Noob question about image brightness

WhiteOak

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 17, 2016
Messages
260
Location
New Mexico
Hello all, as I have no idea what I'm looking at or talking about I figured I'd asked the experienced sliders on here about image relative brightness or darkness.

I am looking for a nice entry level pair of binos to get me through the next couple years. As I am on a budget I was thinking I would forgo the spotting scope and get a pair of 12x binos on a tripod to try to find a happy medium.

I was looking real hard at the Maven c.1 is 12x42 and when I was looking at the spec sheet for the serieshttps://mavenbuilt.com/c-series-binoculars/ I noticed that the 12xs had the least bright image 12.6 compared to the 27.6 on the 8x42s. Then I was reading about brightness and how it is effected by exit pupil light gathering ect.

This brings be to ask... when is the magnification effects of the 12x negated by the reduced image brightness of the smaller exit pupil vs a lower powered brighter image?

Or am I looking into this too much?
 
Would it be smarter if I wanted 12x binos to try to find something in 12x50 to up image brightness a bit? The price on the Maven is tough to beat
 
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Exit pupil makes a difference in brightness, but the quality of the glass, prisms, and coatings makes a big difference as well. Don't assume that getting a higher exit pupil in a lesser quality bino will be good to go. It's best to test before you buy.
 
A 12x50 would be brighter than a 12x42, which is why most of the better mfg's offer a 12x50 and not a 12x42.
We'd be happy to discuss different options with you. Please feel free to give us a call and pick our brains, 516-217-1000
 
Two really good points above. First, that the quality of the glass and the manufacturing is vital to the quality of the end product, your satisfaction, and its usefulness. Second, exit pupil, like weight or magnification, is just one criteria that should go into your choice. But it is an important one.

Exit pupil is calculated by dividing the size of the objective lens (the one closest to the object you are looking at) by the magnification. So, a 10x50 bino will have an EP of 5. An 8x48 would have an EP of 6. A 12x50 would have an EP of only 4.17, and a 7x42 would have an EP of 6.

So, you want to look for good glass, sound construction, workable controls, in the EP that will give you enough light/brightness to do what you want to do.

Larry
 
Thanks all for the insight. Seems like in the C1s the 10x42s are probably the best of the magnification/brightness for that frame.

Gr8tfuldoug love the name and I will defiantly be calling you guys before I pull the trigger. A 12x50 sounds ideal for what i want but i do not know if i can find one that will compete with the value if the maven 10x42s which from everything I've read have really impressed people for the price.
Then again I don't really have a personal frame of reference for any decent optics. Never used them when I lived back east as they only got me busted even by Beanfield deer and I could only really see for about 50 yards in the woods anyways.
 
It's always our pleasure to "meet' and assist the members here.

Thanks. Saw lots of shows and still go to as many worthwhile ones that i can find :)
 
Great to hear, my buddy from back home was telling me about the show in Camden that got rained out mid set in the beginning of June sounded pretty cool. He said this tour was gonna be the last shabang but I think they might have a little more juice left
 
My buddy Kenny was at that show. Lightening was harsh. He said it was the beginning of a great show. I caught one at CitiField and it was fairly decent. I wish they'd let Otiel sing some more. It's not shows from the 70's and 80's but it's great that they keep the vibe going
 
Doug and Neil at CLNY are great to work with. I've purchased Binos, scope, DLSR, tripod,...etc from them. Nothing but prompt and great service at a very competitive price.

Be Safe,
 
I'd go for the C1s in 10x42, which would be a very nice entry level bino, or if you want to up your budget a bit then I'd call Doug at Camera Land. Good guys there.
 
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