When it is time to see a rare bird up close, the binocular is the go-to optical tool for almost every serious birder. Unmatched portability and convenience make the binocular one of the best devices available for spotting and identifying birds in their natural habitats.
In this first segment of a four-part series, we will discuss what to look for if you are looking for binoculars for birding, or some things to consider if you are already a birder and
When viewing or photographing the sun, or any phase of a partial solar eclipse, remember that you MUST observe safe practices to prevent damage to your eyes and/or equipment (but mostly to your eyes).
NEVER look directly at the sun with your naked eyes. Permanent damage to your eyesight, up to and including blindness, may result.
During a total solar eclipse, eye protection is NOT required during periods of totality when the viewer is in the path of totality. Totality is bookmarked by the “diamond ring effect.” Annular eclipses, even
Time was, the smallest flashlight you could get was a penlight. It had an incandescent bulb that was dim by today’s standards and required disposable batteries. You can still get penlights today—many people like having a slim light with a clip that slips easily into a shirt pocket—and they’ve come a long way, with bright, long-lasting LEDs having replaced the bulbs and rechargeable batteries that never need to be replaced. But these days, there are many
This is the time of the year that we give and receive great gifts… and if you’re anywhere near the letters “B” and “H” in your Internet searches, you’ll probably be looking at electronics in some shape or form. Sadly, as great as all those electronic gadgets are, they tend to be hungry for power and you need to give some consideration to protecting them and all the information you cram into them. So, for your consideration, here is some gear to help you prepare for the inevitable storms that can wreak havoc on your electronics.
Power
First up
You don’t have to be a hunter to have fun with a trail camera. Monitoring your property with one (or a few) of these handy little gadgets is a fascinating hobby for birders, wildlife enthusiasts, kids, or just folk who enjoy being surprised at what goes on in their backyard after dark. Also known as a trap, game, or wildlife camera, a trail camera is equipped with a passive infrared motion detector that triggers the shutter when an animal (or trespasser) walks into
In today’s world of keyless… well, everything, the ubiquitous keychain seems like it’s becoming something of a dinosaur. But I disagree. I don’t think we’re that close to getting rid of the keychain just yet, and so I present some gear that will make you more than a little reluctant to give it up if and when you can lock your house, get into your car, and start the engine with your smartphone.
Flashlights
There was a time, not that long ago, that keychain lights were barely useful. They had dim incandescent light bulbs that often broke, and
Portable electric and electronic devices enhance our work and play, but only when there’s electricity to power them. There’s a wide range of equipment designed to store power, or to convert solar energy into electricity, to extend the time we can spend un-plugged-in. Whether it’s an extra charge or two for your smartphone, a boost for a navigator in the back country, or portable power stations that permit the use of household appliances and tools during blackouts, B&H has the gear you need. Here are few examples of modern technology
Despite their popularity, the way binoculars work, what makes one better (or different) than another, and what all the numbers mean, are still rather mysterious to many prospective buyers. Read on and find out all you need to know about the ubiquitous binocular before making your choice so you can be sure you’re choosing the right one for whatever you’re planning on viewing.
The Basics
Simply stated, binoculars use a series of lenses, elements, and prisms to produce a magnified view of distant people, places, or things. Using two parallel
Humans’ fascination with the stars is as old as our ability to think and ask questions. For millennia we, as a species, were limited to observing the heavens with just our eyes. Of course, back then we were able to see more because light pollution didn’t exist, but making detailed observations was impossible. The invention of the microscope led to the development of the telescope, which allowed people to finally start exploring the larger universe. As technological advances were made and telescopes got bigger and better, their reach and the
A few times over the past year, I have met people who, when they had a youngster express interest in astronomy, rushed out to B&H Photo to purchase the family a telescope. In a few of these anecdotes, the telescope saw limited initial use and then it was simply incorporated into the home’s décor—gathering dust in a corner. It became obvious to me that what the family could have benefited from more would have been a
The landing of the Apollo 11 lunar module, Eagle, on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, and the first steps of a human on another celestial body, represent one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of mankind. B&H Photo is helping to commemorate the milestone anniversary of NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins’s great journey to the moon and back with several special-edition telescopes from Celestron that ship with a commemorative Apollo 11 50th anniversary coin and
Regardless of your occupation or location, the things in your everyday carry (EDC) kit will often be essential to get you through the day. I have several pseudo-EDC kits in my life. I have a kit in the car, one on the boat, one in my bike pannier and, when on foot, a few items that make me feel unbalanced in their absence.
Most EDC kits comprise what some consider essential gear, but if you are looking to add to your EDC, check out this list of suggested gear.
1.
Starting Monday, May 6, B&H will begin our week-long coverage of everyday carry (EDC) gear. More than just the contents of your pack or purse, EDC items are the essential tools that get you through your day. Whether it’s the noise-canceling headphones that help you survive your subway commute or the do-everything smartphone that assists you in more ways you can count, if it’s something you carry with you all the time, we’re gonna discuss it (and maybe throw in a couple of recommendations along the way). We’ll also be checking out EDC kits
Typically, discussions centered around introducing people to stargazing focus on children and adolescents, but I think that is too limiting. The reality is that there are as many and varied people who are interested in, and excited about, learning astronomy but are either confused about where to start or are unaware of the progress technology and manufacturing processes have made in recent years that make stargazing as simple as it is fascinating and rewarding. In this piece, we’ll look at different age groups and people with specific
Before I reveal my deep love for the Leica APO-Televid 77 spotting scope, I wish to tell you all that I am not easily enamored with every item that B&H Photo sells, adorned with the famous “Red Dot” of Leica. That addiction afflicts my father (and many others), but not I. I do own two Leica lenses—my architectural workhorse, the 1980s vintage 28mm f/2.8 PC Super Angulon R (made by Schneider) and a 1970s vintage 35mm f/2 Summicron (made in