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ZOMZ IS binoculars (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sancho
- Start date
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
http://www.zomz.ru/en/
Zagorsky Optical and Mechanical Plant" (ZOMZ).
Kronos used to import ZOMZ in the US.
Stabilized binoculars BSM 16x50, BSM 20x50 specs
http://www.zomz.ru/en/catalog/?model=34
Another view here
http://www.russianoptics.com/page15.html
http://www.russianoptics.com/053.html
Looks like Porro II (just like the Canon IS) but almost certainly mechanical IS.
Zagorsky Optical and Mechanical Plant" (ZOMZ).
Kronos used to import ZOMZ in the US.
Stabilized binoculars BSM 16x50, BSM 20x50 specs
http://www.zomz.ru/en/catalog/?model=34
Another view here
http://www.russianoptics.com/page15.html
http://www.russianoptics.com/053.html
Looks like Porro II (just like the Canon IS) but almost certainly mechanical IS.
Martin Fagg
Guest
Thanks Kevin! Looks interesting. (But no, I´m not buying one....)
I thought you were selling not buying at the moment. Stop looking at binocular websites!
NORTY!
PatrikIver
Member
About 10 years ago the magazine "Sky & Telescope" reviewed a buch of IS binoculars and the ZOMZ was amoung them. I think I remember that they were considered surprisingly dim, and also had quite short ER. The true aperture was somewhere in the 35 - 40 mm range because the mechanical stabilization somehow made it utilize only part of the objective aperture.
Thanks, Patrik. That sounds like a good explanation for the pretty low price, then. One to avoid.
Martin Fagg
Guest
Phew! Saved a few notes there then :-O
KorHaan
Well-known member
They´ll still go in the piggy-bank towards the mythical Zeiss FL 15x56.....
Yeah, right...
I bet you'll get a Canon 18x50 IS long before that one....
B Ronald
Hans Weigum
Well-known member
1. A smaller than nominal true exit pupil is a stabilization system feature, not a particular disadvantage of the ZOMZ only.
2. For those familiar with the German language, there is a excellent comparative test on the performance of three different stabilization systems (Canon, Fujinon, Zeiss):
http://www.htw-aalen.de/dynamic/img/content/studium/a/publikationen/doz/2004/07_04_verwackelt.pdf
3. An important conclusion out of this test is, than none of these systems is able to completely filter out all oscillations. Therefore, despite seeming to be superfluous at first, it makes sense to use a IS binocular on a support to get a further improved image stability (and to bear the not negligible weight of heavier IS-binos as Zeiss or ZOMZ during extended observation sessions).
Consequently , (at least) the ZOMZ has a 1/4 in. thread at the bottom, about below the center of gravity. With a quick coupling plate as interface, I frequently use the ZOMZ on a monopod, allowing a considerable freedom of movement to both binocular and user, difficult to get with the same image stability otherwise.
4. Despite its several shortcomings (short eye relief, stray light, individual focusing, ...), for me it is worth the USD 400 I then paid for the (new) ZOMZ 16x50, allowing me to see more than with my CZJ Pentekar 15x50, both handheld.
2. For those familiar with the German language, there is a excellent comparative test on the performance of three different stabilization systems (Canon, Fujinon, Zeiss):
http://www.htw-aalen.de/dynamic/img/content/studium/a/publikationen/doz/2004/07_04_verwackelt.pdf
3. An important conclusion out of this test is, than none of these systems is able to completely filter out all oscillations. Therefore, despite seeming to be superfluous at first, it makes sense to use a IS binocular on a support to get a further improved image stability (and to bear the not negligible weight of heavier IS-binos as Zeiss or ZOMZ during extended observation sessions).
Consequently , (at least) the ZOMZ has a 1/4 in. thread at the bottom, about below the center of gravity. With a quick coupling plate as interface, I frequently use the ZOMZ on a monopod, allowing a considerable freedom of movement to both binocular and user, difficult to get with the same image stability otherwise.
4. Despite its several shortcomings (short eye relief, stray light, individual focusing, ...), for me it is worth the USD 400 I then paid for the (new) ZOMZ 16x50, allowing me to see more than with my CZJ Pentekar 15x50, both handheld.
KorHaan
Well-known member
Of the tested Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40, Canon 18x50 IS UD and Zeiss 20x60 S,
the Canon had the best stabilization. The opto-mechanical stabilizing Zeiss had the best optics.
The vast price difference between the Fuji/Canon on the one hand (1300-1500 euro) and the Zeiss on the other (4000-4500 euro) is explained as components of the former stabilizers are produced in bulk quantities for consumer camera's and video's, so cost less for binoculars, while the cost to carefully manufacture and fine-tune the optical system in the Zeiss will be many times bigger.
Funnily the article takes an option on future developments in expressing the wish that a binocular with the stabilization of the Canon 18x50 be equipped with the optics of the Zeiss, at a consumer price much below that of the Zeiss.
Ronald
the Canon had the best stabilization. The opto-mechanical stabilizing Zeiss had the best optics.
The vast price difference between the Fuji/Canon on the one hand (1300-1500 euro) and the Zeiss on the other (4000-4500 euro) is explained as components of the former stabilizers are produced in bulk quantities for consumer camera's and video's, so cost less for binoculars, while the cost to carefully manufacture and fine-tune the optical system in the Zeiss will be many times bigger.
Funnily the article takes an option on future developments in expressing the wish that a binocular with the stabilization of the Canon 18x50 be equipped with the optics of the Zeiss, at a consumer price much below that of the Zeiss.
Ronald
I want one of those! When can I get one?
Two questions - wasn´t there an issue raised by a BF IS-user, that involved the mechanism going haywire when the binos were put on a tripod? I think he assumed that because the binos themselves were too stable, the gyroscopes couldn´t function properly.
Secondly, is there any real point in investing in IS binos and then placing them on a monopod or tripod, where the average medium-high mag binoculars would be fairly stable anyway? Just thinking out loud here.
Sancho,
On this last point, the Canon IS system "going haywire" on a tripod: this seems to depend on how well the particular binocular is aligned. In good cases, the image does not deteriorate when a tripod-mounted binocs' IS is activated, although in bad cases it most certainly can - I have experience with both. However, on a tripod there is no point in activating it, as you implied. On a monopod, the situation is different and the IS will always improve stability and be worthwhile. I usually bird with the 10x42 Canon on a short, about 40-50cm long (adjustable) monopod with a horizontal handle at the bottom, threaded directly to the mounting thread on the bottom of the binocular body. With the IS in the "on for five minutes" mode, I can scan the skies contentedly with very little arm fatigue and a beautifully stable image. The only problem being that I tend to be too slow going to the scope to verify hard distant ID:s as the viewing is too comfortable to give up.
Kimmo
On this last point, the Canon IS system "going haywire" on a tripod: this seems to depend on how well the particular binocular is aligned. In good cases, the image does not deteriorate when a tripod-mounted binocs' IS is activated, although in bad cases it most certainly can - I have experience with both. However, on a tripod there is no point in activating it, as you implied. On a monopod, the situation is different and the IS will always improve stability and be worthwhile. I usually bird with the 10x42 Canon on a short, about 40-50cm long (adjustable) monopod with a horizontal handle at the bottom, threaded directly to the mounting thread on the bottom of the binocular body. With the IS in the "on for five minutes" mode, I can scan the skies contentedly with very little arm fatigue and a beautifully stable image. The only problem being that I tend to be too slow going to the scope to verify hard distant ID:s as the viewing is too comfortable to give up.
Kimmo
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Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
How is your short monopod supported? On a belt mount like a finnstick?
KorHaan
Well-known member
Hi Sancho,
That would have been me, some time ago.
I put my Canon 18x50 on a Velbon Sherpa Pro CF 530 with only 1 segment extended then, very stable when used from a sitting position. The image was equally stable with and without IS engaged, as long as I didn't move the bins.
When I started to pan around a little, the IS mechanism got mad. So I had to turn it off. I assumed the tripod was too stable for the IS mechanism, desperately looking for something unstable to stabilize, which there wasn't.
I now believe I may have interpreted this wrongly, as Kimmo points out it has probably more to do with alignment of the bins.
If I have a misaligned 18x50 IS, boy, would I love to see a well aligned one!
On your second question, the only advantage I see is that you can't use non-IS high mag bins handheld like you can an IS bin. I have experienced that having a high mag IS bin at the ready when out on my bicycle, is far less troublesome than stopping and putting a scope on a tripod for a distant ID. A quick look with IS on and I'm off again.
You can always choose to tripod mount them anyway, if you like, when you're somewhere stationary for a while.
But if you like to have the best optics to mount them on a tripod, then there is little point in buying a stabilized bin.
Best regards,
Ronald
birdazzLED
Well-known member
hehe, I like those big opera glasses on that site. I tried: http://www.epicos.com/Portal/Main/H...sWI6YsXmcT/fk/jnTUrupsApwYVDkhtL9VbUcsbTAGz3S - and kept X-ing the popup dialog when asking for username and password. It will take you to JSC Zagorsk optical and mechanical plant - ZOMZ. There is some interesting info and links to related companies and news. Some pages will load such as- Aerospace & Defense > News & Events or one can register on that page.
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:eek!: Just for a moment there, I imagined you cycling "no hands" along country roads looking through your IS bins!
Thanks for the info, Ronald. I still haven´t managed to see a pair of IS 18x50. Deep down I know I want to....
Kevin,
I just support the stick with my hands. Having a belt mount, for me, restricts too much my freedom to to look up or down, and just brings an additional adjustment to hassle with. Sometimes, when scanning the horizon for very long times, I would like to have less weight on my arms and these situations the belt mount would probably come in handy. Incidentally, here in the homeland of the finnsticks, I don't recall having seen a single belt mount being used by fellow birders in the field.
Kimmo
I just support the stick with my hands. Having a belt mount, for me, restricts too much my freedom to to look up or down, and just brings an additional adjustment to hassle with. Sometimes, when scanning the horizon for very long times, I would like to have less weight on my arms and these situations the belt mount would probably come in handy. Incidentally, here in the homeland of the finnsticks, I don't recall having seen a single belt mount being used by fellow birders in the field.
Kimmo
