For a long time I was looking for the right binoculars for nature photography. Then I found it – and I love my MINOX BV 10×44.
In addition to all the photographic equipment, binoculars are of course part of a nature photographer’s equipment. Even if the subjects have to be very close to be photographed – binoculars are indispensable for finding them and observing them from a distance in front of the photo.
I applied the following criteria when selecting my binoculars for the photo backpack:
- Weight
- Size
- Moisture resistance
- Price
- Magnification
The Minox fulfills all my criteria best. At only 740g and a size of 140 x 127 x 51mm (height x width x depth), it still fits perfectly in my photo backpack or can be carried comfortably around my neck without being too much of a hindrance. When traveling by plane, it still fits somewhere in my hand luggage. As waterproof binoculars, the Minox BV 10×44 is also well suited for use in the rain or on the beach.
I opted for the 10x magnification because an 8x magnification was simply not enough for the small birds. I don’t need hunting binoculars, but I observe small, diurnal animals – otherwise it would be difficult to take photos. The second number in the Minox “44” corresponds to the entrance pupil or the front diameter of the binoculars. The larger it is, the more sensitive it is to light. However, as the magnification increases, the light intensity also decreases. The light sensitivity is therefore the combination of magnification and diameter, also known as the twilight factor in binoculars.
The optical performance is exactly what I need: find the subject, determine it, observe it – and then it’s off to the camera anyway. The Minox BV 10×44 is therefore exactly the right binoculars for nature photography.
And finally, the price convinced me: €260 for a pair of binoculars in a photo case – that’s perfectly acceptable.
