Binoculars

Observe flora and fauna in impressive detail, enjoy sporting events as if you were in the field, or even explore the stars on a clear night: it's all possible with good binoculars. Easy to carry and use, they appeal to enthusiasts of all ages. Don't miss a detail with Kodak binoculars.

Binoculars, a real gem of optical technology

Go beyond the limits of human vision with binoculars! This instrument is accessible to all, both in terms of price and ease of use: easy to handle, they allow you to observe distant objects with the impression that they are very close. This may seem unremarkable at a time when our cameras have exceptional zooms, but it's a real technological feat. Understanding how binoculars work can be the first step towards getting the most out of them. Optical binoculars are made up of several key elements:

• The objective lenses: located at the front of the binoculars, these are made up of convex lenses that collect the light coming from the object being observed.
• The prisms: these are located behind the objective lenses and play an essential role. They can be one of two kinds: Porro type or roof type. In the first case, the aesthetic effect is superior, but in the second, durability and waterproofing are significantly improved. These prisms straighten and invert the image so that it appears to face the right way when you look through the binoculars: handy, eh?
• The ocular lenses: these are made up of concave lenses and are located at the rear of the binoculars. They enlarge the image that has been straightened by the prisms, allowing you to see it in greater detail.
• Focusing: this is done using a central wheel or rings on each eyepiece. By adjusting these, you can vary the distance between the different lenses to improve sharpness.

Binoculars work on the principle that light is refracted through lenses. When light from an object enters the lenses, it is bent (refracted) to focus on a point inside the binoculars. The prisms straighten and invert this image so that it is correctly oriented, then the ocular lenses magnify it. Binoculars are all about teamwork.

The "once upon a time" of optical binoculars

The history of binoculars is also the history of optical technology, or how human beings have managed to see much further than they were naturally capable of. Binoculars are optical instruments designed to enable the observer to see distant objects more clearly and more closely than with the naked eye.

They were invented in the 17th century by a Dutch optician, Hans Lippershey. This first version was very rudimentary. He began with a telescope with a single optic, before designing a binocular version: two glass lenses were mounted in separate tubes and then held together by a metal frame.

Since that first prototype, a great deal of work has gone into improving binoculars. We owe the most notable advance to the famous Sir Isaac Newton. In the 18th century, he came up with the idea of creating a prism, the purpose of which was to straighten the image projected onto the observer's eye and improve magnification. Carl Zeiss and Ignazio Porro put their stamp on this invention in the 19th century. The former perfected chromatic perception, while the latter developed the prism system to offer more compact binoculars.

It's all very technical, but century after century, we get closer and closer to the binoculars we know today. These optical instruments really took off during the First World War, when they were used by the military to monitor the battlefield. Little by little, the public caught on and binoculars found their way into every household, from enthusiasts to Sunday strollers.

See the world better with Kodak binoculars

Today, optical binoculars are used in a variety of fields, from nature watching to hunting and astronomy. Even sports fans can enjoy watching the match with their binoculars! Kodak has decided to make this pleasure accessible to everyone with models of consumer binoculars at affordable prices.

Our range is therefore designed for all uses, so that you can appreciate every detail of the sky, nature and the city, at all times. Choose the binoculars that suit your needs:

• Kodak BCS100: our kids' model! Give them a taste for observation from an early age with these binoculars. They'll be able to get a closer look at the world with this easy-to-handle instrument.
• Kodak BCS200: compact and ultra-light, these binoculars are ideal for hiking and travelling. They fit in one hand and offer a stable image and good resolution, even in low-light conditions.
• Kodak BCS400: a lightweight, ergonomic model to take with you wherever you go. With a wide field of vision and X10 magnification, these binoculars make sure you don't miss a thing! Birdwatchers and walkers love them.
• Kodak BCS600: large 32mm objective lenses and X12 magnification make these binoculars perfect for birdwatching or mountain hiking. They offer detailed observation at long range, while remaining compact in size.
• Kodak BCS800: our top-of-the-range binoculars deliver high brightness and contrast for optimum viewing quality. No eye strain to worry about, with coated lenses. A little extra: the sliding rubber eyecups provide great comfort, even for spectacle wearers.

Each of our products delivers exceptional image quality and is designed to accompany you wherever you go: on holiday, at the weekend, on a hike, in everyday life. Pop binoculars into your bag, suitcase or car and never miss a moment.