Which Nikon Binoculars are right for you? Lineup rundown from the Birdfair | Monarch | Prostaff

Hey Guys,
This is a little video I shot with the Nikon Team a few weeks back at the Birdfair, It was a great weekend chatting with hundreds of birdwatchers and photographers on the Nikon stand, talking optics and photography. As we got many questions comparing the ranges of Nikon Optics I thought it would be handy to make a quick rundown video of the entire range for people with a few of the key differences. If you are looking for a pair and want some advice drop a comment below and I'll be more than happy to help!
I'm sure many of you know I'm a Nikon Europe Optics ambassador and have been working with the Nikon team for years now, I LOVE my Monarch HG's and have taken them all over the world from the Amazon to the Okavango so I certainly have put them through their paces ands have been mightily impressed!
Featured in this video are the -
New Nikon Prostaff P3 and P7 (Entry level with excellent optics - P7 with locking diopter)
tidd.ly/3zNM8jo
Nikon Monarch M5 and M7 (Mid range with ED glass for lower chromatic aberrations and higher optical quality - M7 with locking diopter + increased field of view)
tidd.ly/3QfiOsR
Nikon Monarch M7+ ( As above but with Field flattener - improves sharpness at the edges of the image and reduces distortion - only in 8x30's)
www.nikon.co.u...
Nikon Monarch HG's (As above including field flattener + enhanced coatings with scratch resistance + built of Magnesium alloy body for lightweight durability) These are my GO TO daily binoculars in both the 8x30's for travel + EDC and the 8x42 for lower light working.
www.nikon.co.u...
If you want to see more from me , be sure to check out my playlists here on KZbin and my Instagram @TomMasonPhoto, I have also finally finished the first stage of my new website so check it out for portfolios, workshops and more! www.tommasonphoto.com
As always guys thanks for watching and I'll be in the comments for any questions, Get out there and enjoy your wildlife photography!
In my bag : (UK affiliate links help me fund the channel and cost you nothing)
Lowepro Whistler 450 AW II - (travelled flawlessly on all my flights with ALL the gear below inside!)tidd.ly/ee5e459a
Nikon Monarch HG 8x30's - Simply love these. tidd.ly/3df767b...
Nikon Z9 : tidd.ly/3GOPrcl
D850 + Grip + D5 batteries tidd.ly/5e9ce68e
Nikon Z6 and 24-70S - (All video for the channel now shot on this - love this little camera!) tidd.ly/18f827ed
Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR II (My all time favourite lens) tidd.ly/c3774d0f
Nikon 70-200 FL tidd.ly/50423b68
Nikon 35mm 1.4 G tidd.ly/74102f76
Nikon 20mm 1.8G tidd.ly/792d72d0
Nikon 1.4 TC tidd.ly/51bb49a8
Nikon 2.0 TC tidd.ly/6d38e4fe
Nikon SB-700 tidd.ly/40a57f1a
Spare battery tidd.ly/3c45d8ba
Gitzo Mini Traveller tidd.ly/eda4b0c
Petzl Headlamp amzn.to/2LX80SW
G-tech external drives amzn.to/2Yil63y
Macbook 12" amzn.to/2ZBQ57e
Rocket Blower ( I'd get this one) tidd.ly/8d6a3ab4
I also carry a trusty Gitzo Tripod, either my 4 series systematic or a 2 series traveller!
#NikonZ9 #WildlifePhotography

[@littleman787]

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, thanks!

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you Tom. Got the monarch m5 8x42. Great addition to my photography kit. Cheers 🍻. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@TomMasonPhoto]

The M5s are a great bino to go alongside in the camera bag! Enjoy

[@sourabhgoel5929]

​@@TomMasonPhoto can you comment between monarch m7 and hawke ED x ?

[@cromdaleblvd4677]

I got the prostaff p7!!! awesome set of binoculars!!!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

As a budget wildlife photographer I always scoffed at expensive binoculars but one experience i did have recently was thinking some swallows in the distance were bea eaters because of all the abhorration and fringing caused by the contrasty sun. Now I won't be rushing out to buy an expensive pair because 99% of the time budget amazon ones work fine to see wildlife up close but expensive binoculars do indeed have a purpose for twitchers and those really into watching and not so much capturing wildlife. The thing I find wonderful about binoculars is the real 3d effect they provide. Wildlife through a viewfinder seems so flat in comparison.

[@ranjancd872]

Which magnification best to view far off mountains from aeroplane?

[@harraldpostauto6379]

lol, just wanted to buy one of nikons an than i see this in my notifications. Kinda funny tbh, and thanks for the video

[@NikCan66]

Excellent and well explained for newbies or people that maybe getting back into wildlife area that have not been up to date with the latest binoculars

[@antonoat]

With binoculars magnification factor doesn't always ensure a better viewing experience, many people will struggle to hold a 10x binocular steady and a slightly lesser powered 8x can often give an enhanced view as the image in the viewfinders will be more steady which helps discern detail easier. As a user of all types and quality of binoculars over forty years I'd say go along to a specialist optics retailer where they will give advice and let you try first hand different makes and types of binocular so you can choose what is right for you. Decent binoculars can be an expensive purchase so choose wisely as good binoculars can last a lifetime!

[@patricklindahl868]

I can recommend Kite APC 12x42 that has built-in stabilization. Also available in 16x42. I wonder why Nikon does not make stabilized binoculars, almost all their telephoto lenses for cameras had built-in stabilization called VR (Vibration Reduction) so they have the technique in the house.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

For sure I always find myself tending towards my 8x binoculars for my work, they give such a steady image that really enhances the viewing experience when scanning in the field for long periods of time!

[@propriono]

Never had that problem.

[@Karkawry1970]

Thanks for this Tom. My father just gave me a pair of West German Zeiss 10x25B, and I use a 600mm lens. These are a pretty old pair of bins, wondering what (if any) gain there might be 'upgrading' to the Prostaff P3/7's? Thanks

[@TomMasonPhoto]

The newer binoculars certainly have upgraded optics over some of the older designs, the new coatings for sure will aid light transmission and quality. If you go for an 10x42 for example as well you’ll also benefit from the larger object lenses with greater low light performance, but the 30s will also likely see an increase bump in transmission too over older styled abs designed models. I was really impressed with the Prostaff P7s when I tested them out in the peaks earlier this year for some bird photography!

[@Karkawry1970]

@@TomMasonPhoto Cheers, food for thought. I will try and get a test in...

[@milosukic1857]

which model has a cleaner and more stable image view, Nikon 6x15 micron or Nikon 8x21hg ldcf?

[@kanepillers8981]

Hey there, nice video. I'm currently looking at buying new birding binos and choosing between the Monarch HG, Leica Trinovid and Zeiss Conquest (all 10x42). My current pair are Monarch 7s and I love the low weight and huge FOV. My main concern about the HGs is long-term durability. I notice you said you've been using your own pair of HGs for 6 years and they still look pretty decent. Have you had any issues with them in that period - eg eyecups breaking, rubber armor (inc. on the focuser) wearing down? Ever had to use the warranty?

[@thomastvivlaren4951]

I own the Monarch M7 and I am interested in the same three you mentioned. I love the weight and FOV of the Nikon so I am leaning towards the Monarch HG.

[@kanepillers8981]

@@thomastvivlaren4951 I've had the HGs for about 3 months now and can recommend them. I don't think durability is much of a concern - they're really well built and I've seen basically no wear yet. Prior to those I had a pair of Zeiss SFLs - they were optically superior (really really nice) but for a bino of that price the build quality was extremely disappointing with the rubber warping and lifting everywhere in no time. I'd be concerned the Conquests might do the same. Haven't tried the Leicas but they have a good reputation for durability, but a smaller FOV and higher weight than the HGs.

[@julienbarbe7050]

Great video thank you, we see a little clearer in the range. I look forward to your test of the 400mm f4.5! (as a nikon ambassador please asks them to make a 300mm2.8 Z 😉)

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Very much looking forward to hopefully getting hold of the new 400mm soon for some testing!

[@Andy_Thomas]

I have an old (~25 years?) Minolta pair of bins that have electronic focus, with automatic focusing with the press of a button, similar to autofocusing camera lenses. Is there anything like that out there now? (When I see bins labelled as "autofocusing now, it seems to be different, i.e. no focusing dials/buttons at all). Thanks.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

I didn’t know, I think most are manual focus and more centred on higher image quality they automatic focusing these days

[@ED-on8to]

3:49 I see that differently. I need a binocular to spot wildlife in the distance. And know more or less accurate what it is. So for everything in my lens range (400mm, 500mm, 600mm), I don‘t need a binocular. "Everything" around 300-350m I can see with my eyes. So what I really want from a binocular is long range. 300-1.000 meters. So I would love to have a 20/25x42 ED. 😅😂 But interesting to hear your opinion.

[@samaryaj]

Your point is biased at one level. Because it's not always about being able to see with you eyes which is 300mm range. But to be able to see a more detailed image of the same via a lens is different. I am sure you understand that. So if it's a wildlife which is static and you are observing it even from a 25 m range, you would be better off with a binocs that offers you an 8x magnification. Imo. However if it's for purely astronomical purpose then what you say is totally valid

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I have a Nikon bino pair Action EX 7x35 for a few years now and i'm happy with them in that image is very bright but also on the heavy side. Unsure how it relates to the models you mention.

[@rschellie]

I have owned a pair of the Monarch 5m for two years and I have been very disappointed with the build quality. About 8 months after I bought them, I had to send them in for repairs because of the cheap, plastic eyepieces. Six months after I had them repaired the first time, the same problem with the eyepieces again. Although I own three Nikon cameras and too many lenses to list, I would not recommend buying their binoculars.

[@commonsense5709]

I wouldn't recommend buying anything Nikon brand after they recently screwed over hundreds of thousands if not millions of their loyal customers by no longer honoring their lifetime warranty.

[@cameraprepper7938]

None of those ! I use the excellent Leica Ultravid 8x32 and 12x50, both are very rugged and they handle with an excellent balance in the hands, the 8x32 can easily be operated with one hand which is handy when your other hand have the camera ready.

[@commonsense5709]

Is Nikon going out of business soon? They recently screwed over millions of their long time loyal customers by no longer honoring their lifetime warranty on their scopes. What's the actual warranty on their binoculars and are they going out of business soon and no longer going to honor their binoculars warranty too?

[@pearspeedruns]

Where did you hear about this?

[@commonsense5709]

@@pearspeedruns Google is a friend. Nikon exited out of the scope business 2 years ago and is no longer honoring their lifetime warranties.

[@busman2050]

Need to show us closeups of each model. Otherwise we don't know what you are talking about

[@vaishalipawar7219]

Which is Best Nikon hunting binocular under 20000 price plz riply me sir 🙋🏻 price 18000 to 20000 under plz best Nikon binocular

[@battikinto6852]

Made in China.

[@trident8872]

WX is missing in this line up

[@milosukic1857]

small binoculars have an unstable image, it shakes, what is the image of the Nikon 6x15micron, is it stable?