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Binoculars review

Fujinon 8x42 MF

Fujinon 8x42 MF
30 April 2012
Optyczne.pl 
The MF Fujinon series consists of two roof prism devices with the following parameters: 8x42 and 10x42. BaK-4 glass prisms, used in them, are phase coated and set in the Schmidt-Pechan system. The producer emphasizes that all air-to-glass surfaces are multicoated by antireflection layers. Buyers get a set of caps, a strap and a case in the accessory box. The binoculars come with a 5-year guarantee period.
Pictures
  • Lornetka Fujinon 8x42 MF
  • Lornetka Fujinon 8x42 MF
  • Lornetka Fujinon 8x42 MF
  • Lornetka Fujinon 8x42 MF
Manufacturer data

Manufacturer:

Fujinon
web site

Distribution / Sales:

AstroClassic
web site

Magnification Lens diameter Angular field of view Prisms Eye relief Weight Price
8 42 114/1000(6.5o) BaK-4/roof 21.4 mm 680 g 1499 PLN
Results of the review
Real front lens diameter Left:   42.12+/- 0.05 mm
Right:  42.13+/- 0.05 mm
8 / 8.0 pkt
Real magnification 7.96+/- 0.05x 3/3.0
Transmission 75.6+/- 1.5% 8/25.0
Chromatic aberration Noticeable in the centre, high on the edge. 2.5/10.0
Astigmatism Slight. 7/10.0
Distortion The distance of the first curved line from the field centre compared to the field of vision radius: 50% ± 3% 5/10.0
Coma A very good result. It starts late because in the distance of about 80% of the radius and is low on the very edge. 9/10.0
Blurring at the edge of the FOV The blur occurs in the distance of 82% ± 4% from the field of view centre. 6/10.0
Darkening at the edge the FOV Visible but not especially high. 3.5/5.0
Whiteness of the image Untypical transmission curve with a surplus of blue light and poor red light transmittance. 3/5.0
Collimation Perfect. 5/5.0
Internal reflections
Left: Right:
Fujinon 8x42 MF - Internal reflections - Left Fujinon 8x42 MF - Internal reflections - Right
Not bothersome but noticeable.
3.5/5.0
Housing Quite long and not very stylish. Padded with black rubber with an unpleasant smell. Quite comfortable to hold. The rubber sticks out near objectives. Rubberized and regulated eyecups with three stops. Produced in China. 6.5/8.0
Focusing Huge, ribbed and comfortable central wheel. It moves easily but smoothly. The full turn of the scale takes as much as 760 degrees so you have to work it a bit. Individual focusing on the right eyepiece through a comfortable ring with projections. It works properly but it moves the outer lens. 4.5/5.0
Tripod There is a stopper at the front which we didn’t manage to twist off. 0/3.0
Interpupilary distance from 54 to 75.3mm 5/6.0
Closest focusing distance 1.30 metres. 2/2.0
Eyepieces FOV Apparent field of view of 53.2 deg (according to simple formula) and 49.9 deg (according to tangent formula). 5/20.0
Field of view Measured by us amounted to 6.69 ± 0.04 degrees and it was a bit wider than stated in the specifications. A small field for this class of equipment. 5/8.0
Quality of the interior of the barrels Dark and quite matt. Small gray bottom near the prisms. Some specks of dust inside. 3.9/5.0
Vignetting
Left: Right:
Fujinon 8x42 MF - Vignetting - Left Fujinon 8x42 MF - Vignetting - Right
OL: 3.25%, OR: 0.95%
5.5/8.0
Prisms quality Good quality BaK-4. 8/8.0
Antireflection coatings Greenish everywhere. Medium intensity. 4.5/5.0
Warranty [years] 5 3.5/6.0
Final result
61.5%
116.9 / 190 pkt
Econo result 0pkt.

Summary


Pros:
  • slight astigmatism,
  • excellent coma correction,
  • quite good darkening inside the binoculars’ tubes,
  • minimum focus already from 1.3 metres,
  • good quality prisms made of BaK-4 glass.

Cons:
  • high chromatic aberration,
  • not especially impressing field of view,
  • weak transmission,
  • truncated exit pupils,
  • not very esthetic, smelly casing.


I admit that taking into the account the renown of the brand name, looking at the price and a not very impressing field of view I thought this pair of binoculars would have many good and excellent results in our test. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case. Only coma is corrected in a brilliant way; you can also say some positive things about the astigmatism, darkening inside and a good quality of the prisms. The slip-ups are far more numerous, though, and it is hardly understandable…

The field of view is narrow for this class of equipment so it should have been sharp till the very edge and distortion-free. It is not. The binoculars are relatively long which might suggest a significant focal length of the objectives and easier correction of the chromatic aberration. Unfortunately that aberration is corrected badly. The presence of multilayer coatings should indicate good transmission results; however, the transmission’s graph is untypical and the performance – simply weak, which can be clearly seen below.


To sum up these binoculars’ results would be acceptable perhaps for a roof prism instrument with a price tag below 200 Euro. As currently the Fujinon 8x42 MF costs about 350 Euro we can’t recommend it.