So if this helps anyone, here's what I've bought and my opinions on how good they are for birdwatching.
Binoculars 1 – Opticron 8×42 Countryman BGA T PC WP
The best cheap water proof binoculars I could find.
I bought waterproof because one time when I was looking at some sphagnum moss on a bog, I put my binoculars down on the ground and the water from the bog got into the binoculars and killed them.
Plus, given the amount of rainfall we get in Ireland, buying waterproof optics is kind of essential.
These binocs are excellent – images are sharp and the light is good.
Talking to Niall Hatch (Bird Watch Ireland) he said these were nearly as good as the top Zeiss and Swarovski models at a fraction of the price.
I think these cost about €250 (average cost of Zeiss or Swarovski €1500)
Best advice for binoculars is to try and get 8 or 10 magnification with a 40 or 42mm lens.
Binoculars 2 - Opticron 10×25 Taiga
My 8x42's are good, but I take these 10x25's nearly everywhere- even if people do make fun of my smallest binoculars in the world.
They're just so light and small I put them in my pocket whenever I go off for a walk - and having binoculars can be the difference between seeing a really cool bird or missing it.
They're also great for when I'm already carrying my big lens and telescope.
I've got a few pairs, they cost about €90.
Telescope Opticron GS 815 GA with 32x fixed eyepiece (HDF T40809) (Oct 2010). DO NOT BUY THIS SCOPE! (as of Nov 2011, its been discontinued anyway)
The Opticron GS815 is a great scope in every single way apart from it's one flaw, and it's a biggie.... which I wish I had realised before I forked out the dosh.
The focus wheel has to be turned a million times to change focal distance.
The old Kowa I used was great, so are some of the Swarskovski I look through, a tiny turn of the focus wheel and you've got your bird in focus in an instant.
With this particular Opticron scope you're turning and turning and turning the focus wheel and it feels like an eternity to get the bird is in focus.
Not a good thing.
Such a shame because the scope is as light as a feather and the sharpness and light of image is superb - really, really good, it's just a shame night has fallen by the time you get your bird in view.
Tripod - Velbon c-500
A cheapie video tripod serves me well - handle on the right side. Light as a feather and easy to carry around, especially with the hi-tech foam pipe lagging (€8 from Homebase) I've taped around the legs to stop the metal legs digging a groove into my shoulder bone.
Camera - Nikon D40 (June 2008)
It's Nikon's most basic and cheapest DSLR and I've managed some lovely shots with it. Even if I say so myself.
Discontinued now, I bought it in 2008 for approx €300 and used it constantly. Extremely light and easy to carry around. Bought from Bass and Bligh, Harrogate, North Yorkshire - great shop for optics.
Extremely enthusiastic reviews of this D40 on Ken Rockwell's site.
with a AFS Nikor 18-200mm lens (June 2008)
I bought this lens at the same time as the camera (2008), admittedly it cost nearly twice the price of the camera, but I've had so much use from this lens that it has been worth it.
The lens is brilliant for everyday use, landscape photography and it does manage some amazingly sharp images.
I did think I’d be able to get really sharp, detailed close ups of small birds but that was a bit naive - it's only a 200mm reach, I’ve since discovered you have a fixed 400/500mm lens for that close up sharpness.
So...
NEW LENS as of October 2010 Sigma 150-500m.
Sigma 150-500m - got a great deal from Conns, Clarendon St, Dublin. (Hugely reccommend Conns for reasons explained end of this section).
I wanted a cheapish and lightweight lens (so I could still take handheld photos) with a further reach than my 200mm lens.
Its not as crystal clear as a prime 400/500, but its a fraction of the price and will do me for the next few years hopefully.
July 2011 - New Camera - Nikon D7000
My little point and shoot for 'in the pocket' days
Canon Ixus 220 HS
Great little camera, ultra lightweight and good little film maker!
