Safari (and general birding) binocular? (1 Viewer)

[Dennis Mau]

I should give the Nikons a closer look. Maybe I'm biased toward the "alphas" but my uncle who owned a camera store was always big on Nikon (after Hasselblad and Leica).

I was too, but Nikon makes some of the best cameras and optics in the world. Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica don't have any secrets about optics that Nikon doesn't know about. If Nikon had perfected the EDG it would have easily been the best binocular in the world. It is just people don't associate Nikon with high-end optics because they dominate the lower end and middle range market. Japanese engineering is really superior to the Austrians and Germans, especially when you consider what you are getting for your money. The Nikon HG 8x42 is as light, has way less glare and has almost the same FOV as the NL 8x32 for 1/2 the money. The ocular cover on the HG fits better than the NL, the objective covers on the HG work perfect and don't break off like the NL's do. The HG case is a study in simplicity that simply works, instead of the overdone heavy NL case with the goofy sideload design. With the HG case, you don't have to stuff your strap in the case every time you put your binoculars away.

You simply put the binoculars in and leave the strap outside the case. The HG has armor where you need it instead of making the binocular heavier by having it all over and then to top it off in a couple of years it starts peeling off! The FP strap attachment system is a waste of time and money and leads to endless frustration because the strap gets twisted, and you have to figure out if it is the FP that has turned or if it is the strap that has twisted. The HG 8x42 has 92% transmission, which is higher than the 91% of the NL 8x32, and it is much brighter because the 42mm aperture takes in almost twice the light. The ONLY advantage the NL 8x32 has over the HG 8x42 is sharper edges, and you have to decide if that is worth another $1200. Nikon is by far the most popular camera brand used by professional photographers, followed by Canon and then Sony. Leica cameras are used by less than 1% of professional photographers, so that should tell you something!

 

[CharleyBird]

10x42NL

The x52 are heavier & larger, not what I'd carry far.
Do try the 12x42NL if possible.

 

[soloflyfisher]

Gotta ask—how concerned should I be about the deteriorating armour on the Swaros?

 

[Dennis Mau]

Gotta ask—how concerned should I be about the deteriorating armour on the Swaros?

How much do you think you will sweat in Africa? Swarovski has determined the peeling armor is caused by sweat, and they are using a new improved sweat resistant armor on the NL's but not yet on the EL's. It would be impossible to determine when they made the upgrade because they won't state exactly when they made the change in the armor. If you purchased a fresh new NL from Swarovski, you might get the new armor. If not, they will repair your armor if and when it peels off.

 

[Maljunulo]

I wouldn’t take a 12X on a safari, unless I had a 8X32 around my neck and someone to carry and hand me the 12X when I needed it.

For the record: I’ve never been on a safari.

 

[soloflyfisher]

I wouldn’t take a 12X on a safari, unless I had a 8X32 around my neck and someone to carry and hand me the 12X when I needed it.

For the record: I’ve never been on a safari.

I've never really felt that hand shake was bad with 10X (and my Leica 10X42 BAs are not exactly light), but I'm hesitant to move up to 12X. Also, I find a larger exit pupil more comfortable to look through (even in bright light), so prefer to keep the exit pupil at least 4mm, and preferably 5mm. The 8X42 has a lot going for it with a wide FOV and a 5.25mm exit pupil. Then again, I've always liked the image better with a 10X.

 

[PatR]

I've never really felt that hand shake was bad with 10X (and my Leica 10X42 BAs are not exactly light), but I'm hesitant to move up to 12X. Also, I find a larger exit pupil more comfortable to look through (even in bright light), so prefer to keep the exit pupil at least 4mm, and preferably 5mm. The 8X42 has a lot going for it with a wide FOV and a 5.25mm exit pupil. Then again, I've always liked the image better with a 10X.

Such a wealth of knowledge and suggestions from people more qualified than me but were I in your shoes I would be packing my NL Pure 10x42’s. They are a jack of all trades and a master of most.

A brilliant pair of bino’s with reach, an astonishing FOV and a clarity and brightness that brings a smile to my face every time I use them. I have the winged eyecups and the headrest fitted which keeps out stray light and the sun and adds enormous stability.

 

[bcskr]

When on safari most of the time you’ll be in a vehicle with other people whose jostling and movements will affect the stability of your optics. That’s why I do not recommend any power greater than 8x unless you have an image stabilized binocular.

 

[twitcherf]

The 8X seems to be leading in the polling. I can get the Noctivid 8X42 on clearance for $2,500 CAD. The NL Pure 8X42 is $3629 CAD. That's gonna be a factor too.

I wouldn't go by the polling though - that is effectively an average view, but you are not an average, you are a specific.

The only sure fire way is to try the options as you might find that the optics that poll lowest may suit you best.

To the specific question, given the open landscape nature of safari and the fact that you cant (typically) walk closer to the birds the 10x would be my preference.

 

[Dennis Mau]

 

[Isthatascratch?]

I was too, but Nikon makes some of the best cameras and optics in the world. Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica don't have any secrets about optics that Nikon doesn't know about. If Nikon had perfected the EDG it would have easily been the best binocular in the world. It is just people don't associate Nikon with high-end optics because they dominate the lower end and middle range market. Japanese engineering is really superior to the Austrians and Germans, especially when you consider what you are getting for your money. The Nikon HG 8x42 is as light, has way less glare and has almost the same FOV as the NL 8x32 for 1/2 the money. The ocular cover on the HG fits better than the NL, the objective covers on the HG work perfect and don't break off like the NL's do. The HG case is a study in simplicity that simply works, instead of the overdone heavy NL case with the goofy sideload design. With the HG case, you don't have to stuff your strap in the case every time you put your binoculars away.

You simply put the binoculars in and leave the strap outside the case. The HG has armor where you need it instead of making the binocular heavier by having it all over and then to top it off in a couple of years it starts peeling off! The FP strap attachment system is a waste of time and money and leads to endless frustration because the strap gets twisted, and you have to figure out if it is the FP that has turned or if it is the strap that has twisted. The HG 8x42 has 92% transmission, which is higher than the 91% of the NL 8x32, and it is much brighter because the 42mm aperture takes in almost twice the light. The ONLY advantage the NL 8x32 has over the HG 8x42 is sharper edges, and you have to decide if that is worth another $1200. Nikon is by far the most popular camera brand used by professional photographers, followed by Canon and then Sony. Leica cameras are used by less than 1% of professional photographers, so that should tell you something!

If you only have one binocular, a 8x42 is the best all around binocular.

This week or forever?

 

[Montereyman]

I take my camera and a lens on such trips and so I use the Swarvo 10x25 Pocket Mountain binos that can fold up and fit in a jacket or vest pocket or their 12 oz weight can hang off my neck for hours. I am now using my Sig Sauer 16x42 image stabilized binoculars a great deal more. I scan the horizon and then when I zero in on something I have Normal and Target image stabilization. I have stopped using my scope (and tripod) entirely.

 

[soloflyfisher]

@OP - my take on this is probably slightly contrarian, and I've never been on safari, so you need to take this with the requisite helping of salt, but ... I would just take the three binoculars you already own. You and the Mrs can use the two larger binoculars as needed and bring the small one for backup.

I know, I know ... it flies against the ethos of this subforum (BUY BUY BUY!!!) and your optics dealer will not thank me for this. But there are some practical reasons for my suggestion. First and foremost is that you should be very familiar with them, so handling should be intuitive (you won't be trying to learn a new binocular while in a new environment and looking at unfamiliar creatures). Second, and also pretty important I'd say: both Leicas can not only take knocks; you also won't be too fussed about getting them dinged if they bang against the Land Rover, or assorted terrain features - as may very likely happen in safari conditions - than you might be with a brand spanking new $3000 binocular.

But aren't the Swaros/whatever better, I hear you say? Personally, I doubt the Leica BA/BNs really give up a great deal in actual field use - most likely a lot of the game/birds/whatever will be pointed out for you by the guides anyway; it gets bright quickly in the tropics so you likely won't be viewing for extended periods in twilight, when the superior brightness of the latest binoculars might help for 10-15 minutes or so, maximum; and if it's really blindingly Africa-bright, the lower light transmission and performance against glare of the Leicas might actually help you. (Scratch all that if you're doing a specialty trip into the rainforest to see bongo/okapi/Congo peafowl, of course.) And you're probably going to be looking at a lot of game animals, from impala size to the biggest of the big, rather than trying to find and ID little passerines; I doubt very much a frickin' elephant is going to look any less impressive through a Leica 10x42 or 8x32 than a Swaro or whatever.

Put all that together and I really think there is a strong case for taking the binoculars you are fully familiar with, and which are really pretty good, in terms of both durability and field performance. But if you put a .470 Nitro to my head (hang on ... did you mean that kind of safari? ...) I suppose I would pick the 10x42 NL as the format that for me is the best all-rounder. But if your experience with the Leicas has made you favour 8x, by all means go for the 8x42 of either manufacturer. They are both brilliant binoculars in their own way. The 10x52 NL while (IMO) offering the utmost in absolute image quality, is a bit of a handful - maybe not on safari if you are doing most of your glassing from a vehicle, but later on in its service if you are doing lots of birding on foot. If you can afford a dedicated binocular for long-range glassing, especially if you expect to be doing so from a viewpoint or similar fixed location, the 10x52 would be outstanding for that task; but I reckon that - unless you're one of the he-man types that occasionally pop up here - after lugging it on foot for half a dozen birding trips there's a real good chance you'll find yourself wanting to use a x42.

Have fun on your trip and let us know how you get on!

So after much consideration, I've decided that your recommendation is the best of all. For this trip I am taking my three current Leica binoculars (8X32 BA, 10X42 BA and ultravid 8X20). These give me a good range of high-quality binoculars to choose from. What's more, I will be sharing them with a bunch of other people on the safari and if they get dinged up, covered in insect repellent and sunscreen, or even lost or stolen I'm not going to be too upset because when I get home I'm going to be buying a brand new pair anyway.

So off to Kenya in March with these binoculars—and then back to deciding on my new pair for retirement once I'm back.

 

[Dennis Mau]

So after much consideration, I've decided that your recommendation is the best of all. For this trip I am taking my three current Leica binoculars (8X32 BA, 10X42 BA and ultravid 8X20). These give me a good range of high-quality binoculars to choose from. What's more, I will be sharing them with a bunch of other people on the safari and if they get dinged up, covered in insect repellent and sunscreen, or even lost or stolen I'm not going to be too upset because when I get home I'm going to be buying a brand new pair anyway.

So off to Kenya in March with these binoculars—and then back to deciding on my new pair for retirement once I'm back.

The Leica's will work well, especially the 8x32 BA. The Lion's orangish brown colors will look great in the Leica with it's saturated colors. A lot of guides use the Leica BA 8x32 and they usually look well-used!

 

[GrampaTom]

The Leica's will work well, especially the 8x32 BA. The Lion's orangish brown colors will look great in the Leica with it's saturated colors. A lot of guides use the Leica BA 8x32 and they usually look well-used!

Denco, we didnt know you are a safari guy. You almost never describe using the binos you buy and sell so we are left to wonder. It would be great if you described the safaris you've been on, or birding days so we can relate your opinions to actual field use. Context matters.

 

[Ignatius]

I'm not sure this invitation was clever. Binocular reviews from Narnia ... 🤔

 

[PatR]

Denco, we didnt know you are a safari guy. You almost never describe using the binos you buy and sell so we are left to wonder. It would be great if you described the safaris you've been on, or birding days so we can relate your opinions to actual field use. Context matters.

Oh the glare, must put these on Classified😀

 

[Ignatius]

 

[Owene]

Took nl pures to Uganda recently and had absolutely none of the problems with glare or casing mentioned here on either savannah or rainforest

 

[Figge]

The Leica's will work well, especially the 8x32 BA. The Lion's orangish brown colors will look great in the Leica with it's saturated colors. A lot of guides use the Leica BA 8x32 and they usually look well-used!

Most people bring not only binoculars. Very few go without a camera or two and long lenses. Some want a spotting scope as well. Most quickly have to reconsider equipment dreams when meeting reality.

Nowadays cabin luggage allowances are very restrictive. Sometimes only 8 kg is allowed. You can have the best and most complete equipment but ultimately you can only bring the most neccessary items. I bring a 600mm lens, a 24-70 mm lens, a camera body and 8x32 binoculars. That is all that fits within the 8 kg limit.

I might ”cheat” a little by bringing some extras as personal items or let my wife carry some items, Still luggage is very limited.

Personally I would never bring more than one pair of binoculars. My Leica 8x32 is very good and very compact compared to other alfa binos.