How do you hold your binoculars?

[Leif]

I think the question speaks for itself. Is this obvious? Do all serious birders adopt a common approach, and are you all laughing at me for asking a dumb question?

As for me, well I support the eyepiece end with my thumbs, and then grip the objective by placing two fingers on top and two fingers underneath. I then brace my upper arms against my chest.

Am I alone in finding it easier to hold longer binoculars steady?

[Michael Frankis]

Sounds very uncomfortable, but I guess I'll give that a try to see if it is any more stable than normal holding (thumbs below, all fingers above). I doubt it will be though, as vibration originates more in the arms than the hands

Can you post a photo showing how you hold them?

Michael

[Charles Harper]

I hold them like Michael (spreading the fingers along the length of the barrels aids control), and for extended viewing I butt the top of the eyepiece against the inner edge of the orbital ridge of my eye socket and angle my head slightly forward, viewing therefore with my eyes cast slightly upward. This steadies the instrument, and I find that my clearest view is slightly above the center of the field.

...And I can do this while standing on a medicine ball and juggling three oranges.

[digi-birder]

I used to use the 'normal method', but it was, for me, hard to hold them steadily. I now hold the right-hand side in that way, but the left side I rest on my fingertips with a bit of support also using the thumb and then I rest my left elbow into my side, allowing for a bit more support.

I can see that photos are going to be needed to describe all these techniques.

[CJW]

Right hand holding the bins (index finger on the focussing wheel. other three fingers spread out along the right hand barrel with the thumb underneath). Left hand supporting with just the fingertips in contact with the left hand barrell.
Sometimes. Depends on the wind really.....

[robinm]

I guess my method is similar to digi-birder and CJW.

However, if I am wearing a peaked cap (BF cap since acquiring mine from Steve last Friday) I sometimes hold the bins in the "normal" way and hook the middle fingers around the peak. This helps with stability.

[Tannin]

I don't own any. At least I do, but they are cheap, nasty Gerbers and I never use them. Naked eye or scope, nothing in-between. But I'm thinking about buying a pair soon. No point in getting anything too big when I have the scope to fall back on, so maybe those 8X32 Swarovskis which seem to be getting good reports. Something light, anyway - and I'm damned if I'll waste another penny on cheap ones. The reality is that with the other gear to take care of, I'll need to be able to use them with one hand (because I have the tripod & scope over my shoulder), so they will need to be smallish. Is this a practical hope? Or is two hands an absolute necessity?

[digi-birder]

No, I can't hold them with one hand, especially with, sorry, in the wind.
;)

[CJW]

Originally posted by digi-birder
No, I can't hold them with one hand, especially with, sorry, in the wind.
;)

Dear me Diane, that was gagging for a smutty reply......

[Michael Frankis]

I've tried holding bins in one hand with the other holding the scope & pod - not easy. I usually hook the pod over my shoulder (with the pan&tilt handle) so I can use both hands. Still not easy, when the whole lot tries to slide off the corner of my shoulder. Trouble is, I'm not built like King Henry VIII, he could have done it easily.

Michael

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by CJW
Dear me Diane, that was gagging for a smutty reply......

I know. I almost made a comment about the reference to the wind you made in your earlier post, but thought better of it. Then I just couldn't resist in the end.

:t:

[CJW]

Originally posted by digi-birder
I know. I almost made a comment about the reference to the wind you made in your earlier post, but thought better of it. Then I just couldn't resist in the end.

:t:

It must just be me then. I wasn't referring to the wind comment.....

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by CJW
It must just be me then. I wasn't referring to the wind comment.....

OK, I get it now. I'm a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.
;)

[robinm]

CJW and Diane. This was a perfectly decent thread about the different positions used by birders and you just had to lower the tone. ;)

[CJW]

Robin, don't interruptus!

[digi-birder]

So, let's get back to the purpose of the thread.

How does everyone else hold theirs?

[Eddie]

Hi everyone,
I hold my bins either with fingers on top, thumbs underneath as already described or with fingertips supporting them on one side as already described BUT I find to get more steadiness with, one hand is nearer the objective lens and the other nearer the eyepiece so they are offset and this prevents up/down unsteady movement if you see what I mean.


Eddie

[pduxon]

Fingers on top, thumbs underneath. Sometimes I balance the bins on the tips of my left hand fingers.

[cjay]

Tightly in both hands. Often one handed if I am on my mobile at the same time.

Colin J.

[Beverlybaynes]

Fingers over, thumbs below. I'm more concerned about just being able to hold the binos -- my hands aren't that large -- with some models I couldn't reach the focusing wheel easily, and jogged things all about trying to reach it.

As it is, with my Swift Ultralite 8x42s, I still have to stretch with my second finger to move the wheel.

(I was going to say 'middle finger' but this thread has veered off into the ditch once already!)

[pduxon]

Tut tut Beverley

Colin J - mobile phone in one hand, bins in the other ? Not in a hide I trust!!

That's moderators for you........

[CJW]

It's a struggle when I'm driving........especially if the phone rings....

[Gerry Hooper]

I hold my bins in the usual way- thumbs underneath fingers on top.
For more stability I sit on the ground and brace elbows and knees together.
'Course it 's more fun if you use somebody else's knees.-OOOh eeer missus...

[iporali]

If I don't use finnstick, I hold the binos the same way as Leif.

I was really surprised not to find a single hit with the word 'finnstick' (on this forum), which is the *other* finnish invention...

A brief description from http://faqs.jmas.co.jp/FAQs/birds-faq/optics:

"Finnsticks

A finnstick is literally a stick, usually with a fork at one end, which you
use to hold your binoculars at eye-level, allowing you to keep your arms
down. Consequently, you keep your view steadier for longer periods.
Finnsticks are useful in any endurance situation: hawk watching, sea
watching, and pelagic trips.

These sticks originated in Finland where they are called staijikeppi
(pronounced: stah-yeeh kep-peeh). Most finnsticks are homemade (because they
apparently have a proclivity for getting lost) from branches 1.5-2 inches
(4-6cm) in diameter, 2-3 feet (60-100cm) in length, with a natural fork in
one end. This fork, with perhaps a little carving, fits under the center
barrel of the binoculars."

Tip: Broken hockey sticks can be easily recycled as finnsticks.

Ilkka

[Alastair Rae]

Originally posted by iporali
If I don't use finnstick, I hold the binos the same way as Leif.

I was really surprised not to find a single hit with the word 'finnstick' (on this forum), which is the *other* finnish invention...
It's wierd the loyalty to the finnstick. I guess they are called finnsticks because only the Finns use them.

I find that, for prolonged viewing, just tucking my elbows in to my sides is all that's needed. What causes tiredness is the holding your arms out from your body.

[Charles Harper]

First I've heard of a finnstick, Illka. Sounds like a good idea, except for having to carry it around all day. Now, if I were on crutches anyway...

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Ilkka

Originally posted by iporali
A brief description from http://faqs.jmas.co.jp/FAQs/birds-faq/optics:

Sorry, but . . .

"The page cannot be found
The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try the following:
If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.
Open the faqs.jmas.co.jp home page, and then look for links to the information you want.
Click the Back button to try another link.
Click Search to look for information on the Internet.

HTTP 404 - File not found
Internet Explorer "

[iporali]

Hi Michael

Sorry - just remove the punctuation mark (colon) from the end...

Charles:
Yes, it is one more thing to carry around and it is of no use in places where you have to move and focus the binos rapidly.

But feel free to try - I think it is useful when you are watching for longer periods. It allows you to keep your whole arms against the body.

Ilkka

[Leif]

It looks like how to hold 'em is far from obvious though the simple wrap
your hands round them seems to be the most popular.

Here are two more
novel techniques (http://www.optics4birding.com/optics/faq.htm#binotoc)

Michael Frankis: Here's a link to a drawing showing how I hold bins. Sadly I'm no artist!

Click here for a work of art. (http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9680)

The key is to rest the elbows against the chest to avoid fatigue and use the finger tips to stabilise the binocular objectives. I also press the eye tubes against my face (not shown in drawing).

[pauco]

IF we are keeping it clean !! fingers ontop thumbs underneath.

[Geoff Brown]

Fingers on top, thumbs beneath, and if possible sit down and rest elbows onto bent knees to steady bins even more. (no I'm not drwaing any diagrams)

[christineredgate]

I cheated,I just copied Bill Oddie,left hand grapsed around the left barrel,and right fingers propping up rt barrel,looks realt proffessional!!
Christine.

[christineredgate]

sorry the spelling there is appalling,reckon it,s bedtime,night everyone.
Christine.

[Art Thorn]

Maybe something to be learned from competiton shooters here. Depends on one's anatomy I think, but elbows in, tight against the body (belly, in my case), and thumbs against the nose. Works in my case.