Cameras and Lenses
Reasons for 8x (or 8.5x) against 10x
Hello again,
It's always interesting how the majority of people seem to go with the lower of the two choices. My own use is general countryside viewing, during riverside walks or hill rambles, with no other equipment used.
I am just about to get a pair of 8x32 and already own two similar power binoculars - 8.5x42 and 8x50. The largest ones are redundant as they're the older Zeiss 8x50 Nobilem Super and I am carrying the EL's instead nowadays.
So, I'll have the 8x32 and I'm going to change over to the new Swarovision hopefully within a few weeks for my larger carry. I've never owned a 10x binocular so would there be an argument for my looking into buying these or would you stay with the 8.5x? Any comments on benefits and downfalls to the 10x would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark
I do sympathise on this having been through the 8x and 10 x horrors a few times already myself
Just when i convince myself 8 x and 8.5 x are better for field of view and shake etc i look through one of my Nikon or Zeiss 10 x and revert to believing i can see better detail with the 10 x again
After almost becoming mentally scarred over this battle (just kidding) i have finally decided imho its about more than just the magnifications
I feel its a lot to do with the ergonomics of the particuar binocular model you use and basically how they fit you personally
Also how long your viewing sessions may potentially last
If you are a "short stay" watcher and/or a watcher at fair distance then shake and lower field of view may not be all bad news
Also dont forget the effect of true and apparent fields between magnifications
Sometimes a picture can appear "bigger" due to magnification but not necessarily wider
I do tire with 10 x in extended viewing however and am a fully fledged convert of tripod mounting for 10 x to gain best views of the night sky
I often bird or nature watch at 10 x without tripods though so its not a pre-requisite imho
A binocular such as the Nikon SE 10 x42 is one i find quite holdeable in comparison to some but i have held 10 x models which invoke shake and fatigue quite swiftly
Ironically its not always weight that is the defining factor from my experience to date
Balance in the hand and fit to the hands seems more of the issue to me
Some folk do say a compromise of 8.5 x or 9 x is the ultimate and the Swarovski EL and Swift Audubon porro are 2 really good optics many users have good things to say about
There are a whole new batch of 9 x coming through in the pipes lately so maybe worth a try or have a go with a well proven 10 x for a spell
Good luck with this one as i still have tremors when deciding whats best for me even now
Regards
RichT
[QUOTE=richt;1738938]Hi Mark
I do sympathise on this having been through the 8x and 10 x horrors a few times already myself
Just when i convince myself 8 x and 8.5 x are better for field of view and shake etc i look through one of my Nikon or Zeiss 10 x and revert to believing i can see better detail with the 10 x again
After almost becoming mentally scarred over this battle (just kidding) i have finally decided imho its about more than just the magnifications
I feel its a lot to do with the ergonomics of the particuar binocular model you use and basically how they fit you personally
Also how long your viewing sessions may potentially last
If you are a "short stay" watcher and/or a watcher at fair distance then shake and lower field of view may not be all bad news
Also dont forget the effect of true and apparent fields between magnifications
Sometimes a picture can appear "bigger" due to magnification but not necessarily wider
I do tire with 10 x in extended viewing however and am a fully fledged convert of tripod mounting for 10 x to gain best views of the night sky
I often bird or nature watch at 10 x without tripods though so its not a pre-requisite imho
A binocular such as the Nikon SE 10 x42 is one i find quite holdeable in comparison to some but i have held 10 x models which invoke shake and fatigue quite swiftly
Ironically its not always weight that is the defining factor from my experience to date
Balance in the hand and fit to the hands seems more of the issue to me
Some folk do say a compromise of 8.5 x or 9 x is the ultimate and the Swarovski EL and Swift Audubon porro are 2 really good optics many users have good things to say about
There are a whole new batch of 9 x coming through in the pipes lately so maybe worth a try or have a go with a well proven 10 x for a spell
Good luck with this one as i still have tremors when deciding whats best for me even now
Regards
RichT[/QUOTE]
Hi RichT,
Thanks very much for the advice.
It's a big decision, isn't it 
Cards on the table, I'm leaning towards the 10x at the moment for these reason, which you have also hit on;
I'll have a pair of 8x32 and think that getting these along with 10x42 would make a better set than 8x32 and 8.5x42. Also, I won't be using them for any great length of time at any single viewing so I would always be fresh and this should mean less shake than prolonged viewing brings (unless I have just climbed a hill in which case I couldn't pick out an elephant at twenty paces)
I suppose the pressure is on me after reading all the reviews and reports, as well as watching the TV shows, to stick with around 8x but it's refreshing to hear that you're using 10x with no troubles.
Cheers again,
Mark