Lightweight binoculars for close-up observation
These binoculars are unique for their minimum focus distance of about 50 cm. They are designed for the specific purpose of allowing the observation of close-up objects, although they can focus up to infinity. Focusing at close range is easy and precise, and requires very little force with just a fingertip. Unavoidably, it takes quite a bit of rotation of the focus knob to change focus from infinity to closest distance.
I chose the 6.5x model over the 8.5x because these binoculars have no image stabilization, and hand-holding the 8.5x model steady takes quite a bit more effort.
These binoculars have a standard tripod mount, but require an adapter for mounting on tripods with a large camera base. Attaching an Arca or other tripod plate to the binoculars also requires an adapter.
Eyepiece covers are provided, but not a cover for the objectives. The latter are covered by a single glass plate, slightly recessed but still vulnerable to accidental fingerprints. The bag provided with the binoculars gives some protection, but is not rigid enough to avoid pressing down on the front glass plate if stuffed into a backpack.
Protection against limited dust seems reasonably good, but these binoculars are not water-, dust- or moisture-proof.
The reversed Porro-prism design with a particularly small distance between objectives results in a peculiar 3D rendering at short distances. Items located at significantly different distances still give a sufficient 3D perception, but each item (e.g. a ball, a dog's face) looks flat like a cutout from a spring-up children book. This may feel disturbing to some people. This may be the reason why some people report an "odd" visual feeling when using these binoculars. Other people feel just fine, or grow used to the peculiar 3D rendition. If you want to avoid this problem, choose a regular Porro-prism design with a larger distance between objectives (but then you must also give up the close-focusing capability).
In my case, the intended use is mainly observing small objects located just outside hand reach in the field, in order to avoid risking a fall or an unplanned bath in swamp water. Other people in their 50s or older find these binoculars very useful to compensate for the age-related loss of focusing capabilities of the eyes (which sooner or later affect almost everybody), as well as for observing small objects (like animals or flowers) without having to encroach on them. Use as ordinary binoculars is not as important to me, but this use is also possible. Because of the 21 mm objectives, however, these are not low-light binoculars.
For the above uses, there is simply no substitute for these binoculars. Surgical loupes and head-mounted magnifiers are designed for shorter distances (within comfortable arm reach), stereomicroscopes for even shorter distances and for table-top use. Monocular viewers (also called close-range telescopes) force you to give up your binocular vision and are generally perceived as uncomfortable.
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