Which binoculars should I get?

[MarkE70]

I'm going to treat myself to a new set of binoculars, around the £800 price range. Does anybody recommend any that they use? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Mark.

[LUPUS]

No-one else has your eyes so you must try a few pairs to see what suits you, some people swear by 10x I prefer 7 or 8 the dpreview website does alot of reviews .If you get the chance go to a retailer that has somewhere you can try a few out and whatever you do don't try them on a bright sunny day most will look ok under such conditions but come dusk or a dark dull day and the differences will be apparent. Of the modern bins I have tried the zeiss FL impressed me the most.

[paulchandler6]

I would agree with LUPUS. Try some out I've got a pair of Nikon 10x40 and they are superb.
Its all down to what suits you with the optics and of course the weight especially when hanging around your neck allday.
Also dont forget a good neck strap helps.

Paul

[clicka15]

Hi Mark.

Yes - you do need to try a few different pairs out. I've got a pair of Opticron 10 x 42 binos, which I'm really pleased with. I wear specs and the eye relief on my pair is excellent. They cost around £400-450 if I remember correctly.

My fantasy binos are the Swarovski 8.5 x 42. They are around £850-900, so a bit more than your budget, but the quality blew me away. They're well worth having a look at/through in my opinion.

Can I add - have a think about what you want to use them for. 10x magnification is generally considered the strongest for handheld use before shaking becomes a problem. Also, if you want to view insects, choose a pair that focus down to 2m or even slightly closer. If it's birds, 8x42 is good because you get a decent field of view as well - but a scope would probably serve you better and you'd get a decent one for £800.

Websites worth checking include Warehouse Express and Bristol Cameras. Outdoor Photography usually have a good classifed section with lots of retailers.

Cheers,

Steven.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by MarkE70

I'm going to treat myself to a new set of binoculars, around the £800 price range. Does anybody recommend any that they use? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Mark.

Ah, the eternal question. In the end it must come down to personal choice through testing several makes and magnifications. Different brands of binoculars are good for looking at different things. Fortunately you have given yourself a big enough budget that covers all but the most expensive makes.

Go along to somewhere like the RSPB shops or In Focus days at nature reserves or reputable dealers. Do not let the person attending you try and push a particular brand on you, they'll probably on a commission for pushing a particular manufacturer.
Ask to try out different makes and mags and work out by a process of eliminating on e against the other until you have found the pair that's right for you. Better still do this in a couple of places as not everywhere stocks the same ranges.

If you want them for birdwatching 8x42 or 10x50 magnification is plenty sufficient. Any higher and the binoculars will become too heavy to lug around reserves etc.

Cheers,

Adam

[MarkE70]

Thanks for all the advice. Like you say I will endevour to have a look at as many as I can over the next couple of weeks. Does anyone recommend the canon image stabilising bins? or is it a bit of an unnecessary gimmick?

[LUPUS]

I have looked thru a pair but would never consider buying one. I do have a canon camera,do as much research as you can on different websites then try em ALL before buying take your time.

[Jon]

From what I can see it is a choice between Swarovski, Lieca and Zeiss in that price range. I have an Opticron 8x40 binocular, it was about £350 or so when I bought it. The aforementioned are better but I think we start to look at the law of diminishing return. You have to pay a lot more to go a bit better. I don't doubt the Leical and Swarovski are excellent - I have looked at them, but for the moment I think I will will spend on camera lenses as the Opticron are satisfactory........ but the Opticron really are superb!! As other members have said try them and see what suits you personally, one man's meat is another man's poison and all that.
Jon

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by MarkE70

I'm going to treat myself to a new set of binoculars, around the £800 price range. Does anybody recommend any that they use? Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Mark.

My 10x42 SLC Swaros are great (IMHO) make sure you have a look through them when you get the chance.

But........... as others have recommended, you really need to try them all out, you'll be surprised how little things about different bins charm or annoy you. For example, I loved the view through the Leica Trinovids (also in your price range) but hated the eye cups and they felt less comfortable in the hand than the SLC's.

Try to get to a local field day, line up all the bins you can afford, remembering to compare 7x 8x 10x and walk away skint, but with your faves around your neck.

Good luck!

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by MarkE70

Thanks for all the advice. Like you say I will endevour to have a look at as many as I can over the next couple of weeks. Does anyone recommend the canon image stabilising bins? or is it a bit of an unnecessary gimmick?

It's by no means a gimmick. My wife uses them and the Image stabilisation works superbly. When you've focused them then pressed the Stabilisation button, it's almost like looking at a 3D object. It makes a huge difference and I thoroughly recommend them.