Binocular choice

[jmb]

Hi
After along time away, i am tapping in again.
I would like to ask a question.
I have a pair of 11x56, and just find them to heavy and shaky to hand hold for any time. I am ordering a trpod adaptor for them!
I would like a smaller lightweight pair I can just grab easily when the mood hits
I am narrowing my search between the Olympus dpis 8x40 OR Nikon akulon 8x42
They are about the same price, so which do you think would be best.
I know a lot of recommendations are for 10x50, which I think would be too similar to my 11x56??
So do you think the 8s are a good choice, or do you have a better suggestion, I appreciate your time.
Many thanks
Janine

[BeanerSA]

8x42's are perfect if you struggle with 11x56. In that price range, just buy those that are easiest to acquire.

[ausastronomer]

I prefer 10 x 42's as opposed to 8 x 42's for grab and go binoculars, notwithstanding they have a narrower FOV. You can see more with the 10x. I have 7 x 50's which I never use and had a pair of 8 x 40's which I sold.

The important thing is to learn to hold them properly. This is just as important as the size IMO. You will find hundreds of pictures, videos and commentary on the internet on how you should hold binoculars for astronomy and 90% of them are wrong IMO. I can hand hold my 16 x 60's for reasonable periods using the right technique. I will add some links demonstrating the best way to hold binoculars later today.

Cheers
John B

[RB]

I'm very interested too, would love to see these links, so subscribing.

Thanks John.

RB

[jmb]

Thank-you very much beaner, and I look forward to those links john!

[dannat]

i agree, 8-9x is about my best for really steady handholding, i have a pentax dcf 8x56 which is excellent. there are many diff techniques for hand holding -but for things like double stars -either IS or a monopod work much better