The fact that this post is now visible on Born Again Bird Watcher means that in Rutland, England it is past 9:00 AM on Friday morning, August 15, 2008. The gates to the 2008 British Birdwatching Fair have now opened at the Egleton Nature Reserve and ardent bird watchers from around the world are streaming into the main exhibition area. Arriving at the Optics Marquee, they will most certainly notice the Swarovski display, at which a remarkable new binocular is prominently displayed – the New EL 42.


Not long ago, I had the honor and privilege of examining this most recent of Swarovski’s superb optical creations in both its 8.5x42mm and 10x42mm manifestations at the Swarovski Optik North America headquarters in Cranston, Rhode Island. As one who has regularly carried a Swarovski EL 32mm binocular in the field for over a year now, I am quite familiar with the high level of optical performance that the EL design provides. In fact, I have even previously been heard to remark that it may not be possible to surpass by any significant margin the present (at that time) level of optical performance in any binocular; the technology had quite possibly reached its limit or at least was closely approaching it. After only a few minutes spent in examination of the New EL 42, I knew that, in making those previous assumptions, I had been terribly mistaken.

When I first selected my Swarovski EL 32mm, I did so in part due to the fact that the previous EL 42mm model was, while decidedly ergonomic, simply too large in body diameter to hold comfortably in my hand. The New EL 42 features a sleek yet still superbly ergonomic design that comes very close to fitting my hand in the same comfortable manner as my present EL 32mm model. In fact, the New EL 42, due to its ever so slightly larger diameter and gently tappered design, was an even better fit.


Yet the additional optical benefit of the 42mm objective lens design (photopic transmission, enlarged exit pupil, and increased depth of field) makes the New EL 42 a clear winner in a contest between the two.


However this new sleeker body design is not particularly noticeable when the old and new models are placed side-by-side. Indeed, I was even questioning my own perceptions in thinking that a difference so visually subtle could be so tactilely significant. Without picking up the New EL 42, a casual observer would not be blamed for noticing only the enhancements of the aesthetic design elements alone.

To be sure, there may be those who may still incorrectly assume this is only a marginal enhancement of the original EL design. After all, how much more could reasonably be done to improve the performance? To this point, I would offer a comparative image between the original EL 10x42mm and the New EL 42 in 10x magnification.


Consider the ocular (eyepiece) lenses (original EL 10x42mm on the left, New EL 42 in 10x42mm on the right). As one who spent years overseeing the creation of numerous binocular models for an international optical firm, I can assure all concerned that even slight alterations to even one lens in the complex system of optical elements that together form a modern roof prism binocular yield dramatic changes, potentially for either good or ill. Of course, ocular lenses alone do not a better binocular make; however such a dramatic change between comparable designs from the same optical firm should clearly serve to all as a marker that something significant has also been done to the optical elements hidden beneath the walls of the binocular’s chassis.

In the case of the New EL 42, the results of these hidden changes, which include optimized lens coatings and the addition of field flattening lenses, are a superbly wide field of view with edge-to-edge clarity, no visible chromatic aberration (while not specifically advertised as HD, the optical design makes them effectively so), an enhanced depth of both field as well as focus (greater eye relief not only in length but in three-dimensional space as well; those who wear eyeglasses will be dancing in the fields with joy), and a 1.5 meter close focus distance that will satisfy the wildest dreams of both bird and butterfly watchers alike.

While there will doubtless be many new products from many fine companies making their global debut at the British Birdwatching Fair this year, it is Swarovski’s New EL 42 that will certainly have the largest number of attendees talking. As the binocular in its generic form is the technological heart of the “field glass tribe’s” existence, the debut of a significant new addition to the options available in the marketplace always makes an impression. The New EL 42, by its so clearly surpassing the competitive field, will certainly go far beyond simply generating conversation. To see it and use it for even a short time is to want it – both intellectually and viscerally.

Peace and good bird watching.