A Guide to Binoculars
Binoculars bring us closer to the world. Whether you’re a bird lover, sports fan, star gazer, opera lover or sightseer, a set of binoculars is an essential tool to see the world the way you want to see it—up close and personal.
Binocular Basics
A set of binoculars consists of two matched pairs of lenses and a prism, which is needed to make what you’re seeing appear right side up. The larger lenses, known as objective lenses, handle the magnification and light-gathering in the binoculars, while the smaller lenses transmit the image to your eye.
When you’re buying binoculars, you’re paying for lenses. Creating sharp images through glass is a tricky process for manufacturers, and most binoculars include specialized coatings on their objective lenses to allow light to collect in the lens instead of reflecting off its surface.
Prisms can also add to the cost of binoculars. There are two basic types of binocular prisms: Porro and roof. Porro prisms are set at right angles. They typically cost less and offer a wider field of view. Roof prisms are mounted on top of each other. Binoculars with roof prisms will be larger than those with Porro prisms and offer a greater depth of field, or sharper images at greater distances.
Binoculars Articles, Videos & HowTos
When buying binoculars, look for focus adjustments, but be careful about buying big, or your binoculars could be too hard to handle.
How do binoculars work to make things appear larger to our eyes? The secret lies in the way that light travels through lenses.
Understanding binoculars, and how the parts work together to focus an image, can help you get more enjoyment from using them.
Learning how to buy binoculars requires you to evaluate your needs and understand how binoculars are marketed. Think about how you want to use your binoculars, and keep this information in mind when you're shopping for a pair.
Choosing the right binoculars can seem like an overwhelming task. Unless you are familiar with binoculars the strange terms can be confusing and lead to a frustrating experience. Choosing the right binoculars does not have to be a matter of luck.
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