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Canon 10x42 Stabilzed

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Binoculars
Forum Description: Anything that requires two eyes to look through it
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8187
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Topic: Canon 10x42 Stabilzed
Posted By: Northriver
Subject: Canon 10x42 Stabilzed
Date Posted: October/22/2007 at 11:22

Hi all!

I want a new pair of hunting binoculars.  Currently I own:

Swarosvki 8.5x42 EL

Canon 18x50is

Canon 10x30is

leica 8x20

I purchased the EL's because they were the "best" and they were expensive. I have owned them for a few years.  I will be selling them shortly.

Last night I compaired the 10x30's with the EL's and I must say I could still see better at dark with the 10x30's than the EL's.  Maybe if I had mounted them on a tripod the results would have been different.  The El's were a little brighter than the Canon's but, I could see fine detail better with the Image stabilization on.  Also, Elk hunting in the rain/snow last year, I could not see through them! The outside of the lenses could just not be cleared up enough to see clearly through. Maybe Rainguard?   By the way the Leica 8x20's were a joke at low light.

So,  since the Fujinon CD 7x42's are on sale,  I must ask are they even in the ballpark of the EL's in terms of low light viewing?

I have used the Canon 10x30is for years and recommend them highly.  They are not waterproof and they are porro prism.  The new 10x42is are roof prism and waterproof.  Would I be gaining any low light ability by buying the 10x42's?  Exit pupil will be larger 4.3 vs 3.0 but, porro vs roof prism.

Should I consider the Nikon primier se 8x32 - or Superior E are they the very best low light binocular?  What happens if they get rained on?

Do you think I could be happy with a cheap pair of 8x26 bushnell legends with rainguard for my hunting binoculars?

Thanks everyone!

 




Replies:
Posted By: Bird Watcher
Date Posted: October/22/2007 at 14:04
Nikon rates its SE 10x42mm & 12x50mm as brighter than the 8x32mm, although not very much brighter. The Nikon Premier SE is NOT 100% waterproof.
http://nikon.topica.ne.jp/bi_e/products/nature_d.htm

The fact that the Leica 8x20mm compact did poorly in low light is no surpirse. If you go to the web-sites of such companies as Leica, Zeiss, etc. you will see for yourself that "compact" binoculars are advertised as being good in bright daylight, not the opposite, this is because 20mm does not gather very much light.

When you said that you could "see better" with the Canon 10x30IS you qualified your observation by saying that the Swaro 8.5x42 EL "was" alittle brighter, BUT, you could "see" fine detail better with the IS on.

The Swaro EL was brighter due to the lower magnification and the larger aperture. The Canon IS showed fine detail better because of the Image Stabilization and the higher magnification.

It is good to see that you are giving yourself an education in binoculars, magnification, and aperture, etc. Hopefully you will be able to "remember" some of the important differences between all the ones that you own, and also the ones that you are looking through in stores.

No two binoculars are "alike", and with good reason.

I think that you are confused and surprised because you are somewhat inexperienced with all the aspects of binocular optics. It would be good if you could read more information about binoculars, and what they do, and don't do.

Alot of companies are now, and have been, offering different types of optical coatings on binocular lenses to offset the effects of rain/snowfall. Some guys say it works, some say it doesn't. Hopefully newer technology will level the playing field to where all will have the expected performance that is advertised.

The Fujinon CD 7x42 "roof" prism is ONLY rated by the company at 80% light transmission to your eyes. (no, it is NOT in the same ballpark as the EL's). To get higher light transmission in a "roof" prism binocular, such as 90% or 92%, you would need to go to the "top-of-the-line" binoculars sold by Leica, Minox, Swarovski, & Zeiss, just to name a few.

Even though it has only been a "few years" since you purchased your Swaro EL, due to INTENSE competition between companies, they are constantly upgrading their optics and optical coatings.

Bushnell Legend 8x26mm will not be good for low light hunting.

If you are really wanting a "compact" take a look through the Leupold Katmai 6x32mm & 8x32mm. The 6x would be best for low light performance.

Canon 10x30mm IS vs. Canon 10x42L IS...Yes, you would be gaining more low light gathering ability with the new 42mmL.



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