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NL Pure 8 vs 12x42 & EL 8x32 experience

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trstahly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trstahly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: NL Pure 8 vs 12x42 & EL 8x32 experience
    Posted: January/15/2021 at 17:16
I am currently trying out the NL Pure 8x42 & 12x42 and a pair of the new version EL 8x32.
First set other than some Steiner's I had 15 years ago.

I have ready everything I can and watched every youtube on the NL Pure, SLC & EL and was pretty confused as to what to keep and which way to go.

Split the difference and get the 10x42 weighed heavily and then the smallish EL 8x32 coupled with a pre owned 15x56 and pretty sure I know what I am going to do now.

Frankly I see very little not noticeable difference in shake or a jittery image between the 8 x 12 power with and without the headrest. They both move about the same after numerous comparisons near, mid and far.

Probably going to keep the EL 8x32 because I see 90% the same as I do through the NL Pure 8x42 which really surprises me but after two dozen back to back comparisons I would not even know which pair I had in my hands. So the smaller EL is quite an attractive option. I will pair that with the NL Pure 12x42 so I can handhold versus a 15x56 and tripod. 

A lot of money for binoculars but I see places where I will enjoy both of them.

I never even looked at another brand after all the reviews and like the size and ergonomics of both as well as looks. I am so new to this I do not even know what I am looking at although I have a keen eye from wildlife photography which I am semi-pro to pro caliber. 

But like most things I buy I appreciate the best and quality and they say these are among the best I have no reason to believe they are not. 

I hope to get into birdwatching as I really have grown to like birding and the little 8x32's will be perfect for that. When I go to the Indy 500 and want to look at the pit crews and other the 12x42's will excel.

I live on a golf course in IL and will be able to see who is going by in the golf cart who wave at me and know who they are now. In Florida I am have two balconies with the ocean and much to see and will use the 12x42 there also and may get the tripod adapter but I also have my 400GM & 600GM with 2x teleconverters so it is not that necessary for that.

If anyone has any questions or advice or tips I am all ears. 

It amazes me how little difference there is between the 8 and 12 power akin to a 400mm & 600mm lens which both get you out there but nothing really extreme. I do really like the field of view with the NL Pure and the EL 8x32 is also very good. When I read the comparisons with other brands it is a no brainer in this area. The forehead rest is a really clever device and definitely steadies them.

My biggest take away is the field of view with the NL pure 8x32 and how good the little EL 8x32 is. If I was not getting the EL8x32 and had to pick only one NL Pure I would probably split the difference and get the 10x42 or stick with the 12x42 for the reach after all that is why you pick a pair up. 

As far as sunrise and dusk I cannot tell a bit of difference between any of them they are all very good. 
Most say that you cannot do that...I did not go to school the day they taught that class.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/16/2021 at 19:54
If you are going to be using a 12x42 a lot, it is worth your while to get a tripod adapter.

NL Pure is an absolutely remarkable binocular, although I still prefer the color rendering of Leica Noctivid.

On jitter, magnification etc.

I have seen a lot of people who think they can comfortably hand hold a 12x42 binocular for more than a few seconds, but I have never met a person who actually can.

Some years ago I did a test with a bunch of people where I took several similar looking binoculars and taped up all the labels, so that they could not tell which is which magnification.  The most telling part was when they were looking at 7x42, 8x42 and 10x42 binoculars since severas were from the same manufacturers and had the same body (I had Meopta Meostar 7x42, 8x42 an 10x42 and Swaro SLC 7x an 8x in that test along with a few others).  I had them look through the binoculars at a variety of natural objects and at a few resolution charts.  Virtually everyone chose either 7x or 8x binocular as the one which would allow them to see best and most were convinced that the 8x was the highest magnification of the bunch.

When the test was repeated a few weeks later without tape covering up the labels, most people were absolutely convinced that they could see better with 10x.

For me, for a long time now, the optimal combination of binoculars was 8x for general purpose use, 15x to put on a tripod for long distance and compact 6x32 for when I have to hike uphill.

ILya
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trstahly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trstahly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/16/2021 at 20:39
I have already ordered a Outoorsman tripod stud and tripod adapter. I do not look at most things for more than four or five seconds. They will be just fine I have played with them quite a bit looking at birds on my birdfeeders and squirrels in the yard and much other. I am pleased with the 12x42's I already have the EL 8x32's. When I want more reach like at a Indycar race to see something I am not going to be staring through them for any length of time and I can always use one of my Gitzo mono pods which if and when needed. The only time these will be on a tripod is on my balcony or in my family room perhaps. I use my Really Right Stuff tripods for my photography but thank you. We all know an 8 is easier to hold still than a 12 but I am very surprised my 8's move around as much as my 12's I am not that steady evidently but steady enough. If I was planning on using a tripod and did not have 600mm camera lenses wiht 1.4x and 2x converters I would be buying a 15x56.
Most say that you cannot do that...I did not go to school the day they taught that class.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/17/2021 at 13:19
Originally posted by trstahly trstahly wrote:

I have already ordered a Outoorsman tripod stud and tripod adapter. I do not look at most things for more than four or five seconds. They will be just fine I have played with them quite a bit looking at birds on my birdfeeders and squirrels in the yard and much other. I am pleased with the 12x42's I already have the EL 8x32's. When I want more reach like at a Indycar race to see something I am not going to be staring through them for any length of time and I can always use one of my Gitzo mono pods which if and when needed. The only time these will be on a tripod is on my balcony or in my family room perhaps. I use my Really Right Stuff tripods for my photography but thank you. We all know an 8 is easier to hold still than a 12 but I am very surprised my 8's move around as much as my 12's I am not that steady evidently but steady enough. If I was planning on using a tripod and did not have 600mm camera lenses with 1.4x and 2x converters I would be buying a 15x56.

It sounds like you are well set up.

I will add another note, although not necessarily an actionable one, but for information purposes.

It is impossible to evaluate or compare how steady you are holding a binocular by looking at them moving around.  Quite simply, if 8x and 12x look like you are moving around the same, that would mean that the 8x is moving around substantially more simply because of how we perceive images at different magnifications.

In theory, it could be possible if 12x binocular had substantially larger exit pupil (which is not the case).  The weight and barrel shape difference would also play a role of course, but probably not quite enough to compensate for magnification.

ILya
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trstahly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trstahly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/05/2021 at 19:56
I returned the NL Pure 8x42 in favor of the 12x42 with head rest but alas without a tripod it was too jittery. 

I has already made the decision that in a side by side of the NL Pure 8x42 and much handier EL 8x32 that the smaller one was the one I would use and carry 10x more so that is what I kept.

Yes the NL Pure 42 is better but not enough to make up for the size, weight and pracicality of using the smaller one. When I was looking through the 32 and 42 I frankly did not see enough difference to keep the larger pair.
Most say that you cannot do that...I did not go to school the day they taught that class.
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