For nature and bird watching we recommend binoculars with at least a 30-50 mm front lens diameter. The magnification should be between 7 and 12 times. Any more than this makes no sense without a tripod. At lower magnification levels, you cannot see the plumage details that may be important for identification.
The use of special types of glass or lens structures reduces colour fringing and also makes it easier to recognize the object being observed. For detailed observing over longer distances, we recommend the additional use of a spotting scope.
Here you can find out which criteria we use to evaluate binoculars for nature or bird watching ...
Omegon
Curiosity 8x32 binoculars
$ 89.00
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars Atera II ED 16x50 WP
$ 1,740.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 8x42
$ 3,620.00
Swarovski
Binoculars CL Companion Habicht 8x30
$ 2,490.00
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars 12x30 Atera II
$ 1,130.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 10x42 Edition Orange
$ 4,020.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 8x42 Edition Orange
$ 4,020.00
Omegon
Binoculars Brightsky ED-APO 22x70 - 90° + Case
RRP:
$ 2,290.00
Our price:
$ 2,190.00
ZEISS
Binoculars SFL 12x50
RRP:
$ 2,680.00
Our price:
$ 2,410.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory 10x54 RF
RRP:
$ 4,660.00
Our price:
$ 4,190.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 8x56
$ 1,810.00
Swarovski
Binoculars EL Range 12x42 orange
$ 3,930.00
Vixen
Binoculars ARTES J 10x42 DCF
$ 700.00
Vixen
Binoculars Apex J 10x42
$ 590.00
Leica
Binoculars Ultravid 10x42 HD-Plus
$ 2,650.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 8x56
$ 3,830.00
Swarovski
Binoculars NL Pure 10x52
$ 3,670.00
Canon
Image stabilized binoculars 10x42 L IS WP
$ 2,240.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 10x56
$ 1,870.00
Omegon
Binoculars Brightsky 22x70 - 90° + Case
$ 1,590.00
Omegon
Binoculars Brightsky 22x70 - 45° + Case
$ 1,690.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory 8x42 RF
RRP:
$ 4,190.00
Our price:
$ 3,780.00
Meopta
Binoculars MeoStar B1 Plus 8x56
RRP:
$ 1,820.00
Our price:
$ 1,640.00
Kahles
Binoculars HELIA S 10x42
$ 1,730.00
Leica
Binoculars Ultravid 10x32 HD-Plus
$ 2,290.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 8x32
$ 1,110.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid 8x56 3200.COM
RRP:
$ 4,020.00
Our price:
$ 3,620.00
ZEISS
Binoculars SFL 10x50
RRP:
$ 2,620.00
Our price:
$ 2,360.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x50 ED
$ 349.00
Swarovski
Binoculars EL 10x50 WB 3. Generation
$ 3,190.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory SF 8x32
RRP:
$ 3,090.00
Our price:
$ 2,780.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory 10x42 RF
RRP:
$ 4,310.00
Our price:
$ 3,880.00
Swarovski
Binoculars AX Visio 10x32
$ 4,920.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro SE 10x42
$ 2,910.00
Swarovski
Binoculars EL Range 12x42 green
$ 3,930.00
Meopta
Binoculars Meopro Optika LR 8x50 with rangefinder
RRP:
$ 2,120.00
Our price:
$ 1,910.00
What is important when selecting binoculars for bird watching?
The "very good" rating for binoculars is achieved if they meet the following points:
- The magnification should not be less than or greater than 8 – 12 times
- The front lens diameter should be at least 40 mm
- An exit pupil of 4 mm or more provides sufficient brightness to sufficiently recognize plumage details at dawn or dusk
- The field of view should not be less than 110 m, so that you can also easily catch birds in flight
- The close focus must not exceed 3 metres
- In addition, the binoculars should be waterproof and use high-quality lens material to minimize image errors
- Irritating elements, such as a compass or reticle, reduce the rating by one point
For a "good", binoculars must achieve these values:
- Magnification: 7 – 12 times
- Front lens diameter: min. 32 mm
- Exit pupil: min. 3 mm
- Field of view: min. 100 m
- Close focus: max. 5 m
For a "medium" we will accept:
- Magnification: 7 – 15 times
- Exit pupil: min. 2.5 mm
- Close focus: min. 10 m
Binoculars that have too low or too high magnification levels, or whose exit pupil is less than 2.5 mm, or which cannot focus at a distance of 10 m, are "not recommended" by us for bird watching.
Of course, these binoculars can also be used to observe birds at the garden bird table, but for serious ornithology it is not advisable to use pocket binoculars or binoculars with single ocular focusing.