10x50 binocular recommendations sought (1 Viewer)

[trealawboy]

I'm now looking for a pair of 10x50s as a back to my everyday 8x32s. I primarily intend to use these for birding at dusk, when I will have no other equipment with me.

A powerful case was made for this magnification and objective lens size in a thread on binoculars for dusk a few months ago, but the thread was lost when Birdforum crashed a little while ago.

I'm tempted by the Pentax SP DCF specification and online reviews, but they are difficult to see before buying. I know the Leica and Swarovskis are well thought of.

What else should be on the shortlist?

 

[Robert Ellis]

Nikon's 10x42 SEs will outperfom all the 10x50 roofs and are a good deal cheaper than the high end offerings.

 

[chartwell99]

I'm now looking for a pair of 10x50s as a back to my everyday 8x32s. I primarily intend to use these for birding at dusk, when I will have no other equipment with me.

A powerful case was made for this magnification and objective lens size in a thread on binoculars for dusk a few months ago, but the thread was lost when Birdforum crashed a little while ago.

I'm tempted by the Pentax SP DCF specification and online reviews, but they are difficult to see before buying. I know the Leica and Swarovskis are well thought of.

What else should be on the shortlist?

I have been thoroughly pleased with my Leica 10 x 50 Trinovids, more so than I expected, and I had high expectations. The weight is a little daunting at times, but the balance is superb and the build quality seems higher than either my 7 x 42 or 10 x 32 Trinovids. Also, the field of view is extraordinary - noticeably wider than the 42mm models from Leica, Zeiss and others - and the brightness at late dusk is remarkable. Friends who have looked through the binocular have all had a uniform reaction: Wow! The cost is a little daunting as well, but actually worth it. I cannot recommend any binocular more strongly.

 

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

For low-light use, I haven't found anything better than the Pentax SP 10x50. The restricted field of view combined with the 50mm objectives make these the best dawn/dusk birding binoculars I have ever used - and I've tried most of them. They also make great astronomical binoculars - although I wish they had a wider FOV sometimes... but that's what makes them so bright for dusk birding, so I guess it's a tradeoff!

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[hinnark]

I'm now looking for a pair of 10x50s as a back to my everyday 8x32s. I primarily intend to use these for birding at dusk, when I will have no other equipment with me.

A powerful case was made for this magnification and objective lens size in a thread on binoculars for dusk a few months ago, but the thread was lost when Birdforum crashed a little while ago.

I'm tempted by the Pentax SP DCF specification and online reviews, but they are difficult to see before buying. I know the Leica and Swarovskis are well thought of.

What else should be on the shortlist?

The Leica Ultravid is the lightest waterproof binocular of high quality available in the 10x50 range today. Swarovski SLC (new line), Zeiss Victory 10x56, Leica Duovid 10+15x50, Fujinon FMT-SX (Porro and inividual focus) are optical in the same league. Docter Nobilem 10x50 B/GA is also a binocular with porroprisms but with central focus and good optics.

Steve

 

[garth]

Greetings,

I've recently tested many at Cabelas..... and there seems to be a distinct line of qaulity of view from Swarovski/Leika/Zeiss ..... to all the rest. . . for my eyes and brain though. You 'may' find a 10x42 from the 3 above to be brighter than most 10x50's..... Pentax included . Remember, what a given manufacturer puts inside a given model of binocular is more important than exit pupil size. Only in the same brand /model you 'may' see a difference in twilight performance from larger exit pupils .... it depends on 'your' eyes..... no one elses . Number are just numbers ..... your eyes will tell you what you need to know.

I had all these ideas of what would be best for me on paper before buying some Swarovskis .... then, I actually tried them out..... and all the specs went out the window. It's like fitting yourself for clothing or shoes ...... no one can tell you how to prefer what you prefer. You just know it when it feels good. So..... go try a bunch ..... and if you cannot decide between a couple of pairs .... take them all home ..... because it is there in your familiar surroundings you will truly be able to evaluate them. Of course, you need to shop at a retailer with a respectable return policy.... sadly there are fewer and fewer . Good luck !

- Garth

 

[grbrown]

If you can afford them I would recommend Leica. I have had my 12x50 for about a year now and they are a treat to use. I replaced an early pair of Zeiss Dialyt 10x40.

A pal of mine kept buying middle price binoculars, in the quest for the perfect pair, but having spent as much if not more on them finally came around to my way of thinking and bought himself the best!

If you cannot afford Leica or Zeiss right now, just be patient and save up. Then you won't need your smaller ones!

Graham.

 

[JCJ]

In 10x50,56,zeiss is definitly the brightest ,but I think the swaros.are in a league of there own.Not as light as ultraviods but fov is close to the same and the slcs have more eye relief.They also have a flater and more detailed image imo.The duvoids 10x15x50 has possibly the best image out of all listed here at 10 power,color,resolution,depth of field,but fov is horrible.I also had trouble with mine.Sold them.

 

[BMR]

I have the 10 X 50 Leica BN's. I've carried them up and down the Rocky Mts. elk hunting on a couple of occasions using bino straps and never noticed the weight. Optically, you will not find any better, and no Swaros or Zeiss hold a candle to Leica in terms of waterproofing and durability.

 

[JCJ]

I have the 10 X 50 Leica BN's. I've carried them up and down the Rocky Mts. elk hunting on a couple of occasions using bino straps and never noticed the weight. Optically, you will not find any better, and no Swaros or Zeiss hold a candle to Leica in terms of waterproofing and durability.

On the waterproofing and durablity you are right.Leicas are built like a tank.

 

[solentbirder]

I have the 10 X 50 Leica BN's.... Optically, you will not find any better, and no Swaros or Zeiss hold a candle to Leica in terms of waterproofing and durability.

I completely agree on the optical quality. The Leica 50mm BN's are superb. I had the 8x50 but unfortunately I just couldn't get on with the ergonomics and sold them after a couple of years. With the binoculars balanced there's nowhere to put my thumbs (my hands are on the large side). This is fixed with the new BR design as you can wrap your hands round the barrels. It just goes to show that optical quality is only one of the factors that'll determine if a binocular is right for you.

 

[Lewie]

I hvae a pair of DCF SP 10X50

I have a pair of Pentax DCF SP 10X50, and I also have a pair of Nikon Premier LX L 8X32, which has a very fast focus, I prefer the fast focus, but that is an individual preference. The main complaint I hear about the Pentax DCF is the narrow field of vision. Personally, that does not bother me, since I have more problem finding the bird in the field of view than putting the binos on the bird. In fact, since I wear glasses, eye relief is much more important than field of view. Also I do not see any chromatic aberration, though I have tried very hard. But, to be honest, I do not see any with my other binos either. I am beginning to think it is just a myth.

I bought my pentax not for the low-light qualities but for the extra sharpness of a 50. I was not disappointed. I do love my pentax, expecially since it has good eye relief. I like it so much that I have always thought I would be happy using it as my only binos. The pentax are extremely sharp, but I believe the Nikon's have better color contrast. I have tried Leica, but not nearly enough eye relief me; I could only see about 75% of the field.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Jess Curious]

Ditto on the Pentax DCF SP 10x50's
I really enjoy mine

 

[xenophobe]

I own a pair of the 12x50 BNs, and while they're a bit heavy to hold up looking at stars for extended periods, I haven't viewed any normal binocular better suited for the task. The Trinovid 50s are top of the line build quality. They feel absolutely amazing in the hands and I just hold them much more steady than any other 12x bin I've ever tried. The way the hands just wrap around them. They're meaty, but the feel is just right. Even the ribbing feels excellent and stops right where my palms meet my fingers and they just feel so right when you're holding them.

I bought mine used off ebay in dead mint condition for $850. Seeing how much the new ones are, as well as the x50 Ultravids, I didn't want to pay full retail on a new pair since I would be using them so infrequently. I bid after and lost on three or four other pairs until I won this one. These are my secondary use binoculars I only take out for stargazing or for occasions I know I'll need the extra magnification. (I have them set up as tactical observation post/campsite bins)...

BTW, I generally use these on a freestanding monopod (manfrotto 680b w/ 3422 support, a 678 folding base and a leica tripod adapter), and the views are incredible, sharp and full of vivid detail. For the most enjoyment of these 12x, a monopod or tripod are really key, IMO, and the 10x might be more usable for longer periods. I wouldn't consider the 50x Triniovids for a primary binocular as they are rather large and a bit on the heavy side (for that I have a 10x42 BL Ultravid), but that's just me.