Search results for: outdoor buying guide binocular buying guide
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Ever find yourself still struggling to make out a bird, even when your binoculars are trained directly on it? No matter how steady you hold yourself, you simply just don’t have the reach. You could get a stronger pair of binoculars, but these come with inherent drawbacks, such as stability issues and, of course, a heftier build. What’s our solution?
It’s only natural that after using a pair of binoculars, some birders will find that they yearn for more, and the only way to practically get more reach is to use a spotting scope. These are
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Optic size is measured by what it can do, but when you’re new to the hobby, this can be confusing. Pick up a spotting scope or any pair of binoculars and you’ll see them adorned with a set of numbers like 8x42, 7x32, or 20-60x80. What exactly do those numbers mean and what do they tell us about an optic?
At the most
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are right around the corner! Finding the right gifts can be a challenge, especially when it seems like they already have everything. Luckily, we’ve got the best gift ideas for the outdoorsy photographer parent in your life. Whether mom and dad are avid hikers, bird watchers, beachgoers, or polar bear guides in Svalbard, Norway, we’ve got you covered.
Camera
In a surprising twist, a camera is our first suggestion. One of the first things any outdoorsman should consider is a tool to record what they see so
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As the holiday season fast approaches, you may find yourself looking for the perfect gift for the photographer in your life. With all the gear on the market, finding the right gift can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular gift items for both digital and film shooters.
35mm Film and Beyond
Film is back and there are plenty of vibrant stocks to choose from. You can never go wrong with
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Choosing a pair of binoculars can be as easy or as daunting as you want it to be. We’ve covered the technical aspects of binoculars, from magnification to glass quality, and how they affect your choice, but not everyone wants to get into all that. While yes, once we know the basics, we can better choose the pair that meets our particular needs, but that assumes we want to get into all that. If you do, check out our
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
What is the best pair of binoculars for kids? The short answer is: That depends on the kid… and the binoculars! There are so many brands, types, sizes, and price points for binoculars, where does a person begin?
Before we take a look at a few binocular options, if you want a comprehensive education on the parts, features, components, and all other things binoculars, check out the
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
The ubiquitous shoulder-mounted camera bag is a fantastic camera carrying solution for almost any type of photography—except when it comes to wildlife and nature photography. If you are hiking far from civilization and deep into nature—be it a forest, tundra, mountains, desert, or jungle—you’ll likely bring a dedicated hiking backpack. Luckily for nature photographers, camera bag manufacturers and manufacturers of traditional hiking packs have created
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Have the sparkling new images from the James Webb Space Telescope made you, or someone you know, want to explore the cosmos from your backyard? If the answer is “Yes!”, then you have come to the right place because B&H Photo is your one-stop shop for some great, out-of-this-world gifts and gear. Here is a quick guide to just some of the binoculars, telescopes, and other astronomical gear we have for your off-world adventures.
Binoculars
By far, the easiest tool to improve your stargazing is a good pair of
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
In Part 1 of this three-part series, we discussed the advantages of using binoculars for astronomical viewing of the night sky and we talked about the different types of targets you can enjoy on clear, dark nights. At the conclusion of each section, I mentioned “binocular magnification considerations.” Here, we will get into that subject, as well as other characteristics of binoculars that make them better, or worse, for studying the stars. Then, in
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Capturing amazingly sharp photos of birds in the wild is the goal of many birders. There are different ways to do this, but the most organic is using extremely long telephoto lenses for digital or film SLR cameras or mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Not only useful for photography, modern digital cameras also can record
by Jill Waterman · Posted
In an era that has witnessed rampant outsourcing of products and services, and innumerable items manufactured in foreign lands, it’s heartening to know that the B&H website offers more than 8,000 product SKUs from close to 250 companies promoting a Made in America status.
Featured below are 18 such companies, and their associated products that caught our attention.
Imaging Products
* The golden era of American-made cameras harks back to the 1880 launch of the Kodak Box Camera, which had the slogan “You press the button—we do the rest.”
by Morgan Lyle and Ryan Zanoni · Posted
The fan of fresh air in your life might just be the easiest person to please at the holidays. Practically all outdoor activities require some kind of gear, and new products come along on a regular basis to make those activities safer, easier, and more fun. If there’s a challenge, it’s narrowing down the gift choices for your favorite outdoors enthusiast. Fortunately, B&H is here to help, with a great selection of gear for everyone from the casual dabbler to the obsessed adventurer.
Optics: Getting a Better View
Everyone should have a nice
by Christopher Witt · Posted
With the days getting longer and the sun shining brighter, families tend to spend more time soaking up rays, exploring roads less travelled, taking in outdoor concerts or games, or sightseeing. As an Optics writer for B&H, I’m frequently asked for binocular recommendations from friends and family - and random people at restaurants once or twice - so I’m here to share some of my favorite binos and what they’re good for. I’m not going to go into excruciating detail about terminology here, so if you start to get a little confused about some
by Morgan Lyle · Posted
How to hike: Extend a foot (either one.) Now put the other foot in front of the first. Repeat. As outdoor activities go, hiking couldn’t be much simpler, yet millions of people find it profoundly rewarding. Whether it’s an hour-long ramble in the nearest state park or a five-month trek over all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, walking through a natural setting seems to have universal appeal.
There are many great reasons to lace up your hiking shoes and join the more than 34 million people who hike each year. It’s very good exercise. It
by Daniel Wagner_1 · Posted
Trying to pick out the perfect holiday gift for your niece, nephew, or other young person in your life can be difficult. Usually the last thing they want is a new sweater or something they would rather choose for themselves. Clearly, some of the best gifts are those that educate, inspire, and stimulate their developing minds. These are noble and commendable goals, and guaranteed to be a hit with parents. However, to be successful with recipients, gifts should provide hours of entertainment, as well. There’s nothing better than giving the gift