4
closer than they really are; a
10x binocular makes the object
appear closer still – ten times
closer.
The tendency is to believe
that bigger is better – that the
more “power" a binocular has,
the better it will perform. This
is not necessarily so and there
are several reasons for this.
First, although higher
magnification will increase the
size of a distant bird and
enhances the details that will
be seen, increased
magnification also magnifies
the effects of hand shake and
heart beat.
The image may well be bigger
but details, as measured by
image perception, will remain
essentially the same.
Greater magnification also
results in a smaller field of view,
a darker image, and a shallower
depth of field – all of which
directly affect binocular
performance.
Almost all active birders use
binoculars that offer between 7x
and 10x. What magnification you
choose hinges on a number of
considerations.
In general, lower magnification
is to your advantage if:
s
You are a beginning birder,
unpracticed at locating
birds with binoculars;
s
You are a birder having
difficulty holding higher
magnifications steady;
s
Much of your birding is
conducted at close
quarters – in woodlands or
rain forests, or from the
deck of a moving boat;
s
You are a highly skilled birder
more interested in speed
than in seeing “field marks"
of birds you recognize by
their JIZ (general impression
and shape).
Ten power binoculars get the
nod if:
s
Your hands are steady;
s
Most of your birding is
conducted over great
distance and open spaces;
s
You do not commonly include
a spotting scope in your
optical arsenal.
If you are still undecided
between 7x or 10x binoculars,
consider a compromise – like
an 8x but NEVER BUY A ZOOM
BINOCULAR! They are optically
inferior and even at the lowest
magnification, offer a
comparatively limited field of
view.
If you look at the optic lines
offered by the finest optical
companies or if you look at the
instruments in the hands of the
finest field birders, you will never
see a zoom binocular. This
should send a clear message to
the discerning consumer.
Light and Brightness
Once – and not long ago; and
not without reason – much was
