carsten1911
Member
4) Number of used lenses...the smaller the better.
Meh. In my experience the term "light gathering" in the scope world is used mostly by marketers who want to convince an unassuming consumer that their optic is capable of doing something it isn't. A scope is limited by the quality of its glass and the size of its objective lens. It doesn't "gather" light from elsewhere, or amplify the available light, it merely transmits the light that available on the objective lens.
hq said:I'm sorry. I assumed we could use this established term without getting into straightforward physics of repeating energy (in this case, visible light wavelengths) conservation formula on a surface area, in regard to directional radiation from the light (energy) source, commonly known as the field of view.
hq said:I'm not sure if any of the readers would actually imagine that light from any other direction than what's being intentionally refracted through to ocular is meaningful?
That's precisely what I'm suggesting, because I've had that exact argument with other shooters in regards to the "light gathering scope" issue in the past. One guy at the range was telling me how his 40mm objective scope was ideal because his scope is a "light gathering scope", which meant that it "didn't need to be as large because it pulled in other light". I've had a few of these kinds of discussions with people over the years, mostly at the gun store counter.
one very subjective way to tell for yourself is to hold the scope with objective towards a light in your house. hold a sheet of paper behind the ocular. you'll see a little circle of light.
repeat with various scopes at various magnification settings and see for yourself which spot looks brighter
With this are you looking at the backside of the paper where the light shines through, or where the light shines on the paper directly after the eye piece?
Actually, they do.First, scopes don't "gather" light, they allow the transmission of ambient light through the lens,
The main purpose of a telescope is to gather light, i.e. to collect and focus photons
I repeat my challenge:But gathering light?
Can't help but think some folks may perceive that as a vacuum sweeper suckin it in.
Get a strong magnifying glass, go outside on a sunny day, and focus that glass on the back of your hand. Hold it like that for five minutes.
The result should convince you that the magnifying glass has gathered SOMETHING.
With modern glass, a 50mm isn't necessary.
isn't necessary for what?
When you've been limited by law to hunt only in daylight and maybe +/- an hour, you've never really experienced what low light can mean when taken to the extreme that's business as usual for hunters who have hunted legally at night all their lives. There's little anyone really "needs" for hunting. Iron sights on grandpa's .30-30 will do the trick, as proven time and time again, but anyone claiming that being able to see better in all situations isn't a good thing can only speak for himself. Well enough may suffice but better is... better. Always. No ifs or buts. And if I'm not mistaken, the subject of this thread was "Best low light scopes?" when I last checked.
I don't know of much true night time hunting done in the states that artificial lights aren't allowed.