Canon 10x30 Is II Binoculars

I bought this as an upgrade from my 6DMk2 as my love of photography grew. The hype around the focussing system was the main reason. 6 months in and I am still trying to get the handle on it. I have decided to concentrate on normal focussing at this stage and as I am not a bird or animal devotee, I have decided to stay away from adding in the tracking functions for now. I love to shoot still life, Milky Way and pictures taken at night so the low light capabilities are fantastic. I couple it with a converter and an existing wide angle (Samyang 14mm F2. 8) for my MW photos and the results are superb. I do think that the user manual is not the easiest to follow for me with regard to learning the focussing system, especially when you try to use it in conjunction with ... MoreI bought this as an upgrade from my 6DMk2 as my love of photography grew. The hype around the focussing system was the main reason. 6 months in and I am still trying to get the handle on it. I have decided to concentrate on normal focussing at this stage and as I am not a bird or animal devotee, I have decided to stay away from adding in the tracking functions for now. I love to shoot still life, Milky Way and pictures taken at night so the low light capabilities are fantastic. I couple it with a converter and an existing wide angle (Samyang 14mm F2. 8) for my MW photos and the results are superb. I do think that the user manual is not the easiest to follow for me with regard to learning the focussing system, especially when you try to use it in conjunction with “how to do.. “ available on the internet. This tends to confuse things and resetting to default doesn’t seem to have reset everything. I will persist as the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I won’t let it beat me..

Hand grip material becomes annoyingly sticky within a short time

As others have noted, I too experienced a transformation of the outer material of the binocular into a very sticky mess. I purchased and placed a material that was advertised to help people hold their hand guns more securely. It isn't pretty, but it seems to work. But at the price for this item, it should never happen at all.

Looking at a pair of grizzly bears our guide said "these glasses ROCK"

I have had these fabulous binoculars for several decades. They've been on many backpack trips, on a 12-day rafting trip in northwestern Canada. I use them in my volunteer role as a fire lookout. You really need to experience how great a difference the image stabilizer makes--just short of miraculous. I have several other high-end binoculars, but these are my go-to set. After having been knocked around for 20+ years, they still perform as though they were brand new.

Stunningly superb

These superb binoculars were bought for my wife who suffers from handshake but who loves birding. She expected them to improve the quality of view to a degree but was absolutely astounded at the stillness of the image and the optical quality of the bino's. I must admit to being a tad sceptical of some of the claims made on the IS but these have been a game changer for her and on the rare occassions I have been allowed to use them I have been taken aback at the image stabilisation. She even uses them one handed they are that effective. Brilliant bit of kit, my only criticism is the case which is poor but that has been replaced by a superb Billingham Galbin 10 from Wex. It fits and protects beautifully.

Superb, bright, clear optics edge to edge

Purchased the Canon 8x25 IS previously, very happy with them. My better half is normally a technophobe, so told her I'd have them in my backpack anytime she needed a close-up for our forthcoming trip, and said to have a go now just to check how they work. After a minute or two gazing around the garden, she said they'd fit just fine into *her* backpack and I should make my own arrangements...! Hence my investment in the Canon 10x30 IS. Terrific image stabilisation, exceptional bright, clear optics, controls fall easily to fingers. The big difference is that the 10x30 is nicely rubber coated, hence grippier and very scratch resistant, while the 8x25 body is plain plastic. Other differences: moulded and effective thumb grips under the 10x30 body, the 8x25 uses dimples; ... MorePurchased the Canon 8x25 IS previously, very happy with them. My better half is normally a technophobe, so told her I'd have them in my backpack anytime she needed a close-up for our forthcoming trip, and said to have a go now just to check how they work. After a minute or two gazing around the garden, she said they'd fit just fine into *her* backpack and I should make my own arrangements...! Hence my investment in the Canon 10x30 IS. Terrific image stabilisation, exceptional bright, clear optics, controls fall easily to fingers. The big difference is that the 10x30 is nicely rubber coated, hence grippier and very scratch resistant, while the 8x25 body is plain plastic. Other differences: moulded and effective thumb grips under the 10x30 body, the 8x25 uses dimples; 2xAA alkalines for the 10x30, the 8x25 uses a CR123; the 8x25 soft pouch a more business-like affair with velcro closure and belt loop, while the 10x30 soft pouch a more decorative but IMHO less functional full length zipper and neck/shoulder strap; and the 10x30 slightly heavier and slightly bigger.

The outer rubber coating has become very soft and sticky

The exterior coating has gone soft and will leave black tacky sticky residue on anything it touches (including all over your hands, clothes, and face). The black residue is very difficult to remove from your hands and fingernails (I had to use solvent on my hands and my wife's makeup remover on my face, soap and water does not work). I could not get the residue off of my clothes and disposed of them. I would like to ask what I should do in order to use my binoculars (short of throwing these out and buying new ones). The entire outer coating has gone bad, including the rubber covering the eyepieces, so it would not appear to be a usage/contact issue. Please help solve this problem! Photo enclosed showing the deteriorated coating, wear, sticky surface, and impression ... MoreThe exterior coating has gone soft and will leave black tacky sticky residue on anything it touches (including all over your hands, clothes, and face). The black residue is very difficult to remove from your hands and fingernails (I had to use solvent on my hands and my wife's makeup remover on my face, soap and water does not work). I could not get the residue off of my clothes and disposed of them. I would like to ask what I should do in order to use my binoculars (short of throwing these out and buying new ones). The entire outer coating has gone bad, including the rubber covering the eyepieces, so it would not appear to be a usage/contact issue. Please help solve this problem! Photo enclosed showing the deteriorated coating, wear, sticky surface, and impression marks left from my fingers. Thank you for your assistance in this matter!

[Rewarded Review] Decent stabilized optics in a compact form

I now own three Canon stabilized binoculars. First was the 12x36 III which is good optically but the minimum focus distance is ridiculous (on my unit it's about 23'). Then I splurged on the 10x42L, which is delightful in every way except its bulk, so it mostly stays home when I travel or go backcountry. The 10x30 II at least matches or maybe slightly beats the optical quality of the 12x36 III, it focuses down to ~13', and of course it's smaller and lighter. The 10x30 II is a joy to use! This one is going with me every time I head out the door.

[Rewarded Review] Like Being There

I bought these Version II 10x30 IS binos to replace my first ones, which I'd used extensively for birding, stargazing, sports and performance watching, replacing 7x50, 7x35 & 8x40 binos, bulky, medium and lightweights, respectively. My first Japanese made ones were great, though the battery compartment latch had failed. They disappeared on a camping trip a year ago despite being labeled, and after a year I Emailed theCanon repair facility with the serial# and my label info and they never responded, and I just got my new pair of the new Taiwan made Model IIs.The build quality, optics and battery latch are all as good or better than the originals, and once you focus on a subject, the change in the image quality is eerily magical - it brings the subject closer with ... MoreI bought these Version II 10x30 IS binos to replace my first ones, which I'd used extensively for birding, stargazing, sports and performance watching, replacing 7x50, 7x35 & 8x40 binos, bulky, medium and lightweights, respectively. My first Japanese made ones were great, though the battery compartment latch had failed. They disappeared on a camping trip a year ago despite being labeled, and after a year I Emailed theCanon repair facility with the serial# and my label info and they never responded, and I just got my new pair of the new Taiwan made Model IIs.The build quality, optics and battery latch are all as good or better than the originals, and once you focus on a subject, the change in the image quality is eerily magical - it brings the subject closer with dimension, color, detail and texture as if you're twice as close.As long as you're in focus with a good soft grip snd stance and can track it smoothly, even flying wings or moving leaves or faces stay sharp.AND, you CAN activate the IS system, focus and track at the same time!

[Rewarded Review] Stabilizing is a whole new world

At first I did not think the stabilizing feature was having that much of an effect. I was better than I thought at holding a 10x binoc steady. But after a while I realized how much more detail I was seeing on the closer (20-50 feet) birds. And on the far away birds I was able to i.d. species I simply could not do before (owned Leica 10x42s for 20 years) without some kind of steady support like a fencepost.I don't know what to do about the sticky coating issue. Maybe I'll get it and maybe I won't. I'll probably strip it all off if it happens. Saw a program about restoring a 1996 Fiat with the same problem on its dash. Have no idea why this coating is still used when it seems to affect so many people. I've never owned a binoc that behaves like that.Each version of ... MoreAt first I did not think the stabilizing feature was having that much of an effect. I was better than I thought at holding a 10x binoc steady. But after a while I realized how much more detail I was seeing on the closer (20-50 feet) birds. And on the far away birds I was able to i.d. species I simply could not do before (owned Leica 10x42s for 20 years) without some kind of steady support like a fencepost.I don't know what to do about the sticky coating issue. Maybe I'll get it and maybe I won't. I'll probably strip it all off if it happens. Saw a program about restoring a 1996 Fiat with the same problem on its dash. Have no idea why this coating is still used when it seems to affect so many people. I've never owned a binoc that behaves like that.Each version of the IS series has its individual good points. I chose the 10x30 series 2 because it is lightweight, most of my birding is in good light, and I don't do much pelagic (wet weather) birding. For the jungle and the ocean I might take my really ancient Leitz 7x35s along as well. The 10x30s do not focus very close compared to other current offerings, but I'm used to that. I don't know why they can't close focus but I am not willing to spend several hundred dollars more to get it.