Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 6, 2008 Craig, Have you been able to test the 10x50 against the 10x42 in the very early dim light to see if the extra weight and size of the 50mm objective is worth it? On an early elk hunt about 5 years ago, I put my Leica 10x50 against a newer pair of Zeiss 10x42 well before sunrise, and found that the 50mm had no added brightness. However, the Leica was maybe a mid 90's model and did not have the newer coatings that the friend's new Zeiss had, so mine was not an apple to apples comparison. It did show the improvements in lens coatings though. I suppose a pair of 8x56 would be a great low light bino. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted May 6, 2008 Craig, Have you been able to test the 10x50 against the 10x42 in the very early dim light to see if the extra weight and size of the 50mm objective is worth it? On an early elk hunt about 5 years ago, I put my Leica 10x50 against a newer pair of Zeiss 10x42 well before sunrise, and found that the 50mm had no added brightness. However, the Leica was maybe a mid 90's model and did not have the newer coatings that the friend's new Zeiss had, so mine was not an apple to apples comparison. It did show the improvements in lens coatings though. I suppose a pair of 8x56 would be a great low light bino. Doug Doug, My boy's 10x50 swaros are brighter in the middle of the day than my 10x42 or 15x56 swaros....... not to mention field of view and low light glassing.... That I why they are the best for the guy who will only spend money on one pair instead of 2, 3, or 4 pairs like the rest of us.... CnS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcoover Report post Posted May 6, 2008 The reason for the poll was to find out what was the all around best power. Just as coues and sheep said. If you could only buy one pair. I know 15's are great but they don't work in thick timber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schmitty Report post Posted May 7, 2008 Craig, Have you been able to test the 10x50 against the 10x42 in the very early dim light to see if the extra weight and size of the 50mm objective is worth it? On an early elk hunt about 5 years ago, I put my Leica 10x50 against a newer pair of Zeiss 10x42 well before sunrise, and found that the 50mm had no added brightness. However, the Leica was maybe a mid 90's model and did not have the newer coatings that the friend's new Zeiss had, so mine was not an apple to apples comparison. It did show the improvements in lens coatings though. I suppose a pair of 8x56 would be a great low light bino. Doug Doug, Actually, I've never looked thru the 10x50 ultravids, though I have looked thru a couple pairs of the 10x42's. I've only read on a couple of birding forums where folks who own/have owned both have said that the 10x50's are remarkably better. As I've been packing around the 8x42 trinovids for the last several years, the 10x50 ultravids are only 1-2 oz heavier than what I'm used to. I can just think of alot of areas that I will be scouting for elk this summer where 10's on a tripod would be ideal, not to mention quite a few pig/deer spots as well. I'll use a pair of lighter 7's or 8's as my primary around the neck wood's bino's. Makes a strong case for the duovids doesn't it? Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
