Binocular recommendations

[hardtailstar]

Hi All,

 

I am looking at getting my first pair of the things.

 

I will be using them in conjunction with wildlife photography.

 

Anyone got any good recommendations?

 

Thanks

 

Bill

[elsiegee40]

For birdwatching the minimum spec is 8x40

 

I use 8x42.

 

Eight times magnification is a good for general watching.

 

The second number is the lens size and the bigger the number, the more light that gets in and the better the view in gloomy conditions. However, the bigger the lens, the heavier the binoculars.

 

If you wear glasses, you will need a pair with folding eye cups or cups that wind up and down. This is so you can get the ocular lens right next to your glasses. I am “blind as a bat” and if I use binoculars without my glasses they correct my eyesight before they help with the birds... if your eyesight is less poor, like my husband’s, you may be able to use them without your glasses.

 

It is definitely worth considering the best pair you can afford. The price goes up in line with weight and lens quality.

 

That said, mine are RSPB 8x42 binoculars. Good and affordable! I have had them for years and no plans to upgrade.

 

Binoculars are always sold with a neck strap. The best thing I ever did was to buy a shoulder harness for them. It does make them much more comfortable to carry on a long day out in the field [emoji4]

Edited June 18, 2020 by elsiegee40

[jmak]

^^ Good advice.

 

More light is more important than the magnification and to get a lot of light and a lot of magnification, you'll need a lot of money and they'll be heavy.

 

Mine are 8x42 as well and are Viking brand. We bought them after trying several at an RSPB demo day. From memory, the RSPB ones were rebranded Vikings at the time, although no guarantee they still are.

[elsiegee40]

The best advice is to try before you buy. What suits someone else may not suit you.

 

I realise this isn’t as easy right now, but the retailers including the RSPB, will be back in action soon.

 

Bird Reserves (in Kent Sevenoaks, Dungeness and Sandwich Bay come to mind) have binocular and telescope days at regular intervals where you can try out a large range.

[hardtailstar]

The best advice is to try before you buy. What suits someone else may not suit you.

 

I realise this isn’t as easy right now, but the retailers including the RSPB, will be back in action soon.

 

Bird Reserves (in Kent Sevenoaks, Dungeness and Sandwich Bay come to mind) have binocular and telescope days at regular intervals where you can try out a large range.

 

I went to Dungeness before lock down and saw the range they had which got me thinking and also I am planning on some trips I can hopefully go on later this year or next which they will be useful to have with me

[Andrew_C]

I bought some for our "astronomy society" recently. They chose Helios 7*50 and they are quite light, and have a tripod mounting point. I don't think you'd get them on a tripod with a 'quick release plate' though.

 

First Light Optics £50