Any good references for learning more about binoculars? (1 Viewer)

Not talking about specific models - more a good primer on some of the terminology and optical qualities I see referenced regularly in threads.

I know or at least think I understand some of terms I see people talk about with regard to performance of a particular binocular, but was wondering if there is good site that could help me understand it better or at least be able to understand it enough that if I'm using a couple different models I could intelligently describe it properly.

So I understand the basics like objective lens size, magnification, FOV and those physical features of a binocular. I was thinking more along the lines of CA, pincushion etc.

Some Primers:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/binocular_basics.htm

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/binoculars4_power.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/firstlook_2_98.jsp

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/choosing_binoculars.htm


--------These are really basic refs, but quick reading.

People do develop their own personal preferences,
so it's worth looking through other people's or stores' binoculars and considering
what you liked, and looking at challenging paths (outside the store with
a light inside glaring, etc).

My personal key characteristics are:
Sharpness, contrast depth, eye placement (is finicky or generous), brightness.

Some things ineract with each other. For example, extra power (9x, 10x) can add shake
for many people and lose resolution as a result. Lower power adds brightness and
(generally fieldwidth but might lose details, etc..

The effect of weight is important to understand at first: Those 10x50's might be bright
and strong, and maybe even stable per se, but too much weight and your
arm tremor will erase the gains. Just mentioning that because it's something
you might not think of at first. Special "lightweight" 10x50s might deliver where
heavy binocs would shake the view.

Anyway, after the basics, binocular nuts will busily debate all day ;-)
So, when you learn terminology, also learn your personal preferences...
see how many you can go out and look through.

This may also help. I read Stephen Ingraham extensively when I first got into this hobby.....

http://www.betterviewdesired.com/The-Ideal-Birding-Binocular.php

Oh, that's a really nice one!
Slightly advanced, but awesome.

I'd peek at a lightweight article like chuckhawks and then do that one.
Some extra wisdom.

It took me a while to realize how key decent objective size can be.

Here's an oldie but goodie:

http://betterviewdesired.com/The-Ideal-Birding-Binocular.php

Here's one I hadn't seen before:

http://www.natureguystudio.com/binoculars.html

Holger Merltiz has a book on binoculars, but it has not yet been translated into English. Too bad it wasn't translated in time for Christmas, I'm sure it would have been in many members' stockings, although it's for the more advanced user. Here's the table of contents and a link to the introduction:

Handheld Binoculars

I'd like to see Henry Link's collected wisdoms put in book form, too, or at least collected in one place on a Website instead of my many bookmarks.

Brock

"

I'd like to see Henry Link's collected wisdoms put in book form, too, or at least collected in one place on a Website instead of my many bookmarks.

"

That could be done with a book at Blurb pretty easily.
(and others, but that's the no-cost)
Download the tool (free), paste the content in, pick a cover, etc..
Publish On Demand is quite reasonable now, as long as you
go 1-color.

Thanks all - that BVD article was just the ticket.

Thanks for all the responses - read all the links provided and appreciate the help