I'm confused on which Binocular would suit my need. I do bird photography using my Tamron 150-600mm lens but I think I need a binocular just to support me in the field. I'm not talking about photographing through binoculars, just using binoculars to scout the area when looking for birds or when waiting for a bird perched faraway to come closer or just to observe the bird movements for few mins to choose the right spot to photograph them. Sometimes i do take the field trips with birders (who use binoculars) to learn a thing or two about the birds mainly to support my photography.
I read the bino buying guide and it says to get the wider field of view (7x42) but will that be same as me looking through my 600mm lens? If so, I don't need one and just use my lens to see instead.
Any idea what the binocular rating like 7x43 or 16x 32's equivalent lens mm (800mm, 1600mm?)
Advice on what number binocular I should look for?
Any model suggestions?
For most birders the choice between their binoculars or their wife is easy. Goodbye girl... ;-)
Or the other way around, because all sexes are equal. And as in marriage, it's all personal.
First, field of view. On binocular sites it is made important but that's not totally correct. I don't care, working with a 10x42 and a 8x20. The field of view will always be larger than looking through a 600mm lens. But you can't compare the two. A lot of time binoculars are used for scanning. This works with an 8x20 (not for all), try this with a 600mm and you need an eyebath at the end of the day.
Watching in the dark is a hot issue. But the difference between a 7x50 and a 10x42 (or even 8x25) is, let's say, half an hour at sunset. And you have to carry that big one all day. But again, this is personal and depending on your style of birding. Looking for owls, don't hesitate and buy a nightwatcher.
More important, having a big lens, are you willing to carry extra weight? If not, the smaller 8x20's are nice, choose the big three: Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss (in alphabetical order, no animals may be harmed during this discussion). But if you don't need maximum resolution to the edges, other brands are fine. A very good lightweight alternative, with the best of both worlds, is the Swarovski 8x25. They also have the 8x30 but it is quite expensive. Being in this price-range, I would look for the best ones.
Normally, for serious birdwatching, a 8x32 or 10x42 is the best choice. In forests 8x is more than enough, in the open field a 10x performs better. You need a steady hand for the 10x binoculars because watching can be a bit 'nervous', but that's also personal. A 7x42 is quite heavy and misses reach. Don't look at 12x60, unless you want to use a tripod. Some powerlifters can handle such a beast though. Once I saw a small girl with a 12x60. Sold by a (...) shopkeeper. She was really suffering.
Talking about reach, an 8x binocular can be compared to a 400mm lens, but it does not feel that way. Looking through good binoculars is relaxed.
There is much more to say about binoculars, but it's a start.
