Good day all
I regularly bird and observe nature with my partner behind cameras (Nikon 70-200 VR general main stay with a few other more specialist lenses). However, watching often brings more pleasure than capturing any moment. Binoculars are really essential to getting closer and just observing. What binoculars should I be considering?
I'm looking for appropriate binoculars (two pairs) that have:
> Good eye relief (both glass wearers)
> Mid size or below (8x32 being mid size) - need portability, too much gear already!
> Excellent optics (detest colour fringing and distortion)
> Very good comfort (only one way to judge this I guess...)
> Water proof (will be used in rain at times - but also humid tropical environments)
> Dust proof (also be used in desert)
> Used 90% for nature observing (particularly birds - small wrens, finches - less waterbirds and large animals)
> Observation also done around dusk/dawn and in heavily covered forest (low light)
Do I need to look to the Ultravids, FLs and EL in 8x32 or are there other choices? My budget stretches to the 'top end' but wondering about other alternatives (particularly for the second pair - perhaps a compact version).
Am I wasting my money by going 'all out' and would I be better off with something mid-range to get technique, etc down pat?
Any point looking at Canon's IS binoculars as a second pair for an experiment or are the optics not up to scratch?
I assume that it's best to have a bin for each observer? Sharing would be difficult with diopeter adjustment and eye spacing?
Reading extensively I keep leaning towards the top end 8x32s but wonder if it's overdoing it...
Hopefully you can point me in the right direction...
I recently wrote about the three 8x32's side by side. For eyeglass users, FL and EL would work. I find the EL 8x32 more pleasant to use and with a nicer and more relaxing image. The Nikon LX 8x32 also is excellent and has long eye relief.
You are not wasting your money, the top binoculars are exactly that, top, and if you can afford them, get them - you do get what you pay for. From what you describe, the FL or the EL should do the job for you - most likely the EL will be comfortable, easy to use, beautiful optics etc. Unfortunately the Ultravid has short eye relief. The LX is the heaviest of the bunch. The Swarovski SLCnew 8x30 is also fantastic - i don't know how it works with eyeglasses.
quote:
I assume that it's best to have a bin for each observer? Sharing would be difficult with diopeter adjustment and eye spacing?
quote:
Observation also done around dusk/dawn and in heavily covered forest (low light)