Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular

You looking to find the "Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular" Good news! You can purchase Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $349.99    

Product Feature

• Premium Lifetime Warranty
• ED glass technology for superior color reproduction
• Advanced lens coatings for enhanced light transmission
• Waterproof and fog proof
• Lightweight body design

Product Description

Spirit ED� s light transmission of up to 90 percent results in a near-perfect viewing experience. Its advanced lens and prism design with ED glass means you � ll get up-close and personal with nature, unveiling details in a way you never thought possible. Spirit ED boasts user-friendly features, too, with a lightweight, comfortable-to-hold body design, twist-out eyecups for long eye relief, large focus adjustment wheel and 100 percent waterproofness, so the weather will never slow you down.

Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular Review

....make me really wish I could give these 3 1/2 stars. (I'm reviewing the 10x42 version)

The build quality of these is excellent with some real (but reasonable) heft and great rubberized protection. The hinged objective caps are a great convenience, and the dangling dual-eyepiece cover offers a good balance of protection and convenience as well. The focus wheel is very smooth but easy to "land" in the sweet spot. The diopter adjustment is effective, and the long-eye-relief of the eyepieces (and the hinged body) make for great comfort and convenience for use while wearing glasses.

The dual-use strap is a clever design, but the whole idea seems a bit on the cheap side for binoculars of this caliber. Yes, it's easy to swap the strap from the case to the binoculars, but, having done so, what do you do with the case other than unhitch your belt and strap it there (or leave it behind altogether). Again, it's not a huge deal, but it's more of an annoyance than convenience for me.

Optically, the lenses are tack-sharp, and the light-gathering ability of the glass and its truly superior coatings is VERY impressive. Additionally, the colors captured by this glass are fantastic. These are WONDERFUL to use at twilight or in shade -- I've really not seen any binoculars in this price range even approach the light-gathering ability of these. They truly blew me away the first time I looked through them in the shady woods behind my house. 5 BIG stars there.

Where these fall short, though, is in the consistency of the glass from edge-to-edge. There is significant loss of detail and focus the closer one gets to the edges. About 15-20% of the glass around the edges is significantly out of focus with the center, and this is true of both lenses individually, and it's consistent around the circumferences of the lenses, so this does not appear to be a matter of just getting a bad pair, though I could be wrong about that, of course.

In addition to the de-focussing issues around the periphery, each lens has significant pincushion distortion: start looking at a thin tree along the right side of the FOV, and its top and bottom will bend to the right; moving it to the left side of the FOV, the top and bottom will bend progressively to the left. I'd say that pincushion distortion is at least moderate, and it's consistent in both lenses, so it doesn't appear that this is just an inconsistent or "bad" set.

With all that said, there is a large enough FOV on these that I don't think that for most people these optical problems outweigh the pros of the lens's light-gathering ability and vivid color. Most folks will be looking primarily at the centers of these lenses, probably training their eyeballs on no more than the center 1/3 of the image circle. However, if you're a person for whom a lack of optical precision across the glass is going to be a problem, I'd steer clear of these. For the rest who just want a really bright set of binoculars with great color and great build quality, these binoculars are quite good.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Vanguard Spirit ED 1050 Binocular ...

Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300)

You looking to find the "Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300)" Good news! You can purchase Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300) with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $1,399.99    

Product Feature

• CPU Frequency: 1.067 GHz
• Memory: 1 GB DDR3, Maximum Internal Capacity: 16TB
• System Fan: 92 mm X 92 mm X 2
• Interface: 2 x USB 3.0 Port, 1x USB 2.0 port, 1 x eSATA Port, 1 x RJ-45 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Port , 1x Gigabit LAN,
• Noise Level: 19.4 dBA

Product Description

Synology DS413 Feature rich 4 bay NAS Server for Workgroups and Offices.

Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300) Review

This is more of a public service announcement than anything, but I figured this was a good place to mention it.

Looking at the features on the surface the DS413 seems like a good deal, and for *many* people it is. However if you plan on using this for your media hub, specifically streaming using the Plex software you're out of luck!

I purchased this model thinking that most Synology NAS units in this configuration (4 bay) were more or less the same, turns out they are far from it!

The DS413 Uses a Freescale Power PC (PPC) processor
The DS412+ Uses an Intel Atom (x86) Processor

What this is means is that development for 3rd party plugins will be very limited and people just don't develop things for the PPC. Since the 412+ is x86 compatibile there is a huge development base and porting applications to it is very easy, and already has a very mature base.

More on the Synology NAS Processors:

[...]

Case and point is the Plex software, if you read this page the developers themselves state that they have no plans on creating a PPC compatible version of Plex since it's very time/cost prohibitive!

[...]

And they definitely are not the only developers out there that feel this way..

So, it's not that the DS413 is BAD, it'll function quite well, but if you really want to add new/cool features to your NAS not supplied by Synology you're stuck! In the long run you'll be much better served spending the additional $150 now and getting a DS412+

I have an unopened DS413 that I got today which is going back tomorrow when my DS412+ shows up!

My pain is your gain!

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300)" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Synology DiskStation 4-Bay 12TB (4 x 3TB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) (DS413 4300) ...

Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

You looking to find the "Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope" Good news! You can purchase Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $1,349.00    

Product Feature

• 6'' �Schmidt-Cassegrain Optics
• 1524mm focal length
• Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC)
• LightSwitch Automatic Self-Alignment Technology
• AutoStar III GOTO system with Astronomer Inside and 100,000 object library

Product Description

Aperture: 152.4mm(6-Inch). Focal Length: 1524mm. Meade ��s revolutionary LS LightSwitch series of telescopes use advanced technologies like GPS, LNT and ECLIPS CCD imaging to do what no other consumer telescopes have done before: take all the hassle out of using a telescope. Simply flip the switch and the LS automatically aligns itself. Astronomer Inside then takes you on a guided multimedia tour of the best objects in your sky. The aluminum mount is lightweight and portable, yet has a rigid structure with precision worm-gear drives for the ultimate in tracking and pointing accuracy. All this combined with Meade �s Advanced Coma-Free or Schmidt-Cassegrain optical systems provide the stargazer with the most sophisticated, yet easiest to use telescope ever. AutoStar III � TOTAL CONTROL The easy-to-use hand-held controller lets you select from a huge object database, with over 100,000 celestial objects. Just select an object and push the ��GoTo� � button and the telescope will automatically put your object in the eyepiece. The AutoStar III also gives you complete control of the Astronomer Inside multimedia features only available from Meade. FEATURES: LightSwitch Technology The LS knows where it is in time and space even if you don� t. Just flip the switch and be ready to explore the cosmos. Innovative technology is applied to make using the LS simple, easy and fun. Astronomer Inside Learn the secrets and details of the objects you observe while you are viewing them with both audio through the built-in speaker and video (if connected to a video monitor or TV)

Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Review

As an amateur astronomer, I have been looking to upgrade from my Meade ETX 105 PE telescope. It's an excellent telescope, but the thought of having a telescope that autoaligns was very intriging. The LS telescope I purchased was an open-box item, but was in perfect cosmetic condition. The optics were also in perfect condition too. However, like so many people I recieved a "flash read error" as soon as I turned the telescope on. I ordered a Sandisk 2gb miniSD card with the SD adaptor to update the firmware. The SD slot in the telescope is a MINISD and has to be 2gb or less. The telescope DOES NOT recognize SDHC cards. Make sure you put the miniSD in telescope with the pins "facing" torwards the lightswitch button. In other words, you can see the pins disappearing as it goes in. You will feel the card springing back at you, but this is normal so just push it until the card goes in. I am giving clear directions on this because I put the miniSD card in backwards. The card "clicked in" just like the SDcard adaptor did in my memory card reader. With the telescope item being open box, and the complaints of the LS being picky on the type of miniSD card, I thought it was broken. Anyways, once the miniSDcard was in correctly and the telescope was turned on, it recognized the card and I was able to update (reload) the firmware. If your telescope has firmware 1.6a installed, you have to use a miniSD card to reload the firmware.This was the case with me. Once I had a clear night, I was able to see that the telescope does exactly what it's advertised to do. Many people have had problems with the telescope detecting GPS satelites However, this was not the case with me. The telescope found the GPS satellites within a matter of seconds and began the autoalign procedure. Furthermore, Meade recomends being far away from a house, a car, anything metal. The telescope was about 4 feet from a car and 15 feet from my house and I experienced no issues with the GPS. The telescope finds then finds north, detects the level and tilt of the telescope, finds the alignment stars, and centers them with the CCD camera. It is actually amazing to see the technology work as advertised.The optics are excellent and the guided tour is vey cool. The problems that seem to have plagued these telescopes seem to be resolved. I have put alot of detail in this review because I don't want people to be persuaded by the bad reviews. This is an excellent telescope so do not hesitate to buy it!!!!!!

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Meade LS 6-Inch SC (f/10) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope ...

Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

You looking to find the "Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera" Good news! You can purchase Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $1,398.00    

Product Feature

• Smooth transmission focus system for pleasing effect
• Apodization lens element smooths out-of-focus areas
• Subjects stand out vividly against smooth, even backgrounds
• Manual aperture ring adjusts from T 4.5 to T 6.7, manual focusing with comfortable wide focus ring
• Circular aperture gives spot light sources a circular shape

Product Description

Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8-4.5 Telephoto LensA unique telephoto lens for smooth, natural focus effects in foreground and background. This advanced STF(Smooth Transition Focus) telephoto lens incorporates an apodization optical element that distributes light rays to create smooth, aesthetically pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds that make sharp-focus subjects stand out more vividly. Mounted on the Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, this lens provides a 200mm focal length (35mm equivalent). Features:* Smooth Transmission Focus: While subjects remain in sharp focus, out-of-focus backgrounds or foregrounds are blurred smoothly and evenly with gradation that thickens toward the edges of the frame for a pleasing aesthetic effect.* Transmissive Brightness: After light passes through the apodization element, the lens aperture of f2.8 yields a T (transmissive brightness) equivalent of 4.5; a manual aperture ring can adjust T setting from 4.5 to 6.7.* Wide Focus Ring: The dedicatedmanual focusing system is controlled by a wide focus ring that's comfortable to hold and gives you a solid, hands-on feel for pinpoint focusing of your subject.* Circular Aperture: Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have apleasing circular defocused effect.Specifications: 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens Smooth Transmission Focus system for pleasing effect Apodization Lens Element smoothes out-of-focus areas Subjects stand out vividly against smooth, even backgrounds Manual aperture ring adjusts from T 4.5 to T 6.7 Manual focusing with comfortable wide focus ring Circular Aperture gives spot-light sources a circular shape Focal Length 35mm Equivalent: 135 mm Focal Length APS: 202.5 mm Angle of View 35mm Equivalent: 18Angle of View APS: 12Min Focus Distance: 2.85 ft (87 cm) Aperture Maximum: f2.8 (T=4.5) Aperture Minimum: f31 (T=f32) Maximum Magnification: 0.25X Lens Constru

Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera Review

Sony 135mm/f2.8[T4/5] is one of the great but underappreciated lenses in the market. Part of that may be due to Sony's lack of marketing initiatives and a part of it the price tag. But, to a greater part, it may also be usability challenges as this is not a lens for the casual photographer (see below).

Build Quality: Superb. This is a substantial piece of metal and glass, that comes nicely wrapped in its own soft, well padded leather bag, a lens hood with black non-reflective lining and covers for the front (72mm) and back. The focusing ring is smooth, as is the aperture control ring.

Image Quality: Outstanding. While the STF (Smooth Transition Focus) is revered for its unmatched, silky smooth rendering of out of focus areas (bokeh), it does so while also being one of the sharpest lenses even wide open. The images tend to have a unique 3D feel.

Usability: This is a manual focus only lens, hence not for people who can't do without auto-focus. In fact, there is no focus confirmation. For them, Sony's 135mm/f1.8 Zeiss would be the answer. It is also a better lens for low light performance. Outside of that realm, and if you're a willing participant in the system's focus-on-the-subject for its great rewards, like I have become, the STF lens has a lot to offer.

Focusing with this lens has been easy for me, even without using any manual focus assist feature. And if your camera has an assist feature similar to my primary camera (Sony SLT-A55), which allows a 7x-14x zoom (Live View as well as Electronic View Finder), it is even better. My back up camera (Sony NEX-3) goes a step further, with its Focus Peaking feature (All NEX-series cameras, and SLT-65 and SLT-77 now have it).

Unlike other lenses, this lens has two modes to control the aperture. Each mode affects a specific aperture diaphragm.

Auto Mode: This mode allows control of a traditional diaphragm through the camera, as in "Aperture Priority" mode. For this mode to take effect, the aperture ring should be set to "A". The aperture size ranges from f/4.5 thru f/32.

Manual Mode: This mode shifts the control to, an unconventional, step-less diaphragm with aperture size ranging from T4.5 thru T6.7. This is achieved by turning the aperture ring past the click (which identifies the Auto Mode selection).

Personally, I leave the conventional aperture wide open, while varying the step-less diaphragm given that for most practical purposes specific to this lens, I would be using aperture around f/5.6.

Another thing to note is that, although this lens is identified as 135mm/f2.8[T4.5], the f2.8 only relates to DOF, as the aperture is indeed wide open to f/2.8. However, due to couple of apodization elements used inside the lens, the transmissive setting "wide open" is f/4.5, hence the T4.5 denomination.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Sony SAL-135F28 135mm f/2.8 (T4.5) STF Telephoto Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera ...

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

You looking to find the "Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras" Good news! You can purchase Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $344.95    

Product Feature

• Equipped with Sigma's own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) technology
• Four SLD elements and three Aspherical lenses provide high image quality throughout the entire zoom range
• Minimum focusing distance of 45cm/17.7 inches and a maximum magnification of 1:3.4 makes it ideal for close-up photography
• Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting
• For Pentax digital SLR cameras

Product Description

The SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM incorporates Sigma's original anti-shake compensation function, with a 13.8 times zoom ratio. For the camera have anti-shake function in the camera body, this lens's Hybrid Optical Stabilizer provide not only anti-shake function for the camera body compensation, but also provide the function to compensate the image shaking in the view finder of the camera like anti-shake compensation built in the lens. Incorporating four Special Low Dispersion glass elements and three Aspherical lens elements provides excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7 inches) at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification of 1: 3.4 reproduction ratio, making it ideal for close-up photography. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making it suitable for use with circular polarizing filters and the supplied petal-type hood. Incorporating super multi layer coating reduce the ghost in the backlight photography.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras Review

I would not give much credence to reviewers who compare lenses they have not actually used, or have only used one of them. We bought both This Sigma and the Tamron 18-270 and used them for a week in Mexico. We have a Nikon D70s and a D300, and exchanged the lenses after a few shots at the same time and place. We shot about 75% RAW and examined severe crops of the images on our 30" Apple Cinema Display before and after correction with Photoshop. Here is our opinion:

The Tamron is noticeably sharper. The Sigma is very soft except at the low-medium zoom range, and it's still softer than the Tamron over its best range. The higher distortion of the Tamron is much less noticeable and easily corrected with software. The CA is about the same for both. Image stabilization was clearly more effective with the Tamron, especially at the long end where you really need it.

The Tamron is noticeably slower in focusing than the Sigma, which is very fast for this class of lens. However, the Tamron often was more accurate and we missed several shots when the Sigma balked and did not focus at all. Over 5% of the shots we took with the Sigma were significantly out of focus, but only a few with the Tamron.

With superzooms, you pick the weaknesses that bother you less. It was a close, but fairly easy decision. Though it was sometimes annoying to use, we got obviously better pictures with the Tamron. We both agreed to return the Sigma.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras ...