Binocular advice needed: Hello, I am a new photographer and wonder if binoculars come in handy to spy birds before attempts are made to capture them on camera. I certainly have...

SusyPhoto

Hello, I am a new photographer and wonder if binoculars come in handy to spy birds before attempts are made to capture them on camera. I certainly have difficulty localizing them! If so, can you recommend binoculars to purchase? I am not so concerned about price; I want a really excellent pair that is suited only to photography. Thank you!

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

eBird.org has a lot of great information on birding. I don't have these binoculars, but this should be an excellent choice:
http://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/en_us/nature/binoculars/conquest-binoculars/conquest-hd-binoculars.html
Hope this helps, and happy birding!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

If you are serious about being a bird photographer, a good set of binoculars is one of the most important purchases you can make. To be good at this you really have to learn about the birds, their habits, how they move, how they relate to each other. In the long run, time spent studying the birds with your binoculars will have a more positive on your bird photography than taking lots of boring pictures. I have two pairs of binoculars, one is 8x36, the other 8x42. Most birders use 8 or 10 power glasses as any stronger makes them hard to hold steady. I prefer the 8 power because of the wider field of view. This article will give you all the nitty-gritty and give you enough knowledge to talk sensibly to a salesman. I recommend trying them out before buying. Expect to pay $200 - $300 for a decent pair. On-line buying is probably not a good idea.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-choose-binoculars.html

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have a Canon 18x stabilized set. They are amazing.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192388-USA/Canon_4624A002_18x50_IS_Image_Stabilized.html

It is always fun to offer a peek to any fellow watchers of wildlife on National park trips. Most have 8 or 9 power sets. The reaction is always, "Wow, what are these?"

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

mcveed wrote:

If you are serious about being a bird photographer... (show quote)

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

mcveed wrote:

If you are serious about being a bird photographer... (show quote)

Great recommendation. I use 8X42 Vortex Viper which I would recommend to anyone. It is always good to be able to try before using, but that is not always possible. I use Eagle Optics, they offer great advice and may let you return if not happy. Vortex has a wide range of models available, about any price range you want, and Eagle Optics also has their own house brand that are excellent. Be sure to consider weight, I usually carry a Canon 7D mark 2 with100-400 L 2 lens, and that with the combination of binoculars for several hours of a day can be a challenge.

SusyPhoto

Thanks to everyone, mcveed in particular, for the terrific suggestions!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

bsprague wrote:

I have a Canon 18x stabilized set. They are amazing.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192388-USA/Canon_4624A002_18x50_IS_Image_Stabilized.html

It is always fun to offer a peek to any fellow watchers of wildlife on National park trips. Most have 8 or 9 power sets. The reaction is always, "Wow, what are these?"

I have the 15x50 version of the same binoculars which I take to Africa and when I know I'll be observing from a vehicle. I did not recommend them as they are very expensive and very heavy compared to my 8x36 Bausch & Lomb (NAS) or my Nikon Monarch 8x42 waterproof sets. I agree though, the view is spectacular.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Robert R wrote:

Great recommendation. I use 8X42 Vortex Viper whic... (show quote)

That's a great choice of binos. Those are the ones used by Natural Habitat Adventures guides all over the world.

Jim Bob

SusyPhoto wrote:

Hello, I am a new photographer and wonder if binoculars come in handy to spy birds before attempts are made to capture them on camera. I certainly have difficulty localizing them! If so, can you recommend binoculars to purchase? I am not so concerned about price; I want a really excellent pair that is suited only to photography. Thank you!

I have a pair of Minoltas that are probably 20 years old. Best I have ever used.

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

I think the classic birding binoculars are around 8 or 10 power x 42. If you're carrying much camera gear, I'd suggest you consider something smaller and lighter like an 8x20, 8x25 or 8x28. The roof prism Vortex Viper 8x28 is quite good, as is the reverse Porto prism Bushnell Elite 7x26. If you can afford it, Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski pocket binoculars 8/10x20 or x25 are excellent.

Boentgru Loc: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

SusyPhoto wrote:

Hello, I am a new photographer and wonder if binoculars come in handy to spy birds before attempts are made to capture them on camera. I certainly have difficulty localizing them! If so, can you recommend binoculars to purchase? I am not so concerned about price; I want a really excellent pair that is suited only to photography. Thank you!

An important feature for hand-held binoculars is some sort of stability control. I have had good experience with the Canon I.S. line, especially when using a magnification factor over 8.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I suggest you go to a good sporting goods store, Cabela's, Gander Mtn, etc. they have a large selection on binoculars. Nothing beats holding and trying them out before you by. The ones mentioned by EdU239 are top of the line, but take a look at Nikon, Leupold and Vortex. They are also excellent and crystal clear and used to spot game.

Whichever one you select, they should be water proof.
Good luck.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Get one that can be mounted on the tripod just like spot scope. I have a Nikon 12x50; Pentax 20x60; Bushnell 7x35 and a 8x60 monocular. All have tripod mounting except the little 7x35. The 12x and the 20x are good for distant object.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I have had and used many different binoculars over 60+ years of boating, most often 7 x 50's. After haven a pair stolen recently, I needed a new pair in a hurry and ended up with a pair of 8x50's. They are OK, but I find the magnification being a little bit too strong as any movement, my grip or the boat, make keeping them aimed at the subject is more difficult than the 7X. I can't imaging trying to hand hold a pair stronger than 8X steady enough for birding.