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Binoculars
Binoculars and scopes
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In our top lists you'll find hand-picked, high-quality binoculars selected by our experts. Whether you're looking for an entry-level model or a professional viewer, we consider all budgets. Find your perfect match quickly!
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The right binoculars or scope for every moment
Whether you're birdwatching in the early morning, on safari in Africa or enjoying the night sky, there's a perfect binoculars or scope for every moment! At Kamera Express you'll always find what you need: from compact binoculars to microscope and from thermal camera to rangefinder. Bring the images closer!
Different types of binoculars and their applications
Buying binoculars starts with choosing the right type. The most common and well-known viewers are binocular. These binoculars have two identical eyepieces side by side and you look through both with two eyes. In contrast is the monocular, also known as a monocular viewer. As you might guess, this viewer has just one eyepiece and you look through it with one eye.
Within binoculars, a distinction is made between roof prism and porro binoculars. The biggest difference between these two types is size. A roof prism binoculars lets light through in a straight line, making it compact and straight — ideal for travel or safari. A porro binoculars lets light through via parallel prisms, is often somewhat larger, but has more depth perception.
Types of binoculars at a glance
There is a suitable binoculars for every use. The most well-known types and their applications:
- Monocular — A monocular is a compact viewer for one eye. Ideal when travelling light or quickly spotting something in the distance. Because you use only one eye, the image is less spatial than with binoculars, but the advantage lies in the light weight, simplicity, and small size. Monoculars with night vision or rangefinding are also available.
- Night vision — Want to see in the dark? With a night vision viewer you can see everything happening around you in the dark, from animals to people, while without the viewer you see nothing. The viewer amplifies residual light from the moon and stars. A night vision viewer with infrared gives an even better image thanks to the infrared light.
- Rangefinder — As the name suggests, a rangefinder measures the distance to an object in the distance. This saves a lot of time when determining which lens to use. The main differences are laser or ultrasonic measurement.
- Thermal cameras — A thermal camera makes heat visible, not light. Everything above absolute zero radiates infrared heat, which is converted into an image. Ideal for observations in complete darkness, in fog or through undergrowth. Widely used for wildlife watching, security and search operations.
The magnification of binoculars
The magnification determines how close you see an object. An 8x42 binoculars magnifies 8 times and has a lens diameter of 42 mm. That lens diameter is at least as important as the magnification itself: the larger the diameter, the more light the binoculars captures.
More light means a brighter image, especially at dusk, in cloudy weather or in shaded areas. A higher light output also makes viewing less tiring for your eyes and allows you to perceive more details and colours — ideal for bird or wildlife watching.
Common magnifications: 8x42 — All-round model, perfect for birdwatching. 10x42 — Greater magnification, suitable for wildlife and nature. 7x50 — Extra light-gathering power, ideal for dusk or at sea. 10x50 — Lots of detail, good for astronomical use.
From binoculars to scope
A scope is not an ordinary binoculars: it is a powerful magnifier, often with a tripod, for longer observations. Think of a spotting scope for birds, a telescope for stargazing or a microscope for scientific research.
Types of scopes
- Spotting scope — A spotting scope sits between a binoculars and a telescope. It has more magnification than binoculars, but is easier to carry than a telescope. You can also swap eyepieces, allowing you to adjust the magnification yourself.
- Telescope or stargazer — With a telescope you can view beautiful star constellations. The number of stars you see, their brightness and structure are enormously improved! Choose a quiet, dimly lit location to see everything even better.
- Microscope — A microscope magnifies very small images to something visible with the naked eye. Different types with different magnification factors exist. Some magnify up to 200x — often used in biology and medicine — others up to 100x, ideal for studying plants and insects.
Best-known brands
The choice of binoculars and scopes is enormous. Not only the type of viewer matters, but the wide range of top brands can also make it difficult to choose. In our range you'll find brands such as Bresser, Zeiss, Swarovski, Bushnell and Bynolyt — all renowned for their excellent quality. Well-known camera brands such as Nikon, Olympus and Leica have also developed high-quality binoculars worth discovering.
Buying a scope or binoculars? We'll help you choose
Whether you're looking for a compact binoculars for travel or a professional scope for long observations: at Kamera Express you're in the right place. Online you'll find comprehensive information, and in our stores our specialists are ready to offer personal advice.
Want to try different models yourself or get targeted advice from a specialist? In our stores in Capelle, Utrecht, Almelo and Zwolle you'll find binoculars experts who are happy to help you make the right choice. Come by and discover which viewer best suits your use.
Frequently asked questions about binoculars
That differs for everyone. Good binoculars fit your specific use. Going birdwatching? Then an 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars is perfect. For safari, choose a lightweight and robust model where magnification is the second factor to consider.
Binoculars enlarge the image through lenses and prisms. You look with two eyes (or one with a monocular) and bring the subject optically closer to you.
Choose lightweight binoculars, preferably roof prism because they are lighter, with 8x or 10x magnification. We have already collected the best binoculars for safari for you.
For birdwatching, an 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars is ideal. Brands such as Swarovski, Zeiss or Bynolyt offer top quality.
Pay attention to magnification, lens diameter, weight, type (roof prism/porro), ease of use and brand. With all these factors in mind, you can make a good choice for your binoculars.
