Eye strain as a function of magnification and objective diameter?

[kad11]

Does magnification and objective diameter factor into reducing eye strain for a given model of tripod-supported binocular?

Is there a configuration that would be better for 8-10 hours of glassing per day? Also, at what price point do you need to get into for "all day" glassing comfort?

Thanks!

 

[PathFinder]

Vs a spotting scope, any pair of binoculars a is going to be very comfortable to glass behind for hours. I always notice eye strain when using a spotter for long periods, but I can honestly say I've never noticed it with my 15x56 Euro HD. I think the Euro HD and Zeiss Conquest are the baseline where they start to get good. Upgrading to Swarovski or Leica, the primary difference in my opinion is better edge to edge clarity.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[rayporter]

you can sit behind our 25x100 or our 30x80 binoculars for 10 hours with no eye strain. it takes a 4x4 to haul em, though.

 

[kad11]

Yea, I wouldn't be too keen on hauling those up a mountain. I'm mostly interested in comparing 8x30/32, 8x42, and 10x42 binos. I'll bet those big eyes are awesome to use though!

 

[ElkNut1]

Are yours properly focused? You may respond with of course, I simply focus the the center focus wheel! This is how most do this but there's a step some may be missing! Here's something to consider!

When comparing Binos or Focusing your own pair, first put them up to your eyes, now close right eye & leave left eye open, use focus wheel in center of bino & focus until left eye is perfectly clear. Once done close left eye & open your right eye & now focus that eye with your Diopter focus wheel. Some are located on the eye piece itself & others may be near the center focus wheel but this focus only effects your right eye piece. When done lock in the Diopter focus wheel so it doesn't move. With this done you can now use your center focus wheel as needed at varying distances! It's very important that your LEFT eye is focused first NOT your right eye!


Your center focus wheel will focus both eyes as best as is possible once the above step is done. The Diopter wheel only focuses your right eye this is why this is such an important step to get the most out of any Bino! When comparing Binos in Store this focusing of both eyes first before making comparisons is the only real way to see which bino is best for you or your budget!


Doing this can reduce or eliminate eye strain, how? When Binos are not properly focused per eye one of your eyes may be trying to constantly focus while the other is OK. Your brain does this focusing automatically for anything we may be looking at. Focus your binos properly & it can make glassing much more enjoyable & clear!



ElkNut1

 

[boom]

i think clarity affect eye strain. if the image is fuzzy..your eyes get tired. good optics are the only solution.

 

[elkguide]

The first year that I worked as a guide and was spending 8, 10 and even 12 hours a day behind my glass I was using a pair of Steiners, which aren't bad glass but I had a constant head ache after just a couple of hours. Once that I saved all of my tips that year and bought a pair of Swarovski 10X42's...... no more eye strain. I'm in the clarity matters camp.

 

[rayporter]

my stieners dont do that to me.

the worst i have found to give me the headache is mismatched barrels. if each lens does not point to the same spot i get a headache really fast and cant look through them. many binoculars do this to me.

 

[kad11]

Thanks for all the input! Sounds like it's best to continue to save for the expensive stuff.

 

[WRO]

Thanks for all the input! Sounds like it's best to continue to save for the expensive stuff.

Yup, The cheap Asian crap will guarantee you a headache.

I've spent 4-6 hours a day behind 8x32 ELs with no issues.

 

[elkguide]

Thanks for all the input! Sounds like it's best to continue to save for the expensive stuff.

Buy once..... cry once.

It's easier to buy something that lasts and does the job well the first time rather than buying something to get you by till you can afford to do it right and then want to get rid of the lesser quality stuff that you spent some good money on.

 

[boom]

Quality glass. sucks that most quality glass is also bookoobucks..

i cant even look thru my old Pentax glass anymore.

 

[Bwana]

Quality glass not withstanding, edge to edge sharpness is irrelevant to eye strain...pin cushion is intended to soften the view, so the eye ISN'T trying to focus on the edge as it pans. The field flattening lens may add edge sharpness, but may also lead to eye strain and rollerball effect...always look thru buying options with your own eyes, we are all different/unique in that vision respect.

There is no such thing as "clarity" in the optic world, it's instead chromatic aberration/brightness/collimation that separates the view based on specs & glass. Understanding the terms and how it relates to your vision/view, allows a better understanding of optics function and abilities.

 

[WRO]

Quality glass not withstanding, edge to edge sharpness is irrelevant to eye strain...pin cushion is intended to soften the view, so the eye ISN'T trying to focus on the edge as it pans. The field flattening lens may add edge sharpness, but may also lead to eye strain and rollerball effect...always look thru buying options with your own eyes, we are all different/unique in that vision respect.

There is no such thing as "clarity" in the optic world, it's instead chromatic aberration/brightness/collimation that separates the view based on specs & glass. Understanding the terms and how it relates to your vision/view, allows a better understanding of optics function and abilities.

Edge to edge clarity absolutely matters in eye strain and headaches. Even though your brain doesn't recognize it, your eyes are always trying to put your peripheral vision in focus.

 

[Thinkingman]

i think clarity affect eye strain. if the image is fuzzy..your eyes get tired. good optics are the only solution.

Clarity or perceived clarity does certainly affect eye strain.
In re OP, buying higher power glass lower on the price spectrum is the wrong approach.
If you can only afford mediocre glass, buy it at 7 or 8X, with larger objectives for brightness, and make that work for you until you can afford better glass and move up the power spectrum.
Glass/coating compromises become much more evident at higher magnification.

 

[Bwana]

Edge to edge clarity absolutely matters in eye strain and headaches. Even though your brain doesn't recognize it, your eyes are always trying to put your peripheral vision in focus.

There is no said term "clarity" in optics, and field flattening lenses just hit the market in the past decade...all other quality lenses had pin cushion, and they work just fine with no eye fatigue...aka Swaro EL, Zeiss Victory.

 

[WRO]

There is no said term "clarity" in optics, and field flattening lenses just hit the market in the past decade...all other quality lenses had pin cushion, and they work just fine with no eye fatigue...aka Swaro EL, Zeiss Victory.

In the glasses you mention, it doesn't matter as it is less than 5% distortion of the total image, in the cheaper glasses its a much higher ratio.

Maybe clarity isn't the right term, but I would say definition, colors, purity are all easily measured.

 

[Bwana]

In the glasses you mention, it doesn't matter as it is less than 5% distortion of the total image, in the cheaper glasses its a much higher ratio.

Maybe clarity isn't the right term, but I would say definition, colors, purity are all easily measured.

Edge to edge clarity absolutely matters in eye strain and headaches. Even though your brain doesn't recognize it, your eyes are always trying to put your peripheral vision in focus.

I never stated a percentage of view ?: edge to edge sharpness is not a factor in eye fatigue, or all earlier optics would be considered junk by your philosophy. Field flattening lenses have their drawbacks also, distortion is increased to "bend" the object...any straight wall/telephone pole will prove that.

 

[WRO]

I never stated a percentage of view ?: edge to edge sharpness is not a factor in eye fatigue, or all earlier optics would be considered junk by your philosophy. Field flattening lenses have their drawbacks also, distortion is increased to "bend" the object...any straight wall/telephone pole will prove that.

You're entitled to your mind reading skills with regards to what my philosophies are. I've owned nikon monarchs, minox germans, leuopold gold rings, leica geovids, hts, slcs, and currently own els.

The minox and nikons were eye burners.

So in your opinion if it's not poor edge clarity, what causes eyestrain?

 

[Bwana]

You're entitled to your mind reading skills with regards to what my philosophies are.

I needn't read your mind when the below blanket statement was posted by you....and I thought the thread was about discussing facts, not your "philosophies" on optics.

Edge to edge clarity absolutely matters in eye strain and headaches. Even though your brain doesn't recognize it, your eyes are always trying to put your peripheral vision in focus.

I won't banter with you every time I post, it's boring and worthless to be honest.