I have a pair of Leupold 8x32 binoculars. For only having a 32mm objective lenses they are pretty bright but as I get older I am having trouble seeing the details. I use them primarily for birding. I been looking at a lot of new ones on the internet and can't decide what to do. I have read that magnifications 12x and up are hard to hold steady and you should have some kind of support - tripod, monopod etc. That really isn't practical out in the field, at least not the way I would be using them but only moving up to a 10x seems like too little magnification increase to make it worth buying another pair.
What I am wondering is if I got a higher end 10x with better optics, would the better optics and brightness make up for the lower magnification? I had been looking at 12x and 14x binoculars but now think it may not be a good idea. I know how hard it is to try to handhold a long camera lens even with image stabilization. If it's too shaky beyond 10x then I won't see the details anyway. I can't afford Swarovski or Leica but maybe can spring for Nikon or something in that range.
What I am wondering is if I got a higher end 10x with better optics, would the better optics and brightness make up for the lower magnification? I had been looking at 12x and 14x binoculars but now think it may not be a good idea. I know how hard it is to try to handhold a long camera lens even with image stabilization. If it's too shaky beyond 10x then I won't see the details anyway. I can't afford Swarovski or Leica but maybe can spring for Nikon or something in that range.