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

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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    I happened upon a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718 (FOV=525 feet) made by Fujinon, presumably in the late 1960’s. I know there aren’t many of these floating around, so I thought I might provide some first hand observations. FanTao called them a “Little Jem”, and I can see why. While not quite as wide...
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    Need Help With B&L Discoverer Porro 10x50

    I was hoping someone might assist me in snugging down the ocular arms on a Bausch and Lomb Discoverer 10x50 Porro binocular. Before making this simple adjustment, I wanted to confirm that the embossed decorative cap between the oculars unscrews (as opposed to being pried off like a bottle cap)...
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    Causes of Chromatic Aberration

    Recently, I have restored a few vintage Japanese porro binoculars made in the '60's and '70's. What has most surprised me in using them, are not just the lower average levels of chromatic aberration, but that some of the lesser expensive offerings show no CA whatsoever. My most impressive...
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    Swarovski 10x50 SV/SLC Comparison

    Forgive me if I missed it, but I have still not found any information on the differences between the newest 10x50 SV and the 10x50 SLC Neu (I specify SLC Neu since that was the final, and best version of the SLC with respect to lens and prism coatings). I am still very impressed with the...
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    10x50 EL vs. 10x50 SLC?

    I am wondering whether anyone has been able to do a direct comparison between the 10x50 SLC and the new 10x50 EL? The 10x50 SLC has long been one of my favorite binoculars, and while I don't see any room for significant improvement, it does appear Swarovski intended to do just that with the SV...
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    In Appreciation of Leica's 12x50 Trinovid/Ultravid

    This is the continuation of a conversation I began here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=116840&page=6 - see posts #138-159. Hi, Henry. While I will never challenge your technical expertise, I will simply report my non-scientific observation that these remain the highest resolving...
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    Nikon 8x32 LX(HG) vs. LX-L(HG-L)

    I have long wondered whether Nikon's use of Eco-Glass in the LX-L's altered its optical performance. I know this has been discussed in previous threads, but perhaps the question is worth revisiting in light of the great closeout prices on LX-L's. This is a moot point with the 42mm version - the...
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    Does LotuTec offer any optical advantages?

    I have an opportunity to use a pair of 8x32 Zeiss FL binoculars for the first time. I don't have an older pair for direct comparison, but it seems as though this pair has better resistance to flare than I recall 8x32 FL's having in the past. I also think I'm seeing a slightly different color...
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    Zeiss 10x56 Night Owl - WOW!!!

    Years ago I owned and loved my Zeiss 7x45 Night Owls, but it was very difficult to justify their size and weight as optically nearly-equal, but much lighter alternatives were introduced - so I sold them. I have wondered ever since, why every pair of Zeiss Victory and Victory FL binocular has...
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    An Open Letter To Stephen Ingraham

    Since Mr. Ingraham is Zeiss' liason to the birding world, I thought we, as a community, might be able to offer some suggestions as to what improvements we would like to see made to the FL line. The FL line is worth improving simply because they have the finest optics currently available, but in...
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    In Praise Of Large Exit Pupils

    After spending several days with 2 different pair of Trinovids I have reached a few conclusions I thought might be worth sharing. The binoculars are a 7x42 and an 8x32. Much has been written about whether there is any advantage to an exit pupil that may very well be larger than the pupil of ones...
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    Is It Time To Sell My 7x42 Classics???

    Having read recently the astronomical prices being paid for 7x42 Zeiss Classics, I can't help but wonder if I should use this opportunity to sell mine and perhaps use the proceeds to upgrade(?) to the 7x42 Zeiss FL. Has anyone else made this switch? If so, is it something you would recommend...
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    Pleasantly Surprised By The Zeiss Victory II

    I recently had a chance to purchase the much maligned Zeiss Victory II 8x40. I had expectations of excessive chromatic aberration and second rate sharpness. I must say that these are the finest sub-$1000 binoculars I have ever used. They are exceptionally bright, contrasty and sharp with a...
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    Evolution Of Trinovid Coatings

    I recently owned, for a brief time, 2 seemingly identical pairs of Leica 8x42 Trinovid BN's. I noticed a significantly different color of light being reflected by the coatings so I did some testing to see if, in fact, one might prove superior. The serial numbers are 113xxxx and 153xxxx. Clearly...
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    New Bushnell Elites Are OUTSTANDING!!!

    I just received my 10x43 Bushnell Elites from Eagle Optics. I paid $529 for a refurbished pair with a lifetime warranty from Bushnell. I own and use Leica Ultravids, Swarovski EL's and Zeiss FL's on a regular basis. These Bushnell Elites are OUTSTANDING! All the brightness, contrast color...
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    Why Wear Glasses When Using Bins?

    I am nearsighted enough to require prescription lenses to drive. I have never and would never want to wear glasses when looking through binoculars (or my cameras). It not only puts more glare prone glass in the optical path, but it also makes it more difficult to stabilize the eyecup against...
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    Best Solution Yet For Nikon SE Eyecups.

    I have stumbled upon a great solution to the rather flimsy rubber eyecups on the SE's. This is only for non eyeglass wearers. Remove the rubber eyepiece cover from a Minolta Activa porro prism binocular. The Activa must be the later version with screw up eyecups. Once the rubber eyepiece cover...
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    Why Not An 8x42 Nikon SE ???

    I have been spending alot of time behind my new 8x32 Nikon SE's. Much as I like them (and I like them alot) I can't help but wonder how superior (pun intended) an 8x42 SE might be. The extra millimeter of exit pupil diameter would be most welcome IMHO. The 8x32 has unquestionably the sharpest...
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    Diafuns Are Underrated!!!

    Once again I took a chance and purchased a much berrated binocular only to discover that I love it. This time its the Zeiss Diafun 10x30. Mind you, my opinion is based upon the price of a used pair - not the $400 price of a new one. I dislike double-hinged compacts so I do have a prejudice...
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    Is Nikon LX(HG) focusing the industry standard?

    I have owned and used all the premier binoculars from Zeiss(Night Owls - not Victory Fls), Leica and Swarovski but nothing I've used quite matches the buttery smoothness of my Nikon LX(HG). Yes, they are fast almost to the point of being too fast. But when tracking a moving bird or going near to...
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    Does Anyone Else Love 15x Binoculars?

    I recently bought a used Swarovski 15x56 SLC binocular. They were priced so well ($1100) that I figured I could sell them for more than I paid even if I didn't like them. Most of us, I'm sure, have read again and again that 15x is simply too much magnification to hold steady. I was shocked to...
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