elkcub
Silicon Valley, California
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Jerky Focus Wheels (similar threads combined) (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Paul Godolphin
- Start date
Paul, down below the Message Box that you write posts in there 's a bunch of 'Additional Options.' If you click on 'Manage Attachments' a window opens that allows you to upload pictures from your computer.
Michael.
Paul, I´m not trying to be flippant or dismissive here (as I said on another thread), but the bottom line/at the end of the day/in the final analysis/when all is said and done, etc. etc., they really are only binoculars. There´s lots of stuff to get irate about, I´m just not sure bins are a priority. Believe me, I´ve spent a fortune on bins (I have two pairs of ELs and a pair of Leica compacts, and sold off others over the years), and sometimes wonder if I´ve fallen hook line and sinker for marketing hype, when all I really wanted to do was look at birds. There´s no such thing as a perfect pair of bins, and after the thousands of euro I´ve spent, I don´t have it. So I just have to shrug and get on with it, I´m happy enough with what I´ve got, now what I really really want is to see a Garden Warbler, with whatever bins. I´m not trying to be either patronising or all Zen about it, I just wonder if you should relax a bit about the whole bins issue, what you´ve got are fantastic bins, about the best available, enjoy them with all their (minor) imperfections! Happy Birding,
Wise words.
Very wise indeed.
To be printed, framed and hung on the wall next to the computers of all (most of) us.
Tom
Thanks, Tom, the attitude works for me, until, of course, I begin to get an "itch"...."should I get HGL´s? Do they really have less CA? Are they really more contrasty? But what about the slight loss of FOV?" etc., etc., etc., tossing and turning at night, waking up in a cold sweat, babbling to myself at work....then it´s time for a cold shower, "Pull Yourself together Sancho Old Boy, You´re Raving Again", have a nice evening out with Missus Sancho and forget about bins. (Mind you, I´m also into cycling, don´t get me started on bicycle upgrades.......
)
Robert / Seattle
Well-known member
... (Mind you, I´m also into cycling, don´t get me started on bicycle upgrades.......
Oh, that Bianchi made an all terrain bin!
What a strange combination of symptoms?
I am wondering if any physician has a fancy latin term for this syndrom?!
Binitis?
Binonitis nervosa?
Fortunately "EYE" am completely immune to it!
I never have left nose-prints on any shop window.
Honestly!
Pinocchio
PS: Maybe we could find a nice, humane psycho who'd be willing to give up a group therapy at a bargain price so there would be some money left to be saved up for the next generation of Zeissowski's. They depend on us!
Instead of posting three times, the place at the bottom where you posted too is the correct one for comparative issues. It is rather tedious to have to follow a topic in three different places as some will post in the brand sections, some in the comparative section.
Paul Godolphin
Member
THANKS FOR THE REPLIES GUYS, NOW CLOSING THE THESE THREADS.
My fault – I want very much to attach the photos to the posting (especially in view of the disbelief voiced by some respondents about these widespread and serious faults), but I just can’t find the button on the forum that does it. This is a complex and sophisticated website for a ‘newbie’ like me! So I guess that my ineptitude in ‘proving my point’ with proper evidence is contributing to the arguments that have been generated. My apologies to all users.
HOWEVER – let me say this: I am very saddened that some responses have been to suggest that I may be obsessively pre-occupied with the binoculars and wether they’re any good or not, and maybe should “Get a life” and forget about the faults, get out birding, and ‘chill out’. All I can say is that I WISH somebody had taken the trouble to publish THEIR findings before I wasted several thousand pounds on faulty glasses that others already knew were duff. All my postings were trying to achieve was to warn others in the way I would have liked to be! And forgive me, but this IS the purpose of a binocular review forum isn’t it? So how come some of you think we should just relax, accept the faults and get on with our lives? I’m surprised that anyone with that enviably ‘laid-back’ attitude is here surfing a specialist binocular site, if they’re not really interested?
I tried for a couple of years to warn potential buyers about these faults by writing to Birding and Optical magazines, but editors declined to publish because they could lose lucrative advertising and sponsorship from the ‘big two’ binocular manufacturers. Hence the ‘news blackout’ is paid-for by the very companies who are selling faulty glasses. I sincerely believed that posting here was doing everyone a huge favour. OK, you’ve made it clear that I’m wrong. Maybe you’ve got shares in the binocular companies. I’m off to chill out. You guys enjoy your faulty bins, you’ve put me in my place. Matter closed, you won’t see a post from me on here again.
Thanks very much anyway for responding.
All the best Paul
My fault – I want very much to attach the photos to the posting (especially in view of the disbelief voiced by some respondents about these widespread and serious faults), but I just can’t find the button on the forum that does it. This is a complex and sophisticated website for a ‘newbie’ like me! So I guess that my ineptitude in ‘proving my point’ with proper evidence is contributing to the arguments that have been generated. My apologies to all users.
HOWEVER – let me say this: I am very saddened that some responses have been to suggest that I may be obsessively pre-occupied with the binoculars and wether they’re any good or not, and maybe should “Get a life” and forget about the faults, get out birding, and ‘chill out’. All I can say is that I WISH somebody had taken the trouble to publish THEIR findings before I wasted several thousand pounds on faulty glasses that others already knew were duff. All my postings were trying to achieve was to warn others in the way I would have liked to be! And forgive me, but this IS the purpose of a binocular review forum isn’t it? So how come some of you think we should just relax, accept the faults and get on with our lives? I’m surprised that anyone with that enviably ‘laid-back’ attitude is here surfing a specialist binocular site, if they’re not really interested?
I tried for a couple of years to warn potential buyers about these faults by writing to Birding and Optical magazines, but editors declined to publish because they could lose lucrative advertising and sponsorship from the ‘big two’ binocular manufacturers. Hence the ‘news blackout’ is paid-for by the very companies who are selling faulty glasses. I sincerely believed that posting here was doing everyone a huge favour. OK, you’ve made it clear that I’m wrong. Maybe you’ve got shares in the binocular companies. I’m off to chill out. You guys enjoy your faulty bins, you’ve put me in my place. Matter closed, you won’t see a post from me on here again.
Thanks very much anyway for responding.
All the best Paul
Last edited:
Paul Godolphin
Member
THANKS FOR THE REPLIES GUYS, NOW CLOSING THE THESE THREADS.
My fault – I want very much to attach the photos to the posting (especially in view of the disbelief voiced by some respondents about these widespread and serious faults), but I just can’t find the button on the forum that does it. This is a complex and sophisticated website for a ‘newbie’ like me! So I guess that my ineptitude in ‘proving my point’ with proper evidence is contributing to the arguments that have been generated. My apologies to all users.
HOWEVER – let me say this: I am very saddened that some responses have been to suggest that I may be obsessively pre-occupied with the binoculars and wether they’re any good or not, and maybe should “Get a life” and forget about the faults, get out birding, and ‘chill out’. All I can say is that I WISH somebody had taken the trouble to publish THEIR findings before I wasted several thousand pounds on faulty glasses that others already knew were duff. All my postings were trying to achieve was to warn others in the way I would have liked to be! And forgive me, but this IS the purpose of a binocular review forum isn’t it? So how come some of you think we should just relax, accept the faults and get on with our lives? I’m surprised that anyone with that enviably ‘laid-back’ attitude is here surfing a specialist binocular site, if they’re not really interested?
I tried for a couple of years to warn potential buyers about these faults by writing to Birding and Optical magazines, but editors declined to publish because they could lose lucrative advertising and sponsorship from the ‘big two’ binocular manufacturers. Hence the ‘news blackout’ is paid-for by the very companies who are selling faulty glasses. I sincerely believed that posting here was doing everyone a huge favour. OK, you’ve made it clear that I’m wrong. Maybe you’ve got shares in the binocular companies. I’m off to chill out. You guys enjoy your faulty bins, you’ve put me in my place. Matter closed, you won’t see a post from me on here again.
Thanks anyway for responding.
All the best Paul
My fault – I want very much to attach the photos to the posting (especially in view of the disbelief voiced by some respondents about these widespread and serious faults), but I just can’t find the button on the forum that does it. This is a complex and sophisticated website for a ‘newbie’ like me! So I guess that my ineptitude in ‘proving my point’ with proper evidence is contributing to the arguments that have been generated. My apologies to all users.
HOWEVER – let me say this: I am very saddened that some responses have been to suggest that I may be obsessively pre-occupied with the binoculars and wether they’re any good or not, and maybe should “Get a life” and forget about the faults, get out birding, and ‘chill out’. All I can say is that I WISH somebody had taken the trouble to publish THEIR findings before I wasted several thousand pounds on faulty glasses that others already knew were duff. All my postings were trying to achieve was to warn others in the way I would have liked to be! And forgive me, but this IS the purpose of a binocular review forum isn’t it? So how come some of you think we should just relax, accept the faults and get on with our lives? I’m surprised that anyone with that enviably ‘laid-back’ attitude is here surfing a specialist binocular site, if they’re not really interested?
I tried for a couple of years to warn potential buyers about these faults by writing to Birding and Optical magazines, but editors declined to publish because they could lose lucrative advertising and sponsorship from the ‘big two’ binocular manufacturers. Hence the ‘news blackout’ is paid-for by the very companies who are selling faulty glasses. I sincerely believed that posting here was doing everyone a huge favour. OK, you’ve made it clear that I’m wrong. Maybe you’ve got shares in the binocular companies. I’m off to chill out. You guys enjoy your faulty bins, you’ve put me in my place. Matter closed, you won’t see a post from me on here again.
Thanks anyway for responding.
All the best Paul
Last edited:
ThoLa, How about OND, "Optics Neurosis Disorder"? The symptoms I get are Hitchockian/Daliesque nightmares involving being pursued by large melting binoculars, itchy finger on the trigger of my credit card, and constantly mumbling to myself "What IS Pincushioning?".
Hey, Paul, don´t take it personally, no offence intended, we were really just having a joke at our own expense here. Happy Birding.
Hi Paul, I´ve seen this post now on three threads, and I´m intrigued. You alerted a lot of EL owners to the problem, and all of us who responded checked our bins and agreed it existed. Some were upset, others (like me) chose, as is our right, not to consider it a priority. Of the Leica owners who responded, about half agreed that the focussing wheel stiffness was annoying, and shouldn´t happen at the price. Others said the problem didn´t happen on their models, and others said they´d had it repaired. Many BF members gave their time advising you how to navigate the site. No-one insulted you, and as for the rather nasty quotation in your post, no-one said that to you. It is unusual to have 100% of people agree with our observations on any forum, online or otherwise. BF members exchange opinions, observations and helpful advice on birds and equipment, and I´m extremely grateful for the help I´ve been given. They also occasionally exchange gentle banter, and insert various icons to show they mean no offence (see your threads). If there is a Place where you have been victimised, dismissed or insulted, it is not the BF. In fact, you got your point about defects in top-end bins across very well. To be blunt, Paradise Lost I, 253-255. Best Wishes and Happy Birding.
Last edited:
Good morning, Doctor Sancho!
As regards OND (aka Insanitas binocularis ridiculosa) an old tribesman in the really very rural parts of Papua-Neuguinea once suggested a cure that you might try:
I was told that strolling deep into a suffienctly large forest in the dead of the night, then burying the credit card 4 feet deep under a beech tree at least 200 years old in the vicinity of poisonous mushrooms will provide relief.
Medically this is known als "cold withdrawal".
It was said, though, it will only work if carried out during the two nights immediately preceding full moon.
Reports that biting off a hen's head while filling up the hole again increases the effectiveness of the treatment are unconfirmed.
As regards nightmares I can only remember one:
I was standing a bank of a raging river, pointing my brandnew, ultra-expensive Hypervid E/F-L at the sky, looking out with shivering fingers for those infamous colour fringes. Stumbling backwards, pale in the face and hyperventilating I was dropping my jaw on my chest and the binos into the river, because I had discovered the most monstrous chromatic abberation of truly psychedelic proportions. My knees went limp and I took to the ground, my hands clasping the wet muddy sand of the river bank. With my mouth full of grass I have bitten off in a tormentous reflex I roll over on my back ..... to discover through the blurred vision of my watery, tear-filled eyes I had just been looking at .......... a rainbow.
Do you think I ought to spend my money on a trip to Vienna to find out what Dr. Freund would make out of this?
Or would purchasing a Zeiss Conquest have some value as a kind of alternative therapy?
Oh, Dr. Sancho, can you help?
I have to run now to find some cortison, I feel that bino-rush coming on again.
Tom
Last edited:
Yes, I'm sorry about that. I don't use the Quick Reply box, so I forgot about it.
Michael.
I will respectfully submit you have Paralysis Of Analysis.
I've owned two Leica Bins. One a BN and currently one BR (Ultravid). Have also had two Swaro SLC's. Yes, the SLC's had smooth focus... which also became too quick in hot weather and very sluggish in cold weather. The Leica's both were/are consistent in all temperature ranges.
I, for one, want the Ultravid's to remain as they are.
Edited to add, except I want a 7x32 Ultravid!!!!!
Last edited:
I have another cure, Tom. Be married to Mrs. Sancho. If I go ahead and buy the Nikon MC 27xw eyepiece for my ED50 that I´m currently lusting after (despite all my reasoned, wise, Zen stuff earlier), she will bury credit card, or Sancho, or both under the patio in the back garden. She´ll probably get off with it too, on the grounds of Accentuated Responsibility under Optics Provocation. Éanna
Ian Latham
Well-known member
I for one am grateful for your informative critique.
The Swarovski ELs where on my short list to replace a pair of Ziess I lost a while back. The list has just got a company (at least) shorter thanks in the main to your thread.
I understand your frustration with this binocular site. Many of the good folk that post hear are covetous about their beloved insruments and nurture the said product as if it was reared by their own fair hand. Each to their own!!
This site is indeed a special site, and it is bursting with intellectually enlightened beings champing at the bit, waiting in anticipation of their next glorious chance to shine. If you come on this site with anything remotely incredulous, you will be met by the wrath of the baying hounds who will show no mercy.
I feel that you have been affected by the latter and suggest you lick your wounds and come back with honour in mind and mettle within your heart. Post your pictures and cast these disbeleiving into the fires of Hades.
Do it for all that have gone before, with only the glimmering blade in our backs to show for our well meaning. DO IT!!
Don´t get me wrong, I am grateful to Paul for pointing out the opening in the EL focussing bridge. I´ll be careful not to get sand or water in it in future just in case. But I´m happy with the bins overall, and am entitled to be, even if others aren´t. I like my shoes too, but I don´t expect they´d be your favourites. The bins may cost a lot of money, but that doesn´t make them anything more than bins, only bins. I have a lot of things to take up my time, energy and attention, and my bins are not my top priority. Other things I´ve spent lots of money on also have imperfections, like my house. I have to get on with it. I know there´s a conspiracy by companies to lower their costs, hide imperfections and con us into buying their products. It´s called Capitalism. Look at the ads on TV any evening, if you can bear it. Think of what we all spent on garbage last Christmas for the kids. It comes as no surprise that the manufacturers of absolutely everything we buy, from Hamburgers to Houses, hide certain uncomfortable truths from us. Far more important to me than bins in any case are the health of my kids, stuff like that. The essence, however, of the exchange of opinions in a democracy is the paramount rule that the opinions of others be tolerated, and that one´s own opinion may not be accepted by all. There´s no point taking it personally if everyone doesn´t have exactly the same concerns as you do. The funny thing is, most of the respondents on all three threads on which Paul posted his concerns actually agreed with him, as you did. So he enlightened a lot of folk, and there´s no need to feel insulted. Hey, it´s only birding. They´re only bins. In 100 years, none of this will matter. Not to me, anyway
. Happy Birding.
Last edited:
Paul, I am possibly wasting my time saying this but I hope you were not referring to my comments re-"get a life" etc. I suggest you read my post again and also in the context that was offered.
I am truly sorry to hear of your experiences - you have spent a lot of money and are entitled to your opinions. However, to call those of us who are happy with our "faulty" bins "sheep" ( in your pre-edited post) is rather demeaning and insulting. Your experiences do rather seem to be at one extreme from the norm. Just a thought.................
Happy birding,
Linz
I am truly sorry to hear of your experiences - you have spent a lot of money and are entitled to your opinions. However, to call those of us who are happy with our "faulty" bins "sheep" ( in your pre-edited post) is rather demeaning and insulting. Your experiences do rather seem to be at one extreme from the norm. Just a thought.................
Happy birding,
Linz
Last edited:
