Birding Binoculars
The distinction between birding and birdwatching is probably best described as one of ‘passion’.
The birder has an over-riding passion for their subject and as such, is likely to got to greater lengths, and expense, to ensure they have absolutely the best birding binoculars they are able to afford.
Birding enthusiasts often specialise in one type of bird, and know all their plumage variations, together with all the habitats they are likely to frequent. They will often travel large distances to view the object of their ‘passion’.
Birding takes place most frequently in temperate climates, when the birds are in migratory mode, during the spring and autumn. Birds are easiest to spot in the early morning when searching for food. Early mornings have low light levels.
The specification of birding binoculars therefore, needs to allow for this low level of light, by permitting the greatest transmission of light possible, through the optical path of the instrument.
Such are the advances in optical coating technology over the last five years that it is now possible to reduce the loss of transmission to less than 3%. In other words, a transmission percentage of 97% is possible, with the coating technology available today. This results in the brightest image possible under all lighting conditions, an absolute ‘must have’, for any serious birder.
Of equal and possibly even greater importance to the birder is the ability to identify the colors of the plumage of the bird they are observing and the variegations thereof. To this end, the binocular must transmit colors without aberration, a difficult proposition, in a light path that consists of two lenses and two prisms as a minimum.. Once again optical coatings come to the rescue and can reduce chromatic aberrations inherent in all lenses and prisms to levels, where natural colors and the contrasts between these colors, is clearly identifiable.
So what is the best specification for birding binoculars?
The commonly agreed criteria are an 8x magnification with a 40mm or 42mm diameter objective lens.( the big one at the front of the binocular.) This provides the best combination of magnification, field of view, depth of field and light transmittance. The optics all need to be multi-coated, to minimise reflections, and maximise color transmission and contrast.
This specification can often add up to a significant purchase price. To the serious birder, the cost of the best birding binoculars is considered money well spent.
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- Bushnell Natureview 8 x 40 Birder Combo
Includes Bushnell Birder 8X40 Binocular Combo With North American Bird Reference CD-ROM - Compact Binoculars
Traditionally, binoculars providing both the degree of magnification and image clarity required for detailed observation, have been relatively large and weighty objects that you h - Binoculars
Ever since humans became hunters, it is fair to assume that they had the desire to see things at a distance, in greater detail than that provided by the Mk I eyeball. - Bushnell Natureview 8×40 Porro Prism Birding Binocular
Designed as an entry level Birding Binocular the Bushnell NatureView binoculars are specially suited for the bird watcher and naturalist while they are also suitable for watching sporting events and all-around observing. The fine porro prisms yield brighter images with better edge sharpness and a close focusing distance of 14 for intimate inspectio - Bushnell Powerview 10×25 Porro Prism Binocular
Like their roof prism relatives the porro prism line-up provides great durability and performance in a traditional porro prism design. Compact to full-sized the contemporary styling houses fully coated optics. Suffice to say images are crisp clear and bright – even in low light. Affordable for any and all interested in magnifying life to its
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