help me find some binoculars?

[KevinL]

Re: Any Comments about Camera Binoculars?

The three models I've lookd at were complete crap!
Very cheap optics for the binoc function and the digicam DID NOT take pictures via the Binocs but through it's own lens with a result similar to most current phone-cams.

I am by no means a camera or lens snob but I do have a certain threshold below which I instantly dismiss any "camera" or "video recorder". Most Cell-Phone cameras and all of the Bino-Cams I've see are well below that threshold.

Case in point, this Bushnell set. You can clearly see the individual camera lens (which doesn't have nearly the magnifying power of the binoc's optics by the way). AND the camera is a .35megapixel sensor. I've seen pink "barbiecams" that did a better job!

Yikes, that is pretty bad. I assumed that all of these operated TTL (Through The Lens, ie. main lenses of the binoculars, same as what your eyes look through) somehow. If they were TTL, they might be worth playing around with, but as it seems, they aren't.

 

[Numbers]

Re: Any Comments about Camera Binoculars?

I have been researching binoculars for a short while now. Mid range price, and therefore midrange quality binoculars cost around $300+, obviously not including a camera. I can only assume that looking through a $50 binocular would be like looking through coke bottles. Prehaps they could be used to fry ants like we did as kids with a magnifing glass. These things must be strictly a novelty item.

 

[KevinL]

Re: Any Comments about Camera Binoculars?

CountyComm 7x50 binocs - best $35 I ever spent. No camera though :p

 

[zespectre]

Re: Any Comments about Camera Binoculars?

I have been researching binoculars for a short while now. Mid range price, and therefore midrange quality binoculars cost around $300+, obviously not including a camera. I can only assume that looking through a $50 binocular would be like looking through coke bottles. Prehaps they could be used to fry ants like we did as kids with a magnifing glass. These things must be strictly a novelty item.

Generally speaking you are right, you have to pay the $$$ to get the quality optics. I accidentally discovered an exception though in the Bushnell 7-15x25 Powerview

I found mine at Target for $50 (Important note, some Targets are now carrying the Carson Raptor, it is NOT the same set of binos!).

Okay, they aren't Eagle Rangers and the lens is only 25mm so they are a little dim but the overall optical quality was surprisingly crisp and they are very usable. A decent set of starter binos (though bird watchers will probably want to move up quickly).

 

[Numbers]

Re: Marine Binoculars

My research has come to an end. I found an internet sale on Fujinon Fmtrc (w/compass) for $400 from a store that has been in business since 1938. These glasses normally go for $600+. You know what they say about being too good to be true -- but I asked if they were new and came with a Fujinon USA warranty and was told yes. So I placed the order.

Aloft
I now know what your talking about, Those big Fujinons 25 or 40 x 150's.
They must be awesome. But the prices are out of this world too. Still the cheapest ones would be tempting if there were something special to look at (I am not into astronomy)!.
Would you happen to know what accounts for the price difference in the Fujinon FMT 16x70 at around $600 vs the Fujinon 15x80 at around $3,500? Certainly it cant be just the extra 10 mm's or the mount that comes with the 15's. The optics in both are rated very highly.

 

[RiskyGuy]

Binoculars for Bird Watching?

Any suggestions? I'm looking for a decent pair for my wife but I can't spend more than $150. Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Mike Painter]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

There is a lot of information on the web and if it's just for bird watching you should ask other watchers.
I'm a big fan of 7x50 binoculars and would say get the best ones you can find at your price level.
They are fairly easy to hold steady and have a fair amount of power. Where they shine is in low light conditions. Even with cheap ones you can see better in the evenings than with the naked eye.
Here is an explanation.

 

[drizzle]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

Have you checked out Better View Desired? It's all about binoculars for birding. I don't know if they cover stuff in your price range though.

 

[alphamicro]

Here's another good site

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/binocular_advisor.html

 

[Flying Turtle]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

It's hard to beat 7x35 or 7x50, even cheap ones. Around the house I use some Tascos. If I'm hiking I'll usually take some smaller, lighter Nikon Travelite 8x25. They were around $100 (won mine in a drawing) many years back, and have performed great. Definitely sharper and brighter than the cheaper ones.

Geoff

 

[greenLED]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

How "decent" is "decent"?
I have some waterproof 10x 42 Pentax that survived a boatwreck in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon, and lots of other abuse (real field-work, not bird gazing).

 

[bjn70]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

In that price range you're probably better off with porro prism than with roof prism.

Don't buy variable power binoculars, stick with 7x-8x. Depending on her age she might see an advantage to an objective over 35mm or she might not.

If she wears glasses, check out the specific models to see how they work with eyeglasses.

If possible stick with better known brands such as Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, etc.

 

[Lee1959]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

Whatever you do have her try them before buying if at all possible. All binoculars do not "fit" or "feel" the same to everyone in my experience, especially women with a narrow face or closer set eyes.

I gave up any thoughts of bird watching one day while hunting. Saw a big bald eagle land in a tree, got my binoculars and was looking at him when he looked directly at me like he knew I was watching, lifted his tail feathers and squirted straight out the back. I got the message, lol.

 

[sotyakr]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

This comparison from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology might be of some use as a starting point. It's a fairly comprehensive review of binoculars from budget priced to high end that they found suitable for birding.

 

[alphamicro]

Here's another article

It's titled "22 Binoculars You Can Afford" and is from Birder's World.

http://www.birdersworld.com/brd/default.aspx?c=a&id=589

 

[sotyakr]

Re: Here's another article

Great article! Lot's of excellent info, clearly presented.

It's titled "22 Binoculars You Can Afford" and is from Birder's World.

http://www.birdersworld.com/brd/default.aspx?c=a&id=589

 

[was_jlh]

Re: Here's another article

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=45195

 

[flashlight]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

I bought my Nikon Monarch 10x42 for about US$280 two years back. Not sure how much the price may have dropped by now. My previous Leica Trinovids cost nearly $900! :eek:

 

[alberto]

Re: Binoculars for Bird Watching?

I recently purchased the Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme and am very satisfied with it. Top notch quality, bright, and feel good in the hands.

 

[2000xlt]

binoculars

what are good binoculars, and i dont mean Zeiss or leopould. they are way out of my price range