Roof Prism Types

The common roof prism binos use either the s p or a k configurations.

Roof prism types.

It uses an amici roof followed by a rhomb. Zeiss has famously made a number of a k binos over the years though most roof binos use s p. Essentially they all maintain the same basic function to keep light waves entering and exiting the binocular in a straight line. As these prisms are easier to make they are cheaper to buy.

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. The prisms are usually coated to increase reflectivity and to keep the light waves in the right direction. 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.

Both types of prism have advantages and disadvantages. The only current bino use of the amici roof prism i can think of is the apm apo 90 bt. Roof prism binoculars vs porro prism binoculars a comparison roof prism binoculars. They re more compact and streamlined lighter weight and much easier to carry around than the bulky porro style binos.

Now there are a few variations of the roof prism design. There are three main types of roof prism binoculars namely amici schmidt pechan and abbe koenig.