With so little optical difference, but obvious different design trade offs between the alphas and other very good bins, what qualities do you value highest. For example it seems like some go for the widest sweet spot, others the absolute sharpest bin, contrast, color neutral, bightness, ect...
All of the alphas are sharp enough for me, I don't really notice a color tint when viewing each alone, they all seem bright enough, but some are more or less finicky in getting an easy, no black-out view. That ease of view is my most important quality. Weight, size and ergonomics are next on my list. I'm saying this assuming we are talking about alphas with very little real difference in optics between them, obviously I wouldn't take a pair of Tascos even if they were light, ergonomic and had an easy but fuzzy view.
There are other issues as well, for example I love the build quality of my Leicas, they just seem robust and give me confidence, the accessories are a small but important item to consider to. What about you guys? What's important to you? Sometimes I feel we get so caught up in comparing tiny-tiny details that we lose the forest for the trees in comparing these bins.
John
I'd say sharpness and "ease of view" top my list. Sharpness because I really like to see the finest details in feathers, fur, etc. It just makes the bird/animal come alive.
"Ease of view" is hard to pin down. It's probably a combination of factors such as lack of distortion, good contrast and lack of CA, sufficient exit pupil, good depth of field, having both barrels perfectly collimated, maybe even having a big sweet spot. Combined they yield a relaxing view. Without them, the view seems "nervous," the eyes feel strained after long viewing. Of course, I haven't exactly narrowed anything down here.
I think the 8x32 SE, for those who don't have eye relief problems with them, are remarkably easy. They practically disappear. They are "easier" than the Zeiss 8x32 FL, for me at least. In fact, I find the Pentax 8x32 ED easier than the Zeiss as well, although they aren't quite as sharp. I suspect the new EL's will have a very easy view, possibly rivaling the SE's.
Full size bins in general are probably easier than mid-sized bins, but I like the lower weight.
Ergonomics never seem that important to me. I'm baffled when people complain about a strap lug "digging in" to their hand, for instance. I've yet to handle a bin that bothered me one way or the other, although I'm sure there are some nightmare bins out there somewhere.
Mark
Blackouts, kidney beaning is a major deal breaker for me. Lack of brightness and poor sharpness too. And CA. And.. Uh.. too many to mention when I think of it. The one with no major weakness is probably the best.