John Russell
Well-known member
A tripod is indispensable if one wishes to measure the AFOV of a bin or assess its resolution with a booster, but sometimes it can be of use for birding with moderate magnifications. Prerequisites are a tripod adapter (I use the Leica adapter, which works well with all roof prism bins) and that the tripod will extend to eye level.
Extended monocular viewing through an angled scope with a small exit pupil can be very fatiguing but a mounted bin is much more relaxing than hand-held. Of course, this is only really practical when one doesn't need to be mobile.
For scope use I recently replaced a Series 2 Gitzo basalt tripod with a carbon fibre Sirui M-3204, which is much stiffer and even a little lighter than the Gitzo. I put a Gitzo 1277M friction ballhead back on the basalt tripod, which had seen some use with an earlier straight scope and replaced the top disc of the ballhead with a Novoflex Q-Mount, so that I now have Arca Swiss compatibility between my monopod and two tripods (Berlebach 552 video head for the scope and Sirui L-10 tilt head on the monopod).
On a recent birding trip there was an observation point with large expanses of water on either side of a minor road and lots of comings and goings. I set up my 10x42 SVs on a tripod next to the scope and in the course of two to three hours spent more time behind the bins than the scope. The excellent edge sharpness of the SVs often obviated the need to pan but lateral CA was consequently more often apparent than in hand-held use. To eliminate it, slight head movement to the right was necessary when viewing the left edge and vice versa. All in all though a very relaxing experience and for those in posession of a suitable tripod thoroughly recommended. It only requires the purchase of a bino tripod adapter and an additional QR plate.
Now I'm very curious to try out that new 15x56 SLC..........
John
Extended monocular viewing through an angled scope with a small exit pupil can be very fatiguing but a mounted bin is much more relaxing than hand-held. Of course, this is only really practical when one doesn't need to be mobile.
For scope use I recently replaced a Series 2 Gitzo basalt tripod with a carbon fibre Sirui M-3204, which is much stiffer and even a little lighter than the Gitzo. I put a Gitzo 1277M friction ballhead back on the basalt tripod, which had seen some use with an earlier straight scope and replaced the top disc of the ballhead with a Novoflex Q-Mount, so that I now have Arca Swiss compatibility between my monopod and two tripods (Berlebach 552 video head for the scope and Sirui L-10 tilt head on the monopod).
On a recent birding trip there was an observation point with large expanses of water on either side of a minor road and lots of comings and goings. I set up my 10x42 SVs on a tripod next to the scope and in the course of two to three hours spent more time behind the bins than the scope. The excellent edge sharpness of the SVs often obviated the need to pan but lateral CA was consequently more often apparent than in hand-held use. To eliminate it, slight head movement to the right was necessary when viewing the left edge and vice versa. All in all though a very relaxing experience and for those in posession of a suitable tripod thoroughly recommended. It only requires the purchase of a bino tripod adapter and an additional QR plate.
Now I'm very curious to try out that new 15x56 SLC..........
John
