Freehand 15x70s?

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Funds are a massive limiting factor for me at the moment, but i am desperate to get out there with more than my naked eye. I found some meade 10x50s for £35, but could maybe stretch another £10-20 for a semi decent set of 15x70s, but then of course, i'd need a mount too.

I know most people say anything over 10x50 are gonna need some kind of mount, but i've been looking around at 15x70's out of curiosity, and looking at the stats most are around 1.3kg.

I dug out an old set of dumbbells and grabed the 1.25kg plate off of one, i've been holding that up by my face, with my hands perhaps a little further away from my face than they would be with binos, in an attempt to tire them out, but it seems i can hold it steady for quite a while. When i say steady, i'm really just remembering the old 10x50s i used as a kid (about 10 years ago) and remember roughly how steady i had to be etc.

I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, could it be that i'm just strong enough to do this? or am i likely misjudging just how steady i need to be, since it's been a while.

I guess what i'm asking is - is it remotely possible to use them freehand? does anyone else do it?

[Multi-Coated]

Hi there , why not try using a wide headed garden brush as an arm rest if the image jumps about too much or your arms start dropping off ( handle to ground and head uppermost with elbows positioned to comfort " T "). Cheap and works a treat.

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Ha! Thats a great idea! Thanks!

[BinocularSky]

Anything, 10x50 or 15x70, will show you more if it is mounted. That said, I can hold a 15x70 sufficiently steady to appreciate its superior light gathering and magnification (cf 10x50) for short periods, and I don't go to the gym. You might also want to experiment with different ways of holding it -- I have some suggestions here -- I find a combination of the rifle-sling and double-handed holds to be steadiest for a 15x70.

[JamesF]

The Celestron 15x70s come up in the for sale section within your budget once in a while.

James

[Hemsy]

I would visit a couple of car boot sales, that's how i picked up my tripod for my 15x 70's. got it for a fiver.... often see a pair of binos as well..maybe not the celestron 15 x 70's though....good luck

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Thanks for the advice guys. I recently borrowed some 10x21s off a friend. I know, i know, but better than nothing right? I did at least spot m31 from my back garden with no dark adaptation though, i was well chuffed!

Even with those, i can't get as stable as i'd like, even when resting against things. They were stable enough to see stuff and have fun don't get me wrong, but for proper detail i'd need them perfectly still.

I'l definitely be hitting the car booty

[vegaandarctures]

I find there easier to hold steady if you hold them further down the barrels.

[onesmallstep]

I've seen a photographic monopod used with the observer wrapping one leg around the pole of the monopod to increase stability.

[robbie c]

Try sitting in a garden chair it works for me

[Helen]

Try this 7dayshop Tripods - Neck Tripod for Photo and Video: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics It really adds a lot of stability (the shaft is extendable and the head tiltable).

Helen

[Nexus 6]

that's a very handy alternative Helen and cheap too

thanks for the link

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I very often use the 15x70 freehand, but have also used the roof of the car as support (from a campsite in France). Works very well. More recently, I built this mount myself. The parallelogram mount cost me about 40 euro to build, the tripod is a converted EQ1 tripod.