Hi All,
I just received my brand new bins (Opticron Discovery 10x42, the new just out versions)and did a short field test this evening. I have to say I have mixed feelings. They are extremely bright and even in twilight I could pick out birds quite easily. Got a lovely view of a hovvering kestral with them. When I tested them at the demonstration it was a bit dull and we were looking out to the bass rock. There was not much about and I had to use lamposts etc to see what they were capable of. I thought they looked great and went ahead with the purchase. All was well until I tried looking at a swallow this evening who was backlit. The light was pretty weak but there was clear signs of purple fringing. I looked for other tests and pointed to the brow of a backlit hill. Sure enough a purple fringe right along the top. These are my first real binoculars so I am not sure what I should expect for my money. The bins cost £150 and I am not sure if ,at that price range, I should expect so much Chromatic Abb. As I said these are mixed and very much initial thoughts. Overall the built quality is good apart from the front lens caps and the close focus of 2m could be handy for butterflies etc. The focusing is smooth and accurate and the image sharp and bright. With the exception of the fringing I would be over the moon.
Yes, you're likely to get fringing in demanding conditions with these binos but i'd give them more af a chance than just a day or so, for the most part the fringing won't be too visible. Although once you've found CA you can get oversensitive to it, forgetting the joys of a bright clear image and the actual bird your supposed to be concentrating on.
You can be pretty sure there's not much better around for that money.
Regards,
Andy
Thanks Andy that puts my mind at rest a bit.