Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
Digital camera Review: All About Electronic (A.A.E} Amazon vendor.
Summary: 2 Stars
I cannot give a review of the Canon 12x36 Stabilization II Binoculars is because the Pair ordered in late November for a Christmas present came without a Warranty Card, and at best gray market merchandise. I returned then to A.A.E. because after numerous calls they would not furnish the Canon/USA warranty. Then even with a return Return Authorization Number A.A.E played the "We didn't get it game". It took a Federal Express Investigator to smoke the binocular out. Today I may still be out some $600.00, as the case is still pending with Discover Card.
The good news is bought a pair of Steiner Binoculars for a little more from Optics Planet, Inc with a full 30 year warranty and a factory new product.
To date I no of no action take by Amazon to help me (their customer) or any action take against their unscrupulous 3rd party vendor.
Today you pay for everything you get, but don't get what you pay for.
Digital camera Review: Almost too good for the $
Summary: 5 Stars
Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries I ordered these for wildlife viewing while on vacation this year. The image stabilization works exceptionally well. The stabilization allowed me to see wildlife at great distances. The only drawback was that these binoculars work so well that I had a hard time trying to get them back from my traveling companions. I am going to buy another pair of these for a gift and Amazon's price is hard to beat.Digital camera Review: Almost too large to take to the opera.
Summary: 5 Stars
Though a little larger than is sometimes convenient, the quality of the image makes these binoculars worth carrying.
The stabilazation makes all the difference in the world - wouldn't be without it.
Digital camera Review: Best IS bins for Birders
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of the reviews I see for IS binoculars are by and for plane spotters and other non-birders, so I wanted to add the wildlife viewing perspective to the mix.
I have owned 2 different pairs of the 12x Cannon IS Binoculars, one pair of the 15x Cannon IS binos and I have tested the 10x42 L series (high-end, geared towards birders). I will cross-post these comments for all three. For any of you birders out there trying to decide which is the right choice for you, here are my observations.
First, general comments that apply to all three:
1) Image stabilization is great! There is nothing not to love about it. Why all birders on earth don't use these things is a mystery to me. For the money, I would prefer to spend an extra $200 on image stabilization vs spending an extra $1000 for a comparable improvement in optics quality.
2) These binoculars are heavy and bulky. The grip, the feel and the ease of use are different than those of "normal" high-end binoculars. The human factors 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.
Digital camera Review: Better than a telescope
Summary: 5 Stars
We purchased a smaller version last year, and they were great. I got these for my husband, after buying a telescope that he finds cumbersom. We have a Canon camera with stabilized lens also, and could not take the pictures we have without the stabilizer on the longer lens.
These are fantastic! The strength is such that we could see the mountains on the edge of a full moon. The stabilization makes them incredibly versatile. They are much easier to use and more portable than our telescope, so they will be used much more. We go exploring in the southwest deserts, and these are great for viewing petroglyph sites. So far, I have had no problems whatsoever with them. The only problem is that my husband now wants the biggest strongest version. I may have to do that, but that just means I will get to keep these for myself. Fine with me!