The Difference between Opera Glasses and Regular Binoculars



Posted: Friday, September 19, 2008

by
http://www.fineoperaglasses.com

I attended the theater for a play last week. It was my first time attending a professional production and I knew my seat was going to be towards the back, so I brought along my binoculars. My friend that went with me is an avid theater-goer and brought her opera glasses with her. While I must admit they were far cuter than mine, matching her outfit and everything, I didn't think they would be any better than my trusty bird-watching pair of binoculars. I would quickly find out how wrong I was.

The second we got to our seats, I realized that it truly was hard to see, and was glad I had brought my binoculars along with me. I looked at all the scenery and could see each leaf on the trees it was great. As soon as the performers got on the stage however, I realized that although I could see the details of each outfit, I couldn't see the entire performer at once, let alone what they were doing on the stage. I tried to not use the binoculars and just watch with my own eyes. This was alright for a few minutes, but it was hard to see what exactly they were holding or doing with their hands.

Frustrated, I turned to my friend and complained about how we should have paid more for the closer seats. She looked confused and said she could see everything perfectly. In disbelief, I asked her how and she allowed me to borrow her opera glasses for a moment. Sarcastically I put them up to my eyes I already had binoculars and they didn't help, how could these things possibly be better than them. It took me only a second to realize I had judged them too quickly. Not only could I see the details, but I could see the whole stage at once. I came to understand that while my bird-watching binoculars were great for far distances, the magnification was much too great for an indoor performance. Another difference was that the opera glasses were set wider apart and therefore allowed me to have a broad view of the entire stage at once. It was literally like having a front row seat.

Regretfully, I had to give the opera glasses back to my friend so she could enjoy the performance and I was left stuck with my binoculars. I had to raise and lower them the whole night to see when they moved and see details when my own eyes couldn't make out.

That night I got online and ordered my own pair. I couldn't believe all the different styles. It was great! They had chains to hold the opera glasses around your neck like binoculars so you don't drop them, but also had pairs with handles so you could rest your arm on the chair and not have to be Hercules to hold your arm up the whole performance. I decided to get the pair with the handle, and was surprised when they arrived that they had a light as well that you can view the program with and is still discreet enough to not disturb those around you. I will never go to another play, opera, or symphony without them!

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