Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Weather Resistant Porro Prism Binocular with 5.0 Degree Angle of View

2015-10-13T20:00:00

I love this pair of binoculars. I use it mostly for watching ships at sea. The IS is great to ID the ship and its condition. The case unfortunately is not as great. I am sending it to Canon repair to have it checked out. I hope they can turn around it quickly!

sfvet

Originally posted at

2015-03-17T20:00:00

I use these for everything.They are light weight and fit comfortably around my neck. They are the only binoculars I use, or even need. I've had them for about 6 years and I've had no problems with them at all.The easy focus is right where you need it.I watch birds and squirrels in my back yard and they absolutely stop the image from bouncing around.

redriderr

Originally posted at

2014-07-07T20:00:00

I've had mine for almost 6 yrs. They are the primary binoculars on board, we cruise full time and they see use EVERY day! They are light, comfortable, sharp focus, and the stabilization is a must for use on a boat. The only problem I have is the rubberized coating on the exterior is turning into a sticky goo. It sticks to hands, the case, anything it contacts. I am sending them to Canon's factory service to see if they can remedy the problem, since I want to keep using them. Despite the problem, I'd still recommend them. I'd love for Canon to address the problem, even though these are 6 yrs. old, they're stored and used primarily inside; they shouldn't be having this problem. They're designed to be used and should hold up better.

Capt S.

Originally posted at

2014-05-23T20:00:00

I have been using these binocs for several years and the IS is perfect and I depend on it. It is particularly beneficial for star-gazing - keeps your view steady while trying to see details and faint objects. For birdwatching it helps to stabilize your view so that the 12x magnification is not a drawback. I will never birdwatch or stargaze without these binocs!!

KxBirds

Originally posted at

2014-04-29T21:00:00

The stable image they provide allows greater detail to be seen. Not too big and heavy. 12x is really nice. Using mostly for birding. There is a small amount of CA under certain high contrast conditions. There will be a very small number of people who will get dizzy from the IS effect. Try before you buy.

Big S.

2014-01-13T19:00:00

I bought the Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars for my wife. She spends hours looking at birds and deer with my 10x42 European-made binoculars that are three times the cost of the Canons. They also weigh over thirty ounces and are difficult to hold steadily after a short time. The Canons at 22 ounces are easier to hold, and with the IS on, the image is almost totally stable even though they have 12x magnification. I was surprised and very impressed. They do not have the low-light capability of my fluorite-glass binoculars, but the trade-off is a good one. My wife loves them and I use them often - and am repeatedly surprised when I use them in a moving vehicle - something that is absolutely not possible with my non-IS binoculars

Steve K.

2013-06-18T21:00:00

As an amateur astronomer for the last 35 years i would highly recommend those binoculars for stargazing, its magnification ( 12 *) gives it sufficient resolving power for basic identification of most Messier . dark and bright nebula in the milky way ! I wish they would just be more luminous though, i would have to go for the 50mm model and loose the very light aspect of them !! One thing is i found negative though, the lack ok lens cap provided by Canon ? could be included for the price !

starproxima

2013-05-20T21:00:00

Bought these binoculars instead of an entry level telescope to share my daughter's astronomy bug. The IS makes all the difference - could see that Saturn 'has ears' and saw Jupiter's Galilean moons. And the binoculars have been used constantly since purchase for birds and sports, while a telescope would probably be relegated to a closet by now...

JIM W.

2013-02-22T19:00:00

The binoculars are a brilliant piece of optics and technology, second to none. They lack not a thing, are extremely dependable & a sturdy well-built, water-resistant, sealed & coated to perfection. There are no others, on the market, that can stabilize, that are as light and yet durable enough to compare to what Canon has created. They serve for a number of uses, most of which have to do with aviation. I also use them to track many type of animals, before capturing wildlife, with my Canon 5D MkII. The binoculars are a wonderful investment, which gives back, over and over and over again.

Digitalshooter

Originally posted at

2012-12-12T19:00:00

When I traveled with anyone else in the past I often had difficulty seeing what they saw through binoculars because my hands shake badly. Now, with the image stabilization on these binoculars, I am thrilled at what I can see! I feel that I am so much better able to participate in the viewing experience now.

Bluejeangal

2012-06-13T21:00:00

To compensate for the lack of objective caps, I installed a pair of flip-up rifle scope caps. They just press-fit on and it eliminates the chance of losing them.

PHIL

2012-05-09T21:00:00

The 12x Canon IS binoculars have a bit more bulk than some 12x binoculars, but they are not heavy at all. They are not armored, so they do not feel as solid as other makes, but overall construction seems to feel very good, and not cheap at all. Glass has excellent sharpness and contrast, and is as good as other famous makes that don't even have IS. The two controls are very easy to use, and the focus knob moves smoothly and easily. It also focuses very quickly too. I knew the IS would be great, but I am still in amazement at how good it actually is. I thought I could hold a set of binos fairly still, but hitting the IS button makes a world of difference. It is quite something to see such a greatly magnified view, while having less movement than you would get using 8x or even 6x binos. They work as advertised, and IMO the performance is worth the price. I think I will be getting rid of my 10x binos now, as these Canons work so well, and the extra 2x magnification makes more of a noticeable difference over the very good 8x binos that we also own. I'm not so sure that IS would make a big difference at 8x, but I know it will at anything above that level. And certainly if you need 12x or more, don't put your money into HD or ED glass, but instead put it into IS, which will make more of a useable difference. Now I have to figure out how to come up with the coin to purchase the 18x version......

Phil

2011-08-05T20:00:00

I'm an observer in a law enforcement helicopter, and we use these binoculars on a daily basis. They are relatively light weight, very durable, and very quick to use. We normally patrol at altitudes of 500 feet, and the power of these binoculars is perfect for the job we perform. The focus is very quick to adjust, and the stabilization button is easily located and operated at the top of the device. These binoculars use easily found AA batteries, and we normally get approximatley 2 weeks of use from a pair (replaceing the batteries before they're totally exhausted.

Air S.

Originally posted at

2009-11-08T19:00:00

We used these binoculars on cruises, and on road trips through Canada and the U.S. We were able to watch, with great clarity and stability, many varieties of wildlife. Friends and relatives who have used them have been amazed. They're the best binoculars we've ever had.

Squid

Originally posted at

2009-10-22T20:00:00

I bought these glasses for hunting in the open wheat fields of our area. We have to be looking for a 3 point antler or more, for a buck to be legal in washington state. I was beyond surprised that these glasses stopped all motion and could clearly see how many points there were at a distance much further than I can accurately shoot. I will never go hunting again without them!

gene

Originally posted at

2009-10-16T21:00:00

Great all around binos. Enough magnification for a close up view. Good field of view. For looking at wildlife and astronomy, these are great with the stabilized image. With the stabilizer on, you can identify small details that you normally cant view without a tripod. They are small and light and good enough to leave the tripod at home.

Mike R.

2009-08-05T20:00:00

The effectiveness of the image stabilization is simply amazing. The resultant image clarity is outstanding. However, I have not been able to register them with Canon. I had no trouble registering my camrea, but there does not appear to be a category for binoculars.

Greybeard

Originally posted at

2009-06-13T20:00:00

Amazing best big price I ever spent on something. I highly recommend it.

Bob

Originally posted at

2008-09-03T21:00:00

The IS feature on these binoculars is well worth the added cost. It makes the binoculars much more useful. As soon as you press the IS button, but image snaps into place. It allows you to see details you cannot without the stablization due to hand shake. The binoculars are also suprisingly light weight given the added complexity they contain. They weigh about the same as my Nikon 10 X 42s and are actually smaller in size. A plus with this set is they actually use AA batteries rather than a proprietary battery. I don't think all of the Canon IS binoculars do. As others have mentioned, no protection for the optics is unexpected. The case is a bit cheap as well given the price of the binoculars.

Shawn R.

2008-04-13T21:00:00

The only negative aspect of these binoculars is that they are conceived, crafted & offered by one of the world's leading optical organizations, yet, they offer and supply no protection for the front optics.I am perplexed by this and wondered if one of those overly educated, Harvard bred economist majors convinced Canon that this is where they can save money. What a horrible decision, if this be the case. I believe Adorama should throw a pair in with every purchase. I shall end this review on a positive note, however. Earlier this evening, I sat on my patio, as soon as darkness filled the night sky, and brought the moon into focus, of course using the I S function. The brightness of the half - moon was almost to the point of being too painful for my eyes, which equates to a plus for Canon optics. One must actually experience these binoculars by purchasing a pair. I bought the 12x36 level, in spite of the extra money involved over the 10by's...There is not a single being out there that could say one negative thing about these binoculars, other than the missing front optics protective caps. They are without a doubt, worth every dollar of the asking price. You will NOT be dissatisfied. Adorama, being truly dedicated to customer loyalty had them at my front door within two business days. This is a winning combination. Look no further and treat yourself to a pair from Adorama, of course.

Craig W.

2007-09-25T21:00:00

This is just a wonderful piece of kit that does what it says on the tin! Image Stabilisation (yes with an s ;-) ) works very well and with the retractable eyepiece it works equally well with or without glasses. I am a Private Pilot and these bino's allow me to watch other aircraft as they do a complete circuit at the airfield. On downwind the aircraft just look like they are suspended in the air by string the image is so stable. In the aircraft they allow pax to get close up views of the scenery below and at this point the IS system is critical otherwise using the binoculars would be very hard. I would love to get a larger magnification version of these but for the price and power offered they fit nicely in to the budget and specification list of every plane, train or bird spotter.

aerotec

2007-06-03T21:00:00

The stablizing feature is truely great. Makes hand held watching so much more enjoyable.

SA

2007-02-04T19:00:00

Great product. I use them while hiking in the Rocky mountains and they are durable and the IS works great. I purhcased my own lens covers [...] and think Canon should provide them but that's a minor thing.

Stu