Bring the Binoculars???

[CrankinSteve]

So, do those of you that go out hunting for birds also bring binoculars? Never, some of the time, always??? I do find that it is hard to spot the birds to prior to going for the camera. Thanks ahead for guidance.

 

[Unframed Dave]

My wife always takes a pair. There are times when I "borrow" them.

 

[iamdlewis]

Nearly every time and I have excellent far vision. The times I don't are more likely because I forgot to put them in the bag than because of not needing them. The time I really don't take them is when I go to photograph the duck in the river because I am basically in on a rock in the river and if I need binoculars they are way too far away.

 

[Chris 3754]

It depends on the situation for me. If I am shooting in a wide open area I rely on the camera long lens. When hiking in a wooded area like the Appalachian Trail, I use binoculars because I’m probably not going to get a good shot anyway, and the binoculars are quicker to come up and acquire the subject. Also, when hiking, particularly when scrambling up and down rocks, the camera is in my backpack because I need two hands and I don’t want it banging around. If the situation allows, I’ll stop and pull the camera out. I probably miss some shots this way, not much I can do about it.

 

[Slug]

One or the other for me.
I find it much easier to acquire the subject using one of my zoom lenses, and of course get the shot. Another plus for the camera is to be able to spot meter. This allows you to look inside hollows and holes too dark for binoculars to see.

 

[Lynzie Flynn]

So, do those of you that go out hunting for birds also bring binoculars? Never, some of the time, always??? I do find that it is hard to spot the birds to prior to going for the camera. Thanks ahead for guidance.

I often take binoculars and use them to find birds in trees as my eyes are not great. Once I've located the bird (assuming it doesn't fly off) I pick up the camera and get my shots. Once in awhile I will use the camera/lens to find it but bins are so much easier.