I agree with Nick about image stabilised bins, they are going to
become standard at some point. At the moment the compromises are: limited
brands (Canon and Fujinon); extra weight; more expensive for a given level of
optics; need to replace batteries. But I think they’re underrated
and well worth consideration. They generally sell to people with a reason
to have less than perfect hand steadiness but the reality is all of us would
benefit from them. They allow you to have a MUCH more steady image (or the
same wobble with a lot more magnification). This link is written in high
Japlish, but contains some good introductory info…
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=canon-10x30-is-image-stabilising-weather-resistant-binoculars
As for your weight concern -- “I need
binoculars light enough not to drag when hanging around my neck for hours”
– a shoulder harness is an accessory that significantly reduces the
negatives of weight. They make carrying and using bins much easier –
no neck strain and less flopping and getting in the way, available more easily
when a bird suddenly appears. The only reason for not using them that I
can see is that they give a slightly Rambo-esque / Special Forces appearance
that probably puts some people off, but that’s just a matter of fashion.
http://www.birdobservers.org.au/GiftShop_Category.asp?Mode=7&Type=0146-SHOULHAR&start=1&search=
http://www.shootinggear.com.au/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=9
Re photography and bins … another interesting subject.
Bins with inbuilt cameras exist but are still in the novelty class. Eg…
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/celestron-vistapix-10x25-13-mega-pixel-specialty-binoculars.html
For reasonable images you need a separate camera and yes I carry
both camera and binoculars – another good reason for a shoulder harness
bec it makes the whole thing more feasible by reducing the confusion of straps
and putting the bins in a different place cf the camera.
Julian
From: Nick Payne
[
Sent: 08 August 2010 08:51
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Replacing binoculars
When you are shopping for a pair, it would be worthwhile to
check out a pair of image stabilized binoculars. Image stabilization is going
to eventually change the whole binocular market in the same way that it has the
camera market - the great majority of cameras sold these days have it. With IS
you can see better detail due to the stability of the image.
Canon make a waterproof 10x42 IS, but it probably doesn't fit your criteria of
light weight.
We have Zeiss 8x40 and Leica 8x42 in our household, both of which I can
recommend. Neither are cheap. They're both waterproof - in fact the Leica's
manual recommends rinsing the bins in a bowl of water if they get dirty. The
Leica also has a coating on the lenses which does a pretty good job of
eliminating fogging in wet or cold or foggy conditions.
Nick
On 07/08/10 10:05, Sue Beatty wrote:
Hi All,
Sadly, after 23 years, my faithful Condor bins (8x32, Gerber
optical) finally gave out on the fabulous (but unseasonably wet for late July!)
Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island a couple of weeks ago. As someone who
only gets interested in technology at such times of crisis J I’d
love to hear any advice or suggestions you could offer as to how to replace
them. Like most of you, I need binoculars light enough not to drag when hanging
around my neck for hours, that have a wide enough field of view to find the
bird somewhere in the patch of tree I thought I saw it fly into, plus good
light-gathering ability to help me see birds at dawn and dusk. After recent
experience, I’d add good water-proofing. I understand that you get what
you pay for – up to a point.
Can I buy them in Canberra these days, or do I need to go to Sydney?
Another thing, I’m so impressed by the quality of photos that
some of you share on this list. Do you carry both camera and binoculars? Do you
have binoculars that take photos?
Thanks,
Sue Beatty
