A preliminary remark:
The list below contains just those books and websites that BINOCULARS TODAY knows well and uses regularly. There are, of course, a great many others which provide excellent information but have not been mentioned here, and such other books or websites may also be very useful to you.
In General; Use, Selection, Optics and Mechanics
- Holger Merlitz, Handferngläser – Funktion, Leistung, Auswahl
2nd ed., Verlag Europa-Lehrmittel, Haan-Gruiten 2019
This is currently the best book on the subject. On a limited number of pages, it covers a huge wealth of information on optics design and technology, mechanics, the physiology of the human eye and psychology of perception, as well as testing, selecting and using handheld binoculars. Did you ever want to know how antireflection or phase coatings work? What are ideal distortion characteristics in a binocular? Why is Steiner’s “sports auto focus” pure marketing lyrics? etc. etc. This book has all the answers.
The second edition, available since March 2019, contains about 30% more information than the first one. Hugely recommended!!
AND: the long awaited English version,
Holger Merlitz,“The Binocular Handbook”,
Springer Nature, Cham 2023
(https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-44408-1)
has finally seen the light of day in November 2023. This is great news for the entire binocular community !!! - Paul R. Yoder / Daniel Vukobratovich, Field Guide to Binoculars and Scopes, SPIE Press, Bellingham (WA) 2011
Explains the design, functions and configurations of binoculars and scopes and gives theoretical and practical explanations of optical and mechanical systems performance. Very useful also as a quick reference guide. - William J. Cook, Binoculars – Fallacy & Fact, Lexington (KY) 2017
Not encyclopedic, but rather anecdotal in form and approach, the author shares his huge experience gained over many decades, with a particular emphasis on common misperceptions and an in-depth chapter on “collimation vs. alignment”. Even experienced users can learn something here, and the great writing style makes this a fun read. Note: Bill Cook has recently published another book dedicated entirely to binocular collimation. - Alan R. Hale, Sports Optics – Binoculars, Spotting Scopes and Rifle Scopes, Hale Optics, Rolling Hills Estate (CA) 2013
The retired chairman of Celestron, one of the largest binocular and scopes companies, puts the focus less on technical details and more on today’s market of sports optics, the types of instruments available and how to use them. Also interesting are the statistics about the optics industry.
A slightly condensed version in German with black and white illustrations has been published as Sportoptiken, Hale Optics, Rolling Hills Estate (CA) 2014. - Dr. Henry Paul, Binoculars and All Purpose Telescopes, New York (NY) 1980
Revised by Greg Stone
Quite a bit more dated than the other books mentioned here, the “Dr. Paul” still provides lots of useful information about binoculars and many straightforward tips and simple DIYs, e.g. how to test your binoculars’ true magnification, or its real field of view; the difference between real and apparent field of view is explained better than in any other book.
Binoculars and Astronomy in particular
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- Stephen Tonkin, Binocular Astronomy, Springer, New York 2014
For experienced users and beginners alike, Tonkin’s book is the book of reference on binocular astronomy and beyond. Beside tips on observing techniques, detailed lists and charts of deep sky objects for every constellation, separate by name and calalogue number, and for different sizes of binoculars, it also contains sections on choosing, evaluating, mounting and maintaining instruments. Excellent! - Lambert Spix, Fern-Seher – Ferngläser für Astronomie und Naturbeobachtung, Oculum-Verlag, Erlangen 2009
The book has two parts: in the first, binocular design and technology, but also selection, use and maintenance of binoculars are explained. The second part gives tips on observing techniques and presents a selection of interesting objects on the night sky for small to medium size binoculars. Very useful for the beginner and users with intermediate experience. In German. - Robin Scagell / David Frydman, Stargazing with Binoculars, Firefly Books, Buffalo NY 2008
Another excellent guide to binocular astronomy. A particularly useful feature are the monthly star maps showing more realistic impressions of the northern and southern hemisphere for the respective month than many other guides - Gary Seronik, Binocular Highlights, Sky & Telescope, 2nd ed. Cambridge MA 2017
Seronik briefly presents 109 celestial objects for binoculars. Each object is presented on a single page with drawing and text, useful for quick reference under the sky. - Craig Crossen / Wil Tirion, Binocular Astronomy, William-Bell, Inc., 2nd ed. Richmond VA 2008
A very detailed guide to interesting objects on the night sky accessible to binocular users. The book with its star atlas is probably of greater usefulness to the advanced hobby astronomer than to the beginner and is best used as a preparation for an observation session, rather than behind the instrument. - Philip S. Harrington, Touring the Universe through Binoculars, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1990
This book is already a bit dated, and binocular technology and markets have developed quite a bit since this guide was published, but users will still find a wealth of information on binocular targets of the night sky here. - Lambert Spix / Frank Gasparini, Der Moonhopper, Oculum, Erlangen 2011
This books focuses exclusively on the moon. Mainly intended for owners of small to medium telescopes, it is equally useful for users of binocular telescopes, since many of the features on the surface of the moon described in the book are easily visible at magnifications of 30-70x, so well within reach for BTs. In German. - John A. Read, 50 Things to see on the Moon, Stellar Publishing, Halifax Nova Scotia 2019
Another, smaller book dedicated to observing the moon. It is particularly useful for beginners; a particular feature are three separate images of the moon on each page, showing how the respcetive section of the moon looks with binoculars (upright), with a Newtonian reflector (inverted) and with a refractor (reversed).
- Stephen Tonkin, Binocular Astronomy, Springer, New York 2014
History
- Hans Seeger, Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und Marine – Military Binoculars for Land, Air and Sea Service, 4th ed., ed. Dr. H.T.Seeger, Hamburg 2013
The standard work on military instruments, their design and history. Two chapters are in English, the remaining ones in German. - Albert König / Horst Köhler, Die Fernrohre und Entfernungsmesser, reprint of 3rd ed. 1959, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg 2014
This book by former Zeiss technicians represents the state of the art of telescope and binocular making as of the late 1950s, but is still a very useful work of reference today. Contains chapters on testing of optical instruments, as well as a brief history of the telescope. In German——-
For several binocular brands, there exist more or less detailed accounts of their beginnings and history, e.g. for Leitz/Leica, Zeiss, Kern, etc. The information is not always easy to locate, and one of the easier ways to to find it is by googling the relevant search terms and then following the individal leads and links. Another good source of information on binocular history is Wikipedia.
——-Some authors have published a number of noteworthy and quite detailed papers, articles and conference talks about the history of individual binocular producers. Two examples:
- Gijs van Ginkel, Karl Hartmann-Optik, undated
see https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Hartmann-Wetzlar-history-2017-HoO.pdf - Gijs van Ginkel, Swarovski Optik 1935-2011, Lecture to the Binocular History Society, Jena 2011
see https://www.swarovskiverrekijkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/HISTORY-AND-QUALITY-DEVELOPMENT-OF-SWAROVSKI-OPTIK-1935-TO-THE-PRESENT-TIME..pdf
(updated to include developoments up to 2017)If you are looking for the history of a particular binocular model, try your luck with googling using various search terms around that specific binocular. You may be able to find amazingly detailed information.
For instance, in case you you were to be interested in the history of the SL porro models from Swarovski, John A. Roberts (a name to remember when it comes to binocular history) has provided lots of interesting information e.g. here:
https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3908793&postcount=4——-
A brief general history of the telescope and binocular from an engineering perspective can also be found here:
https://wp.optics.arizona.edu/jgreivenkamp/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/05/Binoculars-and-Telescopes-OPTI-202.pdf
- General, Optics, Binocular Markets
- Jülich-Forum ( http://www.juelich-bonn.com/jForum/ )
Hosted by a high-quality optics shop in Bonn (Germany), Jülich Optische Systeme GmbH. Information exchange on binoculars, spotting scopes, nature observation. You can find regular posts by experts such as Holger Merlitz, and the online discussions are often interesting, useful and of a higher standard than in many other forums. In German
- Jülich-Forum ( http://www.juelich-bonn.com/jForum/ )
- Astronomy
- CloudyNights (https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/64-binoculars/ )
The most widely used astronomy forum. Interesting for beginners and experienced amateur astronomers alike. Sections on virtually every subject, including telescopes, binoculars, mounts, etc. If you need advice on how to deal with misaligned optics or how to mount a heavy binocular telescope, this is the place to ask. Lots of expertise around. Generally friendly and relaxed community. - Astronomie.de (https://astronomie.de/forums)
Extensive website including a number of technology and other forums for astronomers. In German
- CloudyNights (https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/64-binoculars/ )
- Nature Observation / Birding
- Birdforum (http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112 )
Here, “the worlds largest birding and wildlife community” discusses all aspects of nature observation through binoculars, including technical and optical aspects of the instruments. New subjects and posts every day.
- Birdforum (http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112 )
Manufacturers
If you are looking for information about a specific pair of binoculars, the website of the manufacturer (which includes those companies selling binoculars under their tradename, but have them manufactured by someone else; which is the case for the vast majority of all “manufacturers”, see page “Facts and Tips” on this website) is often a good starting point. Just googling the brand or the details of the binocular model in question is usually sufficient to get you there. Often, your google search will also lead you to discussions about the binocular you are looking for on one of the internet forums (see separate tab).
Reviews and Tests
- Institutions publishing tests and reviews
A word of caution is appropriate here: It is not always easy to distinguish between, on the one hand, institutions which adhere to some minimal standards of journalistic competence and ethics when publishing tests and reviews, and, on the other hand, marketing texts disguised as objective reviews which appear in seemingly neutral journals or other publications. Generally, if the same institution which writes about binoculars also advertises them for sale, sometimes including reduced prices, or presents reviews and tests mixed with special deals on binoculars, prudence is advised (exception: “House of Outdoor”, see below)- Binomania (http://www.binomania.it/category/1-recensioni/ )
Regularly brings information about new instruments becoming available, and publishes reviews and tests of binoculars and spotting scopes. Generally worth reading!! In Italian, but a convenient “translate” button is provided at the top of the website - Allbinos (https://www.allbinos.com/binoculars_reviews.html )
A Polish organization providing a large database with specifications of almost 2000 binoculars, and relatively detailed tests of over 200. Well worth reading (but BINOCULARS TODAY takes some of the results, including seemingly scientific data – e.g transmission test results – “with a grain of salt”). - House of Outdoor and Optics
( http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/verrekijkers/verrekijkers-testen-en-vergelijken/ )
Here, you not only find some of the most detailed and sophisticated tests and comparisons of binoculars, but also lots of useful information on technology, optics etc. Some parts are in English, but a large part is in Dutch (so you may need to “google translate”) - BirdGuides
( https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/binoculars/?CurrentPage=1# )
Does not exhibit as many reviews as some of the other websites, but the ones presented are brief, very much to the point and quite balanced. - Binocular Sky (http://www.binocularsky.com/ )
Dedicated to binocular astronomy. Stephen Tonkin, who runs this website, is also the author of the book “Binocular Astronomy” recommended above. Lots of useful tips, instrument reviews, links and other information for hobby astronomers - Astronomy journals
Several astronomy journals bring tests and reviews of optical instruments, including binoculars- Sky and Telescope (http://www.skyandtelescope.com/ )
- Sky at Night (http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/ )
- Astronomy (http://www.astronomy.com/ )
- Astronomy Now (https://astronomynow.com/ )
- Sterne und Weltraum (http://www.spektrum.de/magazin/sterne-und-weltraum/ )
In German
- Birding Journals
- Vögel (http://www.voegel-magazin.de/ ). In German
- Birdwatching Magazine (https://www.birdwatching.co.uk/ )
- The Audubon Society Guide to Binoculars
(http://www.audubon.org/gear/binocular-guide )
- Journals on various subjects
There are a range of journals which cover hunting, sailing, hiking, general outdoor sports, etc. and which from time to time publish reviews and tests of gear including binoculars. Some are actually quite good, others however not. At this time, BINOCULARS TODAY does not to issue any specific recommendations. - Individual websites
These are sites run on a not-for-profit basis by optics “aficionados” who present information and reviews on binoculars, their optics and mechanics- Holger Merlitz (http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ )
Prof. Dr. Holger Merlitz of the Leibniz-Institute of Polymer Research in Dresden, Germany, has over many years used his free time to become one of the foremost experts on optical instruments in general and binoculars in particular. He wrote the leading book on binoculars in German (see above the section “Books on Binoculars”). On his website, you can find a plethora of interesting articles on the optics of binoculars, e.g. on distortion, as well as many detailed and highly rated instrument tests and reviews. - Scope Views (http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/ )
Roger Vine, the owner of this site, mostly writes about the good and very good segment of the binocular world, but also brings detailed reviews about scopes, astronomical telescopes, binoculars, and how to choose an instrument. Very nice website. - Greatest binoculars (http://www.greatestbinoculars.com/ )
Tobias Mennle, a biologist with the trained eye of the avid photographer, presents some of the most critical reviews and articles on optics and binoculars that you can find. You may or may not always share his views, but Tobias’ devotion to the subject, his competence and independent judgment are beyond doubt. His website features superb images.
- Holger Merlitz (http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ )
- Binomania (http://www.binomania.it/category/1-recensioni/ )
Optics in General
Fernoptik ( www.akoehler.de )
The website of former Carl Zeiss Jena employee and book author Albrecht Köhler contains lots of interesting information about optics design, testing and binocular technology. In German
Holger Merlitz (http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ )
This website is further described under the above tab “Reviews and Tests”
Contact
Pinac
info@binocular.ch