If you’re a professional binoculars photographer, you’re in a good position to avoid common mistakes when buying new binoculars.  But if you’re just an amateur binocular photographer, and you’re new to buying binoculars, there are probably a lot of mistakes you can’t avoid.  Learn about common mistakes for newbies buying binoculars, help you buy your own binoculars.

Common mistakes for newbies buying binoculars  

1. Avoid maximum magnification  

First-time buyers typically look for binoculars with the highest advertising magnification, such as 12x, 16x, or sometimes even 20x.  This is the most common mistake people make when buying their first pair of binoculars.  Depending on your purpose, your best bet is 8x or 10x binoculars.  Anything over 10x should not be used in handheld mode, as it will destabilize the view, significantly reduce your field of view, and may affect image quality due to the use of low-grade optics.  

2. Don’t buy small-caliber binoculars  

Aperture is the most important factor in choosing binoculars. The aperture refers to the diameter of the objective glass or the size of the main lens, expressed in millimeters or inches.  The larger the aperture, the better the ability to collect light, the better the image.  The larger the aperture, the clearer the detail.  So don’t buy small-caliber binoculars.  

3. Choose the cheapest binoculars  

No matter how often you plan to use your binoculars, stay away from the cheapest options on the market.  In most cases, these binoculars will quickly make you decide to use the naked eye instead. As a general rule, a low-cost pair of binoculars that makes realistic promises will be better than a very cheap pair that touts many features, since the former may at least actually work.  

4. Don’t buy multi-layer coated lenses  

Always choose a pair of binoculars with full multi-coating capabilities.  Usually, inexpensive binoculars have only a protective coating on their lenses.  That’s why, when looking for a label, ignore it when it’s only coated, multi-coated, or full coated, and choose full multi-coated.  

The main benefit of using full multilayer-coated lenses is their anti-reflective coating.  This helps improve accuracy when bringing light into focus.  This will further enhance the image without causing your eyes to tire.  

5. Avoid compact binoculars  

Compact binoculars are fine, but can only be used for specific purposes when traveling, such as stadiums, theaters, concerts.  Many people prefer to buy compact binoculars, thinking they are super compact and easy to carry.  The reality is quite different.  

As I said, compact binoculars are absolutely great optical instruments, but you have to know exactly when to buy them and when to avoid them.  The biggest advantage of compact binoculars is that they are extremely light and stable.  However, compact binoculars with an objective lens size of 25 mm or less have an exit pupil of 3 mm, which is not suitable for the human eye.  These binoculars are excellent optical instruments and are used for short viewing only.  

6. Buy binoculars without rubber eye patches  

This error is made worse if you are wearing glasses, as they should provide you with additional protection.  That’s why you must choose binoculars with removable eye masks that fold or retract.  With a rubber eye mask, you will get a brighter image because your eyepiece will become brighter, especially when wearing glasses.  

Without a rubber eye mask, you can easily develop eye strain.  Note that eye distance is the distance between the eyes needed to measure the binoculars and avoid this problem.  For people with normal vision, a relief range of 5 mm to 23 mm is obtained, while eyeglass wearers must obtain a relief range of at least 15 mm.