Binoculars seen in France (1 Viewer)

[dalat]

There are a couple of threads discussing what binoculars are used by birders, which makes are commonly seen, etc. These are usually quite interesting, but I couldn't find one of those threads anymore to post this.

Anyway, while I usually bird away from crowds, especially when traveling, we joined the crowds this October during a week on the little island of Ouessant, France's rarity hotspot. There were maybe 200-300 birders on the island, likely the most keen subset of birders among the French scene (see attached photo).

The binocular brand most seen was probably Kite, followed by plenty of other mid-priced bins that I can't immediately recognize. Expensive brands were relatively few, I'd guess less than 20 %. Swaros were the most common among those (invariably with bulgy or taped over armor, except for older SLCs) followed by a few Leica Ultravid and Noctivids. I haven's seen any new Zeiss, only a couple of older Dialyts. Perhaps 1-2 Canon IS 10x42.

 

[Rg548]

Mid price optics are so very good these days it's hard to justify the huge outlay for top tier.
Years ago the difference was huge.... not so anymore.
Conquest level binos for example are all anyone would ever need...
But some folk will always head for the best, regardless of value for money.

 

[A2GG]

Binocular Sightings

forgot to post about last week. I spotted 2 Zeiss Dialyt. Also, Vortex Viper 42 and an old Nikon Monarch model. Those Dialyts must be very well made.

www.birdforum.net

 

[KeesJ]

In September this year I spend a week on Ile de Re. Seen a lot of different birds, and many, many people on bicycles enjoying nature. BUT the whole time I was the only one carrying a binoculair!

 

[dalat]

BUT the whole time I was the only one carrying a binoculair!

It was a little different on Ouessant in October. My wife, a non-birder, felt uncomfortably sticking out, being out without a binocular in hands 😂

 

[tehri]

Expensive brands were relatively few, I'd guess less than 20 %. Swaros were the most common among those (invariably with bulgy or taped over armor,

In France, for many, even the bank accounts are with rustines and tape on it ! 🧐

 

[Maljunulo]

Mid price optics are so very good these days it's hard to justify the huge outlay for top tier.
Years ago the difference was huge.... not so anymore.
Conquest level binos for example are all anyone would ever need...
But some folk will always head for the best, regardless of value for money.

Well, that’s one opinion.

Opinions may vary.

 

[kb57]

This looks like a relatively young crowd, so it's not surprising they're going for mid-priced binoculars rather than spending a fortune on top end gear.

 

[dalat]

Yes, quite some young and keen people there... But I didn't see much of an correlation. Quite a few young guys with Swaros or Leica, and also lots of older people with cheaper bins.

I don't want to over analyse, just share the observation. The birds and the island were more interesting

Ps: my Berlebach wooden tripod did great in the wind. But I was the only one with such a thing.

 

[Rg548]

Well, that’s one opinion.

Opinions may vary.

That was a well worth it reply...

Its my opinion, so there is only that one from me !!!..... it's what I think...

If you like, i can try and post lots of other opinions that other people might think of...
Might be a long post though......

 

[Rg548]

Well, that’s one opinion.

Opinions may vary.

Just realised.... I called you out for being rude about JackJacks binocular tests....
So now this... i get it.... brilliant

Grow up

 

[Maljunulo]

Just realised.... I called you out for being rude about JackJacks binocular tests....
So now this... i get it.... brilliant

Grow up

Thank you for your input.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

What were you watching @dalat ?

 

[dalat]

Hi, we did not get the most productive time on Ouessant, it was rather quiet overall, with southern winds first and very little wind most of the time. Still a lot of fun. The most spectacular bird for us was a Baird's Sandpiper (which drew the crowds pictured above). We (my daughter and myself) loved to comb through the bushes full of warblers every day, with Yellow-browed Warblers and Red-breastead Flycatchers seen almost daily. Richard's and Red-throated pipits on the meadows were more difficult to find. Missed a Dusky Warbler present, because we could not get onto it. Seabirds were great for us, living far from the coast, although I need more Island stays to really get something out of sea-watching.
Overall, it was extremely pleasant, being on an little island, with nothing else to do than going out and looking for birds. And everyone else there doing the same. Felt a little jealous though when I read about the Rubythroat on Heligoland when we were on the way back.

 

[Tringa45]

The most spectacular bird for us was a Baird's Sandpiper

Would have made my year!

 

[dalat]

Would have made my year!

Here the Baird's (and birders at the end of the vid):

 

[fazalmajid]

Ps: my Berlebach wooden tripod did great in the wind. But I was the only one with such a thing.

Well, tone woods make the best tripods, even better than carbon fiber, but they also tend towards the unwieldy, so that’s understandable.

Congratulations on bagging the Baird’s, figuratively speaking!

 

[Patudo]

This looks like a relatively young crowd, so it's not surprising they're going for mid-priced binoculars rather than spending a fortune on top end gear.

It looks like, from the pic posted up-thread, many of them have chosen to purchase long lenses and cameras rather than binoculars. Which, of course, is a perfectly valid choice - get a good photo, and the moment is captured forever, while even the sharpest mental image all too often gets blurred around the edges with the passage of time.

I've found, on the rare occasions I burden myself with camera and lens, that when spotting for targets it's more important that the binocular be relatively small and handy, and truly outstanding image quality isn't absolutely necessary. Indeed, because the camera image is quite often (especially in dull light or other sub-optimal conditions) not as good as what the eye assisted by binoculars sees, a binocular a step or even two down from the top of the range may actually be helpful in giving you a better sense of how your photos may turn out. As some fella has said: "They do not need premium glass"...

 

[dalat]

It looks like, from the pic posted up-thread, many of them have chosen to purchase long lenses and cameras rather than binoculars

No, every single of them had binoculars (in the x30-50 range, very few compacts). The bird was easy to see, so all had already gotten good looks through bins and scopes and those with cams now are trying to get good pictures.

 

[fazalmajid]

As some fella has said: "They do not need premium glass"...

The young, with their eyesight unravaged by time, are precisely those best able to appreciate premium glass. Alas, they are usually also penniless and unable to afford it.