Birdwatching can be an exciting and rewarding hobby, but to get the most out of birdwatching you’ll need the right binoculars. Binoculars are essential for birdwatchers as they allow you to observe birds from a distance without disturbing them. There are various types of binoculars designed to meet different needs and budgets, so it’s important to choose the right pair for birdwatching.
What are the different styles of binoculars used for birdwatching? What magnification number should you go for? What are the benefits of rubber armouring? How do you choose a good brand of binoculars for birdwatching? These are all questions that are important to answer when it comes to finding the right pair of binoculars.
There are a variety of binoculars available, and each brand has its own unique features that may be beneficial for birdwatching.
Understanding Binocular specifications (specs):
If you have never owned a pair of binoculars, it will be good to understand what the specs are for your particular needs. The numbers (specs) on binoculars give you the first important clue when it comes to what they can do for you.
Another question that is asked is why binoculars with similar specs are more expensive than others. The answer is simply that it is what is on the inside that counts. The more advanced the optics, the more expensive the parts, the more expensive the binoculars.
The first thing you may notice, other than the brand is the model number on a pair of binoculars. These tell you the strength (magnification power) and the size (objective lens diameter) of the binoculars.
Magnification Power
For birdwatching, you will mostly be choosing a pair of binoculars with a magnification power of 8 or 10. The difference between the two strengths of magnification is:
8-power binoculars: Have a wider field of view.
10-power binoculars: Allow you to have a closer, more detailed look at the object or subject your are studying.
For example, an 8×25, 8×32 and 8×42 pair of binoculars will all provide the same magnification. This means that an object will appear 8 times closer than it would to the naked eye. And 10×42 would make an object appear 10 times closer than with the naked eye.
Objective Lens Diameter
The strength of the image is determined by the diameter of the objective lenses. These are the lenses that are furtherest from the eyes. The higher the specifications of the objective lens diameter, the more light will be allowed, and the brighter the image will appear.
The numbers 25, 32, and 42 give the diameters of the objective lenses.
Eyepiece
Another important part of a pair of binoculars is the design of the eyepiece. They not only play a role in physically being able to see through the binoculars, and help with the “field of view”, they also need to feel comfortable.
Size of the Binoculars
Binoculars vary in size and function. They are divided into compact, midsize and full-size categories based on the size of their objective lenses. It is important to note that even if specifications are the same, the size and weight of the binoculars depend on their design, construction and size.
Compact Binoculars have an objective lens size that is less than 30mm (8×25, 10×28, etc.), best for hiking and backpacking.
Midsize Binoculars have an objective lens size from 30mm to 40mm (10×30, 8×32, etc.), good for bird watching, whale watching and wildlife viewing.
Full-size Binoculars have an objective lens size that is greater than 40mm (8×42, 10×50, etc.). They are also heavier and therefore not ideal for hiking or birdwatching as they tend to become difficult to hold for extended periods. These are great for stargazing, which requires higher magnification and anything smaller than 42 will not work well.
Field of View
The magnification power of the binoculars will determine your field of view. The lower the magnification, the wider the view; and the higher magnification, the narrower the view. Having a narrower field of view can make it more difficult to locate small moving creatures such as birds when you scan further away. However, the smaller the field of view, the less light will be allowed into the binoculars and therefore the objects you are viewing will be slightly darker.
The specs of the binoculars should state the width of an area you can view. For example, 1000 yards from where you stand.
Exit Pupil
As previously mentioned, the higher the numbers, the brighter the images will be. Therefore, a higher number will indicate that the binoculars have better viewing in low-light situations. It will also be easier to maintain a full image of an object even if your hands move or shake. The exit pupil relates to the actual pupils of your eyes which vary in size from 2mm in bright light and 7mm in complete darkness.
The following calculation gives an indication of the size of the shaft of light that will reach your eyes through the binoculars:
Calculation: Exit pupil size is calculated by dividing the diameter of the objective lenses by the magnification number. Therefore, 8×42 binoculars: 42 divided by 8 equals an exit pupil diameter of 5.25mm; and 10×42 binoculars: 42 divided by 10 equals an exit pupil diameter of 4.20mm.
For low-light situations such as at dawn or dusk, or in dense tree cover, having an exit pupil of 5mm or more is considered good to make viewing easier. For bright daylight viewing, an exit pupil size is not too important because almost all binoculars offer exit pupils that are greater than 2mm.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is an important specification to look at if you wear spectacles or glasses. It is the distance between an eyepiece and your eye while the whole field of view is visible. If you do wear glasses, then look for eye relief specifications of 11mm or more. The great news is that most binoculars have adjustable eyepieces which allow you to set them to their maximum eye relief value. The way to do this is either to roll the rubber eyecups down or by twisting a collar to shorten the eyepieces.
Understanding the Optics of Binoculars
Lens Materials and Coatings
The way the glass is manufactured and the coatings that are applied to the lenses to reduce reflection also play a part in determining the clarity and brightness of the image that is seen. This is why test viewing is important.
Prism Type
The optical elements that direct light from the image through the binoculars to your eyes is called the prism. Older binoculars used “porro prism” which featured wider barrels in front that are not aligned with the eyepieces. The newer type of prism is called a “roof prism”. The eyepieces and objective lenses of these models of binoculars are aligned. Having roof prisms in binoculars, allows them to be smaller and lighter in weight.
Protection Features for Binoculars
1. Waterproof and Weather-Resistant Binoculars
If you are using your binoculars aboard a boat or in the rain, you may want to look for a pair that is waterproof or weather resistant. It is important to take note that sometimes manufacturers describe any level of water resistance as “waterproof”. However, there is a difference between waterproof and weather-resistant.
Binoculars that are waterproof will have O-rings to seal out moisture. They generally can survive a quick splashdown but will not survive an extended submersion. Most binoculars do not float. Waterproof binoculars will have the word “waterproof” included in the name of the model.
2. Rubber coating
A rubber coating will protect the binoculars from minor scratches and bumps, but not complete crash protection. It is a feature to look out for if the binoculars are to be used in rugged outdoor environments.
3. Fog-proof binoculars
When going from cold to warm environments, binoculars are susceptible to fogging up. To counter this, manufacturers fill the inner cavities of the binoculars with nitrogen and seal it inside. Because nitrogen does not have a high moisture content, the air will not condense and therefore the binoculars will not mist up on the inside. However, the outside lenses which are in contact with the atmosphere will still fog up.
How to Focus Your Binoculars
The majority of binoculars have a central control that is used to focus both barrels at the same time. Most of them also have a “diopter” adjustment knob to focus one barrel independently of the other, which is particularly useful if your vision differs in each eye. Basically, it is an adjustment knob that is used to account for the difference in the eyesight degrees between the two eyes. It is generally found on the right lens. After have set the diopter, both barrels of the binoculars maintain the same relationship with each other. You will then be able to focus both eyes with the central focus knob, whether you are focusing up close or far away.
How to set your binocular’s diopter adjustment:
Start by placing the diopter setting at zero, or at the center position. On some binoculars, you’ll see a zero to show the center of the diopter adjustment scale. Others show a different symbol to indicate the central position. Or the ring may have textured lines or dots. There will be something different to indicate the middle spot, the zero setting.
If you are wearing glasses or spectacles, roll or twist the eyecups all the way down before you start.
To focus your binoculars with a diopter control on the right lens, do the following:
- Cover the right lens with a cap. If you haven’t got a lens cap, ask a friend to cover it with their hand. Then sharply focus the center control on a distant object.
- Then switch the cap to the left lens and sharply focus the diopter control on that same object.
- Leave the diopter as it is and use the center control for all focusing.
If your binoculars have the diopter on the left lens, then swop the process around by starting with the left lens and the center control, etc.
The Importance of Testing Out Binoculars
It is a good idea to test a few pairs of binoculars to see which ones are more comfortable and better for you to use. While buying binoculars online is convenient, it would be good to at least find a store that will allow you to try out different binoculars to know which pair would meet your requirements.
You can focus on a test chart to view, however, if the store does not have a test chart, focus on a detailed object across the store. When you do this, it is important to pay close attention to the sharpness and brightness of the image, as well as how consistent the clarity and brightness are from side to side in your field of view.
Best Styles of Binoculars for Birdwatching:
As has already been mentioned, the two main styles of binoculars are Porro Prism models, and Roof Prism models. Roof prism binoculars have their optical elements arranged in a straight line and use mirrors to reflect and direct the light in such a way that the images appear more condensed. This makes them easier to hold and less tiring for your eyes, which makes them great for birdwatching. They also provide brighter images with less distortion, which makes them ideal for birdwatching in low light conditions. Also, because they are lightweight and have a slim design, roof prism binoculars are typically more durable than porro prism binoculars. If you are an avid birdwatcher, then a roof prism binocular will be the better choice for you.
Roof prism brands:
- The Nikon ProStaff 7S 8×42 binoculars are one of the best birdwatching binoculars available. They are ergonomically designed, and have high-quality lenses and great magnification power. In addition, the rubber coating is a durable rubber armor construction, it also has a wide field of view, and is waterproof and fog proof. These binoculars also come with a tripod adapter mount to enable hands-free birdwatching.
- The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8×42 binoculars are another popular birdwatching binocular They are lightweight and ergonomically designed with a rubber armor coating. They have exceptional light transmission and clarity, they have ED Prime glass which allows for accurate color reproduction, and an Extra-low Dispersion fluoride lens system. They are nitrogen purged, ensuring that they stay fogproof.
Other brands include Celestron, Leica, Zeiss, Opticron, Swarovski, and Vortex. All of these binoculars have different features and specifications, so birdwatchers should research to find the options for them personally.
Some other features:
Zoom Binoculars:
Zoom binoculars allow you to adjust the level of magnification depending on your birdwatching needs and preferences. They are great for birdwatchers who like to see their subjects close up, but want some flexibility in magnification. It is important to note that zoom binoculars may seem like the ultimate solution, however, there are tradeoffs in image quality. Before making your decision about which binoculars to buy, it would be good to compare them with a few single-magnification options first.
Compact Binoculars:
The purpose of compact binoculars is to make them suitable for people who travel. This means that they are easier to carry around. For birdwatchers who travel often, they are ideal. They mostly offer lower magnifications than zoom binoculars, but can still provide birdwatchers with a good view of their subjects.
Full-Size Binoculars:
These binoculars are your classic birdwatching binoculars. They offer high magnification and excellent image quality. They can be large and heavy, but are perfect for birdwatchers who need more magnification than the smaller binoculars can provide.
Wide-Angle Binoculars:
As mentioned before, wide-angle binoculars offer birdwatchers a wide field of view. This allows birders to see the birds with more of the bird’s surroundings without having to move the head or shift the lenses. This type of binocular is great for observing large flocks of birds, or for tracking a bird’s movements.
Night Vision Binoculars:
Night vision binoculars are designed for birdwatching in the dark. They amplify the available light to allow birdwatchers to see their birding targets in low-light conditions.
Conclusion
Birdwatching is a fun and rewarding activity. With the best pair of binoculars suited to you and your needs, you will be able to enjoy birdwatching up close and personal.
FAQ
What can I do to encourage wild birds in my yard?
In order to encourage wild birds in your backyard, you must provide a source of water and food. This can be done with bird baths and bird feeders. For a more natural experience, try adding some flowers or plants around your yard to attract different species of birds.
How do I identify the birds?
The best way to identify the birds is by looking at their feathers, size, beaks, feet, surroundings and coloring. The beaks tell you what they like to eat. Their feet tell you if they perch, hop or wade or if they are birds of prey. Their colouring and size will help you to identify them in a bird book.
Are woodpeckers endangered?
Woodpeckers are classified as being at-risk. The number of red, black, and white woodpeckers have been declining over the last seventy years. The main reason for this decrease is the loss of nesting sites due to deforestation, development and expanding agriculture.
Why might there be lots of small birds flying and diving?
It is possible that the birds are looking for food such as flying insects or there could be a predator nearby. Without further observations it is impossible to know what is driving their behavior.
What kind of blackbirds seem to congregate on power lines?
Blackbirds are a common sight at power lines, but why? Scientists believe that the blackbirds congregate at these power lines because this is an excellent place to find food. The electricity can kill bugs, which the blackbirds can easily feed on.
What does “passerine” mean?
Passerines are a group of birds that include more than half of all the bird species like songbirds. They prey primarily on insects and are also known as perching birds.