UK Bird Watching Magazine - Ace Avian F Mg 8x42 (1 Viewer)

[the_handy_andy]

July 2009 issue

Ace Avian F Magnesium 8x42

Facts and Figures
Price £389
Close Focus 2m
Dims. 145mm x 125mm
Weight 640g
FOV 130m @ 1,000m
ER 19.6

How did it score? (out of 10)
Design and ease of use 9
Optical rating 9
Value for money 9

What the reviewer didn't like.
Slight blue colour cast
Basic strap

Overall verdict
"There's little to quibble about here - the Avian Fs were always a good package, and now they've been trimmed down (in terms of weight) and yet beefed up optically, thanks to aspherical lens elements and the flat field coatings. The result is a really impressive, easy to use pair of binoculars for under £400."

The full review is here.

http://www.acecameras.co.uk/content/infopages/avian/avian-f-magnesium-birdwatching-review.pdf

 

[Kevin Purcell]

slight blue cast == Aluminium mirror coating (usually).

That would not be a good sign for £400 bins today.

 

[Martin Fagg]

slight blue cast == Aluminium mirror coating (usually).

That would not be a good sign for £400 bins today.

Hi Kevin,

what does a slight yellow cast signify in a binocular. I asak because I bought Meopta 8x32s which are slightly yellow.

Thanks,
Martin.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

what does a slight yellow cast signify in a binocular. I asak because I bought Meopta 8x32s which are slightly yellow.

That's a bit more ambiguous.

I though the Meopta 8x32 didn't have much of a cast (according to my memory of FrankD's comments).

It could be any of: non-flat AR spectrum with more roll off in the blue/green; absorption of blue/green in one (or more) of the lenses (some glasses are very slightly colored e.g. Zen Ray ZRS has a LaK glass field flattener like the Meopta that introduces a warm bias).

It could even be deliberate. Old Russian bins used to have a yellow cast to improve visibility over some terrain (snow?). I think there might be a hunters bias towards slightly yellowish bins.

 

[FrankD]

Kevin,

In comparison to the 8x42 Meostars they don't. They might seem slightly warm in comparison to a blue-green bias binocular or one that is truly neutral. I notice this with several of my bins all of the time.

The 8x32s have the silver prism coating.

 

[Martin Fagg]

That's a bit more ambiguous.

I though the Meopta 8x32 didn't have much of a cast (according to my memory of FrankD's comments).

It could be any of: non-flat AR spectrum with more roll off in the blue/green; absorption of blue/green in one (or more) of the lenses (some glasses are very slightly colored e.g. Zen Ray ZRS has a LaK glass field flattener like the Meopta that introduces a warm bias).

It could even be deliberate. Old Russian bins used to have a yellow cast to improve visibility over some terrain (snow?). I think there might be a hunters bias towards slightly yellowish bins.

It is a very very slight cast. It is only noticeable when looking at foliage in bright sunshine, it seems to me. It accentuates the greens of the leaves a little. i actually find it pleasant. It enhances the view. It has never detracted from the birdwatching, that's the main thing.