Steiner auto-focus

[private fraser]

I'm curious as to how good their system is,Steiner say auto focus but I think what they mean is fixed focus. Does anyone have experience of these bins?.
I have read the previous threads but there's not too much on how good/bad the auto focus is.

fraser

 

[Jager SA]

I'm curious as to how good their system is,Steiner say auto focus but I think what they mean is fixed focus. Does anyone have experience of these bins?.
I have read the previous threads but there's not too much on how good/bad the auto focus is.

fraser

Top notch bins at good prices.

 

[JC275]

Unless they have some electronic wizardary inside like an AF camera then they are just binos with a very deep depth of field. On face value this seems like a very good idea and, for some uses it is, but, not so good if you want to look through or into cover when it is good to be able to focus out the intervening clutter. No doubt about the quality though but I would try before you buy just to see if this type is good for your purpose. JC

 

[philross]

The principle sounds as if it would work against us, especially when something in the foreground could catch the auto focus, if it is as the camera lens AF system, or a large depth of field would prevent focusing beyond foreground clutter - no more sheltering behind some light cover and focussing through and beyond.

 

[WiltsPat]

I suspect they are Auto Focus as explained in this review http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/self_focusing_binoculars.php

 

[willie_gunn]

Pat

Yes, what I would call focus-free.

I have a pair of Zeiss Jena (Checkpoint Charlie) binos that I used for the first 3 or 4 years stalking before I bought some Swarovskis. The focus-free was actually pretty good - I actually found depth perception better with focus-free than with 'normal' binoculars.

I've got a pair of Steiner somewhere that are also focus-free, but the collimation is a bit out and sadly Steiner said that it wouldn't be economic to repair them.

willie_gunn

 

[Welsh Guy]

I had the pleasure of using willie_guns focus free Zeiss (As I had left my bins at home ) and if they are like them then they are great. No problem looking through cover on the stalks through the Berkshire jungle just adjust where you were looking and Roberts your fathers brother.

 

[Harry mac]

Pat
I've got a pair of Steiner somewhere that are also focus-free, but the collimation is a bit out and sadly Steiner said that it wouldn't be economic to repair them.
willie_gunn

That seems a bit tight. Steiner binos aren't exactly cheap. There's a lot to be said for Swarovski's 30 year guarantee when it come to issues like that.

 

[WiltsPat]

Im uming and ahing myself about binos at the moment as Im still using my Grandfathers 60 year old stalking glasses and having seen at the Glos Rifle Range a demo of some modern binos I know im going to have to bite the bullet.

However Ive always been a bit nervous about too many moving parts in expensive optics and personally feel that the effort saved by using self focus could well cost a lot of money down the line if it breaks vs using the old fashioned finger.

 

[willie_gunn]

That seems a bit tight. Steiner binos aren't exactly cheap. There's a lot to be said for Swarovski's 30 year guarantee when it come to issues like that.

Harry - that's exactly what I thought when Steiner told me. To be fair, I wasn't the original owner, but I was still surprised.

Pat - I'll bring the Swaro's and Zeiss Jena's to the Dog House on the 30th and you can have a look. Actually I'd think there are fewer moving parts in the focus-free set.

willie_gunn

 

[cyberstag]

I'm curious as to how good their system is,Steiner say auto focus but I think what they mean is fixed focus. Does anyone have experience of these bins?.
I have read the previous threads but there's not too much on how good/bad the auto focus is.

Hello PF, I have a pair of Steiner Nighthunter 8x56 binoculars. I don't think they were ever described as auto focus exactly but they are not supposed to need constant re adjustment. In practice this works fine at the range of about 100 metres and beyond but they do need adjusting at the closer ranges and as each eyepiece focuses individually it is not as quick and easy as "normal" binos.

They are brilliant in poor light and for looking deep into woodland; I have picked up deer I am sure I would have missed with lesser glasses. Colour definition is super. On the farm I find the focus adjustment at closer ranges a bit of a pain as I am trying to read ear tag numbers on the beasties but in general am very happy with them. When you find the perfect pair of bins at the perfect price let me know.

 

[Jager SA]

I recently got a pair of Steiner 8x30 as a second pair of bins to leave in Scotland and for the money (£180) I would say these will be hard to beat. The focus is very good and works well at all ranges, other than the end of your nose!

 

[private fraser]

Thanks for all the info guy's.Upon thinking about it a lot of us use "fixed focus" ie non adjustable objective lense scope sights so I suppose the principle is sound. If manufactured properly then I suppose the same would go for bins.

fraser

 

[Frax]

I'm a long time Steiner user. Started with a pair of 7x50 Military Marine in another life, they were amazing, now have a pair of Ralleye 8x30. Bought in Canada about 15 years ago they have been wonderful. Just started to let a dribble of water in this year. The lenses are almost up there with the best I'd say.

With regards to the focus, perhaps it's my eyes but I cannot focus them and then they are good to infinity as advertised, I have to refocus the eyepieces considerably for differing distances. This is following laser eye surgery so probably nothing to do with the binos. It's starting to become a pain and I will be switching back to a focus wheel in the near future. But on the whole, they are good glasses for the money.