The Leupold Cascade 8x42 were the brightest of the whole lot, suggesting that extra objective lens diameter does make a difference. The extra magnification of the Celestron Regal LX 10x42 really made a difference. Greater detail. These discontinued binoculars can be purchased occasionally on ebay for no more than $175. An incredible buy in IMO.
How about my beloved Nikon 8x32 SEs and Zeiss Fl 8x32? More field with resolution holding better across the field, with the SEs slightly sharper on the very edge.
And the inexpensive Leupold 6x30? Surprisingly bright with excellent center resolution.
Most people would be suspect of the old Bushnell Featherweights. I'm not. The 8x30 appears to be a Zeiss clone without the chassis percision of the Zeiss. The 8x40 is simply amazing for its age, particularly when I picked it up for $15. These old IF binoculars are nearly waterproof and seem to hold their collimation better than the CF models. Perhaps my Bushnell 8x40 Featherweight IF was made on Monday.
The view through the Fujinon 8x30 with its oversize prisms is wonderful, but it is the most awkward binocular for me to hold.
My conclusion. We optics aficionados could easily be accused of trying to debate how many angles can dance on a pin.
Only a retired guy like me can play around with bioculars so much.
John
