I’d go with a 40 or 42mm objective, for better field of view and low-light performance
I suppose it is a trade off between weight and performance.
If they are too heavy they will only get one outing, also are they for semi serious birding or just occassional use?
True, and size. I keep a pair of Binolyte 8x21 in the car glove box but don’t like using them routinely, just too awkward to pick up a moving bird because of their small field of view.
Worth checking the weight before buying, they do vary a bit. Then again, lighter ones will have polycarbonate bodies which won’t be as durable as cast magnesium.
As you say, trade-offs
These look very good for the money (£70 delivered)
or these from the same seller (£150 here, £270 on Amazon)
There are all sorts of compromises with binoculars. The bigger the objective (the big lens at the front - the 30 or 42 or whatever) the more light they will let in but the heavier the instrument. The magnification will also impact on the weight (the 8 or 10 or 7 or whatever). Like hifi, there is a law of diminishing returns. I use 8 x 42 which my wife finds heavy and big. My wife uses 8 x 30 and save for evening when it is getting dusk she misses nothing that I see.
You really need a to visit somewhere to try a few pairs to see which instruments fit or they won’t be used. That is not going to be easy at the moment. Don’t be afraid of second hand.
Have a look at Cley Spey here
Or The Birders Store here
I have used both and both are reputable and will provide good guidance.
It’s not me that’s buying - I am quite happy with my bins 
So what did you get?
Yeah I forgot all about this 
Have given the answers to Claire, let’s see what she decides 
This is what she ordered, she like butterflies and other small things too, so these seemed good being able to focus at a really short distance 
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As I type this a fox has just bolted down the bank toward the bird feeder (just to left of birdbath and out of shot).
There was a squirrel on it. A pigeon on the floor, and a few birds.
They literally erupted into panic state and starburst in all directions.
I could only get a screen shot of it leaving again from a shaky video.
Just done our attempt at the RSPB birdwatch. 10 house sparrows, 2 blackbirds, two pigeons and a robin, for the full spectrum of exotica.
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we did ours, similarly exotic
12 house sparrows
1 Robin
2 Wood pigeons
3 collared doves
4 blackbirds (way more blackbirds this year than previously)
3 blue tits
1 great tit
I could hear gold finches but couldn’t see them
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It was snowing when we monitored and so quite difficult to spot the smaller birds.
4 carrion crows
2 magpie
2 wood pigeon
2 blue tits
1 blackbird
1 wren
I did mine too;
1 x bird
1 x 'nother bird
2 x pretty birds
1 x black thing
Oh, another bird
and a finch.
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Not from the garden watch this weekend (sadly) but one from an African trip a few years ago. Was wondering what it was.
Wouldn’t have messed with this fella either. Marabou Stork?
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Superb Starling.
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Quite a decent Stork as well.
CRW_0750_RT16 by uh_simon, on Flickr
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An unusual visitor ( Cygnus atratus ) has just appeared on Eagle Lake opposite Snaresbrook Crown Court and appears to be socialising well with the local Mute’s…Bogo iPhone shot
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Escaped from Dawlish.
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