Cameras and Lenses

newbie disappointed by first purchase of Nikon 8X40

I made my first purchase of a nikon 8X40 Action binoculars.
I just started watching the birds at my feeders and am mainly interested in seeing them real real close, colors,beaks,feet etc...These don't zoom like i expected and when i look far away seems i have to re- focous on each item i want to see, like a flower, bird ,into a tree...
I read a few reviews and thought these would work but, very disappointed.

Can you please tell me what i need for up close viewing.

Thanks Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Welcome to Bird Forum!

The binoculars you have are good ones and are excellent for back yard bird watching but they are single power binoculars and you have to refocus all single power binoculars when the distances to the subjects you are looking at change. I have little experience with Zoom binoculars but I do know that they do not have as wide a field of view as single power binoculars like the ones you own have and they are much more plagued with mechanical malfunctions.

I think you are looking for a binocular like this one which should be suitable for back yard bird watching. But they will not be good for close up viewing. (These also won't be good for you if you wear glasses because their eye relief is very short). You can't get everything you want in one binocular I'm afraid.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocula...15x35-binocular

You need something like these for really good closeups if you are interested in looking at bugs and flowers and dragon flies that are close to you and you can also use them for looking at your feeder but they do not zoom.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocula...-5x21-binocular

Bob

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