General Bird Optics Questions

HELP!

maxrazor — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:10:35 GMT

I had my choice of a spotting scope, or a camera. i got the spotting scope, but i dont know if i should take it back and get the camera! it is a Bushnell Sentry. it is compact and lightweight and such. the camera i want is either the Nikon D60 or the Cannon Rebel XTI. should i stick with the scope or take her back? if i should take it back, which camera is the best and how much is a 400mm lens? (i think i am in the range of $350 or less)

Porro versus Roof

eric — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:42:18 GMT

Sorry for lack of content, but reading through a bunch of posts on Birdforum.net, I guess the general trend is that porro prisms in binoculars give roughly equivalent results as roof prisms for lower cost. Ie, you have to spend more money to get as good an image with roof prisms.

Does this hold true in people's experience? I guess the trade-off is bulk and/or weight?

Looking for optics?

Janeybug — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:43:20 GMT

If you are in the market for new optics for watching birds check out your local bird festivals.

One of my very favorites is the Brant Festival in British Columbia. http://www.brantfestival.bc.ca/events/index.htm

Bushnell and Celestron set up a really nice collection of spotting scopes and binoculars on the beach for you to view the birds up close and evaluate them. Yeah, you can test them in the store but there is nothing like being in the field and testing them.

There are tons of bird festivals all year long. You can find them by searching online in your area.