Yes you are correct that porro prisms in their basic prism design is as perfect as can be compared to roof prism binos.
Roof prism vs porro prism.
Roof prism binocular is more streamlined as the glasses are in line with one another.
The difference between porro prism and roof prism binoculars is in the design and the respective features.
So if you re on a tight budget go ahead and look for a porro set sporting bak 4 prisms.
And they re much better for overall general use.
Porro prism binoculars have eyepieces that are closer to each other while objective lenses have larger distance.
If porro prisms had the same amount of labor and engineering efforts as roof prism binos porro prisms would always be superior.
Contain 2 prisms called dach or dachkanten prism and derive their name from abbe koenig ak prism design.
The prims are in the shape of a right angled triangle and they reflect the light rays through the binoculars so you see your image clearly.
Porro prism design has a jog in the light path through each barrel.
Roof prism binoculars were compact light and comfortable to hold.
In this budget you can find an average porro prism binocular and if you want a good pair of binocular you can find under 100 to 200.
Porro prisms are available in the market under 100.
But it would be bulkier.
Roof prism binoculars construction is different and have two aligned barrels with eyepieces and objective lenses that are closer to each other than in porro prism binoculars.
Roof prism binoculars have lately become more popular than porro prism binoculars.
Roof prism design looks as if the light goes straight through.
However compared to the porro prism the roof prism does have a couple of drawbacks.
They made the offset zig zag shape of the porro prism design look as old fashioned as propeller driven aircraft.
But like most things in life the reality is all things aren t equal.
Roof prisms are the newer option.
However porro prism binoculars are great watching birds or other small objects.
They ll provide just as vibrant an image as a corresponding roof set at a fraction of the cost.
Non total internal reflection one of the main drawbacks of the roof prism is a surface of the prism does not reflect 100 of the light that hits it meaning that left untreated less light exits and you get a lower quality less bright image with the possibility of some vignetting.
It is difficult to say whether porro prism or roof prism binoculars are better.
However the prism design is only part of the optical equation.
Of both types there are good and not so good instruments.
With components and labor efforts being equal porro prisms are superior.
Porro prisms are the more traditional ones and these are seen in older binoculars with a zig zag shape.
If a company put all its resources into a porro prism binocular it would be at least as good as a roof prism if not better.
Roof prisms as we know roof prisms are lightweight and easy to hold.
