OGZ Membership Now accepting new members
I photograph wildlife and wild birds with super telephoto lenses, but for some reason I'm not good at using binoculars. I was advised that "using vibration-proof binoculars will dramatically improve visibility." So, does vibration-proof binoculars really improve visibility? I'll try it out with the VC Smart 14x30WP
table of contents
What are the Kenko anti-vibration binoculars "VC Smart 14x30WP"?
Kenko's "VC Smart 14x30W" is equipped with an image stabilization mechanism. I was surprised by the effectiveness of the image stabilization function of the binoculars
Kenko brand flagship model anti-vibration binoculars
As a writer who reviews and tests lenses and cameras in Hokkaido, I often take photos of wild animals and birds using super telephoto lenses for my camera. I know that using binoculars in combination with these lenses would be convenient, but I'm not very good with binoculars
When I asked about this, I was advised to use an intermediate or higher model rather than an entry-level model, and I actually tried out the intermediate model Kenko "Ultra View EX Compact 8x32" in a previous article, "Recommended by the author who hates binoculars: The difference in optical performance compared to entry-level models is surprising: the lightweight, high-performance intermediate model Kenko "Ultra View EX Compact 8x32" is amazing." However, perhaps because I'm not used to using binoculars, I was bothered by the slight shaking and blurring of the image when using them, and when I asked about it, I was told, "Have you ever tried vibration-proof binoculars with image stabilization?"
Image stabilization mechanisms for camera telephoto lenses have become as common as power steering in cars, and we're beginning to forget just how much they benefit us. Camera lenses are generally rated as having a certain number of stops, with around five stops being the norm, and even lenses with seven or eight stops of effectiveness exist. Thanks to this, it's now possible to shoot with super telephoto lenses of around 1000mm handheld without a tripod
However, I have never used binoculars with an image stabilization mechanism, and I was quite skeptical about whether it would actually work with binoculars. That's how I got the opportunity to test out the Kenko Tokina VC Smart 14x30W Vibration-Resistant Binoculars (market price: around 87,000 yen), the flagship model of vibration-resistant telescopes
The VC Smart 14x30WP is a waterproof pair of binoculars with a 14x magnification and vibration compensation mechanism that supports a ±3° angle. As the name suggests, the effective diameter of the objective lens is 30mm
As befits a flagship model, all lens and prism surfaces are fully multi-coated (high-transmittance multi-layer coating) to maximize light transmission. The flat body design is easy to grip, even for women and those with small hands, and is said to be compact and lightweight, measuring approximately 147 x 51 x 124 mm at maximum pupil width and weighing approximately 535 g
It's a small, compact, waterproof telescope with a high magnification of 14x and an anti-vibration mechanism. I tried out the VC Smart 14x30WP on my favorite walking course, where I can observe birds such as Japanese long-tailed tits, Hokkaido squirrels, and white-tailed eagles
Recommended points
- Anti-vibration angle of ±3° accommodates large shakes
- 14x magnification allows for larger observation of objects
- Approximately 10 hours of continuous operation with one AA alkaline battery
- Equipped with 10-minute power-off and light-blocking slide shutter
- Waterproof design allows for sudden rain or outdoor performances in rainy weather
Points of interest
- Knowing the remaining battery level gives you peace of mind
- I wish the focus ring was a little smoother
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Kenko VC Smart 14 x 30W |
|---|---|
| magnification | 14 times |
| Objective lens effective diameter | 30mm |
| coating | Fully multi-coated |
| Actual field of view | 4.4° |
| Exit pupil | 2.1mm |
| Brightness | 4.4 |
| 1000m field of view | 76.8m |
| Eye relief | 14.0mm |
| Interpupillary distance | 53.5 to 75 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 3.5m |
| Size (maximum eye width) | 147×51×124mm |
| mass | 535g |
| Material | Main body: Polycarbonate resin / Main cover: ABS resin / Eyecup rubber: NBR / Wheel rubber: ABS resin |
| accessories | Pouch, strap |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| design | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to read | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Portability | ★★★★☆ |
| Cost performance | ★★★★☆ |
| Satisfaction | ★★★★★ |
Detailed Review
I was impressed by the amazingly effective "image stabilization"
There's a slide switch to turn the image stabilization on and off, and it also has a 10-minute auto-off function, so you don't have to worry if you forget to turn it off
Anyone who enjoys cameras and photography as a hobby will understand, but image stabilization is already a common feature for camera lenses. It's so commonplace that we don't even think, "Does this lens have image stabilization?" Even if we do, we tend to ask, "How many stops of image stabilization does this lens have?", assuming that the lens is equipped with image stabilization. So I honestly wondered, "Does having image stabilization in binoculars really make that much of a difference?"
However, when you actually use it, "the difference between turning the image stabilization on and off is quite shocking."
On the official Kenko Tokina website, the tagline for the "VC Smart 14x30WP" is "When camera shake disappears, excitement appears!", but until I actually tried it, I thought that was a bit of an exaggeration. However, when I actually tried turning the image stabilization on and off with the "VC Smart 14x30WP," I was amazed at how much of a difference it really made
The image stabilization of the "VC Smart 14x30WP" can be easily turned on and off with a slide switch, but when it's turned on, the image observed through the binoculars shakes slightly, which can be tiring to observe because the image vibrates slightly. However, as soon as you turn on the image stabilization, these small shakes are suddenly eliminated. Even large shakes become slower
The VC Smart 14x30WP's image stabilization mechanism can run for approximately 10 hours continuously on a single AA alkaline battery, making it convenient to use readily available AA alkaline batteries
This gives you more time to observe the finer details of the object you're looking at through the binoculars. With wild birds, you'd previously only be looking at the bird's overall appearance, but with the VC Smart 14x30WP, you can observe the bird's facial expressions, its smallest movements, and other details. Furthermore, when looking at a distant clock through binoculars, even without image stabilization, you can see the time, but I often don't have the time to check the fine details of the clock face or the movement of the second hand, but with image stabilization you can see these in detail
By the way, the image stabilization of the "VC Smart 14x30WP" can be turned on and off with a slide switch, but it also has a 10-minute auto-off function, which prevents battery drain if you forget to turn it off. The image stabilization mechanism is also powered by AA alkaline batteries, which are easily available at convenience stores, and one battery can last for about 10 hours continuously, so you can use it for long periods of time without worry. However, there is no battery level indicator, so it would be a good idea to have a spare battery on hand if possible. I would also like to see a battery level indicator
The official Kenko Tokina video below shows the effectiveness of the VC Smart 14x30WP's image stabilization. If you check it out, you'll be able to get a better feel for the image stabilization effects that impressed me so much
14x magnification, equivalent to about 700mm? But it's very easy to see
It features a twist-up eyepiece that can be extended and retracted by twisting and rotating to adjust the eyepoint, making it easy to observe with either the naked eye or glasses
Maybe it's just me, but I don't really understand the specs of binoculars' magnification. It's often said that with 14x magnification, a person 140m away will appear to be 10m away, but I don't really get it when I see a person 10m away with my naked eye, nor when I see a person 140m away
So, I looked at some sources and found that if the angle of view of a 50mm lens is what humans normally see, then looking through 14x binoculars is like looking through a 700mm lens at 14x magnification. The camera industry has already begun to question the idea that 50mm is what humans normally see, so this is a tricky theory, but for me, this way of saying it in terms of the focal length of the lens makes more sense
The camera is equipped with a light-blocking slide shutter that hides the pilot lamp that lights up when the image stabilization mechanism is operating. The photo shows the pilot lamp hidden
Based on this theory, the VC Smart 14x30WP can be considered equivalent to a 700mm super telephoto lens, while the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32, which I used last time, is equivalent to a 400mm super telephoto lens. Incidentally, the brightness of the VC Smart 14x30WP is 14x magnification and the effective diameter of the objective lens is 30mm, so the brightness is 4.4, while the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32 has 8x magnification and the effective diameter of the objective lens is 32mm, so the brightness is 16. It can be said that the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32 is significantly brighter binoculars
Although the binoculars differ in brightness and telephoto magnification, I'm impressed by the extremely stable observation of subjects achieved with the VC Smart 14x30W, which is equipped with an image stabilization mechanism. Conversely, if I were told to use a 700mm-class super telephoto lens with a camera lens that lacks image stabilization, I would be extremely concerned about camera shake and hesitate. Incidentally, unlike entry-level models, both the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32 and the VC Smart 14x30WP feature full multi-coating (high-transmittance multi-layer coating) on all lens and prism surfaces to maximize light transmission, which likely contributes greatly to their ease of viewing
The lighter the better, but the VC Smart 14x30WP is easier to use than expected
This is my favorite walking course, which takes about two hours and is filled with wild animals and birds. I didn't notice the weight of the VC Smart 14x30WP at all
The VC Smart 14x30WP measures approximately 147 x 51 x 124mm at maximum interpupillary width and weighs approximately 535g. It doesn't have image stabilization, and while it offers a lower magnification, it doesn't have image stabilization either. Considering that the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32 I used last time measures approximately 108.5 x 49.5 x 124mm and weighs approximately 375g, it does feel a little large and heavy. However, the biggest difference in size is the overall length; the width and thickness are almost identical
As a result, the feeling of holding the binoculars remains almost the same even when holding them in actual use, and even adult men with small hands like me, or women, will be able to use them without even noticing that they have image stabilization. There is a weight difference of about 160g, which is not to say that it's inconspicuous, but considering the impressive effectiveness of image stabilization, it's within an acceptable range. However, since they're light enough to hold and carry around, if you really want lighter anti-vibration binoculars, you might want to consider the VC Smart Compact Black 12x21, also from the VC Smart series
The word "WATERPROOF" is prominently displayed in the center of the "VC Smart 14x30WP" body. The waterproof design is a major advantage when considering outdoor use
In my case, I usually spend about an hour or two walking along my favorite walking route where I can encounter wild animals and birds, and the binoculars never felt particularly heavy when I was wearing them around my neck or holding them. Also, while walking outdoors, sudden rain or water droplets falling from branches after a rain shower can be a concern, but the VC Smart 14x30WP is waterproof, so these aren't a concern. This is a major advantage
Summary: If you are considering binoculars with a magnification of over 10x, you should consider an image stabilization mechanism
Although the price is an issue, I highly recommend these vibration-proof binoculars, which are extremely easy to see
Looking at the share rate in the sales rankings on Kakaku.com, the Kenko VC Smart series boasts a fairly high market share as an anti-vibration telescope with an image stabilization mechanism, and this time we tried out the flagship model, the VC Smart 14x30WP
My honest impression was, "Vibration-proof binoculars with image stabilization are amazing!" As someone who is used to using super telephoto camera lenses with image stabilization, I wondered whether just adding image stabilization would make that much of a difference. Because I'm so used to using them, I was skeptical of their effectiveness
However, when you try turning the effect on and off with the VC Smart 14x30WP, you'll be amazed at how clear and detailed the subject you're observing becomes, with no small shakes. You'll be surprised to realize that you hadn't noticed how much shaking there was while looking through the binoculars
The market price is around 87,000 yen, which is quite expensive, but for someone like me who is used to the prices of optical equipment such as camera lenses, it doesn't seem so expensive when you think of it as a lens with an image stabilization mechanism equivalent to a 700mm, or an optical accessory used for telephoto shooting. In a sense, it seems more reasonable compared to a lens without image stabilization
For me, the VC Smart 14x30WP, which offers a 700mm equivalent super telephoto lens that allows me to observe subjects with stable image quality, seems like a reliable companion for super telephoto photography of wildlife and wild birds, and I generally have high praise for it. However, there was one thing that bothered me: the focus ring. Compared to the Ultra View EX Compact 8x32, it has a smaller diameter and its rotation is a bit sluggish. If this issue were improved, I would like the VC Smart 14x30WP even more
In my opinion, image stabilization and vibration reduction mechanisms are extremely effective when it comes to binoculars, so if you have the chance to try them out in a store, I highly recommend doing so. High-magnification binoculars with magnifications of over 10x are extremely effective for observing objects in detail, so I recommend experiencing the benefits for yourself
Kenko "VC Smart 14x30WP" details and purchase information
For more product details, please visit the Kenko Tokina official website
Chitose Saito
Related reading
