+ 0 likes

Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

...

+ 0 likes

Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

...

+ 0 likes

Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

...

check out the battery life. The specs say they will last twice as long (4 hours) as the 15x50s (2 hours). I go through about two or three sets of batteries per day with the 15x50s so their estimates are probably close as I probably have them engaged 6-8 hours per day. I highly recommend using Eneloop rechargable batteries, and have a set or two charged up for spares if you use the stabilization feature a lot. The one thing about the 15x50s that is much better is the ability to "lock" the stabilization for 5 minutes (automatically disengages after that time) with a single click of the button (or you can click and hold like the 12x32s). Sometimes in a rough environment, it's tough to keep your finger on the button all the time. With the 12x32s, you must constantly hold the button down when you want stabilization engaged. It's not the most terrible thing in the world, but just not as convenient. Biggest complaint . . . . where are the lens caps? Even my cheap pair that I use in my kayak have lens caps! But the 15x50s don't come with objective lens caps either. What gives? I am as careful with these as possible, but they are subject to some unforgiving condiions (still haven't dropped them, yet). Lots of rain and rough water but still no problems with the 15x50s. I wouldn't expect less from the 12x32s although they aren't officially rated "All Weather" as are the 15x50s. Another thing that I noticed is that they don't have a tripod mount. It would stand to reason that you wouldn't need one if you have the stabilization feature, but I could imagine that there would be times where a bird watcher might be set up where a tripod would be adventageous. In my line of work, it doesn't make sense, but it is worth mentioning. The 15x50s are threaded for a mount. An additional note . . . . a few years ago, I was using my 9x35 Leupolds and saw a plant that I needed to identify on the other side of a shallow weed infested stump field. The plant turned out not to be what I was trying to find, but I still had to shut off the engine, and push and pole the boat through some nasty stuff in hot weather before I could get close enough to make a positive ID. After I got the 15x50s, I was able to view the same plant from open water while my assistant kept driving the boat. I could easily ID the plant without breaking stride. No need to stop or get close. The difference was amazing. In summary, both the 12x36 and the 15x50 are worth the money in my book, and, if I didn't have the money, I would save my pennies or sell something to get it.

+ 0 likes

Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

...

of the engineering range from acceptable (12x) to incomprehensibly bad (10x). I suspect that experienced birders may pick them up for the first time and not like them because they "don't feel right." Here's my thought: it is worth the 1-2 hours it takes to get used to them, because it will change the way you bird. For example: YOU DO NOT NEED TO CARRY A SCOPE in many circumstances, which is huge. They may be slightly heavy for binos, but they are much lighter than binos plus a scope and tripod! 3) it is easy to underestimate the benefit and power of IS until you have used it for a while in the field. For example, when you are looking for a bird that is mostly hidden in leaves, and occassionally pops into view, these guys are great. The slight vibration in your hand means that you need to see an image longer for the brain to decipher the image. When it is stabilized, you can see it in a flash. You will be able to scan a flock of shorebirds at distance in a fraction of the time it takes someone with a scope. You can see details on a bird moving 100ft above in the canopy that are utterly impossible with normal binoculars. 4) THink of them as ELECTRONICS, not optics. These will not be passed on to your grandchildren. They will last 3-5 years depending on how hard you use them. Don't bother trying to get them fixed because it is uneconomical outside of the warranty period. Don't buy them if you are uncomfortable with the cost because you may need to replace them in the not-to-distant future. That said, reliability has been okay for mine. I have dropped them, gotten them throughly wet for hours, taken them to high altitudes, and exposed them to a wide range of temperatures without any issues. One 12x pair developed a rattle and subsequently a hiccup in the IS. When I openned them up (not recommended) I found that a couple of screws fell out. I don't know where the screws came from and don't really care because now they work fine again. Here is a comparison of the various models: 12x: the normal "rule of thumb" for birders with conventional binoculars is that 8-10x is about right in terms of image stability, weight, field of view and magnification. With IS binoculars, the equation is a little different. You can have image stability at any magnification, so it comes down to weight, field of view and magnification. For me, the winner is the 12x. You will have a little extra trouble finding a fast-moving bird, especially at close range due to the smaller field of view vs typical 10x. However, it is strong enough to allow me to leave my scope at home for most purposes -- it is equivalent to about a 15-18x conventional scope. The eyepieces are comfortable and the field of view is acceptable. My primary compaint is that the close limit of focus is too far for comfortable use in close quarters like dense rainforest. These binos seem rugged and reliable. 15x: optimal for pelagic birding, gulls and shorebirding, but the field of view and range of focus don't work well for normal birding. On a boat, nobody else will be able to see the stuff you see, period. It is like having a scope when everyone else is using 8x bins. In these circumstances the relatively limited field of view is not an issue and the extra magnification is great. These are much larger and heavier than the 12x and you wouldn't want to carry these on a 10 mile hike (although it would beat hiking 10 miles with a scope!). My main complaint -- and it is a big one -- is that the eyepieces are attrociously uncomfortable for my eyes. Presumably they must be comfortable for someone, like the engineer who designed them, but not for me. I had to replace them with eyepieces of my own because they are intollerable. 10x: These are fantastic. Pros: smaller, lighter than the 12x. Wider field of view and better close focus. Cons: 1) very expensive; 2) eyepieces that are as bad or worse than those on the 15x, which is why I don't own a pair. I think perhaps Cannon made these because they found in their market surveys that birders want 10x binos. I suspect they haven't sold many at the $1,100 price point given the Human factors issues. I personally would advise birds to not buy these unless they are willing to replace the eyepieces -- and better yet just get the 12x. Hopefully the next version will address these issues, because the IS technology and the optics are great.

+ 0 likes

Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

...

between the rubber band and the button. The dowel rod is connected to the focus knob by a piece of thread so that, when we do not want the button pushed, the dowel rod does not become lost. We have opted to use lithium cells, rather than alkaline, as they are lighter and last longer, and using our rubber band system will likely mean using the IS much more.

Some reviewers complain that the image still moves as you move. Yes it does, gracefully. What the Canons do well is take out that itty bitty shake that makes things difficult to concentrate on well enough to observe details. Now I can aprreciate eagles as I smoothly track them in flight, or follow the antics of a chipmunk, or count some of Jupiter's 63 moons.

Some complain about the small size of the "exit pupil." Being that my wife and I are in our 60's, a 3mm exit pupil is just about all our eyes can accomodate. They do not seem to be difficult to hold in such a way as to see the whole image. Both of us can leave off our glasses (she is near sighted and I am farsighted), which makes the image even more pristine.

Thanks to one report of the storage case strap breaking, we have opted to use the strap directly connected to the binocs while they are in the case. We simply zip up the case with the straps coming out the top and have had no problem with that system as of yet.

I expect these to require far more protective treatment than our backpacking binocs, and I am quite pleased that they come with a 3-year warranty. I noticed how carefully the astronomy club members treated their equipment and, given how wonderful these Canons are, we will do the same with them. The bottom of their case is padded but, knowing that we will more often than not set them down on that padded end, I have installed a piece of very stiff fiberboard (like the cover of a 3-ring binder) in the bottom of the case to resist anything that might try to poke its way into their objective lenses.

No matter how good the manufacturing, optics are always a compromise and, because of that, someone who does not know any better will always have a critical comment. You simply cannot have it all, at any price. I have been an amateur photographer for over 50 years and consider the optical quality of these to be superb. There is little if any distortion or light loss for nearly 85% of the field of view. Only as the viewed object approaches the last 15% of the field (near the edge) does distortion become noticeable, certainly not objectionable. And why would I focus my eyes on something near the edge when I can move the binocs to bring the object into the center? The nice thing about these, in that regard, is that the distortion is so slight as to not bring attention to itself when viewing a central object.

I should add, at this point, that my first pair of 12x36s did have a defect in the left ocular. Amazon swapped them out so quickly that the binocs practically passed each other in shipping. Good price, good service, and good viewing.