Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars

RichardNash666 · #1 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 11:47 AM

Hello

I am looking at the above binoculars and have found them very cheap at Microglobe (www.microglobe.co.uk)

First off I would like to know if anybody has a pair of these and how good they are

Next has anybody used the above shop as the Bins appear VERY cheap on the site...spawing the old thought If something seems too goo to be true it probably is. They quote 259 quid and most other places are over 300 whilst Canon says 500 (Which I know I can ignore). My concern is that they have these on there 3 times with differnet descriptions.

And Finally is there a way to spot if these have been imported.

I am planning on visiting the shop this coming friday...so want to go into this with my eyes open.

Thanks for any advice

Richard

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 12:13 PM

Good afternoon, and welcome to WAB Richard

Here's another forum's thread about them... Anyone used Microglobe ???

It seems their shop is based in London and the website has been online since 2002.

nigel_b · #3 (**permalink**) 26-08-2009, 11:05 AM

I've just bought some Nikon HiGrades from a guy who knows his stuff and has just bought some Canon image stabilised binoculars.

He reckons they are so good you'll never look through anything else again.

He spent £1000 and my only concern would be that £200 odd is really cheap for bins never mind image stabilised ones.

10x30 arent going to be very special in low light either.

JW · #4 (**permalink**) 26-08-2009, 11:04 PM

Richard you really need to have a good play with them.

I've spoken to people in the past who have said that the image stabiliser has made them feel 'sea sick' while using them.

Also as mentioned before 10 x 30 really does limit you to bright days.

Bottom line, have look, see how you get on. If there is something you don't feel comfortable with in the shop then I can guarentee you it will become a big issue in the field.

Let us know how you get on.

RichardNash666 · #5 (**permalink**) 27-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the input, and hadn't actually thought too much abou the light side of it.

Am also looking at som Nikon 16x50 Action Extreme (EX) Waterproof which would let alot more light in as has 50mm Lens'

But as you said have a play with a number of different binoculars.

Are there any make recommendations (I know this is personal in a lot of ways but normally there are well regarded manufacturers)

These would mostly for Wildlife use not just birdspotting. And dont want to spend too much (Probably the 259 price I mentioned earlier for the Canon's)

Thanks again for your input

R

nigel_b · #6 (**permalink**) 28-08-2009, 05:26 PM

16x50, actually not an awful lot of difference to 10x30 with respect to low light.

The exit pupil diameter is the objective lens size divided by the magnification.

10x30 = 3mm exit pupil size
16x50 = 3.125mm

Bear in mind the amount of light is proportional to the exit pupil diameter squared, i.e.

10x30 === light factor 9
16x50 === light factor 9.77

compare with 8x42 which I use,

8x42 = 5.25 mm exit pupil size
8x42 === light factor 27.56

or nearly three times the amount of light coming out of 8x42 compared to 10x30 and 16x50

JW · #7 (**permalink**) 28-08-2009, 07:09 PM

For general wildlife you really want to be looking at 8x40 or 10x50.

Although 16x initially sounds good, you'll never be able to hand hold them which defeats the object really.

For around £250 there is quite a choice, check out the Viking range and RSPB bins. The bonus with these is the importers check the working conditions and stuff of the factory employees so you check the ethical box with them as well.

A word of caution, if a salesman is doing the hard sell don't buy unless you are certain that the bins are right. If it's too good to be true, it's to good to be true!

Jonathan · #8 (**permalink**) 28-08-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardNash666

Are there any make recommendations (I know this is personal in a lot of ways but normally there are well regarded manufacturers)

Hawke Frontier ED 8 x 43, one of the new 'Chinese ED' binocs (other, almost identical brands are only available in the US). You should get a pair for around £270. There is nothing to touch them in their price range in the UK. There are several threads about them on BirdForum, OpticsTalk, etc.

Cheers
Jonathan

RichardNash666 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 08:03 AM

I blame my keyboard I meant to type that the Nikon bins were 10x50 :-D

Did visit the shop and to be honest wasn't a hard sell, and were very helpfull.

So have ended up with the Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme Bins.

Shop also let me take em outside the shop so could look thru' em.

Thanks for all your advise and guidance

R