DDoptics SHG 8×42

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  42 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 19 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 17.5 mm
IPD: 56 – 75 mm
RFOV:  8.1  degrees = 141 m
AFOV (measured, rounded): 63 degrees
Minimum focus distance (acc. to spec.): 2 m
Minimum focus distance (measured): 1.95 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: < anticlockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 335 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (according to spec.): +/- 3 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 6 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (acc. to spec, without accessories): 710 g
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 826 g
Made in: Japan
*range of diopter adjustment not fully available when the position of the focus wheel is beyond infinity

Remarks:

The “HSG” is DDoptics’ new top binocular, available in 8×42 and 10×42. In sizes 8x/10×42, the top instrument sold by DDoptics was the “Pirol HD” (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/ddoptics-pirol-hdx-8×42/ ) until about 2015, then the “EDX” (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/ddoptics-edx-8×42/), from 2018 the “EDX HR” (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/ddoptics-edx-hr-8×42/), and now the “SHG”. SHG stands for “Super High Grade”, which does not sound very modest, but this binocular, with its low-key external appearance, does in fact impress with excellent mechanical and optical quality. Image brightness, central and off-axis sharpness (flat-field optics) are superb, CA appears well controlled, stray-light performance and color fidelity are very good, there is little angular distortion but almost no globe effect, and the mechanics – central hinge, focus mechanism, central diopter adjustment, eyecups (with 4 positions: fully in, two intermediate clickstops, fully out) – leave nothing to be desired. On top of that, the binocular is well finished, features very pleasant haptics and ample eye relief. DDoptics specifies transmission to reach 93%, with a level of 88% or more between 485 nm and 650 nm, and with over 90% transmission between 535 nm and 650 nm. Not to forget the accessories, which are premium quality (very well designed carry case, Niggeloh neckstrap made of loden {felt} and leather). All of this makes the SHG a strong contender in the upper league of binoculars where you find the likes of Zeiss Conquest HD, Leica Trinovid HD, GPO Passion, Meopta MeoStar or even Kahles Helia S.

Ratings:

Review:

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