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Bird Watching Optics
Learn More about Bird Watching Optics
One of the best parts of pursuing bird watching is the ease with which you can just jump in. You don't need fancy or expensive equipment (at least initially); all you really need is a hunger to learn more, a love of birdlife, a good field guide, and some patience. On that list should also be bird watching optics. . As your passion grows (and it will!), you will discover that you need more advanced tools. How advanced do they have to be? What type of binoculars or telescope do you need? What is field of view and focal length, and what should you be looking for? And just as importantly, how much can you expect to pay? Read on to learn more about the tools of the bird watching trade.
The first thing that you'll notice when you're searching for the right type of bird watching optics is that there is an incredible variety. You can find a pair of binoculars that cost under $50 or you can find a pair that costs over $1000. We can assume that the $1000 are of a much higher quality, but how much do you have to spend to get a level of quality that is sufficient for your needs. Before you consider price, think about what you need. Typically, birders look out for the following:
- Weight. Even lightweight binoculars can start to get heavy very quickly. You can find binoculars that range from 10 ounces to over 40. While this should never be your sole deciding factor when choosing binoculars, it can be a factor in your comfort.
- How they feel. Everyone has a different feel for binoculars. Some birders like bulky binoculars and others want binoculars that fit in a pocket. The easy reach to the focus button, the closeness of the fingertips when trying to hold them steady are important factors on determining how binoculars feel.
- Sturdiness. The demands of a kid or the rigors of international travel will dictate the style also. Some binoculars are inexpensive and suitable for kids, others are covered in rubber for wet and arduous travel.
- Magnification. Just as you don't necessarily want the binoculars with the lowest weight, you don't necessarily want optics with the highest magnification. The trade-off with a higher magnification is it makes it harder to find the bird.
- These also tend to be heavier and more difficult to stabilize and focus. For long distance birding go with a telescope. Most birders opt for 7, 8, or sometimes 10 x magnification. Backyard birders tend towards the lower magnification because the birds are close.
- Lens diameter. When binocular shopping, you'll notice that the specs are given in two numbers, such as 8x40. The first number is the magnification, and the second diameter of the big lens, in millimeters.The higher the number the more clear the image, particulary under dark condistyions. Again, though, you don't necessarily want the largest lens diameter because this will translate into heavier binoculars. As a general rule, you'll want from 30 mm to 50 mm.
- This depends on your budget. If you can afford them, roof prisms provide higher quality. They are also streamlined, slim, and lighter. Roof prisms are easier to waterproof, and they have a very durable design. Porro prisms, in addition to being less expensive, have a wider field of view and more light gathering capacity.
- Focal length or close focus refers to the shortest distance that your binoculars will be able to clearly magnify. A pair with a 15 foot close distance, or even better, 10 foot, is ideal for bird watching.
- Wearing glasses. Most binoculars have adjustable rubber eyerings that can be folded back for the comfort of birdwatchers who were eye glasses.
Top bird watching binoculars include models by Nikon, Alpen, Stokes, Zeiss, and Pentax. Remember, choose the best quality that you can afford.
After choosing your bird watching binoculars, your work is not done! Now you need to become familiar with them and learn how to use them effectively. The best way to learn is to practice. Go in your backyard or to the park and just get used to handling them, focusing them at different distances, and looking for birds. You'll want to adjust the eyepieces so they fit you. When you get it just right, you should see a perfect circle. Practice with the central focusing and the fine focusing wheel. One other important thing to practice is looking for birds with your naked eye and then moving your focus to the binoculars. This will get easier and more seamless as you become accustomed to the optics.
Finally, make sure to take proper care of your binoculars. If you spent $90 or $900, you want to make sure they are in top shape for your next excursion. This doesn't mean wiping the lenses with your sleeve when you're done a birding trip. You may get the dust off but you'll leave behind tiny scratches that can eventually cause the lenses to become hazy and less clear. It is best to use compressed air or a soft brush. A lens cleaning cloth can then be used. Leave a portion of the cleaning cloth dry, and wipe the lens. Look for smudges, and repeat if necessary.
Accessories. Eyepiece protective covers are essential for birders who are out in the field, exposing their binoculars to food, drink, twigs and thorns. For those concerned about the weight of the binoculars, there are a varity of sholder straps that disperse the weight across the back and away from the neck.
Caring for your binoculars will help you extend their useful life - and it will eliminate the chance that a speck of dust or a scratch will interfere with your viewing of birds.
Please visit our Related Bird Watching articles here:
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Bird Watching Optics
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