IPD and binoculars for small faces? (1 Viewer)

[thisisallen]

Is the IPD of binoculars the same as the IPD measurement associated with your eyeglasses?

My eyeglasses IPD is 55mm. Some binocular specs give its IPD range. Are these considered accurate?

How important is it to find a binocular that that will exactly fit your IPD?

And finally, what type/brand of binocular is recommended for short IPD?

 

[18000bph]

I'm somewhere around 56-57mm IPD. Lucky for me, most mid and full size binoculars will barely accommodate 56mm IPD. At 55mm you really are going to have to try before you buy.

Another issue is that once you collapse the binocular hinge down that far some binoculars with large diameter eyepieces will essentially leave no room for your nose. So just because the IPD goes down to 55mm doesn't mean the binocular will comfortably fit right. Unfortunately, many modern binoculars have very large eye cups.

Some binocular specs give its IPD range. Are these considered accurate?

Generally, but a minimum of 56mm from some manufactures might collapse just enough past the stated range for you to use while others will not.

How important is it to find a binocular that that will exactly fit your IPD?

IPD is the single most important thing about a binocular.

And finally, what type/brand of binocular is recommended for short IPD?

Leica Ultravid if you have unlimited budget. For inexpensive options, just about any double hinge compact will work. Kowa YF, Leupold Yosemite, and Bushnell Legend M are binoculars that I have personally tried that had significant range beyond my 56mm. In general, mid size binoculars will have a more accommodating minimum IPD than full size.

 

[Pinewood]

Is the IPD of binoculars the same as the IPD measurement associated with your eyeglasses?

My eyeglasses IPD is 55mm. Some binocular specs give its IPD range. Are these considered accurate?

How important is it to find a binocular that that will exactly fit your IPD?

And finally, what type/brand of binocular is recommended for short IPD?

Hello Allen,
No. My opjthalmogist measured my IPD at 58, 2 mm more than I need for binoculars.
No. There is often a little more leeway than stated.
Very important, a necessity.
I have a Zeiss 8x32 FL, which Zeiss specifies at a minimum of 52mm. It is an expensive binocular but I expect that there may well be clearance sales when the 8x32 SF is released.

Stay safe,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:

 

[Binastro]

I think the IPD varies by about 3mm for glasses, maybe for near or far vision.

Opticron have some small IPD binoculars.

Some small double hinge binoculars have very large ranges from tiny IPD to 90mm or more.

B.

 

[pat mitchel]

I went to the Opticron USA site out of curiosity to check the various bins and their specs and noticed the single pivot binocs in the 8x32, 8x42 - even going down to the 8x28, all had IPD starting at 55 or so. The "slimline,compact/dual hinge type, went down to 52 in some cases for the same 8x32. Might want to check the website first to get a handle on the form type that offers a better option. Too bad websites (least the ones I visit) don't offer that aspect (IPD) as a search function. Regards, Pat

 

[pat mitchel]

I should also mention that classic 6x30-8x30 binoculars from the 60's all went down to very small IPD's and offer smaller eyepieces (more room for the nose) than current offerings. I'm a sucker for classic binocs.
Regards, Pat

 

[thisisallen]

Hello Allen,
No. My opjthalmogist measured my IPD at 58, 2 mm more than I need for binoculars.
No. There is often a little more leeway than stated.
Very important, a necessity.
I have a Zeiss 8x30 FL, which Zeiss specifies at a minimum of 52mm. It is an expensive binocular but I expect that there may well be clearance sales when the 8x32 SF is released.

Stay safe,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:

Is this the Conquest model? I didn’t see Zeiss 8x30 fl for sale, in the quick search I did. A lot of 8x32 fl though.

 

[thisisallen]

Thx for the replies and info.
Just to add, I’m over 70 so looking for a large-ish exit pupil. Some/many of the compacts are small-ish.

 

[thisisallen]

I should also mention that classic 6x30-8x30 binoculars from the 60's all went down to very small IPD's and offer smaller eyepieces (more room for the nose) than current offerings. I'm a sucker for classic binocs.
Regards, Pat

Is it safe to buy a binocular from the 60s (if you don’t know what you’re doing)?

 

[pat mitchel]

"Is it safe to buy a binocular from the 60s (if you don’t know what you’re doing)?"
Of course not, that's where gents like Cory Suddarth come in (AKA suddarth optical)!!
Might want to go to allbinos.com- has a list of specs for binocs some reviews or user reviews- good site to start. Not having but a couple 7x50's (old porros) is that what you are looking for or more of a current roof binoc? B&H photo usually list IPD range in the spec pull sheet of their offerings.
Good luck, Pat

 

[PeterPS]

Is this the Conquest model? I didn’t see Zeiss 8x30 fl for sale, in the quick search I did. A lot of 8x32 fl though.

Arthur meant to say Zeiss Victory FL 8x32 indeed.

 

[Tringa45]

Like Arthur Pinewood I would be sceptical about optometrists' IPD measurements. Mine is also 2 mm less than the optometrist's measurement, so I think parallax errors creep in sometimes.
You should also consider that, if the binocular has a close focus capability under 3 m, you are going to have to close the IPD below your normal value to get a comfortable view of near objects such as butterflies.

John

 

[lofapco]

Many of the older 60's MIJ porro binoculars have much smaller IPD than current binoculars. My wife loves my old 60's MIJ Canon Camera Co 7x35mm due to her small IPD and the crystal clear glass.

 

[Pinewood]

Is this the Conquest model? I didn’t see Zeiss 8x30 fl for sale, in the quick search I did. A lot of 8x32 fl though.

My error: I meant the 8x32 FL.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[eronald]

Zeiss and Leica x42 are all ok i think.
My IPD is 54 - goodbye SV.

 

[thisisallen]

Not having but a couple 7x50's (old porros) is that what you are looking for or more of a current roof binoc? B&H photo usually list IPD range in the spec pull sheet of their offerings.
Good luck, Pat

I’m leaning towards Zeiss 8x25 Victory since it is lighter weight (than the Porro prisms), has generous ER and receives lots of appreciation in this forum. It has a IPD range starting at 35mm according to the B&H listing (Pat, thx for that tip about their site). I don’t think I would like a heavy Porro prism at this stage. But I’m not against a Porro prism if a good but lighter one is available (with proper IPD and eye relief). I may buy the Canon 7x35, mentioned above, as a reference to know exactly what I should be expecting with a correct IPD. Does that make sense?

 

[mwhogue]

I’m leaning towards Zeiss 8x25 Victory since it is lighter weight (than the Porro prisms), has generous ER and receives lots of appreciation in this forum. It has a IPD range starting at 35mm according to the B&H listing (Pat, thx for that tip about their site). I don’t think I would like a heavy Porro prism at this stage. But I’m not against a Porro prism if a good but lighter one is available (with proper IPD and eye relief). I may buy the Canon 7x35, mentioned above, as a reference to know exactly what I should be expecting with a correct IPD. Does that make sense?

Allen,

It looks like the Canon 7x35 referenced is out of production so you would have to buy an older used model. Nothing wrong with that per se but the pictures I can find of the Canon 7x35 show a normal size for a 7x35 standard porro, which is fairly large and it may be heavier than you want.

If you are inclined to spend the money on the Zeiss Victory 8x25, IMO they are a great binocular and should solve any IPD issues for you. If not, as you have probably read here, most reputable sellers including B&H have a reasonable return policy.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[pat mitchel]

Unless you like to tinker, or throw money at the problem, having a classic porro usually has some work involved in bringing it back to spec. Haze build up from the lubrication volatiles gassing off, the collimation sometimes goes astray after a moderate knock, the focus and diopter adjust can stiffen due to the greases stiffening over time. For the most part they aren't water proof (mil-spec or marine with individual focus not withstanding). I happen to like them as I find the internals an interesting challenge.
It sounds like you are interested in a pocket generalist binocular. An 8x25 isn't going to have a large exit pupil BTW ( I believe that was mention earlier as a prerequisite). Regards, Pat

 

[thisisallen]

Unless you like to tinker, or throw money at the problem, having a classic porro usually has some work involved in bringing it back to spec. Haze build up from the lubrication volatiles gassing off, the collimation sometimes goes astray after a moderate knock, the focus and diopter adjust can stiffen due to the greases stiffening over time. For the most part they aren't water proof (mil-spec or marine with individual focus not withstanding). I happen to like them as I find the internals an interesting challenge.
It sounds like you are interested in a pocket generalist binocular. An 8x25 isn't going to have a large exit pupil BTW ( I believe that was mention earlier as a prerequisite). Regards, Pat

Good day Pat,
To clarify, the idea of buying the Canon was more of an exercise in determining what a good view with proper IPD and ER would look like. The model mentioned in this thread is available for less than $50 so I thought it may be worth a chance. Probably it is not since it may require repairing.

Followed up on the Opticron recommendation and found that they offer the BGA Traveller ED 8x32. It has IPD of 51mm and good ER. Putting that on my short list with Zeiss. As stores begin to open up more I hope to find a shop close enough that carries these.

 

[eronald]

The Victory 8x25 is an astonishing and portable instrument but tiring. There are a lot of Ultravids out there with a pleasant view, and the 8x32 go cheap used.

Edmund