12×50 binoculars are my personal favorite for any outdoor activities like wildlife viewing, sports, whale observing, etc. They offer a high level of magnification, which is ideal for spotting long-distance objects. The large objective lenses allow for a bright and clear image, even in low light conditions. In that case, I got so many queries about can 12×50 binoculars to be used for wildlife viewing or not.
I have arranged this article to break down whether 12×50 binoculars are good for wildlife viewing or not. Depict what are the benefits and what are challenges you may face if you use a 12×50 binocular to observe the activities of animals.
Required features of binoculars for wildlife viewing
When you’re out in the field, bird watching, or trying to get a better view of an animal in its natural habitat, you need binoculars that can help you see clearly and sharply. Here are some features that are required for wildlife viewing:
1. Magnification and objective lens diameter
The first thing to look for when choosing binoculars for wildlife viewing is the magnification and the aperture value. For instance, the 12×50 binoculars have 12x magnification and 50mm objective lenses. The general rule is that the higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view, and vice versa. Binoculars with a higher magnification may be great for seeing details of long-range objects. They may not be as good for following birds in flight or tracking animals that are moving around. In that situation, 8x, and 10x is a suitable options.
At the same time, 12x magnification is quite a stranded option for wildlife viewing. Again, the 50mm bigger objective lens is a good choice for wildlife viewing to get clear, bright, and crisp images.
2. Prism type
Binoculars typically use one of two types of prisms: roof or Porro. Roof prism binoculars are typically more compact and have straight barrels. As a result, they will be lightweight and easy to hold. Also, the image quality is superior and can generate outstanding image output. On the other hand, angled or zigzag barrels are used to design Porro prism binoculars. As a result, they will be quite large and heavy. Porro prism binoculars are generally considered to have better optics. For wildlife viewing, you should go for roof prism binoculars for their durability, stability, and compactness.
3. Lens coatings
Another important feature to look for in binoculars for wildlife viewing is lens coatings. These coatings help to reduce glare and improve light transmission, which is important for seeing details in low-light conditions. Some binoculars have multiple layers of coatings on the lenses, while others may have just a single layer. The more layers of coatings, the better the binoculars will perform in low-light conditions. The best option is fully multi-coated binoculars to get outstanding resolution of the targeted animals and birds.
4. Exit pupil
The exit pupil is the circle of light that you see when you observe something using binoculars. It’s important to choose binoculars with a large enough exit pupil. As a result, this will allow you to see clearly in dim light conditions too. Generally, the exit pupil is determined by the magnification and the objective lens diameter. To measure the exit pupil value, you have to divide the size of the objective lens by the magnification power.
According to the rules, the 12×50 binoculars have an exit pupil of 4.16 mm. As a result, the human eye can only dilate to about 7 mm, so an exit pupil of 4.16mm is ideal. You should choose a binocular that comes with a greater than 4.00mm exit pupil distance. Otherwise, it will cause eye fatigue for extended sessions.
5. Field of view
The next requirement is to consider the field of view of the binoculars. That is the measurement of the area that you can cover when you are using the binoculars. The value is typically listed in feet at 1,000 yards. Like, if a binocular provides a field of view of 400 feet at 1,000 yards, that means that you can see an area that’s 400 feet wide when you are looking at an object which is 1,000 yards away. The field of view should be between 270-300 feet at 1000 yards for wildlife viewing. And most of the 12×50 binoculars provide a decent amount of field of view to observe your surroundings without changing focus or your position.
6. Eye relief
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece of the binoculars. It’s important to choose binoculars with enough eye relief so you can observe the whole area without feeling any pain or headache. Like, if your selected binoculars have an eye relief of 15mm, that means that you need to hold the binoculars 15mm away from your eyes. It will also provide a comfortable and smooth viewing experience during wildlife viewing. If you wear glasses, then you will need to choose binoculars with longer eye relief so that you can see the entire field of view.
7. Focus
The focus knob is used to adjust the binoculars so that you can see objects that are close to you or far away. It’s important to choose binoculars that have a focus knob that’s easy to use and that allows you to make fine adjustments. Some binoculars have an automatic focus feature that allows you to keep both eyes open while you’re focusing on an object. This can help follow moving objects. Eventually, the activities of animals and birds are so unpredictable and they move frequently. You should always select an easy and fast-focus adjustable binocular for wildlife viewing.
8. Size and Weight
The size and weight of the binoculars are important considerations for wildlife viewing, especially if you’re going to be carrying them around for long periods. Compact binoculars are typically easier to carry, but they may not have the same optical quality as larger binoculars.
9. Tripod mount
If you will be using the binoculars for extended periods, it’s a good idea to choose a pair with a tripod mount. This will allow you to mount the binoculars on a tripod, which will help to keep them steady and helps to observe the activities of animals peacefully.
10. Price range
Binoculars can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand, so it’s important to find a pair within your price range. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the features you want in your binoculars. Some binoculars have special features like night vision or image stabilization, which can be helpful if you plan on doing a lot of wildlife viewing.
How do the 12×50 binoculars work?
To decide whether the 12×50 binoculars can be used for wildlife viewing or not, first look at the functional aspects to understand how the binoculars work. 12×50 binoculars usually use a system of lenses and mirrors to magnify the image quality and make it appear closer. They are designed with a 12x magnification, which means that the object you are looking at will appear 12 times closer than it does with the naked eye.
These binoculars have a 50mm objective lens, which is the lens that is farthest from your eye. The larger the objective lens, the more light is gathered. And you will get a more bright and sharp output of the image. They are engineered with high-quality multi-coated lenses, Prisms, tripod mount systems, durable body structures, and so on.
Benefits of 12×50 binoculars for wildlife viewing
12×50 binoculars are a great tool for wildlife viewing. They allow you to see animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. This is especially important when you are observing rare or endangered species. Binoculars with a 12x magnification provide a clear image of animals that are far away. This is helpful when you are trying to identify a species. The 50mm lens size provides a bright image, even in low light conditions. 12×50 binoculars are relatively lightweight, making them easy to carry with you on hikes. They are also durable, so you don’t have to worry about them being damaged if you drop them.
Problems with 12×50 binoculars during wildlife viewing
Several potential problems can occur when using 12×50 binoculars for wildlife viewing. First, binoculars can be too powerful for some animals, causing them to appear stressed or frightened. Second, the binoculars can magnify too much of the background environment, making it difficult to focus on the animal. Finally, they can be expensive. However, they are a good investment if you are serious about wildlife viewing.
Final Opinion: Can 12×50 binoculars be used for wildlife viewing?
When you’re choosing binoculars for wildlife viewing, there are a few things to keep in mind. The magnification, objective lens diameter and prism type are important factors. You should also make sure that the binoculars have lens coatings to reduce glare and improve light transmission. The exit pupil and the field of view are also important considerations.
And finally, you should choose binoculars that are the right size and weight for you and that have a focus knob that’s easy to use. And all of these qualities and features you will get in 12×50 binoculars. There are so many price varieties too. It is a complete package for not only wildlife viewing but also any other outdoor activities. It can be a worthy investment for you. So, with a little practice, you can use 12×50 binoculars to get a close-up view of the animal kingdom in all its glory.
