Birding Binoculars Recommendation
May 31, 2020 06:57:04 #
The advice given by many birders to beginners looking for binoculars is DO NOT BUY CHEAP. Work out how much you possibly can afford, and then double it. In the UK I would recommend Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss. 8 x 42 or 10 x 42 are commonly used for birding. If weight is a consideration, buy a harness to carry the bins. Any binocular shop will sell a harness. Talk to friends, birders, and beg a look through their bins before you decide.
Good hinting and good luck!
Pc39
Good hinting and good luck!
Pc39
May 31, 2020 07:14:34 #
Swarovski 10x42 or Leica Trinovid HD... no compromise! I own a Trinovid 10x42 which I believe is the best for my use.
May 31, 2020 07:40:24 #
Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss etc., are all top products and if you've got a few years behind you will likely outperform your eyes. Read the link I posted earlier, he features all makes and list to buy sites in the U.K. and the U.S.
May 31, 2020 10:01:40 #
Leica and Ziess make excellent binoculars, but are very expensive. If cost is of no matter get one of these.
May 31, 2020 10:02:36 #
Julian wrote:
Swarovski 10x42 or Leica Trinovid HD... no compromise! I own a Trinovid 10x42 which I believe is the best for my use.
May 31, 2020 10:08:03 #
bobforman wrote:
I hope this is photography-related enough to be here. I'm searching for a set of binoculars for my wife when we go bird watching. Not heavy but effective. Any recommendations. Thanks.
I have a pair of Leica 10x42 BA which are fantastic but quite pricey.
B&H Link
May 31, 2020 10:20:22 #
bobforman wrote:
I hope this is photography-related enough to be here. I'm searching for a set of binoculars for my wife when we go bird watching. Not heavy but effective. Any recommendations. Thanks.
Bob:
IMHO, Go to the experts!
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-choose-your-binoculars
This site (above) explains the “Numbers Game, How Much Magnification?, Check Out the View, Clear Eyes, Do You Wear Glasses?, Eye Relief”, and the care and feeding required for binoculars (bins).
Quotes from the above web site:
. . . “that birders—even beginners—need more from their binoculars than any other users. “Bird-worthy” binoculars must be bright enough to show subtle features in poor light and sharp enough to resolve fine detail. They must focus quickly enough to “get on” a fast-moving bird. They must have a field of view wide enough to locate birds rapidly and follow them in flight.”
“Don’t buy zoom binoculars or image-stabilized binoculars because they are heavy, give up a lot of brightness, and have a much-reduced field of view.”
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
May 31, 2020 10:58:54 #
flyboy61
Loc: The Great American Desert
I have used a pair of Vortbinocs ex Viper 8X42 for years, since my kids gave them to me for Christmas. Actually, they gave me the 12 X version, but they gave me a headache after about 10 minutes viewing. I was able to exchange them for the 8X, which have done very well.
May 31, 2020 11:25:19 #
Stan Wieg
Loc: Fair Oaks, CA
Check out a crisscrossed shoulder harness to carry them - your neck will thank you.
May 31, 2020 11:56:14 #
Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 binocs here. Found them to be an excellent compromise between weight and field of view. Alternately, I have a pair of Olympus 8x42 EXPS which are nice and light. I was tempted to buy a pair of Canon IS binocs but to get the power and FOV I wanted, they were too heavy for my use.
May 31, 2020 14:19:12 #
bobforman wrote:
I hope this is photography-related enough to be here. I'm searching for a set of binoculars for my wife when we go bird watching. Not heavy but effective. Any recommendations. Thanks.
If it's to big you won't take it , if it is to small you can't find it or you will lose it. Smallest 8x40 would be good, takes practice to hold the higher powers. The 40 will draw more light in dark situations.
May 31, 2020 14:48:53 #
I have carried Zeiss 10x25 binoculars for years at about 9 oz. very light and compact and in good light excellent, I also like Swarovski 12oz. and Leica 9oz. 10x25 binoculars once again small and compact and very light at less than one pound with excellent glass, You can carry these all day long and hardly notice them, I love my Leica 10x42 Binoculars which are great if you are Birdwatching from a car or a blind or a platform with very little walking, but I hike most of the time doing Birdwatching, a good compromise is the 10x32 Binoculars...This Pandemic makes it difficult, otherwise I would recommend trying them out at a store, walking around the store with them around your neck and viewing at different distances out the windows to see if you can see any difference in the glass, on the top end models from Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica I can't see any difference...
May 31, 2020 15:01:54 #
I have Mirador binoculars from 30 years ago - 8x42 and 10x42. I always defer to the 8x42. Much brighter and larger field of view than the 10s. Easier to locate your subject.
May 31, 2020 17:18:05 #
B1rdr
Loc: Northern Virginia
Part of the consideration should include where you will be birding. If you are going to be concentrating on shorebirds, look at 10X binoculars. They will give you the reach you need for the distances normally found when you look for shorebirds. If you are going to be looking at woodland birds, consider 7X or 8X since they will tend to allow you to focus quicker and be lighter so that you can find the birds that will normally be moving faster. I personally use 10X42 and my wife prefers 8X32.
May 31, 2020 18:13:57 #
[quote=bobforman]I hope this is photography-related enough to be here. I'm searching for a set of binoculars for my wife when we go bird watching. Not heavy but effective. Any recommendations. Thank
Bob, I am not a bird watcher but do watch birds some. I wanted a bino that I could carry and not be bothersome. I replaced a 30yr pair of 7 x 35 with 'Vortex Diamondback 8 x 32'. they won't come until mid week but Vortex gets good reviews. Lifetime warranty. these are not $1700 binoculars but best bank for the buck. ($190 BH video) delivered no tax with harness. some say the 8 x 40 are too cumbersome to carry at all times, that's why I went with 8 x 32.
Bob, I am not a bird watcher but do watch birds some. I wanted a bino that I could carry and not be bothersome. I replaced a 30yr pair of 7 x 35 with 'Vortex Diamondback 8 x 32'. they won't come until mid week but Vortex gets good reviews. Lifetime warranty. these are not $1700 binoculars but best bank for the buck. ($190 BH video) delivered no tax with harness. some say the 8 x 40 are too cumbersome to carry at all times, that's why I went with 8 x 32.
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