Im really sorry to be asking this as i am sure this must be everyones most hated question to be asked, however i feel i have to ask it.
My birding very much consists of finding birds to photograph, i like to walk through my local reserves to get the best shots i can of any birds i come across. Up until now i have had no want to just look at birds from a distance, as i very much enjoy the catching of the image to look at again in the comfort of my chair.
I have recently come into to contact with a couple of gents who do data gathering at one of my reserves and i find it very pleasant to stand with them while they take notes on what is about. This is where i need the help, they both spot birds in the sky soo far away i cant see them at all and if i look through the my camera they are just a spec.
I wish to purchase myself a pair of binoculars so i can just join in on these little occasions and actually see the birds they are so kindly pointing out to me.
I tried to take note of what bins they were using which were leica 10x50 ba? once i returned home i promptly looked them up to find prices and then just as promptly decided i wouldnt be purchasing them.
Unfortunately im that person wanting the cheapest pair of bins to do the job, as stated at the beginning, my money is very much in the photography side of birding. Budget wise i would be extremely reluctant to spend £100 and because of that if i am simply asking too much of cheap bins please do just tell me that.
Any help of any sort would be very much appreciated as i really know nothing about binoculars. Even if a couple of people just say try these cheap things or tell me brands to steer clear of.
If anyone makes it through this rambling i have typed thank you very much for your time
Tog, if you really just want the binos for fairly casual views, in generally dry weather and reasonably good light (i.e. not at twilight, and not, say, seawatching in appalling dark squalls), and you are on a tight budget, you could try a pair of good "reverse porro" compact binoculars. The Opticron Taiga 8x25 and the Vortex Vanquish 8x26 are both excellent little binos, that'll cost you less than 80 sterling, and will deliver fine, crisp and bright views in normal circumstances. (The Vortexes are actually waterproof and nitrogen-purged, with a wider field-of-view.) I've owned both these models, still have the Vortexes, my son uses them and loves them. Both these models are comfortable in the hand, and easily "pocketable" in a field-jacket. They're also widely available in the UK, in stores and online. Check the reviews, and let us know what you decide!
However, if you really want them expressly for joining in with those guys looking at the birds at some distance at the reserve, might be worth considering being a copycat about the 10x full-size spec that they are using.
Explanation here of some of terms :
http://www.monkoptics.co.uk/binoculars-explained.html
There's a 10x42 roof prism available from 7dayshop (via Amazon) for £30 which used to be praised here on Birdforum. They also have a 10x50 porro for £16. Of course these glasses are likely to get found out more as viewing conditions get more tricky. A more expensive porro (which generally give better optics for money) might fare better, but as you indicate, you may not wish to spend so much on something so specialised.