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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. hopster

    Problem with green coating of EL SV 8x32

    I have the 12x50 and it's also excellent.
  2. hopster

    Problem with green coating of EL SV 8x32

    Or a Leica!
  3. hopster

    Stopping down a binocular

    I don't know about others here but my Noctivid has the sharpest and most contrasty centre of any 8x that I have looked through. That (along with the colours) is why I chose it over the Swaro and Zeiss alternatives. I didn't get a chance to do a proper comparison with the Nikon EDG. M
  4. hopster

    Trinovid pre-HD 8x42 vs Ultravid BR 8x42 vs Ultravid HD 7x42

    For using in the forest and to make a significant change from your 10x, I would suggest that the 7x might be the best choice. M
  5. hopster

    Pocket binoculars

    I use a LowePro case which I think is designed for mini camcorders (viewpoint CS40). This is a very nice fit including with the eye cup extensions on and much better than the rather poor Zeiss case that they come with i.e. better protection, internal pocket, strongly built etc. I think it cost...
  6. hopster

    Pocket binoculars

    Without glasses you can float it on your eyebrows pretty easily if you want to, but otherwise rubber eyecups are only £3 or something on eBay and they work very well. It's quite easy to find ones where the internal diameter is a snug fit on the external of the VP eyecup.
  7. hopster

    Swarovski focus wheels

    ...or a Noctivid.
  8. hopster

    Pocket binoculars

    My recommendation is the Zeiss VP 25mm in either 8x or 10x. I have the 8x and it's a surprisingly competent replacement for an 8x42 when weight is an issue as long as you have plenty of light. I haven't seen anything else in this size bracket that competes optically, but then I haven't yet...
  9. hopster

    Visual effects in binoculars when used with polarisers

    I'm used to the effects of polarisers on water and clouds etc from sunglasses and using them for artistic reasons on cameras, but the effects I see through the NVs are rather different. I should try rotating the binos next, and take my camera polarisers to see how that changes things.
  10. hopster

    Visual effects in binoculars when used with polarisers

    From memory I would say blue-green-turquoise colour shifts and apparently metallic surfaces, particularly on glary subjects like sea water and foliage in sunny conditions.
  11. hopster

    Visual effects in binoculars when used with polarisers

    I have noticed that using my Leica Noctivid 8x with polarised sunglasses creates weird (but quite pleasant!) optical effects on sunny days. I have not yet noticed this with other binoculars; either porros or roofs. I have not yet explored more carefully with a camera circular polarising filter...
  12. hopster

    Leica v Swarovski v Zeiss … and Kowa

    Interesting. Nice to have another pair of eyes looking at the top options. I have never spent enough time with the NL 8x to notice the glare issues that trouble many. The view was lovely but for me the Leica NV 8x has a slightly more natural & saturated colour and deeper contrast which...
  13. hopster

    Oberwerk 12X50 SE

    I had a pair for a while and they were excellent optically - well above their price range - but they ended up having problems with the focus wheel operation.
  14. hopster

    Most color strength in a binocular view?

    I agree with all of this, except perhaps that Swaro (EL & NL) seem to have the most boost at the blue end of the spectrum in my experience (except the Zeiss HT) with Zeiss usually having a slight green bias. Nikon, Leica and Meopta seem to extend deepest into the red and this is confirmed by...
  15. hopster

    Who is still viewing through Victory HT 42s?

    It's my favourite Zeiss (preferable to the SF in image quality I think) but the colour balance is a bit cool, lacking a little of the red spectrum.
  16. hopster

    Nikon 7 / 8 x 42 EDG experiences sought

    I like the HT a lot as well (my favourite Zeiss) but it somewhat lacks red/warmth in the image to my eyes and the measured responses on the usual sites confirms this. Perhaps if one gets accustomed to this a Leica/Nikon/Meopta which does not filter the red as much seems too red?
  17. hopster

    Brief review of Meopta Meostar B1+ 8x42. (in comparison with Zeiss Victory SFL 8x40

    I don't think they make models where you can directly compare the same magnification and objective lens with and without HD, unless someone here knows different. That would of course be best.
  18. hopster

    Brief review of Meopta Meostar B1+ 8x42. (in comparison with Zeiss Victory SFL 8x40

    Also a big fan of the Meopta 12x50 HD which is difficult to fault and my limited experience is that the HD Meoptas are a class above the non-HD ones as HenRun says.
  19. hopster

    Stonechat - but with clear white line over eye

    Yes that is pretty close to how it looked. M
  20. hopster

    Stonechat - but with clear white line over eye

    No the head was charcoal all over apart from the line, so not a Whinchat. Also, the line didn't go all the way along the side either, it started above the eye and went 80% of the way to the back of the head.
  21. hopster

    Stonechat - but with clear white line over eye

    Hi all I was at the Ogmore Estuary in the Vale of Glamorgan on Sunday and saw what was clearly a male Stonechat - right size, posture and colouring - but it had a very clear horizontal white line above and behind its eye. However, in my reference bird ID book it says the following: "ID rounded...
  22. hopster

    Leica, Zeiss & Swarovski binoculars compared: A personal report

    My main Leica experience is with the 8x42 Noctivid. I have found that it is very sensitive to getting eye position just right both in terms of centring and distance from the eyepiece (which may require experimenting with O-rings), but once you can consistently achieve that the CA which some...
  23. hopster

    Ultravid 7x42 HD+ vs Noctivid 8x42

    Assuming it was bright enough for your pupils to be less than 5mm, the relative brightness would have been defined mainly by the overall transmission number and - depending somewhat on the scene - the relative colour balance. For example, Swaro roofs tend to have more blue than others which...
  24. hopster

    Quick & dirty review of 8x42 Opticron Aurora.

    I also prefer Aurora colours and contrast to the SF, but not the focuser.
  25. hopster

    Living and birding in the Algarve - where?

    So still one train every two hours quite commonly. I wonder if this will improve with electrification?
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