Birding 101: Mastering Binoculars for Beginners

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 34

  • @BadgerlandBirding
    @BadgerlandBirding  8 місяців тому +5

    The Paid Promotion stamp is because some of the binoculars were sent to us for free in order to test, but that played no role in suggested products.
    0:00 Intro
    0:18 The 2 most Common Binocular Types
    1:53 How to Use Binoculars
    3:57 Understanding Magnification (What Do the Numbers Mean?)
    4:51 Good Qualities to Look For
    9:06 High Quality Binocular Brands
    9:32 How Should you Store Binoculars?
    9:50 Conclusion

  • @roberteugenecarter
    @roberteugenecarter 8 місяців тому +13

    One tip that helped me a ton (from Better Living Theough Birding) was to find the bird (or whatever you’re looking at with your eyes, then bring the lenses to your face. It makes getting optics on the subject a snap!

  • @andrewturner7828
    @andrewturner7828 8 місяців тому +5

    Super helpful! I bought my first pair of binoculars a couple days ago, vortex diamondback 8x42, and got to use them today, they're so nice!

  • @Grateful_Dad_54
    @Grateful_Dad_54 8 місяців тому +3

    I'd also suggest a binocular harness. I always go out with a pair of binoculars and a camera. Having the harness for the binos really helps when I'm trying to do some photography.

  • @bobcantstandzyobitz9778
    @bobcantstandzyobitz9778 Місяць тому +1

    I use the Vortex 10x42. Love them.

  • @Beryllahawk
    @Beryllahawk 7 місяців тому +3

    Once again with the timing, guys!! Are you spyin' on me? (kidding haha!)
    I only JUST got my hands on an old-ish book for starting birders (the NatGeo guide to using their guide, which amuses me). BUT! The chapter on optics and binoculars was particularly of interest and help for me. I can't recall offhand if I've said in other comments, but I wear glasses (bifocals no less) - my first couple of tries using binoculars did NOT go well, heh. I had no idea how the optics really work, so I was mashing the eye cups against my glasses. (This was also many MANY years ago in the early 1990s, I was a teen and really very silly.)
    So NOW I get it, a little more anyway. This is even more helpful since your info is bound to be much more current-accurate for brands and pricing. It's a huge relief to understand that I don't absolutely have to drop $200 on a pair of binoculars, trust me. I'm still only just starting out and I'm poor dangit :P
    Thank you so so much! I've also been pointing my friend to your channel, she's taking film classes and asked me about nature photography. I feel like the way you two discuss birding is just conversational enough to be comfortable and knowledgeable enough to give her a good intro!

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks so much! Glad the timing was spot on for you :)

  • @sesinhosantos5047
    @sesinhosantos5047 Місяць тому

    I have one tip that I just learned and nobody is talking about it, it must be super obvious or super secret:
    Set a clear view at 100-150m and practice focusing on stuff within that distance with your eyes instead of the focus wheel. Once you acquire the muscle memory you will do it instantly., if you are bird watching is a lot quicker focusing with your eyes than having to dial the focus wheel.
    The viewing exprience becomes more immersive if you succeed.

  • @ericgundersen7764
    @ericgundersen7764 5 місяців тому +2

    Thanks, just what I was looking for!

  • @hollyperry3774
    @hollyperry3774 8 місяців тому +3

    Scope vs. binoculars. When to use one over the other? Is one better? Is there a big difference? If you have really good binoculars is a scope worth it? Do you eventually need both?

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  8 місяців тому +4

      Scopes are more for extra long range scanning, binoculars are for closer viewing. Binoculars will normally come first in your line of needed gear. I’ve gotten by with just scanning far distances with my superzoom camera on a tripod but most birders will get a scope eventually.
      Here’s or scope guide: ua-cam.com/video/NWAVejzeu_I/v-deo.htmlsi=ksH8aiAvE21IZHGU

  • @davparksoh
    @davparksoh Місяць тому

    Thx for this info - I'll add a tip to your list - if starting out, go for something small & around $75-100. Many binos in this price range are good for beginners & easy to use - then if you want something more powerful, get something more for astronomy around $200+ & use both for different things. I bought a Nikon porro for about $190 - good clear images, but it's a little big & a hassle to use (focus wheel is way too tight for quick adjustments) - it's frustrating to use for my needs (mostly plane spotting) - it does get decent views of the moon, but it's small for that (10x50), more mag would do better - so it's in the middle of what better binos would do for me - that's why I think starting smaller first makes sense - then get a bigger one later. What do you think about the Athlon Optics 8x42 Neos G2 HD for just starting out with a small one?

  • @treeinpark
    @treeinpark 11 днів тому +1

    What do you think about Nikon Mikron 7X15 for bird watching?

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  11 днів тому

      Looks like there are a few different version. Do you have a link to the ones you’re talking about?

  • @Jen_S_Hassler1258
    @Jen_S_Hassler1258 8 місяців тому +2

    I bought my 14 year old her first pair of binoculars at age 5 (she was a bit of a sciencey nerd) by Bushn3ll, so of course they're small (7x35) but I keep them by our back sliding door and grab them often if I hear something outside that I want to try to see. I know they're obviously not the best, but they work to help me identify something quickly!

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  8 місяців тому +1

      Most important thing is that they work for you!

  • @bıçaklar_Aletler
    @bıçaklar_Aletler 2 місяці тому

    Modern Birding Binoculars Speciality: Roof Bak-4 Schmidt Pechan Prizm,ED Glass,Full Multi Coated,Phase Correction,Dielectric Coated,Wide Field Of View.

  • @Isaac-47517
    @Isaac-47517 8 місяців тому +1

    cool vid. ty for the time you take for simple instructionals. firstly, i want to say that i love nature, all of nature, but fir past 7 years I have this even greater affinity for birds. And birds and critters literally come near me and pose, for real. And they do cute stuff, as if they were posing for a photo etc. So, i have always wanted to learn photography and nature. So, my question is , "How difficult is it to get into doing that for profit and and be able to sustain one'self in that lifestyle?

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  8 місяців тому +1

      Thanks! It can be tricky to make a living in the wildlife field. Right now I would say the main career paths are as a professor or researcher for a college or wildlife organization or as a guide. I would also add most people aren’t living a lavish lifestyle from it, the majority do it because they love it.

    • @Isaac-47517
      @Isaac-47517 8 місяців тому +1

      @@BadgerlandBirding Ty for feedback. I am not looking for lavish. Just figured I should investigate the feasibility of wildlife photography sustaining a minimalist lifestyle, van, or fifth wheel life.

  • @Anthrazith
    @Anthrazith 5 місяців тому +1

    What are your opinions on large binoculars ? im propably going to buy the ddoptics pirschler 8/10 x56 because in my area i see alot of birds in low light and owls are some of my favorite birds. I even have at least one breeding pair of european eagle owls that will occasionally visit my garden.

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  5 місяців тому +1

      Where do you live?? That’s sounds awesome. Large bins are fine if they’re not too heavy/bulky and if the glass is quality!

    • @Anthrazith
      @Anthrazith 5 місяців тому

      @@BadgerlandBirding germany North rhine Westphalia we also have one of the highest densities of Red kites in the World. Tawny owl, Little owl(Athene noctua), sparrowhawk, common buzzard, eurasian goshawk, kestrel, peregrine falcon and a breeding pair of ravens are also birds ive seen/ heard around here.

  • @Adventure-MTB
    @Adventure-MTB 8 місяців тому +2

    Nice Video , when i started birding 15 years ago and didnt know much about binoculars , i first started with a pair at 50$ and they were ok , then i got a pair at 450 and i thought that was alot and about the most that binocular cost , i had no idea that the picture could get a LOT Better and the cost can go as high as 3000$ for a pair of binoculars . i dont think most people know that binoculars from the ALPHA 3 companies can cost around 3000$

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  8 місяців тому

      Yeah! It’s pretty wild! And now they’re coming out with binocs with built in stabilization but that’s a topic for another video

  • @NathanWebb-c5h
    @NathanWebb-c5h 8 місяців тому +2

    I got a pair of binoculars from Walmart that cost $30.00, and they work pretty well.

  • @johndoiron9615
    @johndoiron9615 2 місяці тому +2

    Key tip: Don't drop the binoculars.

    • @BadgerlandBirding
      @BadgerlandBirding  2 місяці тому +1

      @@johndoiron9615 dang I should have started with that haha

  • @WR3ND
    @WR3ND Місяць тому

    Next thing you know they'll start calling robins American Bison too...
    Just flip them the bird. 🤙