| PRODUCT DETAILS | | Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries |  | |
Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
Canon's range of binoculars brings the world within your reach. High-quality Canon optics in every model provides excellent edge-to-edge contrast and sharpness. All models feature environmentally friendly lead-free glass and a rubberized non-slip grip for easy handling, indoors or out.Designed for professionals and uncompromising enthusiasts, Canon's IS high-magnification binoculars set new performance standards. With wide 50mm objective lenses and high magnification, these rugged all-weather Canon Image Stabilizer binoculars set a new benchmark for image brightness, clarity and design.
Manufacturer: Canon
Price: $2,000.00
 Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
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| User Reviews |  | Great, But Not My Favorite Canon IS Binoculars
rating: 4
I have been an avid birder watcher for several decades. I've owned most of the top-of -the-line European binoculars (Zeiss, Leica, etc.) over the years. I purchased the Canon 12x36 IS binocs over 2 1/2 years ago and I love them. However, thinking that more magnification would be better, I ordered the 18x50 IS pair a year later. I have since sold them and use mostly the Canon 12 power. Here are a few reasons why they were not right for me:
* Bigger is not always better. The extra weight and size caused me to leave them in the closet and take the 12x36s, one of my other pair, or worst, no binoculars at all. Even the best optics are no good if you don't have them with you when you need them.
* Smaller field of view. It takes some practice seeing a bird with your naked eyes and then swinging the binoculars up smoothly so that you keep the bird (or any other small subject) in line with your vision. As experienced as I am at this I found it harder to accomplish with the narrow view of these powerful optics. Sometimes all you get is a few seconds to spot and identify a rare bird. Quicker is better.
* Shallower depth of field. With greater magnification the accuracy of your focusing becomes more critical due to a reduced range of focus. With distant objects I found myself fiddling with focus knob more than I would like to.
* Less that the best optical performance. Don't get me wrong, these are very sharp, high quality glasses, just not the best. When viewing objects against the sun you can get a color flare, or ghost image (chromatic aberration). Only the highest quality optical designs get close to completely eliminating this problem. When you are trying to tell one bird from another closely related species, color is often all than you have to go by.
I am still a big fan of the Image Stabilization technology and I still use my 12x36 IS binoculars daily, however, the idea that more magnification is always better, especially for birding, is misleading. I am planning to buy the Canon 10x42 L series binos. In the past this magnification has been my favorite and the added benefit of IS will make it an even better choice. The biggest reason for this decision is the superiority of the L class optics. I own several L lenses for my Canon digital SLRs and they are superb.
If you don't mind the size and weight, or you really need the extra power (like for astronomical observation) these are great binoculars to add to your collection. If you looking one pair to use on a regular basis and you want the best optical quality combined with image stabilization, I would go with the 10x42 IS L glasses and save yourself the time and expense of buying the wrong pair. But that's just my opinion. If you can, take a look at both of them in person before you buy one.
Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars
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Super Stable product
rating: 5
Buy these if you are into bird watching (any type) live sports, or just want to hear you friends say "WOW!" when you turn the image stabilizer on when they are looking through these binoculars.
Worth every penny!!
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Great Binoculars
rating: 5
I bought the Canon 18x50 mage Stabilization binoculars to use at football games and at golf tournaments. The image stabiliation feature is fantastic. At football games you can look right at a couple of players. It may have to much power for a football game if your seats are close. At golf tournaments it is great to concentrate on one player. I would buy them again. I wish binoculars had a zoom in zoom out feature.
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Shake Free Viewing
rating: 5
These are my second pair of Canon IS binoculars. The 1st were the 12x36's. There is simply no comparison between the image quality of Canon Image Stabilized binoculars and even the best manufacturer's non-stabilized versions. The current generation IS is simple to use and compensates for significant user shake. My new 18x50's hold an image relatively still even better than my 12x pair.
The field is extremely flat and crisp with zero visible distortion from edge to edge. Another useful feature is the ability to easily adjust the interpupilary distance so the two fields merge into one. Color is excellent and so is contrast. Canon optics are very good indeed.
18x power binoculars open a whole new vista into night time sky observation....the edge of the Milky Way looks absolutely incredible, you can see crystal clear views of moon craters, etc. All this viewing can be done without preocupation to hold the binoculars still and refocus all the time. Your observation time is actually spent looking at moons, double stars, and clusters.
I am very glad I decided to spend the extra money these cost. The image quality and stabilization definitely make these binoculars worth it.
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failed stabilization
rating: 1
When I push the 'stabilize' button, one 'eye' stabilizes - the other doesn't - resulting in 2 out-of-sync images. Canon had me send them to their repair center, then e-mailed me: "We are returning your BINOCULAR 15X45IS to you un-repaired. We regret that we could not be of further assistance." After calling their 800 number they explained that after 7 years they were at the 'end of life' and the parts were not available to repair them. The 15x45IS's appear the have the very same body as the 15x50s - hopefully they've learned how to make them more reliable...
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Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
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