Binoculars?

Being the organised person that I am I'm looking for Christmas presents . As we're going on safari next year we have decided to buy each other things that we need for that trip.

I've done a little research and feel that I'm looking for a pair at 8x42 magnification, though I don't know what brand, etc.

I have a budget of around £150, which I know isn't a lot but hopefully I can get something reasonable for this? After this holiday we will probably never use them again.

I've seen some Nikons which might fit the bill ...

Opinions, advice and alternative suggestions always welcomed!

Thank you.

Pentax bins of course!

But seriously, I have I pair of Bresser Cobra 10x50s which I took on safari. They were perfect - even our driver-guide was impressed with them, and they were not at all expensive. They are the only pair of bins I have been able to use properly, others I end up using as a monocular.

Edit: If you are not likely to use them again then save the money, buy something like the Bressers and put the difference to a good long lens.

Where are you going?

I went from Nikon to Leitz/Leica and then to Canon, in my opinion the Canon's have no equal (although not tried any Pentax ). If you think image stabilisation is useful on cameras wait until you try it with binoculars - it's a revelation!

I also found Canon to make the lightest (albeit due to cheap-looking shiny plastics) and most comfortable bins due to the greater range of adjustments and really big rubber eyecups that actually do the job of keeping stray light out of the scene. Best of all, they cost about 1/2 the price I paid for the Nikons and 1/4 the cost of the Leitz.

If I was you I'd try a pair of these and not look back...

Thanks for the replies. I will have a look at those models you both mention.

I'm off to Zambia next June for a total of 17 days, the first 3 spent in Livingstone (Victoria Falls) and then off to South Luangwa / Lower Zambezi for for driving, walking and kayaking safari's.

Thanks again.

The RSPB own brand binoculars are very good, and the Viking ones they carry are pretty good value. You don't seem to be able to order online at the moment but there's an RSPB shop in Conwy if that's near you?

if you want to really save money... lidl have Bresser 10x25 nokkies for sick squids this week. they are very small and handy for keeping in a jacket pocket. quality is good, i'll give mine a proper test later at the wetlands centre.

in no way am i suggesting you get these as a present and spend the savings on camera gear... oh no siree bob.

Thanks guys, Conwy is just up the road from me so I will check those out.

As the other half knows as much about binoculars as me I may be able to get away with the Aldi ones!

Do have some money over for a good long lens. The minimum you will need is 300 mm - the 50-300mm would be a good choice, the Bigma if you can carry it it maybe an even better choice, though it depends on how much you are likely to use it afterwards. I had my Tamron 28-300 as my only lens when I went to Tanzania. I had the Ds then and didn't want to be changing lenses in a dusty place - plus you don't want to be changing lenses when you spot wildlife - so a zoom is a better bet than a prime. I found the 300 was fine for most things, just the leopards and rhino needed a longer lens really. I'm hoping to go back in 2010 and will lug the Bigma then! Obviously if you have internal flights the Bigma poses a problem because of the weight limits. The same is true of bins. Heavy ones will be a pain to carry after a while, along with camera gear, and add to the weight problems if you are taking internal flights.

Yes we have internal flights, which means 12Kg weight limit for everything - I may have to wear every item of clothing during check-in!

I posted a similar query to this one regarding lenses for this trip a little while back and the general consensus was that either the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 or (if it ever arrives) the Pentax 60-250mm f/4 (both with 1.4TC) would be ideal. Think I'd be more likely to use either of these lenses over the Bigma afterwards as I think they will be a little lighter than that.

If it wasn't for this holiday then I would have already bought the 55-300mm as it looks like a great lens for the price, but I'm not sure it's up to a safari due to low light?

Are you going back to Tanzania in 2010?

Yes, Tanzania is the destination of choice for 2010. We loved it there and I really want to go back again. We stayed in tented camps and were able to walk with the Maasai and interact with them. We saw the "big 5" and just had a very special time there. No internal flights either so the Bigma will go with us.
I don't now what the light is like in Zambia but the Tamron 28-300 had no problems in Tanzania - but then the light there was very good. From what I have read the 60-250 will be a heavy beast. I shall see what it costs and what it weighs before I make up my mind on it. Adding a TC to an F4 lens makes it nearly the same as the long end of the 55-300 anyway doesn't it (F5.? In which case I would go for the flexibility of the 55-300.

The light in Africa is very strong during the day, but the best pictures are often to be had while the sun is going down.

That's when the hunting begins.

G

In fact the best pictures are quit often to be had early in the morning. Nonetheless an F4 lens with a TC will give the same results as the 55-300. If you want to use a lens in near darkness then you need a faster lens than an F4, and no TC. Even with spotlights from safari vehicles there is not enough light for good pictures. Flash is not allowed normally, quite rightly as it can affect the result of a hunt quite dramatically. It is your picture, but life or death for the animals involved.

Wouldn't know about that.

G

I would happily recommend Hawke optics 'Endurance' 8x42 bins, we stock them at work and they are £149.95, so just about spot on for your budget. Waterproof and focus down to under 6 feet, so good for dragonflies, butterflies, your shoes etc.

Image stabilised 8x25s are all well and good, but it would be like comparing an f/2.8 lens with an f/5.6 one. For dusk and dawn, you really need a larger objective lens.

Dan

I don't plan on using the TC all the time, probably just when we're on a vehicle and I can use a monopod or beanbag to steady the camera - when I'm walking I will remove it. I don't plan on using the camera at night, I know I will miss a few shots but I don't want to spend all my time peering through a lens. Unfortunately no one makes a 400mm f2.8 lens within my price range ....

Daniel - thanks for the recommendation I will take a look