Roof Prism Types

There are three main types of roof prism binoculars namely amici schmidt pechan and abbe koenig.

Roof prism types. Binoculars with roof prisms are straighter and more compact. This is why roof prism binoculars have an aligned eyepiece to objective lens construction. As these prisms are easier to make they are cheaper to buy. These are the more modern of the two types of binoculars.

The prisms are usually coated to increase reflectivity and to keep the light waves in the right direction. It uses an amici roof followed by a rhomb. The simplest roof prism is the amici roof prism with other common roof prism designs being the abbe koenig prism the schmidt pechan prism and probably the best known being the roof pentaprism pictured here. Porro prism vs roof prism.

If you see a pair of straight tube binoculars there s a good chance you re looking at a set equipped with roof prisms. Roof prism binoculars vs porro prism binoculars a comparison roof prism binoculars. The only current bino use of the amici roof prism i can think of is the apm apo 90 bt. The common roof prism binos use either the s p or a k configurations.

Both types of prism have advantages and disadvantages. They re more compact and streamlined lighter weight and much easier to carry around than the bulky porro style binos.