Like a lot of wildlife photographers, I carry binoculars with me when I go out to photograph. I recently found that my Nikon Monarch 3 binoculars were not focusing correctly. Because of their age, I decided to replace them with a new pair from Vortex Optical, the Viper HD. After my new purchase, I had nothing to lose so I decided to test the lifetime warranty from Nikon. I sent the old pair in for repair. Somewhat to my surprise two weeks later I received a new pair of Monarch M5 binoculars in their place along with a letter stating that the others were unrepairable and would be replaced at no charge. Kudos to Nikon for honoring their lifetime warranty. I now have two great binoculars and what follows is a review of both.
It’s important to note that using binoculars in wildlife photography can offer several benefits, such as:
Improved Observation: Binoculars provide a closer and clearer view of wildlife, allowing photographers to observe animals and their behavior in more detail and provide quicker more accurate identification of a particular species of interest.
Enhanced Composition: Binoculars can help photographers to compose their shots more effectively, allowing them to capture the subject in a way that is visually appealing and conveys the desired message.
Increased Safety: Wildlife photography often involves getting close to wild animals, which can be dangerous. Binoculars allow photographers to observe animals from a safe distance, reducing the risk of injury.
Greater Efficiency: By using binoculars to scout the area before taking pictures, photographers can save time and effort by identifying potential subjects and deciding on the best vantage point before setting up their equipment.
Overall, using binoculars in wildlife photography can help photographers to capture better images, stay safe, and work more efficiently.
The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 and the Vortex Viper 10×50 are two high-quality binoculars designed for outdoor enthusiasts, bird watchers, hunters, and other nature lovers. While both binoculars offer superior optical performance and build quality, they have distinct features that make them different from each other. The Vortex are 10×50, while the Nikon Monarchs are 8×42. There is a big difference when it comes to the field of view: 10×50 usually gives you 110m/1000m of field of view, and with 8×42, they have fields of view starting at 130m/1000m to 160m/1000m. So, you gain a lot of field of view with 8×42. However, 10x50s can see typically 0.4-0.5 magnitude fainter, have a 25% larger image scale, and resolve equally finer detail. With 10×50, you gain some resolution in optics, compared to 8×42 but you gain more in low-light performance. Both came with padded cases. The Vortex came with a nice chest strap attached to the case, the Monarchs did not. The Monarchs are quite physically smaller. They both come with front and back protective lens covers.
The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42:
Pros:
Optical Performance: The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 offers superior optical performance, with a large 42mm objective lens diameter that delivers bright and sharp images even in low light conditions. It also features ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass that helps reduce chromatic aberration and produces high-contrast images.
Build Quality: The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 is built with a durable, lightweight magnesium-alloy chassis that makes it easy to handle and transport. It is also waterproof and fog proof, which makes it ideal for use in all weather conditions.
User-friendly: The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 is easy to use, with a smooth central focus knob and adjustable eyecups that provide a comfortable viewing experience for all users, including eyeglass wearers.
Warranty: Nikon offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Nikon Monarch M5 8×42, which gives buyers peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected.
Cons:
Narrow Field of View: The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 has a narrow field of view but is a larger field of view than the Vortex, which makes it easier than the Vortex to view fast-moving objects or birds in flight.
Heavy: The Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 is relatively heavy, weighing 20.8 ounces, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer lighter binoculars. However, it is lighter by 8 ounces than the Vortex.
The Vortex Viper 10×50:
Pros:
Optical Performance: The Vortex Viper 10×50 offers superior optical performance, with a large 50mm objective lens diameter that delivers bright and sharp images even in low light conditions. It also features XR fully multi-coated lenses that enhance light transmission and produce high-contrast images.
Build Quality: The Vortex Viper 10×50 is built with a durable, lightweight magnesium chassis that makes it easy to handle and transport. It is also waterproof and fog proof, which makes it ideal for use in all weather conditions.
User-friendly: The Vortex Viper 10×50 is easy to use, with a smooth central focus knob and adjustable eyecups that provide a comfortable viewing experience for all users, including eyeglass wearers.
Warranty: Vortex offers an unconditional lifetime warranty on the Vortex Viper 10×50, which gives buyers peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected.
Cons:
Heavy: The Vortex Viper 10×50 is relatively heavy, weighing 28.1 ounces, which may be a drawback for some users who prefer lighter binoculars. These are large binoculars.
Smaller Field of View: The Vortex Viper 10×50 has a smaller field of view compared to the Nikon Monarch M5 8×42, which may make it less suitable for viewing fast-moving objects or birds in flight than the Monarchs.
Eye Relief: The Vortex Viper 10×50 has a shorter eye relief compared to the Nikon Monarch M5 8×42, which may be a drawback for users who wear glasses.
In conclusion, both the Nikon Monarch M5 8×42 and the Vortex Viper 10×50 offer excellent optical performance, build quality, and user-friendliness. I enjoy them both and in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with either one.