I am looking for some advice on getting a new pair of binoculars to use when I am on safari. I am not a birder but rather I would use them to spot mammals such as big cats.
I’ve narrowed it down to either the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL (my friend has the 10x42 version which I’ve tried out only for short period of time) and the Leica 8x42 Noctivid.
I found a heavily discounted pair of olive green Leica’s--they were demos. However the Leica demos are still $350 more than a brand new pair of the Swarovski.
Any advice or opinion on either would be much appreciated.
I used to carry binoculars on safari, but after about the first 10 trips I stopped since the cameras give better reach and then one is immediately ready to shoot.
You might consider 8x32 binoculars. Smaller, lighter and handier. I have a pair of Swarovski 8x32 ELs. Leica, Zeiss and Kowa have similar bins. I use mine while doing bird photography. It is much easier to use bins for seaching brush for critters. The wider angle and deeper depth of field make searching much easier than with a camera. I have had trouble carrying a camera and binoculars and keeping the straps separated. Top of the line binoculars will all give good views but the ergonomics can vary a lot. Best to buy them from a shop that will allow you to handle the bins before purchasing. Or join a bird walk and get people’s opinion of their bins. They might even let you try them. Be careful though, they might convert you into a bird photographer!
If you take a look through a set of Nikon Monarchs you might be delightfully surprised and save a bundle of money to spend elsewhere on your trip) I have the 10x42 but the 8x might be fine for your needs.
robert_in_ca wrote:
I am looking for some advice on getting a new pair of binoculars to use when I am on safari. I am not a birder but rather I would use them to spot mammals such as big cats.
I’ve narrowed it down to either the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL (my friend has the 10x42 version which I’ve tried out only for short period of time) and the Leica 8x42 Noctivid.
I found a heavily discounted pair of olive green Leica’s--they were demos. However the Leica demos are still $350 more than a brand new pair of the Swarovski.
Any advice or opinion on either would be much appreciated. ...Show more →
I have the Leica Trinovid 10x42 and I love them. They're a notch down from the Noctivid so I have no doubt the Noctivids are excellent. When I last visited the Leica store in LA they told me the main difference as you move up the line with their binoculars is low light performance. It's a pretty big premium so you have to decide what's important to you. Either way, with the options you've listed I don't think there's a bad choice!
All the top brands will deliver a fine view, so the question is your viewing situation and comfort requirements. If you intend to view in the evening hours then a large aperture around 40mm is needed for light gathering, otherwise something like 20mm is perfectly adequate for viewing in the withering light of midday. Comfort includes several factors including weight, magnification, balance in the hand, and "rolling ball" effects if you pan a lot. You can also include haptics like dial placement and bridge design that may cramp your hand with extended use. These details are well covered in the equipment forums of birding web sites.
For myself, I own a Zeiss Victory 8x20 that is great in daylight for venues like baseball fields. They can fit in a flannel shirt pocket. Then, for evening I use the larger Zeiss Victory 7x42 FL which are much faster and have a fluoride glass element for color correction. 7x42 means an entrance pupil of 6mm which is probably larger than my aging eyes can appreciate but I do get a broad and easy-to-access field of view. A 7x bin is quite easy to hold without hand-shaking blur while 10x requires concentration and isn't much fun.
If you dig out reviews on the Web for those two bins then all the tradeoffs (and there are a ton) will come to your attention. I wish you good luck!
EB-1 wrote:
I used to carry binoculars on safari, but after about the first 10 trips I stopped since the cameras give better reach and then one is immediately ready to shoot.
EBH
Ditto, took out my 10x30 IS Canon binoculars out to check an eagle nest, then looked at the nest with my OM 150-400mm lens, and found out using the bino's instead of my lens was pointless, and just more gear to carry.
The Leica's and Swarovski's are both top premium binos built to last lifetimes. Fully worth if you have the cash to spare and intend using them heavily for many years.
I suggest you look at Vortex, top class quality and performance. For African safari's you will probably be best off with a 10 x 42. For an African safari suggest the Vortex Viper HD 10-42
Nikon Monarchs are also good, I have owned one however found the Vortex better. Vortex also gave a lifetime warranty!
I'm with EB-1 and IMAGEMASTER. Carried a pair on my first couple of trips, rarely used them.....in the Range Rover they were just something else to get in the way. I found that just carrying two bodies (one with long telephoto and one with mid-range zoom) was far more useful.
Wow. I wish I would have started such a topic sooner. I am going on a photo safari and spent a lot of time looking at various binocular options. I ended up with the ZEISS 10x32 Terra ED. Now wondering if even really need to bring them or if I should just get a lighter more compact 8x 25.
Thank you to everyone for their comments and for sharing their point of view.
Normally I would use my camera but I want to have a pair for when I am not shooting. I actually own a few hectors of land in SA that is open (no fencing) to the Greater Kruger. When I am in town I'll drive out there at sunset and sit and watch animals traverse--there's a pack of wild dogs I see often during sunset as they head back to their den.
I am also going to look at some 8x30 - which although are not going to be a bright as x42 - but they are a tad bit smaller but they are a lot lighter.
mark1958 wrote:
I ended up with the ZEISS 10x32 Terra ED. Now wondering if even really need to bring them or if I should just get a lighter more compact 8x 25.
x32 is an accepted generalist solution if carrying just one bin. I do recommend x20 or x25 for daylight situations because your pupils are only 2mm anyway and slinging tiny bins is so much more comfortable. When the sun goes down, these daylight bins are about useless but that's why we have the big glass. The Terra 8x25 look fine but the Victory 8x25 is (very) incrementally lighter, brighter, and wider FOV. The view should be clearer with the FL glass. The asymmetric bridge is a big draw for me.
FOV can be a significant advantage on the veld and some of the latest Zeiss premium x32 are astounding (better than my 7x42).
robert_in_ca wrote:
Thank you to everyone for their comments and for sharing their point of view.
Normally I would use my camera but I want to have a pair for when I am not shooting. I actually own a few hectors of land in SA that is open (no fencing) to the Greater Kruger. When I am in town I'll drive out there at sunset and sit and watch animals traverse--there's a pack of wild dogs I see often during sunset as they head back to their den.
I am also going to look at some 8x30 - which although are not going to be a bright as x42 - but they are a tad bit smaller but they are a lot lighter.
I've been very happy with the Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32. Without the strap, they fit perfectly in my cargo side pocket. Small, light, and very decent optics. Some reviews say they don't play well with eyeglasses, but that has not been an issue for me.
Asking what set of binoculars to buy is a lot like asking what camera/lens you should buy. Everyone has their favorites. My personal favorite is a good pair of 8x30/32.
Check out the Binoculars section at BirdForum . net. https://www.birdforum.net/forums/binoculars.112/
mabidally wrote:
The Leica's and Swarovski's are both top premium binos built to last lifetimes. Fully worth if you have the cash to spare and intend using them heavily for many years.
I suggest you look at Vortex, top class quality and performance. For African safari's you will probably be best off with a 10 x 42. For an African safari suggest the Vortex Viper HD 10-42
Nikon Monarchs are also good, I have owned one however found the Vortex better. Vortex also gave a lifetime warranty!
Another user of Vortex Viper HD, does all I need for birdling & wildlife. One day I was on one side of a lake, about 3 football fields distance away I could see a few deer grazing close to the water. Never would of seen it with the naked eye.
BTW Vortex stands by there products. One day my wife left them in a very hot car, and the rubber housing became seperated. Vortex replaced no questions asked. I might add with even a better pair than I had, as they no longer made that model.
sandycrane wrote:
Asking what set of binoculars to buy is a lot like asking what camera/lens you should buy. Everyone has their favorites. My personal favorite is a good pair of 8x30/32.
Check out the Binoculars section at BirdForum . net. https://www.birdforum.net/forums/binoculars.112/
FWIW, some years back I saw that Canon was selling relurbs of some of their image-stabilized binoculars for half price. Bought a pair and have been happy with them since.
Canon IS binoculars are OK. I have a pair of 10X and and the IQ is sharp, but not very exciting. I also had a pair of 12x that had collimation problems. The IS helps in perceived detail. I don't care for the ergonomics.
IMO the Canon IS is good for the bird feeder, but not so much in the field.
