Binoculars are a hugely underrated piece of equipment, good binoculars even more so. You just cannot imagine what they offer until you've experienced a good pair. Excellent review.

@mrmaxaxl

3 ай бұрын

Enjoying binoculars and world class glass is my favorite hobby! Especially out in nature. Soo much fun! Animals, people, boats, birds, clouds, the moon and stars 🔭 😍

My Habicht is now 55 years old. it already looks very disheveled, but the Optic is still fabulous.

My first thought was “get a hobby”...then you said:... why binos are important.... and then I realized you know what you’re talking about. 👍

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jay, I truly think a good pair of binos needs to be an every photographers kit!

I love my EL 8x32s and I know that even though there’s an updated version out I have no need to update mine and when I’m gone one grandson will get my bins and one will get my ATS scope. I lost one of the rings off the top, through my own fault, In Focus at Martin Mere gave me the phone for Swarovski and 24 hours later I got a new full set including caps for the bottom free of charge. They really do stand by their life time guarantee no questions asked. It’s hard to explain to a non birder why it’s worth paying £1.5k for a pair of bins, and it’s not until you’ve used them that you see the value and you just can’t go backwards once you’ve owned a pair. Somewhere I have a pair of Bushnell Elite 10x42 that were about £400 and they are useless for me birdwatching, I don’t stand the proverbial cat's chance of holding them still enough. They might be ok for a fit young guy, but for a late middle aged guy on too much medication they are no good at all. As usual Tom, great common sense spoken and a brilliant video.

@erickolson6529

6 жыл бұрын

Do you notice the rolling ball effect with your 8x32's? I'm in the market for the el 8x32 and have only demoed the 10x32 and I notice an optical illusion type view when panning. Rolling ball they call it.

What do you think about the focus ring on those binoculars ?

Thanks for detals about this product.

I went to buy these and was really looking forward to trying them... when I tried them though, they had such a strong CA that I couldn't help but notice it constantly. Real shame as I wanted to buy them. I walked away with the zeiss victory 10x25 which to me are optically superior with a smaller form factor. The swaro NLP's are incredible and should I feel the need for full size bins the 12x42 are the model I will go for. The zeiss victory pockets are incredible themselves for me and fit my need perfectly

@mrh9635

Жыл бұрын

CA at the nearly £1000 price point? Really?

@K1989L

3 ай бұрын

I saw Chromatic aberration on 2000€ Leicas.. and none on 400€ Kowas 🤷🏼‍♂️

How do you think these would compare to the 8x42 SLC? You mention they are close but not quite at the EL 42 level.

How can ibay lt ? Its not avalable in Amazon Market.

I have purchased many many of the less expensive under 500.00 ED binoculars and endlessly compared (dawn,dusk,overcast,foggy, etc, etc...) them to my new Swarovski CL's and hands down the Swaro's are heads above them ALL. The Swaro's are EYE CANDY! Many of the cheaper bino's I mentioned if not all of them are very good crisp binoculars most of which get soft outside of the viewing sweet spot. I sent most of them back. I kept Meopro HD, Endeavor ED, both in 10x42 and a set of Carson ED HD 8x42 that I can't seem to part with even with it's inadequacies. From all of the fine examples of binoculars I have tested depth of field, width of field, brightness,sharpness and to a lesser degree Chromatic Aberration which (to me) are reflections in the glass from extraneous light as well as sunlight glinting off of materials while you are viewing the binoculars ability in resolving the view. I aim them at things that reflect light and see how well the view looks in the bino. Most of the binoculars I sent back had 1 big flaw of the things I test or 2 small ones all of which equates to me as a REJECTED. The Endeavor ED's are the best for the money I have looked through so far. Then again I just started this and I have several new test subjects on the way! As good as the Endeavor's are the Swaro's blow them away.

@bighands69

4 жыл бұрын

Both fans of Leica and Zeiss fans might disagree. There then is also the range of Canon image stabilized binoculars.

@cstraley

2 жыл бұрын

@spinozasdreams Man that comment was old. I gave those endeavors and Carsons away shortly after making this comment. I have purchased probably 20 binoculars since including the ones you have mentioned except I am not sure of the Canon. Which Canon is better than the Zeiss FL? I have a new Zeiss SF 10x42 which are hard to fault as well as a few pair of the latest Swarovski El's which outperform any binocular I have looked through. I haven't tried the ni pures.

@cstraley

2 жыл бұрын

@spinozasdreams I do without a second thought. I honestly thought it would be the other way around after reading every review I could get my hands on. I have never observed the supposed rolling ball effect that is the only neg I have ever heard on the EL's. My Zeiss conquests are way too close to the performance of my SF's to not just go Conquest route imo. I had some Zeiss HT 10x42 and they were soft in the outer 20 percent which drove me crazy. Traded chose. Nothing has equaled the Swaro EL's and I currently have 20 pair of modern binoculars. I sold a few on eBay and decided eBay is a rip off so I am keeping the collection. Otherwise I would sell them all and buy conquests and EL's with the money. Some days I go on my back porch 42 acres and bring 3 sets and just compare.

@cstraley

2 жыл бұрын

@spinozasdreams I have 2 pair of canon stabilized binoculars and I like them ok.

@cstraley

2 жыл бұрын

@spinozasdreams I have a pair of Leica Ultravid HD-Plus and they are nice but not even close to swaros imo. My canons are the IS versions and they have good glass but are not exceptional imo. Agree about the cheap look of the conquests but I guess that is where the savings are being made. The SF Zeiss have beautiful construction imo, even better than Swaros again imo. My only issue with the SF's are the cost vs Conquests, they both have great glass. I am a big depth of field and width of field and I also like the glass to be sharp all the way to the edges and Swaros ace all of that. The NL Pures are starting to come down in price but I held off because I am not sure there will be much of a difference from the EL's.

Is there any way to attache the straps on these too a harness with the new strap attachment?

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Personally I don't know, I think you might be able to add extra lugs that allow for adding a separate harness/ strap but might be worth asking Swarovski for confirmation.

Thanks bloke!

Hi Tom Great video thanks, a complete newbie to the binocular scene but really impressed by this model. How would you rate alongside the SLC 8x30. Not into bird watching as such just wanting a carry around pair for everyday walks, hiking and motorcycling Ps don't mind investing in quality for a 1st pair

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

I don't have any experience with the SLC's and actually now use the Nikon Monarch HG's 8x30's after using them extensively to test out. The Monarchs I find to have excellent optics and quality whilst the slightly larger barrel size fits my hands better. The black colouring also makes them a little less showy thats really good when travelling with £800 binoculars!

Hi, I love this binoculars and I'm seriously thinking about buying, but I also like the Monarch HG 8 × 30, and since you have had experience with both of them I would like to know according to your opinion which is better, thanks.

@TomMasonPhoto

4 жыл бұрын

Personally I use the monarchs now, I favour the slightly larger build, optics have a very natural and less clinical look (similar to my Nikon camera optics) and the form factor fits perfectly in my camera bag. I think overall the HGs are a superior for my needs and the eye caps as a glasses wearer are more comfortable. Hope that helps! Cheers, Tom

Bought Nikon monarch 7 8*42 few days ago.

@jackjones7504

6 жыл бұрын

I Have had a pair of Monarch 7s 8x42 since they came out a few years back . At that price point they are very good . A week ago I bought these S. CL Comp 8x30 B binos and they blow the M7 away from dawn till dusk simply awesome . These make the M7 feel like you are holding oil rig drilling pipes in your hands they feel so big .Do yourself a favour and do not look through a Swarovski bino because you will be spending Money very soon afterwards and Lots of it .

I like my CL Companion binos except I have to be VERY diligent about checking the connection...several times after using the binos for a bit I look down and they are dangling by one strap. The videos from 2015 online show a slightly different connection I think. The connectors are different because they make a snap sound and lock in place after they turn it so far......mine does not

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Personally I wasn't a fan of the new mechanism but have actually swapped over to the new Nikon Monarch Hg's. Similarly priced, but I prefer the understated looks, the optics are gorgeous and the ergonomics I feel are a better for my hands. Really enjoying them out in the field!

Keep both eyes open and close alternative objective lenses to set single diopter adjustment

This or Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25? CL 8x30 is better in lowlight conditions. But Zeiss is more compact and pocket. And less expensive.

Hi Can I view objects in night?

A good review but a shame about the lighting.

Why so in low light video?

Hi Tom, I’m not really a birdwatcher, but want really some good binoculars for random things... and thinking about some of these... or do you advise to save more money for some full size binoculars ?

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

Personally I’ve changed over to the new Nikon Monarch HGs , find them to be excellent all round and as 8x30s they fit in my camera bag/coat very nicely. The 8x42s monarchs HGs are also excellent and well worth the money 42s will be better for low light performance is size/weight is less of an issue! Cheers, Tom

@Chasjazzez

5 жыл бұрын

Tom Mason Do you have a review about them? 🤓😲

@TomMasonPhoto

5 жыл бұрын

I will be doing one in the next few months - I had them the whole way through my Peru/Amazon series! @@Chasjazzez

@u0096

4 жыл бұрын

@@TomMasonPhoto how do you rate the HGs in comparison to the CLs? I have narrowed my choice down between these two but the reviews that I read were more favourable to the CLs.

Video on reviewing Portfolios?

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Portfolio reviews are something I’ve been thinking of doing a while professionally - would it be something you’d like to see? Or more how i review my portfolios etc

@KieranLehaneJ

6 жыл бұрын

Tie in reviewing others with how you review your own and apply the techniques that you use to critique yourself when critiquing/reviewing others. Great video BTW

Can i spot a big difference between swarovski and monarch m7 10x42? (I don't have binoculars experienced eye) If it makes sense i'm from 3-4 years in wildlife photography with 200-500mm and d750

@TomMasonPhoto

2 ай бұрын

The 42mm Nikon Monarch HG will give a much better view and light gathering ability, for a more compact option the 30mm HGs are great and my personal choice for 90% of my time working with binoculars!

@wildlife351

2 ай бұрын

@@TomMasonPhoto How about swarovski? Is it better or is it worth it?

@TomMasonPhoto

2 ай бұрын

@@wildlife351 personally I swapped to the Nikons

Hi ! Don't you think 30mm occular is a little small to watch birds ?

@TomMasonPhoto

6 жыл бұрын

Not at all, they have excellent optics and the light transmission is great, for my personally uses having something small and light is really important and considering that they are only 2mm shy of the EL's that are some of the best bino's on the market I really can't see it being an issue for me. If you only watch birds and don't worry to much about weight and size, the 42mm's will certainly give a better experience if birding is your primary focus! Cheers, Tom

@alexandreasmode2407

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your answer ! I'm shure Swarosky optics procure a great experience, I will wait to have the budget for it ^^ For now I stick to less expensive ones. Greetings from your French viewers !

You're an intelligent young feller...

I tried Zeiss, Leica but ended up at Swarovski. My EL 10x50 on a tripod is hard to beat.

the fact that this one cost 200$ more than its competitors (Conquest Trinovid Monarch HG) and still managed to not have a strap included is infuriating.

@TomMasonPhoto

2 жыл бұрын

After the review I now use the Monarch HGs 8x30 and 8x42s superb binoculars and I love working with them out in the field!

8x42s for bird watching, it's difficult to +ve ID with 30s in low light. And ZEISS are much better, even with their poor after sales service.

@CurvedSlightly

6 жыл бұрын

you know...

@dannybeeh6332

6 жыл бұрын

Chuck Norris Zeiss isn’t better, it’s better in certain ways whilst Swarovski is better in its ways.

@zeissOholic

6 жыл бұрын

There's no better between the big three top models in Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica. It's what your eyes prefer.

@bngr_bngr

5 жыл бұрын

Chuck Norris which Zeiss are better. Is their a particular line that is better or are they all better than Swarovski?

The Kowa Genesis 8x33 and 10x33 are much nicer and cost less with nice views and contrast and metal focus wheel. Though this Swarovski CL is better than the previous version now with the excellent center diopter , however it looks like the diopter in the center is free floating and non locking?. Also this Swarovski CL has the ugly bulges for the carry strap , they should of kept the regular strap lugs . The other thing I notice is this binocular looks too much cheap plastic on the center hinge and body not sure about the eyepieces if they are plastic too?. I was going to buy one in 10x30 since I have my Kowa Genesis in 8x33 , and I would like a 10x for further detail views . I may go with a Leica Ultravid HD in 10x32 Leica look well built and quality just like the Kowa Genesis . The only thing with Leica what I hear is horrible customer service and repairs if needed. Maybe I will go with another Kowa Genesis in 10x33 instead. The Meopta Meostar B1 in 10x32 looks nice too , looks better built than this Swarovski CL new model ,and I was told by a optics store that the Meopta has slightly better optics than the new Swarovski CL and still costs less . It is best to compare and try any binocular if possible to see what works best for you.

@zeissOholic

5 жыл бұрын

+Mark JG - Beware what store people tell you about what they're trying to sell. Also, it might be better if you actually tried a pair of Companion CL's before you negatively compare them to your Kowa Genesis in 8x33. Your post is typical of people that have opinions about things they've never tried and therefore haven't got a clue what they're talking about. Your so called "ugly bulges for the carry strap" is amusing. I have both on different old and new Swaro binoculars I own and the new Swarovski system is far superior to the old "regular strap lugs".

@bighands69

4 жыл бұрын

@@zeissOholic So do you think the Swarovski is better than Kowa?

@zeissOholic

4 жыл бұрын

+bighand69 - Yes, also a lot more expensive too.

@bighands69

4 жыл бұрын

@@zeissOholic I have used them and Swarovski and I would not see much of a difference in them to be honest. Kowa do make expensive optics a well they are not cheap by any account.

@zeissOholic

4 жыл бұрын

+bighand69 - Yes, Kowa make some superb optics and their spotting scopes in particular are stellar.