Focusing system

 

Depending on the purpose of use, there are two focusing systems available in binoculars. Most common is central focusing system, which is almost without an exception present in every roof prism binoculars. The other, less occurring system, is an individual eyepiece focusing, which is most useful in marine (because of the water resistance) and extreme low light situations. Binoculars with this kind of focusing system have an advantage in setting the right focus only once for each eye, which is especially useful when viewing in the dark where it’s not necessary to set the focus again.

With central focusing, it’s often difficult to focus the image in the dark, because there is not enough light to see whether the object is sharp or not.

Focusing system

Binoculars with central focusing (left) and binoculars with individual focusing (right)
Source: Optics Trade

Binoculars with central focusing

 

Binoculars with central focusing have a central wheel that is able to provide perfectly sharp images. With central focus knob you adjust the focus of both barrels at the same time, moving lenses simultaneously. When choosing between binoculars with central focusing system it’s important to look for its design and performance. Depending on manufacturer, some binoculars provide sturdier focusing and some very smooth focusing, which is especially suitable for dynamic situations. Focusing throw also varies from binos to binos, it takes more time for setting a proper focus with very long focusing throw, than with the ones with shorter one. When it comes to ergonomic design, most of binoculars provide a central knob with different bulges for a better grip, very convenient when wearing gloves. Since central focusing wheel doesn’t eliminate differences in both eyes, diopter on upper side of the barrel is included.

Features of binoculars with central focusing:

Binoculars with individual focusing

 

Individual focusing system provides focusing by each eye separately. On the upper side of the both barrels lie focusing rings – diopters, with the numbers for setting a proper focus by moving lenses individually. Majority of binoculars uses the central rotating knob, so this arrangement is not that frequent and most commonly found on Porro prism binoculars. Individually focusing system has many different commercial names like sport auto focus, permanent focus or simply auto focus. The main characteristic of this system is that you can set them only once and afterwards the eyes focus to different distances by themselves. This can be a significant advantage in low-light situations when there is not enough light for precise focusing with central knob. Binoculars of this type are also incredibly watertight and thus very likely to appear on majority of marine binoculars. There are however, some disadvantages of such focusing system compared to more conventional central focusing. Close focusing distance is usually bigger and majority of binoculars with individual focusing does not offer adjustable eyepieces for those wearing eyeglasses.

Features of binoculars with individual focusing :

 

Optics Trade debate about Individual and Central focusing