Binocular recommendation to match my L lenses?

[Needsnow]

I thought this was as good of place as any to ask about buying a pair of binoculars for Alaska. I don't know the first thing about buying a nice pair. I do know that I've spent my wad on nice lenses for my trip. I thought the least I could do is buy my husband a pair of binoculars to enjoy the same thing that I'm looking at through my camera. I'd say my budget is $300 or less!

[gasrocks]

OK, way more than your budget - Canon do make L quality binoc. with IS. I have a pair of Nikon EX binoc, sealed, waterproof, rubber coated. I have the 16x which means you need a monopod or to lean against something to hold them still. I bought 16x to compliment my longer lenses - see if the bird in that tree over there is worth getting the long lens out for. Most people would say get 8x.

[lkb-28]

Hi needsnow!

Unless you really need a full size pair for long-term use, I would recommend the Pentax 10x25 compact/travel set.

That will give you 10x magnification on a reasonable sized image; and they're a handy-dandy size to fit in the camera bag at the same time... They come weather-proofed as well for those less than perfect days!

You may have guessed - that's what I use!

Enjoy Alaska.

Cheers;

Lee

[cosworth]

I'll just throw this out there 'cuz I have one. Why binos? Why not try a scope? I have a nice spotting scope with incredible resolving power. Got it used even. Why do I bring this up? It attaches to my tripod and my wife prefers it to binos.

There are binos with tripod attachments. If you take a lightweight monpod with you the viewing of stable distant wildlife and vista can be that much more enjoyable.

[wimg]

Binoculars to match L-glass are as expensive as L-glass, so $300 won't really cut it. Plus, in Alaska you may want quite weather resistant binoculars, which adds to the price, too.

AFAIK, the best binoculars are made by Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica, probably in that order. The expensive Canons and Fujis are also very good, and the Nikons probably as well. So, if you're talking IQ, you'll end up with one of these, very likely, but also very likely at a higher price point than you are indicating.

Most convenient are zoom binoculars, let's say 8-16X, but fixed magnification binoculars are best again, just like it is with photographic lenses.I reckon you'll need at least 10X binoculars, for spotting or viewing wildlife.

If 3D vision is not too important to you, you could maybe cosnider a spotting telescope, from one of the brands mentioned above. Generally, magnifications are larger than with binoculars, so you may need to use either a tripod or a monopod.

HTH, kind regards, Wim

[Needsnow]

Has anyone used the Canon IS binoculars? They get pretty good reviews.

[b00ty]

Steiner makes some incredible optics as well, but pretty pricey, thats what we use when we go hunting and the optics are very good. Rugged and waterproof as well.

[Pasukun]

I thought this was as good of place as any to ask about buying a pair of binoculars for Alaska. I don't know the first thing about buying a nice pair. I do know that I've spent my wad on nice lenses for my trip. I thought the least I could do is buy my husband a pair of binoculars to enjoy the same thing that I'm looking at through my camera. I'd say my budget is $300 or less!

Here you go. :)

[cosworth]

Imagine if Canon made a EOS mount eyepiece....

[sugarzebra]

LOL :D :D Great binoc's but is dust an issue :D

[timnosenzo]

L binoculars, pretty cool... Red ring and everything! :lol:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/373459.jpg

[Pasukun]

So they really do exist. :D
However.. it is not a push pull zoom.. bummer. :)

[René Damkot]

I have a small Bresser Nautic (http://www.meade.de/en/products/binoculars/product.html?act=pdis&actid=1940842) I rather like. Bought it when the model was replaced by a newer one, so it was quite affordable (50% off :D)
If you want Top Quality, there's Leica (http://www.leica-camera.us/nature_observation/) and Swarovski (http://www.swarovskioptik.com/). Both will be better, but that goes with the pricetag ;)

[Anke]

Here you go. :)

Now THAT is funny!!! :D :D :D :D :D

[Anke]

Imagine if Canon made a EOS mount eyepiece....

You might be on to something there. Drop Canon an e-mail. As a referer I would want 5% or all UK sales though ;)

[Tapeman]

Leica BCA 10-25. I take them everywhere. $479. at B&H

[Raymate]

Nikon make some nice one for around that price, I have two pairs. For better optical performance then Bushnell are very good. Might be within budget :)

[Needsnow]

Just a follow-up in case anyone else is on the same search. I tested the Canon 10x30 IS binoculars and:
Pros: the IS really does work
Cons: poor IQ, 3 year warranty, very large bulky build, very poor eyecups - not great for eyeglasses

I ended up getting the Celestron Noble 8x42 that can be found here http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3723
Pros: very bright, contrasty image, very small size, waterproof, lifetime warranty
Cons: $250 - but that is $75 less than the Canon 10x30!

[avan]

You can look at the Nikon Monarch, very decent optic, waterproof, light and cheap. I recommend the 8X, it's the most confortable, with the 10x you have more reach but with a very narrow angle of view and more prone to shake. The monarch in it's price range are the better and also beat some higher price one. Each binocular brand are very different in design, a confortable one for you can be inconfortable to other so best it's you wife try it at the store.

[Needsnow]

I tried the Monarch and wasn't that impressed.

[outdoorphoto.ca]

I purchased Nikon Monarch 8x for the wife and they are great.
They are almost as good as my Bausch & Lomb elites 8x

I also did some research into it before I bought them and they were the highest rated binocs you can get until you get to the big boys eg Ziess, Leica's and Swarovski.

The link to the review on binoculars are:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html

I think you will find this very informative

[gymell]

I have the Nikon Monarch 10x and have been very happy with them. Lightweight and very clear.

[lungdoc]

I also got some Monarch 8x for my dad, excellent optics and build, waterproof and I believe the best "bang for the buck" out there. I suspect like with lenses it's easy to buy good $1500 ones, finding good ones below $500 is the trick!

[Needsnow]

If anyone is interested. I received the Celestron Noble 8x42 binoculars today and they are simply fabulous. Didn't break the bank either $249.

[Logan7]

IS is AMAZING on binoculars. Think of it this way: your shutter speed is as long as you're looking through the binocs :D

[Needsnow]

We tried them out....not very good for viewing with glasses on.

[twilo]

I've been looking into buying a pair of good quality bins for some time now and I have to say the choices available can be overwhelming!

A few things I've learnt after looking at reviews and various opinions from bird watchers and hunters to astronomers is that price does not equate to better quality - Zeiss, Leica etc might be superior bulld and opticial quality but they are not relavtive to the price hike, some of which go into the $2000 mark!

Something to take into account when looking for a pair - think about what magnification you'll be needing? Alaska, with it's wide open spaces might require something a little more powerful, say 10x or more.
Also take into account the aperture, if you want to view objects in low light or look at the stars you'll really need a pair with an aperture of 42 or greater.

Also if you or your husband wear glasses make sure they have eye relief of 15mm of more, this means you can adjust the eyecups to compensate for the distance between your glasses and eyes.

Personally I highly recommend the Nikon 12x50 Premier SE or Nikon 10x42 Premier SE (note: not the cheaper 'Action EX' or ' LX Series' ranges). They're both weather proof and amazing optical quality.
Time and time again these bins have been praised in reviews and forums as they strike a great balance between quality and value competing with the big guns like Leica and Zeiss that can be, quite frankly, painfully expensive. The 12x50 SE's in particular seem right up there with the best money can buy and would be the pair I'd take with me on such a trip however they are quite expensive ($800 I think) although I've seen a couple go on The Bay for around $400 over the past month.

http://www.digit-photo.com/NIKON_Jumelles_Prestige_12X50_SE_Prismes_de_Porro-p-JUNIBAA562AA.jpg

Anyway these might be above budget although I hope it helps point you in the right direction. Good luck!

[Dracil]

I have an Orion UltraView 10x50. It's an astronomical binocular so I use it for looking at the stars. Or I would if SF wasn't so cloudy (I bought it when I was still in the South Bay)

[Kimberwhip]

can I use the canon IS binocs with glasses??

[n1as]

You'll get the best info from birders. They are as passionate about binoculars as we are about lenses. The cornell site is the place to start.

You also need to define what your goals are. Learn about exit pupil and eye relief. These are important. Learn about different prism schemes. Pay attention to twist up eye cups too. Learn about objective size and how it may (or may not!) make things better.

I went through the process several years ago. I ended up with the Nikon Monarch 8x42 and 10x42s. They were the best bang for the buck. Optically they're not L-quality at all, but since I'm using both eyes, neither side needs to be fabulous. Basically they're fairly good. Not great, just good. For $280 I'm happy.

What do you want to do with the binoculars? Do you want compacts (easy to carry, optical compromise) or do you want the optical performance of a full size pair? Do you wear eye glasses? If you want lots of magnification, are you willing to use a tripod or monopod to steady the view?

[Mike-DT6]

I saw the Canon L series binoculars reviewed on Channel 5's The Gadget Show here in the UK and they came out top of the three different types tested. From what they showed, the IS made a huge difference when compared with non-IS binoculars.

They are very expensive though. Around £1000 over here!

Mike

[vkalia]

As a keen birder, let me give me my thoughts on binoculars.

For starters, I have an article here on picking binoculars for wildlife & nature:
http://www.photosafariindia.com/articles/which_binos.html

The IS on the Canon binos is great and helps a lot with resolution, but the binoculars themselves are ergonomic disasters. The Canon L binos, while great optically, weigh over 1kg, which is ridiculously heavy. Moreover, they are not waterproof/fogproof, both of which are virtually essential if you are going to be using binoculars outdoors. It's a shame, b/c they do resolve a lot of information... if they could add IS to a good pair of 12x42 binos that are relatively light and waterproof, they'd have a winner. Anyway, this is all moot - you arent getting any for $300 either.

For general-purpose use, $300 gets you a very good pair of binos. 8x32 or 8x42s are the best binos for general purpose use, IMO.

For your budget, I would suggest a good pair of 8x32s, which will work for most use except the early dawn and late night (let's say 30 min each side). You wont lose a lot of usability or resolution compared to 8x42s, and you'll get better optics.

Some options to try:
Minox BD 8x32s - can be found on clearance for approx the $300-350 mark. Superb binos at any price, very wide field of view. I paid $500 for my pair and thought they were great value at that price
Vortex Fury 8x32s - very good mid-range binos
Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger SRTs
Swift Audubon HHSes

These are what I'd go for.

Vandit

[05Xrunner]

what about these..10x IS and looks to be in your budget
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/137190-USA/Canon_2897A002_10x30_IS_Image_Stabilized.html