Parallax and magnification.

[LR1955]

So I just noticed something for the first time today. Parallax doesn't seem to be a linear change across scope magnification, but a constant. What this means, is that it appears that apparent parallax is the same relative to the image in the scope, not to the target size. So basically, it's exaggerated at lower magnification while less apparent at greater magnification.

Has anyone else noticed this, or is this this my imagination?

I've been in the habit of shooting at the highest magnification, so I've never noticed it before.

Edit: This should probably be in the technical forum, huh?

RB:

Just the opposite. It is more apparent at the higher magnifications.

You may not have noticed much in terms of group sizes if you maintained the same location of your eye behind the scope for every shot.

'Parallax free' scopes tend to be the lower magnifications because at lower magnifications you can't see as much detail so don't see as much of a difference.

Higher magnifications are normally used to see better at longer ranges. And the farther out you go, the more dust, humidity, pollen, etc is in the air that distorts images. So, when you adjust your focus or parallax to get a crisper image, you are 'burning through' these obscurants. If the air was cleaner, less humidity, etc, your adjustments would be different.

I don't think anyone could determine if the change is linear across the magnification range because you won't see as clearly on the lower magnifications as you will on the higher and parallax is adjusted based on how clearly you see things.

LR1955