Cameras and Lenses

Taking the shakes out

I have tried using a Zeis 10x40 ClassiC binocular, using my hands, and I find it nearly impossible. When I look at something near the horizon the very slight shaking produces fatigue and perhaps nausea, rather quickly. Pointing it at stars produces twirling lights.

I mounted it on a monopod, using a Cardoza adapter, on a Bogen monopod with a ball and socket head. The adapter is pictured at thise site
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.as...er=Search#start
This was an improvement, but still not completely satisfactory. I have mounted a twelve power glass with far greater stability, so I cogitated a little bit. The Cardoza adapter is rather narrow and uses velcro straps to hold the glass in place. It was obvious from the "creep" of the head that it was not balanced, fore and aft.

My other adapter was made by Leica and has a long and broad platform, and uses a rather wide rubber strap and a channel to position one of the tubes. In comparison, the Cardoza adapter has two problems: the shallow platform which is not necessarily below the center of balance of a binocular and the velcro straps and flat surface. They do not provide a truly solid platform which keep the binocular stable. The Leica acccessory cost three times as much but it does the job.

Of slight interest, was that the Leica adapter is on a Monostat brand monopod or unipod, using a Bogen swivel head but I think most of the problem was in the adapter.

A member of the forum recommended one of those binocular suspender, or should I write "braces," arrangements. I found that it was marginally steadier than my bare hands.

Comments or suggestions are welcome.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

Balance of the binoculars makes a big difference - I can hold my Nikon Sporter 10 x36's far steadier than my old 10x40 porro's. I would suspect that the binoculars balance is also affected by user preference in grip, stance etc.

Richard

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