Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 07:54:03 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Scott Crabtree Subject: Re: Nikon binoculars MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I've been using the 10X Nikon SE's since 1996 (it has a serial number somewhere around 0000105!), and the 8X's since 1999. I have to echo the findings of others - resolution, edge-to-edge sharpness, and color fidelity are unmatched. While a lot of birders I talk to say that cost is no object, both models are $200-$300 dollars less than other high-end, equivalent roof-prisms. And their weight is often significantly less as well. I have had the opportunity to compare the equivalent Nikon Venturers to the SE's in the field, and the SE's simply give ME a better view. To my eye, roof-prisms always seem sort of "phasey" when compared to porro-prism binoculars. I don't know how to explain what that means, other than that well-designed porros just seem to have that last bit of extra sharpness, that "snap" as photographers might say, and because of wide set of the objective lens, they give you a greater sense of three dimensions. Of course, the light path in porros has one less prism, and no design attention has to be paid to the quality of the mirrored surface that a roof requires. Porros don't require "phase-correcting coatings" since their number of prisms keep the light in phase, and their design tolerances for prism mountings are more tolerant. All that yields a better "quality to cost" ratio. (All you optical engineers out there can probably have me for lunch on that last paragraph, but that's my "cartoon" of what I've read and experienced...) Nope, the Nikon SE's are not waterproof, but I've had no problems with using them in the rain, and taking them from an air-conditioned car out into some of the soupy Maryland weather has never resulted in internal fogging. Of course, it's always up to you - what feels good in your hands, what gives you the best view, and how much credit you've got the your cards! Scott Crabtree Chester, MD Kent Island crabtree@myshorelink.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Kari Cohen To: Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 3:45 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Nikon binoculars > I'm considering purchasing either the Nikon Venturer 10x42 or the Nikon > Superior E 10x42. If anyone owns either binocular, or has used them and > could provide any sort of guidance, it would be much appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Kari Cohen > Beltsville > > ======================================================================= > To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com > with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey > ======================================================================= > > ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================