The 8x42 binocular is clearly the most versatile binocular. The magnifying power of 8x is effective enough for excellent viewing as far as magnifying is concerned, but not too powerful to expose him to negative features associated with high magnification, like movement sensitivity and narrower field of view. Apertures of 42 mm. are also a golden mean between the extremes of very small and very big, gathering enough light even for low light conditions, at the same time not causing the instrument to be too heavy and bulky. To complete the picture, the glass used for the lenses and prisms have to be of high quality.
In the world of binoculars everybody agrees that 8x42 binoculars are the most versatile group, since they are the ones you can use for virtually anything you might be interested looking at through your binoculars and in any circumstances – all-purpose, all-terrain binoculars. As far as size is concerned, they are right between the two extremes: pocket binoculars and giant binoculars. The biggest advantage of this category of binoculars has to do with the special combination of magnification and the size of the big lenses at the front, the objective lenses. These matters will now be discussed.
How big objective lens size is ideal for all-purpose binoculars?
Two factors determine what the apertures will be: What the objective lenses are for and how much the instrument will weigh.
Light enters the binocular through the apertures at the front of the instrument, which is the single most important element in how a binocular functions. Bigger lenses gather more light, but bigger lenses are heavier and this leads to a bigger instrument. Smaller lenses weigh less, but unfortunately do not gather the same amount of light as the bigger lenses. So manufacturers have looked for a golden mean between enough light gathering ability and not too much weight for a general purpose binocular and the result is a binocular with objective lenses of 42 mm.: They gather enough light for excellent viewing throughout the day and are effective enough for reasonable viewing in low light conditions, but have only a moderate effect on the overall weight of the instrument.
How powerful should a versatile binocular be?
The following magnification is available in ordinary binoculars: 6x, 8x, 10x and 12x; more magnification power is associated with big and heavy binoculars for which tripods are needed. Some binoculars with 8.5x and 10.5x magnification are also on the market. Power of 9x is associated only with big lenses of 63 mm.
6x magnification power is too low and 7x is better, but still marginally below par for a versatile binocular. On the other hand, higher magnification like 10x and 12x causes certain restrictions: You will have the joy of more magnifying power, but the first implication of more power is a less bright image. Furthermore, more magnifying power is also associated with amplification of movement. The slightest motion, like normal hand tremors is amplified making focusing on an object (in particular when it’s moving) very tough. With more power of magnification comes a restricted FOV, which aggravates the problem of movement amplification. It also causes flatter depth of vision, which means that the focus will have to be adjusted more often. So observing birds up close is not easy at all with high magnification instruments.
The magnification which is a near-perfect compromise between the extremes, is 8x. You won’t have any problems getting a view of distant objects and to see enough detail at any range. However, 8x is not too powerful to let you suffer from the negative features associated with high magnification mentioned above.
Exit pupil
The exit pupil is the stream of light arriving at the viewer’s eyes on the other side of the binocular. The exit pupil is determined by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification: 42/8 = 5.25 mm. A 10x42 has an exit pupil of 4.2 mm. and a 12x42 only 3.5 mm. These will all be enough in bright daylight, but in low light conditions the smaller exit pupils will not be able to let enough light through for you to see a clear image.
Optical glass and coatings
The best compromise for an all-purpose binocular (8x42) will not ensure good images; the quality of the optical glass and prisms, as well as the optical coatings, play the decisive role.
The Allure of a Luxury Safari Experience
Immerse yourself in the opulence of a luxury safari at Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa. Picture yourself on a private deck, observing a myriad of wildlife from the comfort of your secluded retreat. With over 15,000 animals across 60 mammal species and a rich diversity of birdlife, Madikwe offers an unparalleled encounter with nature, complemented by five-star amenities and personalized service. Whether you're lounging by your private plunge pool or dining under the stars in a traditional boma, this is the epitome of luxury in the wild.
Extremely close distance focusing with the Pentax Papilio
The new CLOSE technology enabled Pentax to address the problem of images not converging completely at close focus. The lenses converge on one another, producing a single image to the viewer at up to 18 inches focus distance. For more information on the Pentax Papilio, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/pentaxpapiliobinoculars.
Swarovski Optiks Pocket Binoculars Reviews
In spite of the wide variety of models made available by Swarovski Optiks, the technical differences really boil down to the difference in magnification (8x and 10x) and objective lens opening (20 mm and 25mm). The higher magnification and aperture do impact on certain other technical features like the field of view and close focus distance. These binoculars are excellent pocket binoculars, being very lightweight and compact enough to fit any pocket. Although they are all of very high quality in terms of optics and finish, some have crystals embedded in their housing, which makes them more expensive.
