How To Attach Binoculars to a Tripod
Why A Tripod In Binocular?
Binoculars are in general used by hunters and avid bird watchers as well as many other hobbyists like plane spotters to find and look out for a specific target, be it a bird, animal, star, or a plane from a long distance.
Most importantly, binoculars used for such long-distance viewings or target shooting need to be steady, and this can be done with the help of a tripod.
The biggest benefit is that it helps avoid straining the arm muscles by holding the binocular for a long time at the same position., this allows you, the viewer, to use the binocular without a feeling of fatigue in your body or arms to spot several small details that you may otherwise miss.
Let’s See What is a Tripod Mount and How it Looks Like
How To Attach a Tripod Mount To A Binocular?
While you can use your body parts like the knee, back to support your arm while holding the binocular, the best option is to use a tripod to support it.
Putting the binoculars on a flat surface to view a far-away object isn’t a feasible option, although, in absence of a tripod keeping the binoculars on a stump, fence or rocks is also effective.
Once a tripod and binoculars are fixed, all you need to do is to keep the binoculars balanced between your index fingers and thumbs, and then gently wrap your other fingers around the binoculars and focus your attention on the things you want to keep an eye on.
To set up your binoculars on your tripod, you need to first extend the legs of the tripod to a preferred height of your choice.
You can choose to widen the central holder to ensure that the binocular fits well in a position you need to. Next up you need to lock the tripod legs in a manner they don’t dislodge or wobble.
The most common type of tripods available in the market is in the form of an L bracket with a variation of two to four holes. While there are some tripods that are specifically built to fit in with certain types of binoculars, there are also certain types of universal tripods that fit in with any type of binoculars.
As such choosing the right kind of binocular accessory, including a tripod, is important. All you need to do while mounting a binocular on a tripod is to keep one hand on the binoculars while you’re adjusting the legs and the central column.
Also, you need to do this again when you are adjusting the binocular. Then, just remove the cover from the eyepiece and the objective lens, and voila!!! you are good to go for a shake-free view to watch anything up close and personal without disturbing anyone.
This is especially beneficial for you if you are planning to watch over an area for a long period of time.
In general, the binoculars come with a detachable slot or cap-like configuration between the two objective lenses or near focusing knob. This is a slot or cap that can be easily detached. It can be done by using any type of object either a coin or a small pincer.
You can even detach it by just putting a little extra force of the thumb or finger onto it. Once detached, a small socket appears, it is this socket where the mount of the tripod needs to be attached. The tripod mount can be attached to the binoculars by simply fixing the bolts into place with a washer.
Using An Adaptor With Tripod
When you use high power binoculars with high magnifying power, using a binocular adapter on a tripod works best. You can scan for birds, animals, and plants until you find your desired target, and then you can increase the magnification for a detailed view.
A rather simple and effective way that will help you to use your binoculars in the best way possible. Further still if you are interested in taking photos and videos of what you see through your binoculars, you can also attach a camera adapter or a smartphone adapter, that perfectly fits your binocular.
A tripod with a ballast hook gives extra support if you feel it is needed while viewing. A tripod adapter is meant to lift the weight of binoculars (whatever size) off your arms and onto the steady support of a tripod.
As some binoculars may not have sufficient space between the two-lens casing an extra thin adapter with a thin head is needed to attach the binocular to the tripod. All tripod adapters are designed to fit directly with the binocular and tripod or the tripod head mounting plate. It all depends on the type of tripod you use.
Tripods are meant to be used in all types of terrains. In case your tripod mount is of an L bracket shape, then the straight edge of the bracket can be attached easily to the binocular.
This results in the flat edge lying straight on the tripod. In general, the two holes in the upper side are attached to the binocular, and the lower two bolts are attached to the tripod.
But nowadays most of the binoculars be it mid-size or full-size come attached with a showy detachable plug-in front of the central hinge. All you need to do is just line the hole on the binoculars with the bolt and thread it onto the tripod adapter.
Conclusion
Nowadays good quality tripods are usually made of steel or aluminum feature a 1/4″-20 screw adapter. As per ISO 1222:2010 standards, the current tripod screw thread standard to attach to binocular or camera is a 1/4-20 UNC or 3/8-16 UNC thread.
This screw adapter is more than enough to hold your binoculars easily without any additional adapter. All one needs to do next is to slip the binocular on the tripod either by sliding it into the mounting platform or by screwing it.
There are numerous branded binocular tripods, tripod adapters, and other accessories available in the market. Some of the leading brands are Leica, Celestron, Manfrotto, Orion, Mactrem, Regetek, Nikon Vortex and Leupold.