Magnification question

[Bulldog Edm]

I've been looking at purchasing some new binoculars. I was just wondering what the difference between 10x42 magnification and let's say a 10x50 magnification is? Would one really even notice a difference?

They will be used for hunting from a stand, still hunting, scouting ... I'm looking for a good all around pair of binoculars. What would you guys recommend as a magnification for these situations?

[Salavee]

Try both on for size at a good distance outdoors. You may find the 10 to be a bit unsteady.

I have both and prefer the 8 power for all- round use.

[FinnDawg]

Those are both the same amount of magnification. 42 and 50 refers to the objective lens (the larger side of the lens, opposite the eyepiece), 50 being larger therefore gathering more light

[Kurt505]

As noted 10 is the power, 42 and 50 is the size of the objective lense. Bigger is bulkier, I use 10x42 swaro el's and wouldn't want them any bigger, or any smaller.

[jayquiver]

I like 10x42 with good glass Leica, Swarovski or Zeiss. Other brands are good also but keep to the upper end of their models.

Some like 8x, slighter wider Feild of View (FOV).

If you spend most of your time in the bush then 8x could be better. If you spend more time in open areas, mountains, cuts then 10x may be better.

If I was buying again. I would by 10x42 again. Currently I have Leica 10x42

Buy the best glass you can afford. Take care of them and they should last a very long time.

[Nyksta]

The second number directly relates to the size of the beam of light you have to get your eyeball locked into to see. If its not lined up then you get the black shadow edges. 10x42 is fine for dusk viewing. People like 10x50 or bigger when they are very unsteady support while viewing... say from a moving boat or vehicle where the bounciness of your body wouldmake it hard to line up your eyes.

8x34 would be similarly to 10x42 for comparison. Size and weight and what you want to see should determine 8 vs 10

Also check out eye pupil distance. Different binoculars will focus at different distances. If you wear glasses then you will need to see if the binos work with how you are going to hold them

[TLSpeed]

I would almost recommend an 8 power, but the next time you are at the shop ask them if you can bring some outside. Pick something you want to look at and bring the 10 power to your eyes. Try and focus on how steady the object appears vs. The 8 power....might make your mind up right there when comparing the two of them. Good luck!

[elkhunter11]

The second number directly relates to the size of the beam of light you have to get your eyeball locked into to see. If its not lined up then you get the black shadow edges. 10x42 is fine for dusk viewing. People like 10x50 or bigger when they are very unsteady support while viewing... say from a moving boat or vehicle where the bounciness of your body wouldmake it hard to line up your eyes.

[Smokinyotes]

I prefer 10x42. 8x are sometimes just not enough magnification. 50mm objective are a little on the big side for hanging around your neck. I have Leica Trinovids, good clarity, not too big and excellent "bounciness"

[Bitumen Bullet]

Originally Posted by Bulldog Edm

I've been looking at purchasing some new binoculars. I was just wondering what the difference between 10x42 magnification and let's say a 10x50 magnification is? Would one really even notice a difference?

They will be used for hunting from a stand, still hunting, scouting ... I'm looking for a good all around pair of binoculars. What would you guys recommend as a magnification for these situations?

Yes you should notice the difference, or maybe not. Can't recommend any thing specific because which is the best all round pair is unique to each individual. That is in part why there appear to be unlimited options.

I might recommend the 8x42 Monarch 7 by Nikon. They will give a field of view of 420ft@ 1,000yds (big picture, very handy when looking for game or game is moving) with excellent optics, well maybe just very good optics because money can buy much better. These are smaller in size than a 10X50 which means you will more likely have them with you when you need them.

Or I might recommend Fujinon 14x40 Stabilized. If looking across a valley they will give a remarkably sharp image at high mag while holding without support. I have the 12x32 and would recommend them but I think the 14 are worth the extra dollar. These are my favorite but can't say they would be yours.

High quality optics transmit more light, some will make dusk seem like full daylight, and they will be easier on the eyes than cheaper optics something to keep in mind if using for more than a few seconds at a time.

Then there is the issue of loss. If you tend to lose such things or are on a budget I would suggest getting a few cheap Tasco's of different powers like 8x12 and 10x50 and seeing which ones you like the best.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Salavee

You may find the 10 to be a bit unsteady.

Definitely take this into consideration if you have shaky hands, or are glassing for a long period of time.

Along the same lines, you can look into whether the binoculars support tripod mounting,



Steven Rinella has a clip talking about this here.

[CNP]

Both have same magnification. The objective lens in a 50mm binoc will be 8mm greater in dia than a 42mm objective lens. 10 x 42 will be lighter and smaller than 10 x 50. The 10 x 50 will give you a larger field of view. A 42mm field of view is not considered small. A larger field of view enables you to see more ground in a stationery binocular that that of a binocular with a smaller field of view. Visualize looking through a tp tube and then a culvert

I like the 42mm because they are lighter and smaller than 50's.............you have to carry this crap around...

[LJalberta]

Originally Posted by CNP

. The 10 x 50 will give you a larger field of view.

I'm still learning about binoculars and optics in general. But this statement is only partially true. There's many different aspects and things to consider when comparing magnification, objective size, and even model to model comparisons. For instance in the Razor models, the 10x42 has a field of view almost 50' greater than the same model in the 10x50 configuration.

[Nyksta]

Until elkhunter can tell us what he knows you can read this for what the numbers mean for what you will get.

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/faq.htm

[CNP]

Originally Posted by LJalberta

I'm still learning about binoculars and optics in general. But this statement is only partially true. There's many different aspects and things to consider when comparing magnification, objective size, and even model to model comparisons. For instance in the Razor models, the 10x42 has a field of view almost 50' greater than the same model in the 10x50 configuration.

You're absolutely correct...

A common misunderstanding is that the objective lens diameter (32mm, 42mm, 50mm, etc.) is the field of view. Even binoculars with a narrow objective lens diameter can have a wide field of view; it's because it has more to do with the physical length of the binocular and the configuration and design of eyepiece lens elements. Hence, the field of view cannot be determined by the two numbers of a binocular, e.g. 8x42, 10x50, etc.; you must look at the manufacturer’s provided specification for it.

[Bulldog Edm]

Thanks for the replies everybody and all the great info. I've been trying some binos out everytime I get a chance. I'm leaning towards the 10x42. I like the size and feel of them. I'm on a tight budget as always. I'm saving and waiting as long as I can so that I can get the best I can afford.

What king of chest straps are you guys using? I want something that keeps them tight to my chest. Last season I had issues with my binoculars flopping around and getting caught when I was trying to stalk.

[katts69]

AGC Bino harness

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

Until elkhunter can tell us what he knows you can read this for what the numbers mean for what you will get.

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/faq.htm

The second number is not the size of a beam of light that you align your eyes to, it is the size of the objective lens. The path that the image must follow from the objective lens to the eyepiece could not possibly be that size, as the other lenses in the binoculars are smaller than the objective lense. In fact the lenses in the eyepiece are usually the same size regardless of the size of the objective lens, and it is the lenses in the eyepiece that you have to align your eyes with ,in order to see the image properly.

[Kurt505]

If you guys find 10x42 binos hard to hold steady, I sure hope you aren't trying any free hand shots!!

[Nyksta]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The second number is not the size of a beam of light that you align your eyes to, it is the size of the objective lens. The path that the image must follow from the objective lens to the eyepiece could not possibly be that size, as the other lenses in the binoculars are smaller than the objective lense. In fact the lenses in the eyepiece are usually the same size regardless of the size of the objective lens, and it is the lenses in the eyepiece that you have to align your eyes with ,in order to see the image properly.

Exit pupil diameter or the size of the light beam you must get into to see. Its controlled by objective lens size divided by magnification.

Before you hurt yourself slapping your own face you should have an understanding about what you're commenting on.

[LJalberta]

Originally Posted by katts69

AGC Bino harness

I second this. I just recently got one, and my one regret was not doing it sooner.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

[6.5swedeforelk]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Another facepalm for Picard when he realizes that he's going at the speed of light & thinking at the speed of sound.

Nyksta correctly says that the 2nd number directly RELATES to the size of the beam...

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

If you guys find 10x42 binos hard to hold steady, I sure hope you aren't trying any free hand shots!!

haha

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Bulldog Edm

Thanks for the replies everybody and all the great info. I've been trying some binos out everytime I get a chance. I'm leaning towards the 10x42. I like the size and feel of them. I'm on a tight budget as always. I'm saving and waiting as long as I can so that I can get the best I can afford.

What king of chest straps are you guys using? I want something that keeps them tight to my chest. Last season I had issues with my binoculars flopping around and getting caught when I was trying to stalk.

There is some great advice on binoculars on the BirdForum. Spend a few hours reading and you will know more about binoculars than you will ever need.

[mgvande]

This is when

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by mgvande

This is when

I once seen a scope mounted reverse and one that X marked the spot when looking through...the speed of light is not for all of us

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 6.5swedeforelk

Another facepalm for Picard when he realizes that he's going at the speed of light & thinking at the speed of sound.

Nyksta correctly says that the 2nd number directly RELATES to the size of the beam...

Since you are aligning your eyes to the lenses in the eyepiece, the objective lens size is not a factor in how easy it is to align your eyes to see the image properly through binoculars. A person may find one pair of binoculars easier to line up with their eyes to see the proper image than another pair, but it isnt due to the objective lens size.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

If you guys find 10x42 binos hard to hold steady, I sure hope you aren't trying any free hand shots!!

Depends on how long you're holding your rifle up, Kurt!

Most of us glass with our bino's/spotting scopes for much longer periods of time than we are aiming our rifles.

[6.5swedeforelk]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Since you are aligning your eyes to the lenses in the eyepiece, the objective lens size is not a factor in how easy it is to align your eyes to see the image properly through binoculars. A person may find one pair of binoculars easier to line up with their eyes to see the proper image than another pair, but it isnt due to the objective lens size.

Incorrect.

Here's a 5 minute setup to show the width of the projected beam,
and the result of reducing the objective lens diameter by a half.