Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular USA

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I use these for astronomy. As expected they are heavy but sharp, bright, and have an excellent field of view. With the press-and-release feature to lock image stabilization on they are rock solid and a pleasure to use. I can readily resolve double stars with separations of less than one arc minute. Great and almost all that you could ask for... EXCEPT for the eye cups/guards! You have to wonder if anyone at Canon ever actually looked up at the sky through these eyepieces. When I recline to view near the zenith the binocular is so heavy that my nose and eye sockets must carry some of the weight. The 10x42 eye cups are too hard to hold in position for more than 20-30 seconds. The pain is about what you would expect from a couple of 1 3/4" pieces of heavy iron pipe pressing against your face. After waiting several days for Canon to reply to an e-mail request for assistance, I gave up and rolled off the rubber eyepiece covers, cut a couple of neoprene "donuts" for liners and reinstalled the covers. This helped but was still not as comfortable as my old 7x35 binoculars. Finally I removed the underlying plastic eye piece extenders and replaced all of this with a pair of $10, 1 1/2" rubber eye cups for Gemini LW binoculars (available on-line). What I have now is a 5-star binocular but I can only give Canon credit for 4 of those stars.

One final note: based on the other reviews, I ordered B+W coated U-V filters and generic lens caps as part of my order. I never bothered trying Canon's lens caps.

For horizontal viewing the eye cups may not be a problem. For astronomy, make sure you can support these totally with your arms for extended periods or that you are willing to modify the eyepieces.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Incredible clear and stable image. Little bit worse in twilight.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I've used these watching wolves at distances of up to three miles, with stunning results! The clarity and amount of detail that you see at these distances is simply amazing. Not one of the many people I've let look through these, has had any other reaction than that of being blown away. Yes the lens covers are worthless and they are a little bulky, but the veiw you get for the price you pay makes this an absolute no brainer!

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I have been watching for a good price on the 10x42 Swarovision Binoculars and run across the canon 10x42Ls. Based on the reviews I decided to give them a try and ordered a pair. So right after I ordered the Canon's A local guy had a pair of the Swaro's for sale at a great price and I bought them. Received the Canon's yesterday. I set up both binos on tripods with a resoluton chart at 50' to do a optics test. I spent over an hour looking between the Swaros and the Canons. Opticly I could not tell a difference both were sharp to the edge and a superb image. I waited til dusk to see which one was brighter. Again could not tell a difference. No color fringing shown in either bino. The Swaros were a little easier to look thur and were lighter. I will be keeping both as their as good as it gets and I love the image stabilizer which is leaps and bounds above hand holding. Knowing what I know now I would have just bought the Canons at half the price. Yes you have to use some care handling the Canons but at twice the price I think I would be very careful with the Swaros as well. I am not an optics expert but I know what looks good and both of these binos are "A" list.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

If you haven't tried a Canon IS binocular, you have to try it to believe it. The stabilizing mechanism works extremely well. This is probably the perfect binocular for a wide variety of things but that will really depend on what specs you are looking for. At 10x42, you probably can't do much better.

I am giving 4 stars (4.5 really) mainly because at this price point, I expect Canon to provide better accessories. The covers at both ends are fairly annoying and not very functional. The case is alright but not the best. Having an external pocket for additional filters and such would have helped ... and of course it is expensive as *the place you go instead of heaven if you are a bad person since I can't type the actual name here* :) Other than that, quality and functionality wise, it is 5 out of 5.

I have not had a chance to use it in bad weather yet so no comments on how it performs there.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Alaska cruising and land touring on a variety of platforms proved the worth of these bins to me. Excellent optical quality without the stabilizer feature engaged. From an unstable viewing platform, with the image stabilizer engaged, (tour boat, train, etc), these proved to be far superior to my cutting edge Swarovski 10 X 42 Swarovision bins.

Will I go to these for my main birding bins? No! Why? When the image stabilizer is activated, there is a certain amount of focus "float", which means that the image sharpness doesn't maintain exact focus. You have to constantly fine adjust the focus knob to get the best clarity. I happen to be blessed with way above average visual acuity, so I am able to descern the slight differences in sharpness of focus (when in image stabilized mode), that most people would not see. I have also owned and used some of the best glass in the world. I feel these bins are world class. The only negatives are size and weight which is easily negated by a binocular shoulder harness. The 3 year warranty is less than the top names, but not a big concern to me. Would I trade my Swarovski's for them-no! The Swarovski's are the top of the heap. Would I ever trade these Canons off-never! In fact, on my next trip to AK, I'll leave the Swaro's at home.

My next "slug it out in the mud and rain, 10 mile birding walk, over rough terrain?", I'll take the Swaro's. For just about everything else, I'll take the Canon 10 X42's.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I've had mine for about 18 months now. I use them for birding and casual stargazing and the optics are superb.

My 10x42's have a strange issue - they flatten the batteries even if they are turned off. This is really a nuisance issue, but you may want to watch for it. I decided that the cost of sending them back was more than the problem was worth... on reflection, maybe that was a mistake.

I find that the strap is uninspiring - I'll dump it sooner or later and get something a little more functional. The case strap is AWFUL!

As others have commented, the stock lens caps are next to useless and should not be part of a flagship product. I recommend installation of 52 mm B+W UV filters (just to protect the protective element which is difficult to replace.) I also suggest a pair of B+W 52 mm metal glare shields which help prevent dew formation on the lenses.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Naturalist & Sailor
Clarity like never before. 1 click stabilization is great. Auto shut-off is convient. Waterproof fantastic. I don't find these inordanately heavy or large for their power.
The lense caps are a real pain. Useless!
Aluminium tele lense hoods reduces the need for caps except for eye pieces.
I bought the 52mm lens caps thinking they would go with the lens hood. They fit on the binoculars without the hoods.
Binoculars come with a good strap. One should not buy an alternate until they give the Canon strap a try.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Everything perfect as others mentioned many times, but the lens caps are a joke! I put two UV haze filters as protection and bought two nice no-name lens caps with CANON Logo. That's perfect now, but strange that Canon missed this detail!

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

The main reason I perchased this binos is that I can get a still view without trembling. Canon's Image Stabilization is amazing! The lens are the same quality as other cammera L lens!
The bad point is that lens' caps for eyecup and object lens don't fit perfectly.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

4-5-09 I am a avid birder but have gotton "shakier" the last few years and birding has become less fun.My new binocs have given me a new lease on life!They are great for scanning at a distance.I normally dont buy "extended warranties" but I did in this case.It allows me to use the binocs for three years before I have to put on UV filters to protect the objective lenses.My salesman James was very knowledgeable and non-pressure.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

We have other Canon image stabilizer binoculars but these are by far the sharpest.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I own another 3 Canon IS photo lenses with L optics and I can tell that this binocular is the same quality;I mean mechanicly and optically exceptional.The L lenses send this product above the similar price products in the market and the IS makes the difference even bigger to whatever else I have tried.On the top of all,the WP gives you a peace of mind when you use it and makes it easy to maintain and clean.
On the other hand what negatively surprised me was the design/specs/manufacturing negligence with the electronics PCB's which,visible through the front lenses, have no finish on the contour edges and fiber glass filaments/burrs are exposed,allmost loose and ready to detach and contaminate the inner optics and mechnics,given the mechanical and thermal shock regime to which this kind of object is usualy subject to.
The front caps are difficult to use.
The rear caps are the worst design I ever have seen;they are too big loose and heavy.
The bag is nicely sewn/good quality but not of real use;it has no pokets for accessories and there's not enogh room for the binocular strap.
It is difficult to attach filters to the front lens because the plastic threads are not rigid enough and a bit loose in terms of fit tollerances;they start too deep and crossthreaded very easy with all filters I have tried.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Bottom line:the best visual acuity possible.No eyestrain,bright,easy to use.I use these for recreation,marine,and have a ranch in Americas rainiest city,Hilo HI.You will never be wondering if you made the right choice with these.Others also have great optics,but Not with IS.I only wish Canon/Nikon could make a camera with instructions to submerge it in fresh water to thoroughly rinse after muddy,sandy,swampy or marine use!Unbelievable and worth the money.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I bought these to fool around with (general purpose). They are really sharp and the image stabilizer works great. I also like the fact that I do not have to worry about them getting wet.

However: For the price, the lens cap are really cheap and do not stay on the binos. Shame on Canon cutting corners on such a simply item.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

These provide stunning L glass clarity on a par with Canon L prime lenses and the image stabilization helps a lot too. These gather loads of light so you can still see at dusk when it's too dark to see much with the naked eye. These are so sharp that there is no discernable blur at all under any conditions. Yes the lens caps are rubbish and the strap too thin but those are details and should not dominate the reviews of this superb product.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

I am an avid birder and lead field trips. The image stabilization works well and is a great help in wind or in situations where you need to pick out a small field mark to make the correct identification. You can bird while in a car going 55+ and pick out hawks on poles before anyone can even see them. I have had to send them back in twice for service. It took awhile to get them back for a trip but I used the 10x30 Canon binoculars as a back up. Pelagic trips, rain, snow, and tropical weather are not a problem with these optics. They are heavy but a binocular strap that supports the weight from your shoulders make that a non issue. Op/Tech USA makes a nice strap.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

A binoculars packed with wide angle (65°AFOV) viewing, image stabilizer, L quality lens and waterproof features, this is a nature lover 's dream equipment. This is not a lightweight binocular, but the bright and stabilized image that you enjoy will offset its shortfall.

The objective lens caps are not in par with the built of the binocular, it comes off easily. I recommend to use two 52mm UV filters and two 52mm Nikon lens caps instead of the one supplied.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Very very good bincular, IS is worth all the extra money. Very nice carrying strap was delivered with mine.

Comments about Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binocular:

Good Image Stablilized with good glass. Eye cups are little on the frim side and lens caps cover are tricky if not put on properly they will come off.