Roof Prism Binocular Design

Standard design in use till 1960s.

Roof prism binocular design.

Heavier design zig zag shape not so easy to grip. There are several different roof prism combinations that can be used depending on the design and purpose and desired features of a roof prism binoculars. The most common today is schmid pechan s prism system. It consists of a reflective surface with a metallic mirror vapor steam coating eg silver.

The roof prism lineup is feature rich including fully multi coated lenses and nitrogen gas filled making it waterproof and fogproof. More expensive due to higher manufacturing costs. The thompson center line of binoculars offers top level quality at a value packed price point. Increase in popularity after the introduction by zeuss and leitz.

There is also a difference in image brightness. Roof prism design looks as if the light goes straight through. Roof prism binoculars were compact light and comfortable to hold. Porro prism design has a jog in the light path through each barrel.

These strong binoculars come with a powerful 10x magnification and 42mm objective lens for better visibility of space. Roof prisms designs create an instrument that is narrower and more compact than porro prisms. They made the offset zig zag shape of the porro prism design look as old fashioned as propeller driven aircraft.