Nikon HG 10x42 L DCF
The HG L series consists of the most expensive binoculars on Nikon’s offer and, according to the manufacturer, they „have everything the best”. The series includes roof prism models with the following parameters: 8x20, 10x25, 8x32, 10x32, 8x42 and 10x42. Special eyepiece lenses, which flatten the field, are supposed to make the image sharp up to the very edge. Original multilayer coatings should guarantee excellent transmission in the whole visible spectrum range, damp down unwanted flares and ensure fantastic colour rendition. Nikon, as one of just few manufacturers, publishes honestly its instrument’s transmission curve, which, for the blue light (420 nm) amounts to about 70%, then increases very sharply and reaches its maximum at the level significantly above 90% for a wide spectrum from around 550 to 680 nm; for the red light it decreases to about 87%. The prisms are put in the Schmidt-Pechan system; they are covered by phase correction coatings and the reflective layer is covered by sliver. The HG series binoculars are waterproof down to a depth of 2 or 3 meters for 5 minutes and are fogproof because of O-ring sealing and nitrogen-purging.
In the case of the 42 mm class models we can find a precise cross section of the binoculars which indicated that a three-element objective lens was applied (2 groups) as well as an additional, movable focusing lens, roof prisms and a six-element eyepiece (4 groups).
| Magnification | Lens diameter | Angular field of view | Prisms | Eye relief | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 42 | 105/1000(6o) | BaK-4/roof | 19 mm | 790 g | 4139 PLN |
| Real front lens diameter |
Left: 42+/-
0.05 mm Right: 41.98+/- 0.05 mm |
8 / 8.0 pkt | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real magnification | 9.85+/- 0.15x | 3/3.0 | ||||
| Transmission | 90+/- 3% | 17.5/25.0 | ||||
| Chromatic aberration | Low in the centre, medium at the edge. | 7.6/10.0 | ||||
| Astigmatism | Very low. | 8/10.0 | ||||
| Distortion | The distance of the first curved line from the field centre compared to the field of view radius : 61% +\- 3% | 7/10.0 | ||||
| Coma | Very low. | 8.2/10.0 | ||||
| Blurring at the edge of the FOV | The blur occurs in the distance of 96% +\- 2% from the field of view centre. | 9/10.0 | ||||
| Darkening at the edge the FOV | Negligible. | 4.2/5.0 | ||||
| Whiteness of the image | Very slightly yellow. | 4.8/5.0 | ||||
| Collimation | Exemplary. | 5/5.0 | ||||
| Internal reflections |
|
4.1/5.0 | ||||
| Housing | Very solid, bulky and heavy. Ribbed rubber. Comfortable to hold and to look through. Eyecups with four click stops, solid and convenient. The rubber near the objectives sticks out a bit. | 7.4/8.0 | ||||
| Focusing | Big and comfortable central screw (a 360 degrees turn). Big and convenient ring on the right eyepiece with a block system. It doesn’t move the objective lens but extends it very delicately. | 4.9/5.0 | ||||
| Tripod | You can buy an adapter as an option. | 2/3.0 | ||||
| Interpupilary distance | from 56 to 78.1mm | 5/6.0 | ||||
| Closest focusing distance | 2.6 metra.. | 1.5/2.0 | ||||
| Eyepieces FOV | Apparent field of view of 59.7 deg (according to simple formula) and 55.1 deg (according to tangent formula). | 11/20.0 | ||||
| Field of view | Measured by us amounted to 6.06 +\- 0.03 degrees and was minimally bigger than these given in specifications. | 5.5/8.0 | ||||
| Quality of the interior of the barrels | Everything beautifully blackened and matt. Small specks of dust on the left prism. | 4.7/5.0 | ||||
| Vignetting |
OL: 0.0%, OR: 0.0%. |
8/8.0 | ||||
| Prisms quality | High quality BaK-4. | 8/8.0 | ||||
| Antireflection coatings | Greenish on objectives. Green-yellow on prisms. Green-yellow-purple on eyepieces. Low intensity. | 5/5.0 | ||||
| Warranty [years] | 10 years | 4.5/6.0 | ||||
| Final result |
81%
3rd place in the overall ranking of the 10x42 binoculars test. |
153.9 / 190 pkt | ||||
| Econo result | 17th place in the econo ranking of the 10x42 binoculars test | 5pkt. |
Summary
Pros:
- very solid housing,
- high transmission,
- perfectly sharp image in all the field of view,
- low chromatic aberration,
- very slight astigmatism,
- quite well-corrected distortion,
- low brightness loss at the edge of the field,
- very slight coma,
- very good whiteness rendition,
- slight flares,
- very wide IPD,
- perfectly circular exit pupils,
- high quality prisms and antireflection coatings,
- excellent blackening inside the barrels.
Cons:
- really nothing comes to mind here...
A set of binoculars without one single weak point. In no test category did it reach a result near average or below. Its price, although steep, is still lower than the prices of the “great trinity” products (Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss). If you can afford it, it would be difficult not to recommend the purchase.
The most important thing is that the promotional brochure info is, by and large, in 100% accordance with our measurements. Eyepieces, very well designed, actually do provide a very sharp image up to the edge of the field and the distortion is low to boot. The transmission value, measured by us, coincide almost perfectly within the margin of error with the data provided by the manufacturer. Good coatings really do a fantastic job, guaranteeing low flares and a correct colour rendition. We are really impressed!
The Allbinos.com/Optyczne.pl editorial team decided to award this set of binoculars the “The Choice of the Allbinos.com/Optyczne.pl Editorial Team” distinction for winning the 3rd place in the 10x42 binoculars ranking.
