which binos do you use?

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Jeremy K
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p.1 #1 · which binos do you use?

My work has a rewards program going on (circuit city) to encourage us to sell stuff like installations etc and with those points I can get some pretty neat stuff. Dont have a lot and wont have a lot before I leave to go back to school, but rather then hold onto those points and hope i'll be back in the summer and get to add more i'm going to cash in on them before I leave. One option i've got is a few pairs of binos. I cant remember if the oberwerks were 10x50s and if I was pretty close to having enough, but I know I do have enough for a pair of either 10x50 or 20x50 bushnells. Do most of you use 10x50s or is more or less mag and aperture desired?

Wouldnt mind the canon 18x50 IS binos but i'm about 20,000 points short...and most of us have like 300-500 after the holidays where it was easy to earn them.

Jan 17, 2008 at 09:18 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #2 · which binos do you use?

I thought this was a Photo Forum, not a Binocular Forum.

Try: http://www.birding-binoculars.net/reviews.html

or do a Web search for "binocular reviews".

Jan 17, 2008 at 09:42 PM

RT v Genugten
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p.1 #3 · which binos do you use?

I use the Leica Ultravid 8x42,
Excellent pair! Very clear, bright, sharp,
everything you wish on your telelenses!
More mag most of the times results in lesser image quality perception, due to shaking. Ofcourse, a tri or monopod can eliminate that factor.
More diameter is always welcomed, except for the extra weight. More diameter means bigger pupils, meaning easier viewing, and better performance in low light.

Top notch binoculars (Leica/Zeiss/Swarovski) are truly something different from all the other brands.

You should try them out!

Regards,

RT.

edit:
After re-reading your question, think I should add another one: Steiner.
They too make wonderful bright and sturdy bino's, and, they are quite affordable!
In nice lighting you won't notice that much difference with the German-tongued pairs, but ofcourse in harsh conditions you will.
To start with, I think Steiner or eg. a Leopold would do a great job, better than Bushnell.
I tried out some smaller Bushnells, used a Steiner quite a lot, and started with a Splend and a "bob"....
Now I'm totally happy with the Leica. In a direct comparison to the 2nd best, the Swarovski EL-series, for me the Ultravid tops it. But, that's like a Nikon-Canon discussion, there are no winners!

Good luck!

Edited on Jan 17, 2008 at 10:32 PM

Jan 17, 2008 at 09:59 PM

pdog109
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p.1 #4 · which binos do you use?

Nikon 8x42 ATB Monarch. Waterproof, light, easy to hold, great image quality.
And they won't cost you as much as a down payment on a new car.
If you want great performance at a great price you can't go wrong with them.

Jan 17, 2008 at 11:05 PM

joel rosenthal
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p.1 #5 · which binos do you use?

Go to basspro or outdoor world and see them all and see which fit best in your hands/on your face. I use the above mentioned nikons which cost $250 or so online.Fantastic quality for the price-the next step is the S1500-1800 leicas, zeiss, or my favorite--swarovskis. But the difference isn't worth it--spend the difference on a new camera body or some good glass for your camera...

see also the Cornell Lab ofOrnithology review
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html

Edited on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:11 AM

Jan 18, 2008 at 01:08 AM

Jeremy K
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p.1 #6 · which binos do you use?

Should have rephrased the question a little. I was wondering what mag and aperture you guys use? The brand and all is not so much i'm interested in as they dont have too many options for me to choose from with the points instead of going out and spending money on the binos.

Jan 18, 2008 at 02:20 AM

Joseehe
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p.1 #7 · which binos do you use?

What are you going to use the binoculars for? Bird watching, sports, sailing...?

Jan 18, 2008 at 02:30 AM

Redtail
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p.1 #8 · which binos do you use?

One of my favorite subjects! You left out some very important information necessary for us to give you any advice.

What price range are you looking at? Sorry we don’t know your point system…

Are you limited to what sells at circuit city, or can you buy from anywhere?

What are you using them for? The few binos you listed are very high power. This may be ok if you are using them in place of a spotting scope. Like viewing ducks or shorebirds, but if you are taking them with you while out photographing or for general bird watching, you will want a much smaller pair. The most popular size is 8x42. A few people like more power and go for 10x42 or some may prefer smaller size like 8x32.

Good optics are expensive! Generally speaking the binocular market is very competitive and you get what you pay for.

All that being said, I recommend the Nikon Monarch 8x42 to 8 out of 10 people. They are a great pair that does not break the bank.

If you can go some where you can look through them!

Jan 18, 2008 at 02:38 AM

Jeremy K
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p.1 #9 · which binos do you use?

I'll be spotting birds to photograph as i've found myself stumbling upon some nice targets and spooking them off before I ever saw them.

The points system does not allow any items sold at circuit city to be purchased, but instead a very odd selection of items (most of which if not all NOT being carried by my work) so really the handful of choices were generally 10x50s or 20x50s. I'll have to go see if there are any smaller pairs available as that seems to be the popular size and mag. After getting a 40D and 85 1.8 i'm pretty much spent for a while, but if most of you guys used 10x50s to spot birds for photography then it'd be an easy and basically free pickup, which is why I asked.

Jan 18, 2008 at 02:49 AM

ms_yuan
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p.1 #10 · which binos do you use?

I use a 10x40 pair, which is a nice compromise between weight, light gathering and magnification. It works for me!

Jan 18, 2008 at 05:45 AM

DannyG
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p.1 #11 · which binos do you use?

I have owned a bunch of binos. From my experience I would tell you to go look through any pair you are considering. I owned a 'good' pair that were small enough to carry while hunting- used them for one hunt and they made me so nauseated looking through them I gave them away. What works well for one guy might not work for you. As for size- 10 x 50 is as big as I can handhold- 20x you will need mounted on a tripod. Good luck.

Jan 18, 2008 at 05:50 AM

Johnny Bravo
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p.1 #12 · which binos do you use?

Google 'Better View Desired'.

You'll find the definitive binocular review/recommendation website. Best binocs in your price range, no question about it, and they're completely independant.

Jan 18, 2008 at 05:59 AM

Nezza
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p.1 #13 · which binos do you use?

Opticrom 8x42. Good eye relief (I wear specs) and nice quality. Focus close as well which is nice for dragonfly ID.

Jan 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM

Redtail
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p.1 #14 · which binos do you use?

Quality of the lens will far outweigh power. And really if they are a cheap pair, the higher power just magnifies the bad image. Since you are hoping to spot wildlife from a distance that you are not picking up with the naked eye, you will want a pair that grabs a lot of light has a wide field of view and is pretty clear. Unless these high powered binoculars you are looking at are expensive, they are probably junk.

If you wear glasses or even sunglasses, you will want a pair that has long eye relief - 18mm or more (16mm is NOT enough)! What happens is if the binocular is too far from your eye you lose field of view. This will kill you when scanning for wildlife. Higher power (over 8) will also narrow the field of view.

The links to “Cornel” and “better view desired” are excellent resources for getting to know aspects of the binoculars.

Jan 18, 2008 at 02:22 PM

rprouty
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p.1 #15 · which binos do you use?

What about the high powered Canon's with IS...anyone have any experience with them?

Jan 18, 2008 at 07:17 PM

ChillAloha
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p.1 #16 · which binos do you use?

I had a chance to compare a set of Canon IS bino's to my Swarovski EL 10x42s, and while they stabilize the image fairly well, the image itself isn't nearly as bright, clear, crisp, or faithful. I believe the newer Leica ultravids are comparable. I used less expensive binoculars (not cheap, mind you) of various levels of magnification and diameter for years, and the difference is dramatic.

Sort of like the difference between the viewfinders of a Rebel XT and a 5D.

Jan 19, 2008 at 12:05 AM

Jeremy K
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p.1 #17 · which binos do you use?

So I looked up what'd be available to me now for free and while they are far from great, it'd be free to me, so IF you could have one of these pairs for free for picking out targets and being a rough pair to beat around on outdoors trips, what would you go with?

Barska deep sea 7x25 waterproof binos
bushnell falcon 10x50s
olympus outback 10x21 rc1 binos

Reviews seem to say the bushnells are too cheap and fall apart literally, the olympus suck and nothing so far on the barskas. Out of the 3, i'd probably opt for the barskas being 7x and the waterproof is a nice touch for durability.

Jan 20, 2008 at 05:41 AM

Joe Piotrowski
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p.1 #18 · which binos do you use?

Most of the replies are way out of freebee range(I'd love to get a Leica or Swarovski for buying other stuff but it ain't gonna happen).

For birding/spotting for photos you need something light enough to carry with your camera, and something where the mag is not so great you have trouble locking on to the subject quickly.

Therefor my opinion:
1.Stay with 7 to 8 x.This is plenty of magnification to see birds and spot for photos. Also you will be able to lock on fast and not get seasick using them.
2.The second number has to do with light gathering power and 30 is plenty as a photo spotter. If you are a true birder 40 will help at dusk and at the crack of dawn but photos will be tough with limited light. Remember there is a big difference in weight between 30 and 40.During most of the day there is no reason to have the bigger binocs.
3.Water proof is very important since it will ensure that they don't fog(especially if filled with some other gas).

Barska makes some pretty good stuff for the price(although I think Vortex is the low price leader). I think those 7x25 will be fine for what you are using them for. Just don't expect a true birding quality out of them. 10x21 unless high quality are likely junk. Classic Birder binocs are 8x42 but as I said you are using them for photo spotting and these will be bigger and trust me you will be looking for something lighter as you carry all your photo gear around.
Good luck.

Jan 20, 2008 at 06:27 AM

dmcharg
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p.1 #19 · which binos do you use?

For general all round binoculars i would pick up a pair of roof binoculars. Something like an 8x30 or something. I have a few pair of binoculars but the ones i use the most is a little pair of Zeiss 8x30 BGA and they are wonderful, nice and sharp, great fov and very easy to handhold for long periods of time. They have been with me on many trips and i suspect they will see many more miles. For comfort, hand holding etc i would opt for roof prisms instead of porro. I paid about $500 for my little zeiss 8x30 but there are plenty of options for less money. For general walk around and travel i would keep the aperture in the 30-40 range and the magnification in the 7-8x range.

Cheers
David.

Jan 20, 2008 at 09:34 AM

Jeremy K
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p.1 #20 · which binos do you use?

Alright well for right now with the freebee option it sounds like the 7x25s will do for now. I'll pick up a nice pair down the road once i've got all the lenses I need...

Jan 20, 2008 at 04:07 PM


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