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Recent content by William Lewis

  1. W

    New Binocular Bargains Thread

    There's a good deal on a Swarovski curio further up this thread but for similar money you could have over 5 times as much binoculars (by weight) and 2.5x as much by aperture and twice as large an exit pupil if you picked these up. The only problem comes with picking them up! Nobilem...
  2. W

    Which binocular(s) did you use today?

    It's the 7mm exit pupil, ak prisms and inclusion of multi and phase coatings that means the performance should be similar to a modern optic. That, the look of the thing and it's potential for use under the stars that appeal to me.
  3. W

    Well I'll be the Son of a Gun, it's Little and Large Canons

    Nice bins those Pat. I have a soft spot for them and tried them out a few times. Cannons pedigree for quality optics is substantial, they make some of the best lenses around and it shows. I agree on the eyecups, I find the 10x30's the best of the range for comfort but the 15x50's are the ones...
  4. W

    Celestron C6 for birdwatching?

    Hi Peter. It's over mounted, the tube only weighs around 3/4kg. I would imagine an insulated mak would be better than a Schmidt Cassegrain for birdwatching as the correctors are a bit less fragile and they hold collimation a bit better? Although they are a little heavier I suspect in this...
  5. W

    Nikon Eyepiece Cap EDV Field Scope Eyepiece Cap for MEP-30-60W Nikon

    As an alternative you can use the bag the eyepieces for the monarch are supplied in as a lens cap. I use one with an elasticated camera lens cap leash tied to the eyelet on the bag at one end and to the angle adjuster knob at the other. Like this -
  6. W

    Celestron C6 for birdwatching?

    I've used a 5" mak but not the c6. A 6x30 raci finder scope is your friend. I was looking at a goldfinch yesterday with it. 166x, crystal clear, no c.a, bit dim with an exit pupil under 1mm. Scope was acclimatised (or in my case insulated) and it was a cool, calm day. Totally impractical...
  7. W

    Which binocular(s) did you use today?

    Same here. 6x42 dialyt skipper is my first lottery winner purchase.
  8. W

    Gitzo tripods

    I've had a few tripods but don't even think about changing my birding one from my gitzo 1545. Brilliant bits of kit. 5 hours and many miles on foot (again) this morning with it. Stability Vs weight is brilliant and the build quality is top notch. Other options for what you'll be using it for...
  9. W

    Best stable tripod for swarovski ATX 85

    Sorry Hermann. Neglected to respond to this. I only have 1 birding scope so it's a bit of a jack of all trades. The way I run it with the Siriu head and set up with minimal straps/stay on case the weight on top of my 1545 is the same as a kowa 66 on a manfrotto 501 so not vastly different from...
  10. W

    Advice 2d viewing device and photos

    Hi Steve. A spotting scope adds another level to most birdwatching. You can see much more distant birds and have much closer views of what the birds are up to. Good for popping a cheap phone adapter onto as well for the odd photo. You'll want to budget for a half decent tripod and head too...
  11. W

    Best stable tripod for swarovski ATX 85

    May be worth considering the berlebach if that's the type of use it will see then, very heavy but if mobility isn't needed one of the very best for stability. You'd have pretty much the interior model then -
  12. W

    Best stable tripod for swarovski ATX 85

    The 1545 works surprisingly well actually, I've been very happy with it, it's not perfect but is good enough and light enough. My scope weights in at almost 2kg but obviously the head weighs less than most at 500g. I'm 6ft so you would be relying on the centre column a lot more if you were much...
  13. W

    Best stable tripod for swarovski ATX 85

    The Sirius va-5 is good - see yarrellii's excellent (as usual!) analysis here Sirui VA-5 vs Manfrotto MVH500AH (visual comparison). If I were to add anything it's that the vertical pan adjustment needs to be slightly tighter than in the manfrotto as the counterbalance spring isn't as strong...
  14. W

    Best stable tripod for swarovski ATX 85

    Depends how far your walking, a berlebach report may perform better if you dont have to carry the weight far. The standard recommendation is for a manfrotto mv500 ah head, which is very good but surprisingly bulky and heavy. I have to walk a decent way to pull out a good list from my local...
  15. W

    Which binocular(s) did you use today?

    I had a decent 5 hours out on the local patch this morning. Took my regular birding bins which for the last year or so have been the Swarovski SLC 7x42b neu. They continue to impress by being comfortable and reliable in use with a good depth of field, clarity and stability - the 6mm exit pupil...
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