I have tested them against Zeiss 7x42.
A pair of 8x32 porro prism binoculars against a pair of 7x42 roof prism binoculars, perhaps not the most obvious test candidates. However, let me explain why I decided that I wanted to compare these two models. I am a newbie in this field and I had no preconceived ideas except that high optical quality pays, as is true with camera optics.
The risk with a too creative selection of candidates is that the binoculars are too different, but I think this is a greater risk if you compare, say 8x20s against 10x56s. They are too far from each other. In my case, the selection might work.
1. As was discussed in earlier threads, porro prism binos seem to be perceived as having a lesser magnification than roof prism binos for the same nominal magnification. This would be due to the human perception of an image with a strong 3D effect (porro) against a flatter image (roof), where the 3D image is perceived as smaller.
I thought I should test this myself, hence the selection of a 7x roof against 8x porro.
2. The Zeiss 7x42s have been widely appraised for their brightness and the Nikon SEs for their exceptional optical qualities in general, including contrast.
I thought that I should compare for myself and see what I would prefer, extra brightness or perhaps exceptional overall quality that might compensate for extra brightness.
3. I also wondered about the effect of the exit pupil and thought that selection of binos with a real difference, 4mm to 6 mm, would be interesting,
I had in my mind that I might end up keeping both if I found them to be good complements to each other.
Findings:
Magnification: 7x vs. 8x, I see little difference, perhaps I feel a little closer with the Nikons if I look for depth in the image, but this might be due to the 3D effect of the Nikons. The closer the distance, the greater the influence of the 3D effect, and close up, say within 5 yards, the Zeisses are better, the image seems bigger.
Resolution: The Nikons are very sharp across the image field with a slight loss in resolution very close to the edge. The Zeisses are very good in the middle of the image with a softer ring closer to the egde. I can see as much details with both binos, both in good and in weak light, perhaps I have to look a little longer in twilight with the Nikons to see the smallest details, but they are still there.
Contrast: The contrast in good light is very good with the Nikons, easily as good as with the Zeisses. At twilight, I expected more from the Nikons, but this might be because I do a very though, and perhaps even impossible, comparison with the Zeisses. I have to admit that I have problems to clearly distinguish between contrast and brightness in very low light, the Zeisses are clearly brighter (see below). The Nikons might have better contrast but I cannot make use of it the way I thought I would. I leave this open for those with more experience.
Colour rendition: The Zeisses have a very slight, but awful, greenish colour cast over the image, the Nikons are in my opinion outstanding with exceptional colour rendition. On the other hand, I was spoilt by the ability to see colours and fine hues in very low light with the Zeisses, the Nikons look a little pale in comparison, but, I have to stress that with a little straining, all details are there with the Nikons, even in very low light. It is just that they lack a little in colour intensity. Since the Zeisses seem to be the reference standard, I assume that the Nikons are outstanding anyway. This is still a shortcoming of the Nikons against the Zeisses.
Chromatic aberration: Very slight close the edges with both binos, against a bright light source, with the least fringing in the Nikons. I have heard that some people have seen some colour fringing in the Zeisses, but I could not detect any. I looked at some tree tops against clear sky before dusk with the sun below the trees, but could not see any fringing.
Flare: Outstanding in both binoculars, at least to my eyes. I looked into deep shadows with a street light in the edge of the image and saw very little interference between the street light and the dark area I was studying.
Distorsion: Very little in the Nikons, nothing that I noticed. The Zeisses are much worse at the edge.
Field of view: On paper, good for Nikon, excellent for Zeiss. In practice, the useable field of view is excellent for the Nikons, since you can move around the eye and really see things clear and sharp even very close to the edges. This is not the case with the Zeisses, the image towards the edge is more suited for secondary vision.
Exit pupil and its relevance: Surprisingly small influence with respect to 4 mm or 6 mm. I have tried both binos with and without glasses, and with the eye cups in the up or in the down position, but find that I have to be careful with the placement of the eye even with the Zeisses. They are not that superior I expected them to be, even if they might be a little more forgiving when it comes to placement of the eye.
In the hands: I have got large hands and I like the Nikons much more than the Zeisses when it comes to holding them. The prism housing has got gentle but sufficient indents for the tumbs, and the index fingers, if those indents suits you, use them, if they do not fit your hands you do not have to suffer. The rubber is very comfortable to hold. The balance is very good.
These are my unprofessional findings, I really wish that I had all models of all good brands at hand, but perhaps it says something at least. Judging from various reviews such as the Better View Desired, the Nikon SEs stand up even against 8x50 roofs. In my point of view they are easily the equal, or better than, the Zeiss 7x42s in almost every respect other than the ability to show colour and fin colour nuances in very low light.
I tend to have very high expectations and are nit-picky when I test something and have to say that I cannot find any real faults about the Nikons, I am much less satisifed with the Zeisses except in low light, where they excels.
mpedris said:
How do you like them optically? What have you tested them against? How do they feel in your hands in the field?