I started birding about 18 months ago using a very old and second hand pair of binoculars. These 8x40's seemed fairly sharp and bright, but suffered from severe Chromatic Abberation.
I then 'upgraded' to some £10 Meade 10x50 porro style binoculars that Lidl's were selling last Christmas and these have done me well. BUT, the image is a bit dim, a bit dull, they 'fuzz' the colours a little (Not ED type glass and bad coatings no doubt). But worst of all - the close focus is an abismal 20-25 feet or so. (60% of my Birding is through my home office window into the garden and most birds here are within 2.5 meters).
Well I have now decided - despite the cost - to try and buy the best binoculars available - optically that is - that will also focus very close.
(well I like butterflies and dragonflies too.)
...and am so dissapointed to find that fashion seems to be more important for sales than optical quality. Hence the technically superior porro prism design does not seem to be available from the better manufacturers - well in top spec that is, with the latest lens and coating technology.
I quite fancy the Zeiss 10x42 FL's , but even with the AB prisms, I notice even their own advert says 'almost no' chromatic abberation. Well I am involved with marketing and that speak means there is chromatic abberation. - Which I gather is a design flaw with roof prism design binoculars.
The eyes may not notice it too much, but I also take most of my photos through my binoculars - and the camera lens doesn't get tricked so easily.
Its not the camera at fault, because the problem does not occur through my ED glass fieldscope - which by the way is a porro prism design, like I think most, if not all fieldscopes are.
If anyone can recommend - for under £1,000 - a pair of 10x40 or 10x50 binoculars that focus closely and do not suffer from chromatic abberation or other optical faults. PLEASE let me know.
Many thanks
Adrian Harris
[QUOTE=digitalbirdy]the technically superior porro prism design does not seem to be available from the better manufacturers - well in top spec that is, with the latest lens and coating technology.[/QUOTE]
Have a look at Nikon 10x42 SE CF - might be exactly what you're looking for. I'm also a fan of porro bins because of the increased stereo effect, and these Nikons are fantastic, BUT... they're not completely waterproof so maybe not the most versatile choice.
Reading your message, it seems like you're looking for a promise of perfection, and I doubt any company (or reviewer) will offer you one. Treat all reviews with a small amount of scepticism, compare as many models as you can, and trust your gut feeling. When I was spending money on good bins/scope, I *really* wanted to buy Swarovski because A) they were the most expensive and therefore (I thought) the best, and B) at least half of all the punters I'd pass on a birding day would be using Swarovski kit. But as much as I tried to persuade myself otherwise, I simply preferred looking through another brand (not Nikon, I hasten to add), so that's what I spent my money on and I've not regretted that choice.
Good luck. It's a nice 'problem' to have!
Al
Thanks Al - that seems to be very sound advice.
I keep thinking I should be buying the dearest also, but am also worried about the 'promises' not necessarily being fulfilled.
I will look at the Nikon's you mentioned. I must confess I hadn't considered them, as most people seem to suggest their expensive roof prism binocular purchase, is the best.
Someone told me an old saying last week, which does amuse me:
"The most expensive is not necessarily the best, - but the cheapest certainly won't be".
I do wan't the best - optically. But as you say, there are more aspects to it than may first meet the eye (no pun intended).
I'll try and find a local dealer with the Nikon 10x42 SE CF in stock - if they're still available.
All coments welcome.
Adrian