FOV, how does it affect image?

[ams]

I'm looking at some new binos and wondering if more is always better and what is acceptable in the common 10x and 8x binos. Say you have a bino with 320 fov and another in the same class with 340 fov. Will there be less visible image movement with mor fov or just simply more fov? Can a smaller fov help clean up what you do see through binos by eliminating some unusable or less usable edges?

 

[jarheadhunter]

I would say with good glass your just getting a bigger FOV. Image shouldn't change.

 

[fatrascal]

I would agree with the jarhead. fatrascal

 

[Matt Cashell]

One effect of narrow FOV is the false impression of greater magnification.

I tend to prefer wide FOV designs, and the wider the better.

Some designs do incorporate a FOV-restricting field stop to hide edge defects, but I don't see that as "cleaning up" an image, personally.

 

[Hardstalk]

I dont utilize full fov without mounting the binos on a tripod. If hand held I believe majority of us focus on center and rarely utilize the full fov. Point being, unless you plan to mount on a tripod I wouldn't let 20 feet of fov steer you one way or another.