Focus problem Nikon HGL/LXL 8x32 (1 Viewer)

[ikw101]

Help!

My binoculars have developed a serious focusing problem and no longer focus evenly throughout their range. Although I didn't think it was possible its as if the left and right hand objectives are working independently of each other.

At a close range if I use the central focus knob the left hand objective will be in focus and the right hand one blurred. By adjusting the dioptre setting on the right hand objective I can get both objectives in sharp focus however if I then use the central focus knob and focus in on a distant object the left hand objective will be in focus and the right hand one way out. Again by adjusting the dioptre setting on the right hand objective I can bring it back into focus but if I then use the central focus knob and zoom in on a close up object the right hand objective is once again out of focus.

Unfortunately after suffering from eyeache after a day at Lakenheath I've given up on them and returned to a pair of 10X50 porro's.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Ian

 

[Pileatus]

Help!

My binoculars have developed a serious focusing problem and no longer focus evenly throughout their range. Although I didn't think it was possible its as if the left and right hand objectives are working independently of each other.

At a close range if I use the central focus knob the left hand objective will be in focus and the right hand one blurred. By adjusting the dioptre setting on the right hand objective I can get both objectives in sharp focus however if I then use the central focus knob and focus in on a distant object the left hand objective will be in focus and the right hand one way out. Again by adjusting the dioptre setting on the right hand objective I can bring it back into focus but if I then use the central focus knob and zoom in on a close up object the right hand objective is once again out of focus.

Unfortunately after suffering from eyeache after a day at Lakenheath I've given up on them and returned to a pair of 10X50 porro's.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Ian

Ian,

Nikon will have to repair them for you. The diopter on that model adjusts the eyepiece, not the internal central focus (CF) mechanism, which in your situation sounds faulty.

Good luck and please let us know how Nikon addresses your problem.

John

 

[Robert / Seattle]

Also consider, your two eyes MAY be focussing differently at different focal lengths. You can verify, or discount, this possibility by looking for the same focal discrepancies in any other binocular. If it repeats, it's your eyes; if not, send your bins to Nikon for repair.

 

[henry link]

Before you return your binoculars try setting the diopter adjustment this way.

First pick a small isolated object at least 10m away. Place it in the exact center of the field in the left eye with the right barrel covered (don't close the right eye). Work the focus and stare until you acheive a relaxed comfortable focus. Now cover the left barrel (don't close the left eye) and precisely center the object in the right barrel and focus with the diopter adjustment until you reach the same relaxed focus as with the left eye. The important thing is to have the object precisely centered in the barrel being focused (and keeping both eyes open). The problem that can occur when you set the diopter using a close object is that the object may be inadverdently decentered in the right barrel if you have centered it in the left and that will will result in an inaccurate setting at longer distances because of field curvature in the eyepiece. Squinting with one eye closed also throws off the focus. Tripod mounting helps. I repeat the process several times over a few days.

 

[ikw101]

John, Robert and Henry - many thanks for your advice.

After a bit more testing I'm convinced the problem lies within the binoculars rather than my eyesight. I've had a few pairs of binoculars over the years and I've never experienced anything like this so they've been boxed up and returned to Nikon UK.

I'll let everyone know how I get on with the service centre. Historically Nikon have had a good reputation I'm hoping this won't be the exception because until recently they've been a great pair of binoculars.

 

[ikw101]

Just a quick update. I sent the binoculars back to Nikon UK. From posting to confirmation of repair took 14 days. Turns out the problem was the "Right hand objective had become loose" (!) It took somebody half an hour to "Tighten and re check" and I received an invoice from Nikon for £17.50. Rather than delay things I've paid the invoice however I'm not happy. If an objective can become loose in 8 months it's a bit worrying and to me would indicate a manufacturing defect. Quite why Nikon have decided its not covered by their 10 year warranty I don't know.

 

[SteveClifton]

Quite why Nikon have decided its not covered by their 10 year warranty I don't know.

I'd be asking for clarification from them, I mean, are they suggesting you've caused this by mis-using them? A bit worrying when you consider they were also charging customers for 'repair' work on ED50's when tripod threads were literally falling out in normal use.

This doesn't seem to be the best way to encourage repeat custom for their products, and they know you won't quibble as you want your bins back ASAP.

Also, are they aware that the outcome of this case is being documented on this forum?

 

[SteveClifton]

Also, this reminds me of at least 2 people I know who have had similar things happen to their scopes. In both cases the metal insert that accepts the threaded part of the eyepiece came loose where it screws into the main body of the scope (one was an ED50, the other an ED82), thus breaking the seal that makes it waterproof/fogproof.

In both cases I think the work was carried out under warranty, unlike the fault with your bins.

 

[Alexis Powell]

Nikon UK is gaining a bad reputation for service by not honoring their warranty. A loose objective is a manufacturing defect and should be covered. As for worrying about the object loosening again, I wouldn't. In my experience with bino repairs (many different models at all price levels), for a problem to recur is unusual--once fixed they're fixed.
--AP

 

[Grousemore]

Nikon, this Thread...

Leica http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=86892

Swarovski http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=71983

...does the answer begin with Z ?

 

[Pileatus]

Just a quick update. I sent the binoculars back to Nikon UK. From posting to confirmation of repair took 14 days. Turns out the problem was the "Right hand objective had become loose" (!) It took somebody half an hour to "Tighten and re check" and I received an invoice from Nikon for £17.50. Rather than delay things I've paid the invoice however I'm not happy. If an objective can become loose in 8 months it's a bit worrying and to me would indicate a manufacturing defect. Quite why Nikon have decided its not covered by their 10 year warranty I don't know.

Who pays shipping and insurance?

 

[ikw101]

Nikon warranty - warning

Who pays shipping and insurance?

I paid for sending them there - approx £7. Nikon are paying for the return presumably out of the £17.50 I had to part with before they'd return them.

The good news is they've now been despatched so once I've got them back it'll be time to ask them how on earth an objective working itself loose cannot be due to a manufacturing defect. Of course they may respond that its due to fair wear and tear. If this is the case we'll have to assume that Nikon consider a period of 8 months before their premier binoculars begin to fall apart to be normal.

Grousemore - You could be right. Leica and Swarovski's post sales service is hardly inspiring.

Ian