binoculars

Binoculars with a magnification of 10x, in my opinion, are the ultimate for handheld observation. Magnification over 10x already require an support, tripod or built-in image stabilizer. Binoculars of the 10×42 format are in stable demand, they are noticeably lighter and more compact than binoculars 10×50, but they have a greater magnification than similar ones in weight and dimensions of 8×42. However, making a good roof binocular is not an easy task. My attention was drawn to one of the top Olympus binoculars – 10×42 EXWP I. The binoculars were released a long time ago – the mentions I found go back to 2003. I was unable to find a press release on the release of this binoculars on the Olympus website.

Many of the Olympus models present in stores have been available since 2003 (for example, the Olympus 7×35 DPS I). In 2018, the new Olympus 8×42 Pro and 10×42 Pro binoculars with ED glass, dielectric coating, and improved illumination were presented.

Specifications declared by the manufacturer.
Magnification: 10x
Prism type: roof with phase correction
Optical scheme: 9 elements in 6 groups
Environmentally friendly lead-free glass
Prism Material: High‑index BaK4 prisms
Coating: Full multi‑coating / Phase coating / UV coating
Aperture, mm: 42
Exit pupil, mm: 4,2
Eye relief, mm: 15
Relative brightness: 17,6
Real field of view, ° : 6
Visible field of view, ° : 60
Field of view at distance 1000 m, m: 105
Minimum focusing distance, m: 3
Dioptric correction: D ±2
Interpupillary distance, mm: 60–70
Focusing type: central
Eyecups: twist-up/down eyepieces
Size: classic
Gas filling: nitrogen
Waterproof/fogproof/dirtproof: yes
Size: 129 x 145 x 53 mm
Weight, kg: 0,66
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Olympus 10×42 EXWP I binoculars impressionsRead More »

Recently, the Visionking 5×25 wide-angle binoculars came to my test. With a magnification of only 5x, he has a field of view of as much as 15.8 degrees. I looked at this binoculars for a long time, but everything was overcome by doubt. A binocular with such characteristics cannot also be inexpensive – there is always some catch, especially if it is a binocular with roof prisms. Well, it turned out that way, but more on that later. In the meantime, I propose to get acquainted with the miracle of the Chinese optical industry.

The binoculars come in a plain cardboard box with the manufacturer’s logo, as well as some features, in particular, “Fully Coated Optics”.

Declared specifications:
Magnification: 5x
Aperture: 25 мм
Prism system: roof
Prism : BAK4
Focusing system: central
Field of view from 1000 meters:  277 m
Real field of view: 15.8
Exit pupil: 5 мм
Waterproff: Yes
Fog proof : Yes
Nitrogen filling: Yes
Eye relief: 15 mm
Coating : FMC green
Minimum focusing distance: 3 m
Net Weight: 590g

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Visionking 5×25 binoculars overviewRead More »

Levenhuk provided me with interesting binoculars for testing – Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32.. Due to its small magnification and wide field of view (almost 10 degrees), such binoculars can be useful for studying the constellations, for observing landscapes, and also where a stable picture is required with minimal shaking (e.g. sporting events). Declared wide-angle five-lens eyepieces with corrected distortion, fully coating of optical elements, Bak4 prisms, long eye relief and much more.

The 6.5×32 format itself is very rare, there are very few binoculars with such a formula. The reason for the rarity is that the close and more popular 7×35 format comes on the heels of these binoculars. A small magnification provides good image stability, and a large exit pupil provides a brighter image at dusk and at night than comparable 8×32 binoculars. I also briefly tested Levenhuk Karma 6.5×32 binoculars (in roof prism) – which in almost all parameters are worse than Levenhuk Sherman PRO 6.5×32 (except weight and dimensions). Of the similar binoculars, there are also БПЦШ 6×30, Kowa YF30-6 6×30, Kowa BDII32-6.5XD and Vixen SG 6.5×32, but I can’t say how they are in terms of picture quality.

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Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 binoculars reviewRead More »

I got a review of the Pentax ZD 8×43 ED binoculars. I have long wanted to get to know the Pentax Z-series binoculars more closely – I express my deep gratitude to Pentax Russia, who kindly provided me with binoculars for testing. The release of binoculars in this series began in January 2015.

Pentax ZD 8×43 ED uses the most advanced technologies that improve image quality and ease of use in binoculars with Schmidt-Pehan prisms:
– Four-lens lens with ED glass.
-Prisms BK4
– Multi-layer coating of all optical elements to reduce light loss and glare from optical elements.
– Improved coating with the same transmittance for different wavelengths provides a vivid picture without distortion of color reproduction.
– Phase coating (to reduce X-shaped rays around bright point sources and improving contrast) .
– Dielectric coating of prisms (provides a brighter picture with accurate color reproduction compared to aluminum and silver coatings) .
– Hybrid aspheric lens (improves image quality across the field) .
– Hydrophobic coating of lenses (droplets roll better from the lens, reducing fogging from breathing) .
– Moisture protection (binoculars can withstand short-term immersion of 1 meter in water, JIS Grade 6) .
– Nitrogen filling (excludes fogging of the binoculars from the inside) .
– Magnesium case with rubber protection
– Long eye relief (able to observe with glasses).

Interesting?
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Impressions of the Pentax ZD 8×43 D binocularsRead More »