Advice On Binoculars
Posted by: Laurie Saunders on 07 September 2004
I`m thinking of getting a pair of binoculars, for non-specialist applications.
I know very little about binoculars other than a basic undrstanding of how they work
I am familiar with the basic parameters (ie magnification, objective size etc) I realise of course that there is more to it than number specificaton....high optical qulaity is crucial (I still use an ancient Olympus OM1N(clockwork!) camera, and the Zuiko fixed lenses still take some beating IMO)
I have tried a friend`s 10 x 50 pair and these were quite impressive. I guess it depends on how much I want to spend. I am perfectly willing to consider a second-hand pair in v. good condition. I guess £200 is my starting point.
Any suggestions would be welcome
Laurie S
I know very little about binoculars other than a basic undrstanding of how they work
I am familiar with the basic parameters (ie magnification, objective size etc) I realise of course that there is more to it than number specificaton....high optical qulaity is crucial (I still use an ancient Olympus OM1N(clockwork!) camera, and the Zuiko fixed lenses still take some beating IMO)
I have tried a friend`s 10 x 50 pair and these were quite impressive. I guess it depends on how much I want to spend. I am perfectly willing to consider a second-hand pair in v. good condition. I guess £200 is my starting point.
Any suggestions would be welcome
Laurie S
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by Steve G
Look at the binoculars made by the large camera manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax etc.) as they have good stuff in your price range.
I use a little set of 10x25 Canon binoculars and I've been very impressed with them.
I use a little set of 10x25 Canon binoculars and I've been very impressed with them.
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by Rockingdoc
At your price point the rule is to go for poro-prism not roof-prism. Roofs look neater but cost much more for the same resolution.
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by Manni
Hello Laurie,
do you wear glasses? Then choose a bin with long eye relief eyepieces, you can use it with your glasses on.
Do you want to observe in bad weather? If so, waterproof binoculars are right for you.
Don´t consider Zoom binoculars, they are optically poor and have a narrow field of view.
For the same performance, roof bins are more expensive than porros.
Do you want to observe in poor light conditions ( astronomy, dawn, dusk )? Then go for a bin with at least 42mm objectives, better 50mm. But these bins are heavy!
For daytime use a 30mm bin with 8X magnification will be fine and they are much lighter ( about 500gr )
Try some bins at your dealer, choose the one, which is best for you.
Best wishes
Manfred
do you wear glasses? Then choose a bin with long eye relief eyepieces, you can use it with your glasses on.
Do you want to observe in bad weather? If so, waterproof binoculars are right for you.
Don´t consider Zoom binoculars, they are optically poor and have a narrow field of view.
For the same performance, roof bins are more expensive than porros.
Do you want to observe in poor light conditions ( astronomy, dawn, dusk )? Then go for a bin with at least 42mm objectives, better 50mm. But these bins are heavy!
For daytime use a 30mm bin with 8X magnification will be fine and they are much lighter ( about 500gr )
Try some bins at your dealer, choose the one, which is best for you.
Best wishes
Manfred
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by ejl
Among the birding and astronomy crowds, Oberwerk and Burgess are well-regarded as giving excellent results at very modest prices (sort of the Rotels of the bino world).
http://www.oberwerk.com/products/default.htm
http://knightcontrol.freeservers.com/BO_Bino_Main.htm
I have a pair of the Burgess 20x80s for astronomy, and for the price I paid they are fantastic -- not that far optically from the vastly more expensive ($4500!) Takahashis I once looked through. Both companies use Chinese-made glass, which has improved immensely in recent years thanks to new chinese lens factories. 20x80s are too big for normal use (you need a tripod), but both Burgess and Oberwerk have smaller models.
Look around carefully before dropping big money on Leica, Zeiss, etc.
http://www.oberwerk.com/products/default.htm
http://knightcontrol.freeservers.com/BO_Bino_Main.htm
I have a pair of the Burgess 20x80s for astronomy, and for the price I paid they are fantastic -- not that far optically from the vastly more expensive ($4500!) Takahashis I once looked through. Both companies use Chinese-made glass, which has improved immensely in recent years thanks to new chinese lens factories. 20x80s are too big for normal use (you need a tripod), but both Burgess and Oberwerk have smaller models.
Look around carefully before dropping big money on Leica, Zeiss, etc.
Posted on: 08 September 2004 by Laurie Saunders
Thanks for all the replies
Some of my questions indicate how little I really know:
What are these please?
Yes...with quite a difference between eyes
My right eye suffers severe astigmatism so a good eye correction system is important
I realise from my little knowledge of cameras that zoom lenses are not a worthwhile compromise FOR ME
thanks again for all the replies......certainly some useful food for thought
Laurie S
Some of my questions indicate how little I really know:
quote:
roof bins are more expensive than porros.
What are these please?
quote:
do you wear glasses?
Yes...with quite a difference between eyes
My right eye suffers severe astigmatism so a good eye correction system is important
quote:
Do you want zoom?
I realise from my little knowledge of cameras that zoom lenses are not a worthwhile compromise FOR ME
thanks again for all the replies......certainly some useful food for thought
Laurie S
Posted on: 08 September 2004 by Rockingdoc
Roof prism binos are neater and can be recognised by the straight tubes. They are costly to make but no better optically.
Porro-prism bino tubes have a kink in the middle, so the distal parts of the tubes are wider apart.
Porros don't make sense unless you are in the >500 quid market as the optical quality will be poorer than porros.
Porro-prism bino tubes have a kink in the middle, so the distal parts of the tubes are wider apart.
Porros don't make sense unless you are in the >500 quid market as the optical quality will be poorer than porros.
Posted on: 08 September 2004 by Berlin Fritz
Personally I can see right through the lot of them !
Graham George Here'slookinatyoukid
Graham George Here'slookinatyoukid
Posted on: 09 September 2004 by velofellow
I bought a pair of Leica 8x32 five years ago.They are ideal for me ;Iwear glasses and use them to watch the mighty Notts whup allcomers.Out of the cricket season I do a bit of bird watching.Whilst Leica stuff isn't cheap it does the job and lasts forever.I suggest you try out a pair and if you like them get hold of a used pair.I agree with those who advise against buying a large magnification pair -they are too heavy for general use.Cheers Tony
Posted on: 09 September 2004 by Mick P
I attended a photography course last year at Leica's HQ in Milton Keynes.
They had every size of Binocular on display and I tried them all.
I preferred (and bought) the 10 x 25's. They are small but give an excellent view and are easy to carry around. If you carry them, you use them more.
The 8 x 32's would have been my 2nd choice. Just as good as the larger models but much easier to carry around. They are fine if you have something special to view but I do not think you would carry them all the time. Great for bird spotting etc.
The 10 x 50's became irritating to use. Too big and cumbersome. You would hardly ever use them.
Also Leica's are tremendous quality. If you can afford them.......buy them.
Regards
Mick
They had every size of Binocular on display and I tried them all.
I preferred (and bought) the 10 x 25's. They are small but give an excellent view and are easy to carry around. If you carry them, you use them more.
The 8 x 32's would have been my 2nd choice. Just as good as the larger models but much easier to carry around. They are fine if you have something special to view but I do not think you would carry them all the time. Great for bird spotting etc.
The 10 x 50's became irritating to use. Too big and cumbersome. You would hardly ever use them.
Also Leica's are tremendous quality. If you can afford them.......buy them.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 09 September 2004 by undertone
There is a huge range in quality, both in the optics and the construction. I was touring in Germany with a friend a few years ago. We both had a pair of 8 x 21 small pocket size binoculars. Mine, a borrowed pair of cheap and cheerful Tasco, his, Zeiss (and about 15 years old at the time). The difference in quality was astonishing! The Tasco ones are a toy in comparison.
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by Laurie Saunders
quote:
Roof prism binos are neater and can be recognised by the straight tubes. They are costly to make but no better optically.
Porro-prism bino tubes have a kink in the middle, so the distal parts of the tubes are wider apart.
Porros don't make sense unless you are in the >500 quid market as the optical quality will be poorer than porros.
Rockindoc
perhaps its me, but could you clarify!
Mick
quote:
Also Leica's are tremendous quality. If you can afford them.......buy them.
How much?
Laurie S
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by Rockingdoc
Weight (rather than size) is everything so I use Swaro EL 8x32s because they are easiest to hold one-handed. I couldn't see any difference between them and the Leica Ultravids for optical quality, but even the Ultravids are heavier than the Swaros. (The old Leica Trinovids weigh a ton.)
However, they are both stupidly expensive.
The other problem with owning Swarovskis is that I wince with embarassment every time I walk past a shop window containing their hideous glass animals.
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Fri 10 September 2004 at 9:57.]
However, they are both stupidly expensive.
The other problem with owning Swarovskis is that I wince with embarassment every time I walk past a shop window containing their hideous glass animals.
[This message was edited by Rockingdoc on Fri 10 September 2004 at 9:57.]
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by Rockingdoc
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Laurie Saunders:
perhaps its me, but could you clarify!
I would post pictures of the two types, but can't work out the forum's new URL method of file attachment. It will be obvious when you go to a bino shop because the roof prisms cost twice as much and their front lens is directly in line with the eye-piece lens.
perhaps its me, but could you clarify!
I would post pictures of the two types, but can't work out the forum's new URL method of file attachment. It will be obvious when you go to a bino shop because the roof prisms cost twice as much and their front lens is directly in line with the eye-piece lens.
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by Top Cat
Having tried both Leica BN and Swarovski EL when going through a similar bit of research recently, I opted for the Leica 8x32BN but the Swarovski 8x32EL really is noticeably better than the Leica (but then it does cost more than 50% on top of the Leica's price).
There's nothing to beat actually going to a shop and trying them out, as I suspect getting a pair that fits your eyes (glasses or not) and your budget is probably more important than specification one-up-manship.
You should be able to get pretty good bins for £200, though they perhaps won't be quite as good as £400+ bins and certainly won't be as rugged or weather-proof. You pays yer money...
John
There's nothing to beat actually going to a shop and trying them out, as I suspect getting a pair that fits your eyes (glasses or not) and your budget is probably more important than specification one-up-manship.
You should be able to get pretty good bins for £200, though they perhaps won't be quite as good as £400+ bins and certainly won't be as rugged or weather-proof. You pays yer money...
John
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by Rockingdoc
Tom
I have the Swaro ATS 80 non-HD (new, full UK paperwork, e-bay bargain at 450 quid) but use the 30x eyepiece. I can't see much use for lower magnification if you are also carrying the EL 8x32 bins. I'm surprised (disappointed?) how little extra gain in resolution there is from the scope over the EL 8x32 bins. Just shows how good the Swaro bins are I suppose.
I felt the 30x offered better resolution than the zoom, but I would like some more power at times. Did you know that there is a new 45x eyepiece?
Which brings me back to my point, e-bay has some great bino bargains if you are willing to wait for the right pair.
I have the Swaro ATS 80 non-HD (new, full UK paperwork, e-bay bargain at 450 quid) but use the 30x eyepiece. I can't see much use for lower magnification if you are also carrying the EL 8x32 bins. I'm surprised (disappointed?) how little extra gain in resolution there is from the scope over the EL 8x32 bins. Just shows how good the Swaro bins are I suppose.
I felt the 30x offered better resolution than the zoom, but I would like some more power at times. Did you know that there is a new 45x eyepiece?
Which brings me back to my point, e-bay has some great bino bargains if you are willing to wait for the right pair.
Posted on: 10 September 2004 by London Lad
Laurie, you have a PT
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!