Description
Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 8X30 Binoculars
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Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 8X30 Binoculars
£229.00
Out of stock
Additional information
| Product code | CA55386 |
|---|---|
| Barcode | 4571137587871 |
| Barcode2 | 0018208089345 |
| Weight | 1 |
| Brand | Nikon |
22 reviews for Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 8X30 Binoculars
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Dee fuller –
When I picked up the Nikon 10×30 7s, I was surprised how light it was compared to my Leica Trinovid 8×30. The image is sharp and clear and free from colour fringing and other apparent lens anomalies. The Nikon is 7oz [no metric scales] lighter than the Leica. In the sharpness test [close focus] the Leica is sharper with more contrast, but in the field [viewing wood pigeons from my balcony], the extra magnification of the Nikon and lighter weight make up for this and no extra detail was gained by the Leica. Also I could not determine any difference in brightness between the two. The Leica’s were over £600, 20 years ago, [replaceing my old Carl Zeiss Jenoptems] . So why spend so much on expensive binoculars to achieve a barely perceptible difference [for bird watching], when these inexpensive ones work as well ? Budget binoculars have improved amazingly………………hope this helps you.
JESSI P. –
Excellent value optics
Jorg S –
Superb.Immense clarity, 3D rendering, brighter than the eye can see, so great for evening use. Feels lightweight, sculpted rubber coating feels good in the cold and focuses well with gloves, main focus-wheel has a nice action, right-eye piece adjustment is firm – so not accidentally changed from preferred setting. Close focus is impressive. Waterproof.If you need a more compact size, go for the 8×30’s (again the 7s version NOT 3s) they are shorter and have about the same brightness as what your eye sees, the x42 (7″ long with eye-cups extended) gather more light so useful for evening viewing or looking into more shady areas. I recommend the x42, and actually the extra length can hep keep them steadier than more compact offerings (though they are not overly long).I would never choose more than 8x for hand-holding (and I’m steady), once you get to 10x, shake reduces definition, makes for harder observation and too much stress on the brain.You do need to keep your eyes positioned directly in the centre of the eye-pieces, otherwise blackout can occur on the sides. It’s important to extend the eyecups to gain the correct eye-relief / distance, but edge blackout can still occur, it takes some practice to keep total constant clear vision – but it’s worth it – for that clarity, edge to edge sharpness and brightness. Note, most roof-prism binoculars exhibit this necessity – to look absolutely centrally through to avoid blackout, and actually the Prostaff’s are more forgiving than most, actually they are very good.The individual front objective lens-caps on mine clip in nice and tight (I don’t know why people are loosing them? – maybe Nikon have improved their fit now), and the eyepiece caps thread into the strap – which actually are the only ones you need to use, so all good.Ok now to be super critical… I’m somewhat of an optics expert, for photography I use medium format, this is going to be on those terms, you probably wont notice what I do, but I’ll mention it for those that might. Some sharpness is lost at the *extreme* edges – but you’re not looking directly at the edges often, sharpness is otherwise very very impressive. Around contrasty subjects such as a bird against a bright sky CA (magenta and green fringes) is noticeable off-centre. Dead centre no CA, also no CA visible looking at fields, trees, cliff, buildings etc, only objects against a v.bright sky. Neither of these are enough to knock a star off, and in fact in terms of any weaknesses they probably have less than most here even at £100 more; the only way to improve on these would be to pay twice+ as much for the ED glass in the Monarch’s. The Prostaff’s in my option are a well judged and very enjoyable sweet spot.If this is going to be your first (or second) pair of bin’s you’ve bought, go for these – the 7s 8×42, do not be tempted to save money and get the 3s version. If you fancy spending double, then get the Monarch 7’s by all means.For sure these are the best bin’s in the sub £300 price range, for £800 the Leica Trinovid’s are nice though. There’s the Nikon Monarch’s, but I’m not sure they are better in all respects. The Prostaff’s have amazing performance, you really don’t need more![I’ve been critically comparing them to the ‘Hawke Nature-Trek 8×42’, the Nikon’s are brighter and sharper, the Hawke’s have a slightly wider-field of view and physically are slightly shorter. The Hawke Nature-Trek’s are very good though (actually a pro birdwatcher recommended them), but the Nikon’s are clearly slightly better and for me worth the extra. If you are on a tight budget the Hawke’s are a good choice, but I’d pick the Nikon’s every time.]If you take a camera on a walk to look in a different way – to stop and ponder, then maybe take the Prostaff’s on your next. Refreshingly no battery to charge, on/off or menus, just exhilarating real-time close-ups, and no time wasted editing photos when you get home, just pleasurable recapitulation, vivid memories and planning the next outing.
Jane Maher –
Execellent quality at bargain price
Mei –
I have these binoculars for a bit less than a half of the year. I bought them for traveling and mountain trekking so portability (weight and size) were primary factors to choose between 10x30mm and 10x42mm option. The second most important factor was light gathering ability (brightness) so 30mm lens diameter was better option compared to other 23-26 mm options around. I’m not a birdwatcher, rather the occasional and target finding viewer so long time holding and stability was not an issue picking 10x vs 8x magnification. I think extra detail resolution with 10x magnification and superb sharpness of these binoculars hit the spot of my liking. Field of view is great too that allows to observe more objects in single glance and saves some tilting and panning job.To be true, there are some minor thing I would like be slightly better. One of them is occasional chromatic aberration or color fringing, in other words blue/purple color cast along object edges in high contrast situations (like dark tree branches, dark building or other sharp edge silhouettes against bright overcast sky) . This seems some very rare in summer time but a bit more pronounced in winter when dark objects and white backgrounds dominate landscape. As many other reviewers pointed out, eye-piece protection caps are surprisingly loose, however could be fixed to binocular’s strap, so not a big issue. On other hand, front lens cups fit secure, but not are securely attachable to the strap that makes them prone to lose. Thus I keep them in drawer. It would be a nice touch from Nikon to make binocular’s bag with some small inside pocket for wiping cloth.From usage point of view it is very important to adjust correct individual eye-relief distance, eyes distance and keep eye centered along optical axis to avoid field of view edge blackouts.Overall, I am very impressed by the product and highly recommend it as high quality traveling companion.
Maitiú –
I did a lot of reading of suggestions and research for binoculars to take on Kenya safari and in the end chose these based on the reviews and my budget. They were perfect, easy to use and amazing image quality even in dusk conditions. For anyone looking for binoculars for safari I would definitely recommend these, and also confirm the suggestion that everyone going on safari should have their own pair, sharing is not ideal when you want to watch the same thing. As there were two of us I bought a pair of the 8×30 and also the 8×42 thinking they would be better especially in low light, optically both excellent but I have to say, to my eyes there was no difference between the 30s and 42s so I would recommend the smaller 30s for their size and ease of single handed use. I sat at night and watched hippos graze in the near complete darkness and both performed similarly.I bought these slightly sceptical about how much better they would be than a £50 Nikon 10×42 pair I bought in 2011, but they were so much better, worth every extra penny. I’d also say 8x makes for much stabler hand held viewing than 10x which is critical to seeing well through them. The eye relief worked great, easy to see through with shades or glasses on as well as without.As many people have said, the end caps are pathetic, I now have 3 pairs of Nikon binoculars and none of them stay in, since they lived around my neck I just did not bother using them, not worthy of influencing your purchasing decision though.
Justin Thorburn –
Stunning optics
J. Walker –
these are great for birding for three reasons
Chris Whan –
Nikin ProStaff 7s 8×30
Nicki Weller –
I have a few pairs of binoculars that I’ve acquired over the years. More recently I’ve looked to update a couple of pairs for good models, having taken more of an interest in wildlife and bird watching. Last year I bought some Zeiss Conquest 8×42 and I have been so pleased with them. Recently, I wanted to find something smaller and lighter and less expensive, without having to compromise too much on optical quality.Long story short; I bought the Opticron Discovery WP 8×32 after reading a number of reviews and good though they are, I found it hard to adjust to the focusing to infinity in the opposite direction to some of my other binoculars. There was also a bit of backlash in the focusing and the central hinge was a bit easy to move for my liking. So, I continued looking and reading. I thought I would try these Nikon Prostaff 7s 8×30 after seeing good reviews and after having had Nikon Monarch ATB 8×42 and Monarch 5 8X42 (sold to help finance the Conquests) and found them to be good binoculars themselves.These Prostaffs are really, really sharp. I have also compared them to Zeiss Terra 8x25s (nearly twice the price) and these are still better for sharpness and colour. I think you would have to go a long way to beat these at the prices they can be picked up for. If you are patient, I have seen them for 119, which has to be a great buy by anyone’s reckoning.I would agree with everyone else about the front lens caps. Inconvenient and easy to loose. I always take them off and put them in the case and then carry the binos round my neck with the rainguard over the eye pieces.