birding-aus

birding-aus birds, binoculars and monocularity

To: Birding-aus <>
Subject: birding-aus birds, binoculars and monocularity
From: Kim Sterelny <>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 18:15:52 +1100
A further and probably final followup on the issue of binos for the
one-eyed. I too am a one-eyed birder, literally rather than metaphorically.
I use binos because I have never been able to find a monocular with a
satisfactory field of view and a bright image; most are 8*25s or even
8*20s. I even tried hand-holding the smallest of Kowa range spotting scopes
(the x11, 50mm objective lens model). The kowa was bright enough - it was
optically quite good - and it was easy enough to hold steady, though tiring
after a long day, especially as it is of course not fitted with any strap
or similar easy carry device. But the relatively narrow field of view drove
me nuts, especially as I am not good, even with binos, at finding with my
lens a bird I can see with my naked eye. (I wonder if my lack of depth
vision plays a role in this, for I have been birding for the best part of a
decade and am improving at most very slowly). When I bought my current
binos (Meades) I did look for a pair with independly focusing barrels, with
the idea of getting a technician to saw them in half (God knows what that
would do to the warranty, though!) But it's hard to find good quality binos
with indendently focusing barrels these days, so I gave up on that idea,
sadly. I do resent paying good money for optics I cannot use, but there is
nothing to be done about it.

But perhaps this is rather too specialist a thread to pursue!
Kim
Dr Kim Sterelny
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and
Philosophy, RSSS, Australian National University

Australian contact information:

Philosophy, RSSS, Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia

Phone: 02/6249-2886
Fax: 02 6249 3294
Messages with Di Crosse, Program Administrator, 02 6249 2341

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