Subject: image stabilizers, optics
Date: Feb 24 14:49:24 2002
From: Lee Rentz - leerentz at ix.netcom.com


More on optics (no, not "moron" optics!):

Fuji and Zeiss also make image-stabilized binoculars that are
excellent but more costly than Canon. I believe they are marketed
more to sailors than to birders, and they perform extremely well on
choppy seas. The Zeiss model is roughly $5000--way out of my price
range--but if you simply must have the best ...

I recently bought 8x40 Pentax binoculars for $399. They outperform
my fifteen year old Leica 8x40 binos in terms of sharpness and
contrast, plus they are waterproof, but they don't have image
stabilization.

Remember, though, that Kenn Kaufmann set a record for species seen in
one year with a pair of $20 binoculars that he painted with gold
paint (something about being on a quest inspired him to paint them
gold).

Lee Rentz
Shelton WA
lee at leerentz.com


>A year and a half ago I went to the Cape May Bird Observatory and
>asked their optical expert about his thoughts on the Canon image
>stabilized binoculars. He had nothing good to say about them, and
>was highly critical of the ergonomic design and the optical image.
>"I wouldn't use them for a door stop", he said.
>
>Six months later I actually tried some 10X30s, and have gotten
>hooked on them for many situations. I love them for boating,
>driving, cold windy days, and even just days when my
>hands are shaky. The image stabilization makes the difference,
>allowing me to track birds while other people have given up because
>bumpy conditions make it impossible. While I am now using some small
>Leicas as my all-around binocular, I still keep the Canons within
>easy reach. On cold blustery days I leave the Leicas at home.
>
>The Canons are not waterproof, need batteries, and are initially a
>bit clumsy to handle. 10X can be a bit much for woodland birding,
>and they don't come in a lesser power, but for raptors and
>waterbirds, they're ideal. They may be a bit of a luxury, but since
>I'm on the water so much I managed to justify them for myself. And
>by the way, I would never use them for a door stop.
>
>Has anyone had a chance to demo the new Zeiss spotting scope? Anyone
>know of a local dealer?
>
>Kevin Li
>Ballard, USA
<mailto:kdli at msn.com>kdli at msn.com