Cameras and Lenses
Looking after my eyes .....
Hi,
I currently use a pair of Vortex Viper 8x42 bins and am happy with the views I am getting. Not being a 'well seasoned' bin user I dont have enough experience when it comes to the more 'in depth' technicalities of the more expensive bins. I do, however, remember looking through a pair of Nikons and realising that I am missing out on quite a bit !! They were far brighter than my own pair and the magnification did seem to be slightly more despite them being 8x42 just the same as my Vipers.
I am now spending most of my time at a nearby RSPB reserve and am usually sitting in the hides there for up to 6 hours at a time. This leads me to thinking that maybe I should be treating myself to a better pair of bins so that I am not unwittingly straining my eyes by spending such long periods of time staring through a pair of bins which seem to be fine but are possibly causing damage to my eyes.
Does anyone have any opinions as regards a better pair I could purchase please, I,m happy to spend Ģ1000 or so and am currently drawn towards the Leica Ultravids but as I say I,m by no means an experienced user as I have only owned the Vipers up to now.
Any advice would be very welcome.
Thankyou.
Before you spend a penny, search through the forums and try to decide what you would be happiest with. Thereīs a huge range of models out there, from mid-priced (300 sterling or so), right up to over a grand. Do you need waterproof? Do you prefer roof prisms to porros? Get down to a binocular dealers and try out a few models, but donīt buy anything without going to research them a bit more here first. Thereīs a Birdfair coming up soon somewhere in England, all the top manufacturers will be there hawking their wares. Sorry to be so unspecific, but I was in your position a decade ago and have since spent a stupid amount of money on various models because I didnīt do my research first. Iīll suggest a few models in ascending order of expense, assuming you want to stick with 8x40(ish) format (but remember that everyone has their "fave" binoculars and this could kick off a lot of competitive wrangling!!!
)
Hawke Frontier ED 8x42
Zen-Ray ED 8x42
Avian F 8x42
Nikon EII 8x30/10x35 (superb optics, but porros, and not waterproof)
Nikon HGL 8x42
Nikon SE 8x32 (superb optics, but porro and with eyecups that donīt suit everyone)
Swarovski EL 8.5x42 (These are my faves...you pay for them, but itīs a lifelong investment...by the way, if you look at the Classifieds forum, Bubbs is selling a new-ish pair at a very good price).
Leica Ultravid HD 8x42
Zeiss FL 8x42
Let us know what you are looking at, and as I said, check through the forums and equipment reviews to get other peopleīs evaluations.
P.S. Hereīs a link to Bubbsīadvert for his Swaro ELīs....but note, I am not Bubbs, I donīt work for Bubbs, Iīm not BubbsīMother-in-Law, etc. etc.: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=148138
Hello! I just sold my Vortex Vipers 8x42. They were great for the money a year ago, when I bought them. Way better then equally priced monarchs and friends. However I couldnt accept all the CA and other distortions so I just had to get a better one. I donīt have your budget though so I donīt have the same options.
If you got Ģ1000ish to spare and want a guaranteed great binocular, buy Bubbs EL. (I would if I could afford them). They are and have been the birders bin for many years now with probably one of the best ergonomics. Another candidate is the Zeiss FLs. I think there is a pair out on the classifieds, a bit more expensive but more modern optics then the Swaro and perhaps the best bin out there at the moment.
However if you want to save Ģ600-700, maybe for a new/improved scope?, there are cheaper options that come close to these ones, and maybe even be better at some aspects. Check the "other" sub-section.
Finally, the Leicas are high class, I just "like" the brand. If you feel that they are your type after you tried them, get em.