Why is buying and collecting binoculars so addictive. (1 Viewer)

[The BulbMogul]

That 50 and 75 must be outstanding. The bokeh must be amazing.

All three of those are world class optics and little boat anchors...

 

[Binocollector]

I just have the collector's gene. 180+ wristwatches, around 600 DVDs and blu-rays, around 1,000 books (but those just accumulate - the only category I actually collect are bibles and theological books) and roughly 50-60 binoculars (never actually counted them though). I also have a few instruments, mainly flutes, tin whistles and ocarinas. But I make the whistles and flutes myself, so they just multiply naturally when the mood strikes me to make a new one.
With binoculars - I love the "you never know what you get" of buying old porros mainly. But there isn't much still on the list of what I want. Maybe one of the super wide angle 7x35s with 14°. Or a 5x25 "Foton" or a Zeiss 7x40 EDF.
Often the old 8x30s (my favourite type of instrument next to 7x35) are a dime a dozen so no harm in getting more than one. Last one I bought was another 8x30 EWA, J-B207, in pristine condition for 25€. Who can say no to that? And it's a lovely instrument, no "tint" (I like those "amber" coatings -- very color neutral), nice and sharp, no CA to speak of.
So, as long as I have enough space for them, I'll continue buying another one every now and then, at least old porros. No new roofs for me, since "improving" on the Fuji HC 8x42 would involve spending some serious cash.

 

[chill6x6]

You know...trying/buying different binoculars, scopes, motorcycles, air rifles, watches...IS therapy. I don't take antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc, etc. I don't need them. I love hobbies. I love the outdoors. Hobbies almost make work worth it! LOL!

 

[Paultricounty]

You know...trying/buying different binoculars, scopes, motorcycles, air rifles, watches...IS therapy. I don't take antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc, etc. I don't need them. I love hobbies. I love the outdoors. Hobbies almost make work worth it! LOL!

Almost 😏

 

[The BulbMogul]

I just have the collector's gene. 180+ wristwatches, around 600 DVDs and blu-rays, around 1,000 books (but those just accumulate - the only category I actually collect are bibles and theological books) and roughly 50-60 binoculars (never actually counted them though). I also have a few instruments, mainly flutes, tin whistles and ocarinas. But I make the whistles and flutes myself, so they just multiply naturally when the mood strikes me to make a new one.
With binoculars - I love the "you never know what you get" of buying old porros mainly. But there isn't much still on the list of what I want. Maybe one of the super wide angle 7x35s with 14°. Or a 5x25 "Foton" or a Zeiss 7x40 EDF.
Often the old 8x30s (my favourite type of instrument next to 7x35) are a dime a dozen so no harm in getting more than one. Last one I bought was another 8x30 EWA, J-B207, in pristine condition for 25€. Who can say no to that? And it's a lovely instrument, no "tint" (I like those "amber" coatings -- very color neutral), nice and sharp, no CA to speak of.
So, as long as I have enough space for them, I'll continue buying another one every now and then, at least old porros. No new roofs for me, since "improving" on the Fuji HC 8x42 would involve spending some serious cash.
View attachment 1523555View attachment 1523556

180 mechanical wrist watches..? Patek, Breguet, Vercheron, IWC, Audemars, Lange & Sohn, Rolex etc..?

 

[Binocollector]

180 mechanical wrist watches..? Patek, Breguet, Vercheron, IWC, Audemars, Lange & Sohn, Rolex etc..?

I'm not that rich. So mainly Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Orient -- a few more expensive models but not many (the rarest and most expensive is my "Subdelta Quattro", only 50 were made, and an early "Angular Momentum", which was 1,400€ at the time but I bought it used) -- I try to stick to my limit of around 500€, give or take, for one watch. And at the moment I have no plans of buying more.
I think watches cannot easily be compared to binoculars -- with binoculars you actually do get better performance for more money, with watches, at some point you just pay for the name and resale value. Or complications, like chronograph, moonphase, alarm, etc.
But if anyone offered me a watch by Philippe Dufour, or Voutilainen as a present, I definitely wouldn't say no .

 

[The BulbMogul]

I'm not that rich. So mainly Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Orient -- a few more expensive models but not many (the rarest and most expensive is my "Subdelta Quattro", only 50 were made, and an early "Angular Momentum", which was 1,400€ at the time but I bought it used) -- I try to stick to my limit of around 500€, give or take, for one watch. And at the moment I have no plans of buying more.
I think watches cannot easily be compared to binoculars -- with binoculars you actually do get better performance for more money, with watches, at some point you just pay for the name and resale value. Or complications, like chronograph, moonphase, alarm, etc.
But if anyone offered me a watch by Philippe Dufour, or Voutilainen as a present, I definitely wouldn't say no .

Well I am also interested in watches myself, however I only have a few but yes of the names I mentioned above.. This Rolex in solid rose gold has more then doubled in prince since i bought it 5 years ago. No it also is a safe queen and never is worn but in my home..

 

[Maljunulo]

I think it’s a rather deep-seated personality trait.

If it wasn’t binoculars, it would be something else.

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

If you look hard enough you'll find people collecting anything. People collect stamps and out of use coins that serve zero purpose outside of collection and monetary value due the rarity, and that's cool if that's their thing.

I don't know why people collect the things they do and I don't try to understand because I don't have the collector mentality but often times I wished I did. I buy stuff on a use basis, I really enjoy looking at nature through binoculars and seeing things I wouldn't see otherwise. I like it to the point that I have aquired many pieces of glass for it, and sold many pieces of glass. Most of it has just been trying new things and finding what I like. I've never owned 50-100 pair of binos at a time though, maybe a little more than a dozen and most and only that many because I've had some I've replaced before selling the others. I've owned at least a hundred pairs of binos though doing the trial and error buying and selling.

With that said, I do enjoy owning nice things.

 

[beacon hill]

Have one customer who has bought at a guess (lost count) 25 - 30+ binoculars over the last 4-5 years
in the £150 - £600 range.
When a new model comes out, he can`t resist.
When he runs out of space, gives them to friends rather than sell on.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Buying and collecting are addictive in general, for reasons that therapy should easily clarify (until you get addicted to therapy). With binoculars there also seems to be the interesting frustration of never quite getting exactly the combination of qualities you want.

To me the special appeal of optics has to do with the importance of vision, the mystery and allure of light itself, the history of optics, and in the case of cameras, the ability to preserve what you've seen -- which works with today's digital gear too, though I'm just not drawn to it the way I am to lovely chunks of glass and metal that will last forever. I've always had to resist the impulse to collect them, because collecting is always the same problem no matter what the object. So I've just kept a couple I've used that meant a lot to me.

My wife is a psychologist and has told me that collecting and keeping lists, are traits of autism?

 

[Andy Adcock]

BulbMogul's house must be a house worth burgling 🙂

What's your address? 😅

We'll go around together, you'll need help carrying it all

 

[The BulbMogul]

Have one customer who has bought at a guess (lost count) 25 - 30+ binoculars over the last 4-5 years
in the £150 - £600 range.
When a new model comes out, he can`t resist.
When he runs out of space, gives them to friends rather than sell on.

what ever makes them happy is all that matters since he is the one spending the cash...!

 

[Andy Adcock]

That 50 and 75 must be outstanding. The bokeh must be amazing.

How would he know, they've never been taken out of the box

 

[beacon hill]

what ever makes them happy is all that matters since he is the one spending the cash...!

He is at an age where he can no longer do many things. His collection and birding hobby is
his life.

 

[The BulbMogul]

How would he know, they've never been taken out of the box

Actually I have do so however still unable to figure out using a Leica Rangefinder Camera...!

 

[Andy Adcock]

They all look quite old?

 

[Paultricounty]

If you look hard enough you'll find people collecting anything. People collect stamps and out of use coins that serve zero purpose outside of collection and monetary value due the rarity, and that's cool if that's their thing.

I don't know why people collect the things they do and I don't try to understand because I don't have the collector mentality but often times I wished I did. I buy stuff on a use basis, I really enjoy looking at nature through binoculars and seeing things I wouldn't see otherwise. I like it to the point that I have aquired many pieces of glass for it, and sold many pieces of glass. Most of it has just been trying new things and finding what I like. I've never owned 50-100 pair of binos at a time though, maybe a little more than a dozen and most and only that many because I've had some I've replaced before selling the others. I've owned at least a hundred pairs of binos though doing the trial and error buying and selling.

With that said, I do enjoy owning nice things.

You already have a collection of binoculars if you have 12.
And all those things you have in your vault would also be considered a collection.

Owning nice things is one of many life’s pleasures , yes?

🙏
Paul

 

[Paultricounty]

I'm not that rich. So mainly Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Orient -- a few more expensive models but not many (the rarest and most expensive is my "Subdelta Quattro", only 50 were made, and an early "Angular Momentum", which was 1,400€ at the time but I bought it used) -- I try to stick to my limit of around 500€, give or take, for one watch. And at the moment I have no plans of buying more.
I think watches cannot easily be compared to binoculars -- with binoculars you actually do get better performance for more money, with watches, at some point you just pay for the name and resale value. Or complications, like chronograph, moonphase, alarm, etc.
But if anyone offered me a watch by Philippe Dufour, or Voutilainen as a present, I definitely wouldn't say no .

Guys, guys, guys , gentlemen please. This is Birdforum binoculars sub forum , and as it is you’re dealing with a lot of
collectaholics here. 😲🤪🙏.

Just kidding keep the pictures coming 😂

Paul

 

[Redneckbmxer24]

You already have a collection of binoculars if you have 12.
And all those things you have in your vault would also be considered a collection.

Owning nice things is one of many life’s pleasures , yes?

🙏
Paul

I don’t have 12 currently, I think it’s 7 but I’d have to count because I forget what in vehicles and whatnot.

I see it more as a top tier hoard than anything else 😂