High power binocs/telescope

[IanP]

Hi all,

In an earlier thread, I asked for recommendations for binoculars for my daughter. As a result, I bought her Leupold Yosemite 6x30s. They are so good, I also bought my wife a pair.

I was looking at a small flock of what looked like mistle thrushes this morning, but they were too far away for a proper identification. This led to me wondering if a higher magnification would be worth checking out for such occasions. Again, then, can anyone suggest a make/style, this time high power binocular/monocular, say 15-20 times?

Thanks in advance.

[nigel_b]

In a word, nope! In my view you can forget 15x binoculars. I use 8x as I can't hold even 10x still. So for higher power you are left with a scope and tripod/bean bag/monopod combination.

Along with many others I find a 45 degree angled eyepiece to be much more versatile to use than straight through. My scope is a Kowa that I bought secondhand and I've been really pleased with it. It'll show up any problems with your tripod though and I ended up spending another £100 on a Slik Master Classic.

[Acipiter]

What you need is either 8x32 or 8x42, you don't say how old your daughter is, if she is only young try the 8x32 as these will be lighter. then there is roof prism or porro, porro tend to be more money. If you decide on more power then this then you will need a scope. scopes come in "many sizes" I myself use a opticron mighty midget together with a monopod as this set up nice and light. the next choice would be a tripod and larger scope. you need to find yourself somewhere that you can try all these choices out. Remember in the end it comes down to what suits you. Good luck and good birding.

[IanP]

Hi,

Thanks both. My daughter's happy with the Yosemites; the high power one is for me. I'll check out the options, but one I haven't considered until this minute is a high zoom capability compact camera. I note you can get 10x or even 12x zoom x 12Megapixels. If I can get such a camera for less than the cost of a good scope, may be worth considering, especially as you can then get even "closer" by zooming in on the still. It all comes down to image quality, or course.

[wint]

Originally Posted by IanP

Hi,

Thanks both. My daughter's happy with the Yosemites; the high power one is for me. I'll check out the options, but one I haven't considered until this minute is a high zoom capability compact camera. I note you can get 10x or even 12x zoom x 12Megapixels. If I can get such a camera for less than the cost of a good scope, may be worth considering, especially as you can then get even "closer" by zooming in on the still. It all comes down to image quality, or course.

Hi Ian

You are not going to get anything as good a view through the compact camera's viewfinder or screen as you would through 10x42 (or 8x32 or 8x42)binoculars. I doubt very much that if you couldn't 'resolve' the birds with the Yosemites then you can with the compact camera.

As for the binoculars I wouldn't go above 10x - I would try some 10x42 (as well as those mags suggested by others) preferably at a 'field day' and see how you like them. You could probably use mags bigger than 10x if you could rest you elbows on a e.g. hide shelf - I've used my 15x70 astro bins in hides with some success.

HTH, Paul

[Acipiter]

Have a look at the olympus sp590 12 megapixel 26 times zoom, which is what I have, less then this would not be enough mag I have tried 12 and 16 and not found them enough mag. The sp590 takes double AA batt rechargeable which last a long time. its not a compact, its what they call a bridging camera which is half way between a compact and a DSLR which would be a lot more money.

[Acipiter]

the larger the mag,the smaller the eyepeace lens, the less light they will let in, which is why I suggest 8x42, 10x42 would be the max I would suggest. plus you would not be able to hold them steady enough above 10.

[Acipiter]

I forgot to say Ianp, you can get a tele converter lens 1.7 and lens adapter cla 11 to fit this camera, which would give you a lot more mag, nearly double then 26 I think, you will have to check that out as I can not quite remember now. the cost of these two would cost around £140 thats on top of the price of the camera of course. Bristol cameras 47 high street bsi zaz 0184 991 8338.

[wint]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

the larger the mag,the smaller the eyepeace lens, the less light they will let in, which is why I suggest 8x42, 10x42 would be the max I would suggest. plus you would not be able to hold them steady enough above 10.

Well... it all depends on how much light gets through because of the design/quality of the optics irrespective of the theory of physics. I can see things a lot better with my Leica 10x42 than with my Avian 8x42 That said 99.99% of the time I use Zeiss 8x32 which have better light throughput than the Leicas. But I digress...

Whether slightly more high-powered binoculars or a camera is the solution for Ian depends on whether he wants to hold optics to his eyes and ID the birds or to take a photo and then look at a zoomed image on a monitor and ID the birds that way. Personally I'd like to learn to ID the birds with binoculars and then take a recordshot using a camera but that's just just one perspective.

Paul

[Acipiter]

I agree with every thing you say Paul, bins first with me too, I don't know but I have a idea that Ian does not want to spend too much money, zeiss or leicas bins are expensive are they not, maybe a small scope with a monopod would be the best way to go, if you want more power then 10x mag. And you could use you wife's bins between you. I have the bins, scope, and camera, my advice is don't rush, and give the things we have suggested a good try before you rush in.