Which starter binoculars (1 Viewer)

My main interest is in photographing rather than observing birds. Given that I really only need binoculars for brief observation before spending the most of my time trying to get a decent photo can you reccomend something light weight approx 10 x 40 and up around £100 ?
I was looking at the Bushnell H2O 10 x 42 which seemed excellent for the price but have no idea what is best quality in that price rang so any help before buying would be greatly appreciated.

John

It's always the same. I recommend you go to a local store. Try the H2O, try Nikons, try pentax. Do NOT look at Swarosvki etc. Pick one.

went to the store

Tero said:

It's always the same. I recommend you go to a local store. Try the H2O, try Nikons, try pentax. Do NOT look at Swarosvki etc. Pick one.

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Was at Currys today the only ones in stock were the H2O. Just wondering before I buy how they compare to others in the same price range.

Chkm8 said:

My main interest is in photographing rather than observing birds. Given that I really only need binoculars for brief observation before spending the most of my time trying to get a decent photo can you reccomend something light weight approx 10 x 40 and up around £100 ?
I was looking at the Bushnell H2O 10 x 42 which seemed excellent for the price but have no idea what is best quality in that price rang so any help before buying would be greatly appreciated.

John

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Yes, definitely do not look at any alpha binoculars. Especially Zeiss FL's, Swarovski Swarovision's or Nikon SE's or EII's. That might force you to get your credit card out and you don't want to do that.

Chkm8 said:

Was at Currys today the only ones in stock were the H2O. Just wondering before I buy how they compare to others in the same price range.

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Hi Chkma,
Don't buy from Currry's...my 'humble' opinion, as i'm NOT a bino expert. Look on Amazon or Ebay at a choice of either: 'Opticron Discovery' 'Bushnell H20's', or Nikon have a nice little range of porro prism's within your price range) . I recommend you don't go for 10x42, stick to 8x42 or x9 MAX. (x10's are too 'shaky' and you'll regret it in the end) Search here on BF for 'Binocular Bargains': very informative, but, don't get too bogged down and just go for it when you feel it's 'the one'.PS: Look also here on BF for: 'Equipment for sale'. There's a lot of BARGAIN binoculars on it if you take the time. Most of 'em are sold by previous birders. :t:

Hi John,

Apologies. There is a regular stream of similar questions including several recently.

I don't remember the H2O (roof prism) as being anything special, but I've noted that others that were stricter with their budgets than I was have ended up choosing them. Generally you will find porro prism designs and reverse porro compacts will have better performance but then there is the penalty of size or brightness. Plan A. Follow Tero's advice and add in Opticron for the UK. If there is not a specialist optics shop near you, try the independant camera stores and even John Lewis. Plan B. Look at your budget. What would you spend on a camera lens? Perhaps that might be a guide to what you get for your money. Cheap roofs will help you find the birds, but the pricier ones make it easier, more pleasurable and save time in getting the shots. I suggest that you look at an 8x or even less as the wider field of view will be helpful.

Regards,

David

after spending weeks staring through, bins in the £100 to £150 bracket last year to get some of my own.

i found the view to be best through, opticron discovery. and viking navilux for roof prism models.

the bushnell h2o had a fair bit of ca that i didn't like.

in porros the best view was bushnell natureview birding series 8x40, and opticron aspheric.

once you've passed the discovery pricepoint, the next stop is hawke frontier ED at £399 and after that you're looking at swaros and a grand.

my recommendation is don't spend one penny untill you have had both the discoveries and navilux in your hand and had a look through them.

preferably in a place where you can compare them with other models.
do this on a bright sunny day, then go back and repeat the process late on on a dark horrible day, once you've tried them out in both bright sunshine and dark dull conditions and had a good fiddle to make sure you get on with the ergonomics of the individual pair, then spend your money.


a quick search on yell says there's 2 photo optics stores in belfast and a proper optics shop


John Gould & Son Bangor Ltd
82, Abbey Street, Bangor, BT20 4JB

if you're anywhere close that might be the place to go.

they do
opticron
leica
swaro
minox
bushnell
and pentax.

so there's 3 brands to look at there which have models in your price range and you can try them out.

typo said:

Hi John,

Plan B. Look at your budget. What would you spend on a camera lens? Perhaps that might be a guide to what you get for your money.
David

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I spend far too much on lenses for the camera lol. I daren't even consider going that amount for binoculars given that it would be casual use compared to how much use I get from the camera lenses.

Thanks everyone for the help lots of room for thought. Pity Currys only had the 1 brand to look at. Though as optiman says price wise there are better outlets.

John.

>>" light weight approx 10 x 40 and up around £100 ?"

good 10x40 - much more, than £100 ~~ 200$

hmm.. Zen-ray Summit HD 10x42 ? about 250$ with shipping to your country .
(if you don't wear glasses)

Whilst visiting the Lake District area a few years back, I purchased a Vortex Diamondback 8x42 and have todate been extremely satisfied with it.
There is a lifetime guarantee which I can confirm is absolutely brilliant as my rubber rear lenscaps became loose. When approaching Vortex USA with the issue they were immediately replaced, totally free of charge with even a better version within 10 days!
Tip! Ensure that you purchase binoculars that are nitrogen filled.
Very reasonably priced!
Good luck with your choice.

Cheers - Herman

The Vortex Diamondback 8 x 42 is indeed, as Herman states, a very good binocular for the money. It is solid, very well built; and it has a nice wide FOV of 8 degrees and excellent eye relief.

Bob