I'm sure this has been covered before,but i'm wondering what trade offs should be expected in choosing a 32mm objective binoculars over larger
42mm binoculars.
the well known advantages of a well chosen 8x32 should be a wider field of view often combined with a closer focus distance,though in many cases there will be less usefull eyerelief.depth of focus can also be less than desired in a compact binocular,however i'm specifically thinking about resolution and sharpness at distant object/birds.
the situation is that i'm currently choosing new binoculars,the leica ultravid
8x42 is my present first choice,but the trinovids are also very nice..and cheaper.
the 8x42 trinovid is a beast though,because I need to close the barrels almost as far as they will go (close set eyes) there is no room for me to curl my thumb under the left barrel,this effect makes them feel like a rubberised house brick!,so if I chose a trinovid I think i'd prefer the smaller 8x32,if I were to choose the ultravid the 8x42 model would be my first choice,so i'm weighing the pro's and cons of both.
what I would like to know is if there is a difference in sharpness and resolution
between the 8x42 and 8x32 bn trinovids?,the difference in depth of focus,close focus,exit pupil and field of view are well noted elsewhere on this forum.
your thoughts welcomed
matt
Greetings!
[QUOTE=matt green]I'm sure this has been covered before,but i'm wondering what trade offs should be expected in choosing a 32mm objective binoculars over larger
42mm binoculars.
the well known advantages of a well chosen 8x32 should be a wider field of view often combined with a closer focus distance,though in many cases there will be less usefull eyerelief.depth of focus can also be less than desired in a compact binocular,however i'm specifically thinking about resolution and sharpness at distant object/birds.
the situation is that i'm currently choosing new binoculars,the leica ultravid
8x42 is my present first choice,but the trinovids are also very nice..and cheaper.
the 8x42 trinovid is a beast though,because I need to close the barrels almost as far as they will go (close set eyes) there is no room for me to curl my thumb under the left barrel,this effect makes them feel like a rubberised house brick!,so if I chose a trinovid I think i'd prefer the smaller 8x32,if I were to choose the ultravid the 8x42 model would be my first choice,so i'm weighing the pro's and cons of both.
what I would like to know is if there is a difference in sharpness and resolution
between the 8x42 and 8x32 bn trinovids?,the difference in depth of focus,close focus,exit pupil and field of view are well noted elsewhere on this forum.
your thoughts welcomed
matt[/QUOTE]
All of the binocular resolution testing I've performed using a film plotted resolution test chart and controlled lighting have made me reach this conclusion:
For binoculars of the same quality level (binoculars of the same class by the same manufacturer, or same rough price range by different manufacturers with VERY few exceptions), there do NOT seem to be any resolveable resolution differences between X42 and X32 configurations. In fact, I've even done resolution tests comparing X50 and X32 configurations, and in all but one case (where there was only 1 Arcsecond difference), there were also no discernable differences in measurable resolution.
Where you WILL find differences between objective lens sizes, however, is in low-light performance - where the X50 and larger objectives truly excel. Between X42 and X32 models, however, I've personally found very little real-world discernable advantage - perhaps a few minutes of extra viewing during dusk at most.
This is why the 8x32 configuration is currently my favorite overall - and why I would choose that configuration for a first binocular, or as my only binoculars if that were ever a tragic necessity.
Best wishes,
Bawko
Hi Matt, I have to agree with Bawko there, although Iīm nowhere near as technical as he. I own 8x32 and 10x42 models in Swaro ELīs range (preferred them `cos I have small hand and wrists, I found the Leicas more awkward to use). The 8x32 would be my configuration of choice if I had to choose one over the other. I think theyīre a tiny bit sharper, brighter by day, wider FOV, lighter and easier on hands and neck, and in the evening the 10x42 donīt have much advantage over them, even in those last few minutes before itīs time to pack up and go home. The magnification advantage of the 10x is kind of irrelevant if you have your scope with you in the field. All my own opinion of course, totally anecdotal and personal, others will advise differently. Best of luck with your choice!