binocular recommendations?

Hi,

Sorry if this is a bit off topic and possibly discussed already, but I figured most who are into birding are going to know at least a little about binoculars. I know there's a lot of information elsewhere, especially on birding sites which aren't focused just on photography, but some of the specs are a little overwhelming to me. I'm hoping to just cut to the chase and get some honest opinions on what to look at for budget binoculars and how much I need to spend for decent results.

I'm very new to bird photography but enjoying it and hoping to learn more. I'm now using a 400mm f5.6 on a crop sensor and I was looking for binoculars to also carry along with a higher magnification than the lens has but I don't know how the "mm" on a lens correlates to the "10x", "12x", etc in the binocular specs. I found brief discussion of this searching online and it appears I would need 12x or 13x to match the magnification of the lens, is that about correct? And then my next question would have to be, if I'm only getting about the same magnification, is there even a reason to bother carrying binoculars too or am I just as well off looking through the camera lens?

I'm hoping to spend around $100 or so but with what little I know so far, I'm not sure if I can get away with spending less or if I need to wait and stretch the budget further.

Also, do most of you use spotting scopes or binoculars to sight up the birds first or just start straight-out looking through the camera lens once you find a spot to watch from?

thanks for any insight on the topic and sorry for the convoluted questions...

Hello and how are you? I was just in your situation and I just purchased my 2nd pair of Nikon binoculars. My 1st pair are the 8x40 ATB Porro binoculars. They are nice, but a bit heavy (http://www.amazon.com …JK/ref=wms_ohs_​product_T2) but in your price range.

My new pair are these (http://www.amazon.com …7&creativeASIN=​B0033PRQB0). They are bright, light and I can focus with one hand, something that was difficult to do with the other pair. I hardly notice them around my neck. Btw, I use binoculars to spot birds.

Below is a link that talks about what to look for in binoculars, best budget binoculars etc, etc. Check it out

http://www.birdwatchin​g-bliss.com/best-birding-binoculars.html


This link is binoculars 101

http://www.birdwatchin​g-bliss.com/bird-watching-binoculars.html

I have the same exact Nikon binoculars as Al posted. I've had them for several years now and are always with me out in the field. They are crisp, light-weight, and waterproof. I also looked at several other pairs such as Audubon and Swarovski but choose the Nikon.

Thanks for the links, I have some more reading to do now!

I like the Nikon ones posted too, I'm willing to sacrifice a little on the weight if it means better optics at that price range

The advantages of binoculars are weight, size and field of view.
Compared to your camera/lens combo, the binocs are MUCH smaller and easier to handle.

It's an apples and oranges thing.

When I was looking into binoculars the Nikons seemed to be some of the best quality for the price. I purchased one of the Monarchs as well. I don't use it that often but it comes in handy at times but mostly I just use the camera lens to view the bird.

About 3 years ago I ordered a pair of 8x40 Zhumell from binoculars.com. I never heard of the brand before but they we're well respected and have a 25 year no-fault warranty and darned inexpensive.

I have not regretted the purchase one bit!

My wife and I have Swift Audubon's. Waterproof/fogproof etc. We've been very happy
with them and would recommend you compare others to these. I got mine from Adorama.
They are 8.5 x 44 roof prisms. I also shoot with a 400mm 5.6L and like that the magnification
from these binoculars is just slightly more than with the lens.

At or around that price point the Nikon Action Series porro prisms are a good value.

Most birders use binoculars with a magnification between 7X and 10X, go much beyond that and they will be difficult to hold steady enough for a good view...around 8X is good for all around use.

I have a set of the nikon atb at 10x. Good glass for the money. I also have a set of pentex compacts that I use for closer viewing. May I give you a suggestion, I would highly recommend if it is possible to visit a decent sporting goods store and ask to try a few of them out. Just as with lenses, the more you spend the cleaner the picture in the binoculars, the better the build, and the better they work in lower light. BUT, just as with camera lenses, everthing with glass is a balance and compromise. I can not afford a 400 2.8 lens but, I was able to obtain a 400 5.6 even though it may not work nearly as well in lower light as the higher expensive lens. It is a compromise I have chosen to work with. My point is, I have had some inexpensive tasco binoculars that did fine in good lighting. BUT, later in the evening, they did poorly seeing in the deep shadows. Their focus was sharp enough that you could make out decent detail. They were not as good as the Nikon but they worked within certain perameters. Since my needs were more for the lower light, I had to find a set that handled the lower light situations. The Nikons were more expensive but they did a better job for what I needed. I also liked the 10x more then the 7 or 8. My needs. By going to the store, trying a few and also looking with consideration of the links you have been given, I am sure you can find a set that will do a nice job for you. Be careful to look at distance and see what kinds of details you can see. Be critical. Look for something of fine detail. You will start to see the difference and you can find the balance that is right for you. Sorry so long but have owned several and still have two models for different situations.

To compare Binoculars to Lens I would use 50 MM = X1 for a 400 mm would 400/50 = X8, I use a 10 x 40 Zeiss and have a lifetime warranty!!

I'd always been a bit doubtfull about paying a lot of money for top-end bins. How could a £1000 pair be so much better than my £250 Bushnells? I'd tried them out on test days and there was a small difference, but nothing to justify the huge difference.

Until I went to Kenya for the first time. On the first evening at Samburu a leopard appeared across the river from the bar I was sitting in. My bins could just show a shadow, slightly darker than the surroundings. Then my neighbour lent me his Zeiss bins and the difference was remarkable, the image was so much brighter.

Now I own a pair of Swarovski 8.5x44 beauties.

Has anyone used both the Nikon Monarch 8x and 10x. If so, can you describe the differences?

Hollis, what were the specs on the Bushnells?

Methodical wrote in post #12567756
Hollis, what were the specs on the Bushnells?

Can't remember the model name, just that they were 8x42 roof prism.

I have a set of nikon action 3 lookout's 10*50 and think they're great. They're 10 or 12 years old and still function fine. Looking at the current prices they must now be manufactured in china, so I can't comment on the quality.

Don't know how shaky you are but I purchased a pair of canon 8*25 IS for my mother a couple of years ago and have been trying to steal them from her ever since.

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1307809​193&sr=1-5

My next binocs will definitely have IS.