Canon IS II (12x36) Binocular

These binoculars are new this year (2004) and as I understand it , compared to their predecessor, they are lighter and the image stabilizer runs for much longer before the two AA batteries need changing.

In my (and many other reviewers) opinion, Canon's image stabilized binocs have taken binocular viewing to a new level. I find the stabilizer works well, both in my 15x50s and in the new 12x36s. Using my larger 15x50s, it enables me to relax and really study the subject matter, and personally I don't find I can relax in the same way even with 8x hand held binocs. I can literally see a lot more with the image stabilization and most people who have viewed with me agree.

The image from the 12x36 appeared bright, color true and sharp to the edge - so, like the 15x50 I'd say they are optically excellent (the 15x50s do flare a bit when viewing planets, but stars, nebulae and galaxies are ok). The rubber armour is softer than on the 15x50, a definite improvement there, and I found their light weight made hand holding much better than with the heavier 15x50 (which was my reason for getting the 12x36s).

Although I found no major problems with the big issues (optics, image stabilizer, weight), Canon's new 12x36 IS binocs have not undergone the kind of simple
improvements I would have expected,
especially from a Japanese company.

Firstly, ( and here the advertising is wrong) you
cannot hold the new binoc comfortably
in one hand, while pressing the
stabilizer button and turning the focuser - for true
strain free viewing the image stabilizer needs the 5 minute timer that the 15x50 has, even if it costs
more and adds a bit of weight. In fact, even holding the binoculars with both hands, I found it a strain to keep my finger pressing on the IS button, while also focusing and following an object or scanning an area.

Second, nowadays just about every birding
binocular, even $100 models, have
good quality twist out rubber eyeguards,
attached covers for them and semi-
built-in attached objective covers - but these are all missing from the new 12x36 Canon binocs. To see
the excellent full field of view I had to
fold the rubber eyecups back - and then
the covers don't fit. Also, unlike with the
15x50, there is a bit of "kidney beaning
blackout" with the 12x36 - which makes
precise setting of the eyeguard important -
there are only two settings with Canon's
eyeguard - folded or unfolded. I tried to set them at
an intermediate distance but they kept pinging out to
fully extended.

Image stabilizers do generate some noise. The noise in the 12x36 seemed to have 2 components. One was the same as in my Canon 15x50 IS binocs and is somewhat like what is heard when you put a glass over your ear. However, it appears quite a lot louder in the 12x36, perhaps because the image stabilizer has less shielding in these lightweight binocs. There was a second noise in the the 12x36, not present in the 15x50, which sounded like a quiet whine which ascended in pitch from the time the IS button was first pushed. Finally, the button on the 12x36 quite often made a squeak as it was first pushed in.
I called Canon about the noise issue and they said that their 12x36 had the same noise from the image stabilizer.
Unless you are fairly noise sensitive, I think it will not take long to get used to these noises. However, it is true to say that there are more and louder noises in the 12x36 compared to the 15x50, where noise is a non-issue.

With all types of binoculars, optics and
weight aside, what makes the difference is
the little things and Canon doesn't seem to
have improved them as much as might be expected.
I decided to return my binocs in the hope that Canon will decide to add a timer button for the image stabilizer and perhaps some twist out rubber eyeguards - and then I will be first in line for another pair.