Viking 8x32 and 8x42 MD binoculars

Viking, renowned for its good-quality, low-cost optics, has expanded its binocular range to include the MD series, which comprises two 32 mm models, with 6.5x and 8x magnification, and two 42 mm models, with 8x and 10x magnification. These models, with recommended retail prices from £256, are close to the top of Viking’s range, sitting immediately below the company’s recently launched flagship ED series.

I tested the two 8x magnification models. Both appear to be solidly constructed, with bodies of tough, low-mass polycarbonate helping to peg weight to a minimum. In this respect they are comparable with top-tier manufacturers’ models – the larger of the two even weighing slightly less. A covering of rubber armour offers adequate protection and is smooth with the exception of an extensive stippled area, which is designed to help you keep hold of the binocular. Interestingly, the objectives are more deeply recessed on the 42 mm model and therefore slightly better protected from both knocks and the elements. In a similar vein, the soft rubber-covered eyecups twist out to click-stop in four positions, but those of the larger model extend a full 5 mm further than those of its smaller sister.

The central focusing wheel is overlaid with raised rubber ribbing. This works well with gloves and turns smoothly, with only one and a quarter clockwise turns taking the focus from close-up to infinity. With a very generous depth of field (an estimated 60 m to ‘distant horizon’), the focusing on both models requires little adjustment.

The manufacturer gives a close-focusing distance of 1 m for both models, but my own testing revealed 0.9 m for the 32 mm and 1.4 m for the 42 mm. At these extremes of the focusing range, the image became considerably ‘tunnelled’ and the sharpness impaired. Some minor adjustment to the dioptre – located at the base of the right ocular – was necessary to improve it.

Within the mainstream focusing range, both binoculars returned an average field of view, with a pleasingly low curvature of field, although the smaller model appeared to exhibit a small degree of ‘fish-eye’ effect when panning left or right. At the periphery of the field, I estimated 5 to 10 per cent of the image to be less than sharp, but this was not highly evident.

I found the colour rendition to be generally warm, with a minor yellow cast, and the colours were generally slightly ‘deeper’ than reality. Contrast was good and chromatic aberration, though still present in the centre of the image, was at an acceptable level. To summarise, both models are light in weight, comfortable to hold, easy to operate and basically very good in terms of overall image sharpness and colours. Both perform well in poor light, although the smaller of the two, unsurprisingly, returned a slightly less bright image under such conditions. The MDs represent a close ‘second best’ to the ED range – and they are considerably less expensive.