Binoculars, sometimes called field glasses, are one of the most useful tools you can own when you need to view something at a distance. They can make the landscape, objects, and creatures appear much closer and clearer, so you can get a good look at them. Whether you are going to be using the binoculars for hunting, for bird or wildlife watching, or anything else, you must know how to use them properly. It is more than just a matter of picking them up and looking through them. You need to know how to focus the binoculars properly.
It is a little bit more complicated than just fiddling with the dials and knobs to try to get into focus. Fortunately, with a little bit of knowledge about your binoculars, you will be able to understand the ins and outs of focusing your binoculars. Once you understand the basics of how to focus them, it becomes easy even when you are using binoculars that are unfamiliar to you, whether they are new or you borrowed them from a friend while out birding in a forest. Let’s get a closer look at focusing the binoculars.
Why Do You Need to Learn to Focus Your Binoculars?
Many people do not fully understand just why it is important to take the time to learn how to focus their binoculars properly. They assume that they can keep twisting the dials back and forth until everything comes into focus. While that might be a “tactic” to focus the binoculars, actually learning how to focus the binoculars can provide some benefits. For starters, you will be able to get them into proper focus in far less time, which means you will be able to get your eyes on your target quickly no matter the distance.
When you start to learn the basics of focusing your binoculars, you will also begin to get better at learning how to adjust for any anomalies whether they are in the image or your eyesight. The more you practice at different ranges, the better and faster you will become at binocular focusing.
When you learn how to focus, you will be able to enjoy clear images without worrying about double-vision and having shadows appear on the image you are seeing. It will make birding, hunting, and just enjoying nature much easier.
What Are the Basic Parts of Binoculars
While binoculars might look vastly different, and some may have distinct features and capabilities, you will find that there tend to be some similarities with the essential parts. Let’s get a closer look.
Focus/Thumbwheel – Typically, the focus will be a center focus, located in the center of the binoculars. However, on some models, you might find that it is on the left or the right eye instead. The goal of the focus wheel is to move the interior lenses slightly to help bring the image into better focus.
Diopter – The diopter knob is a ring that can also be placed in various areas based on the mode of binoculars. It is usually on the right eyepiece, but it could be on the left instead. The knob can be turned to the right or left, allowing for individual focus of the eyepiece lens. This can help to compensate for variances in eye strength.
Strap Attachment – This is simply the area where you will attach your strap to the binoculars, so you can safely hang them around your neck while using them without worrying about dropping them.
Objective Lenses – The objective lenses are on the opposite side of where you look through the binoculars. They tend to be quite large when compared with the eyepiece lenses, and they will determine how much light can be gathered. Many of the new binoculars on the market will have a coating on the objective lenses, which can help with the transmission of light and improve the functionality of the binoculars.
Chassis – The chassis is simply the housing for the binoculars. In some cases, the chassis might be made from metal, or they could be made from a type of plastic. The type of chassis will often dictate the strength and durability of the binoculars, as well as whether they are lightweight or not. It can also affect the type of weather conditions the binoculars can handle.
Eyepiece Lenses – The eyepiece lenses are the lenses that are the closest to your eyes when you are looking through the binoculars. They are much smaller than the objective lenses. They are permanently mounted, so they have a set field of view and magnification.
Simple Tips for Properly Focusing Your Binoculars
One of the first things you will want to do is calibrate the diopter. Typically, you will only have to do this once and then keep it at that location. However, if the diopter were moved or if someone borrows the binoculars, you will want to recalibrate them.
The calibration process is simple. You will use your binoculars to find an object that you want to look at that is about 30 feet from you. Then, bring the binoculars up to your eyes. Close the eye that has the diopter on it and then use the flywheel in the center of the binoculars to bring the object into focus for the opposite eye – the one that is still open. Then, you will want to open both eyes.
Next, close the left eye (if the diopter is on the right) and turn the diopter to bring the object into focus. Once you have done this, it should be focused and calibrated for both of your eyes. Some high-quality binoculars might even allow you to lock the diopter into place, so it does not move by mistake.
What if the diopter adjustment wheel is in the center instead, like the flywheel? It tends to be a similar process. However, you will keep both of your eyes open and first cover the right lens with a cap, focus, and then change the lens cap to the opposite side and repeat.
Once you have the diopter calibrated properly, the rest is straightforward when you are out in the field and trying to focus quickly. You will want to make sure that you set the eyepiece spacing for starters. This is simple, as most binoculars will be easily adjustable, so you can get a comfortable spacing set up between your eyes, so the binoculars are convenient to use. You will then be able to turn the flywheel to bring objects into focus that are at various distances from you.
The distance between your eyes mentioned above is called interpupillary distance or IPD. Making sure that you have the correct IPD helps to eliminate the double vision and shadow problems that will sometimes occur when people are using binoculars.
It Might Take Some Time to Get It Right
When you are first learning to calibrate your diopter and get your binoculars into focus, it can take some time. However, take the time you need to continually adjust the diopter until you can get the best possible image quality. When you take a little extra time with the diopter, in the beginning, you will find it is well worth it. It will make the rest of the process of keeping and getting things in focus much easier for you.
You will also want to keep in mind that different models and makes of binoculars might have some other features that will determine how you will be able to adjust them. Learn how to work with your particular binoculars. When you understand your binoculars, it will be easier for you to use them when you are out in the woods or looking off your back porch across the field at some wandering coyotes or some other critter that is getting close to the house.
You Get Better and Faster with Practice
Just like anything in life, you are only going to improve when you can practice. Make it a point to get out and practice focusing your binoculars regularly. By getting out into the fields and the woods and learning how to focus in different areas and different situations, you will be able to do it when it really counts.
After all, if you are sitting in your deer stand and you want to glass the field to see if any deer have emerged from the opposite tree line, you want to be able to do so quickly and effectively. The same is true if you are out birding and looking for an elusive songbird that always seems to be just out of sight though you can hear her song.
Get out and practice, and it will soon become second nature to get your binoculars appropriately focused in a matter of seconds no matter the distance or the conditions.