A trip to Lost Creek Shoe Shop (2 Viewers)

[Martin Fagg]

[Mmmmmmmmmm, Alladin's cave of optical delight! Drooooooooollllll

Martin, you need to visit Kay Optical in Morden, South London. A very surreal experience but chock full of optics & Tony Kay really knows his stuff. Got my Leica BN's there yesterday & been trying them out today well chuffed!

John.[/QUOTE]

Hi John,

I have been to his field days in the past but neverr to the shop. My Dad went before Christmas and said it is quite an experience. I must go sometime.

 

[brocknroller]

Bob, All this was a pleasure. Yes you better get new shoes, they sell ones for your family as well.;-)
I just noticed in the shoe dept. pictures that there is a ceiling fan and what looks like lights. These could be run off battery power or they have a generator.
Forgot to say I didn't see any CA in the two Zeiss 8x42 and 8x32 FL models as well as the Nikon 82ED. I didn't have any trouble with the diopter setting on the two Zeiss binoculars either.
Steve

Steve,

I hope you will take me with you to Lost Creek Shoe Shop in the spring when the weather will be more suitable for testing bins. Btw, do they also sell shoefly pie?

I'm skeptical about you not seeing any CA in the FLs or Nikon 82 ED unless you had them mounted and boosted to 64x.

I want to do a "shoot out" among the 7x36 ED2, 7x42 SLC, 7x42 Ultravid HD, 7x42 FL, and the 7x42 EDG, handheld and mounted.

What I'm most interested in is which bin gives me the sharpest image and most satisfying view hand held.

Perhaps we can get Bob and Frank D. to join us at the...

2010 Spring Binocular Olympics coming to Mifflintown, Pa. this spring. Date TBA.

Which country's bin will win the Gold? the Silver? the Bronze? in the 7x mounted and hand held test of champions?

Competition categories include:
1. Best Resolution (mounted/HH)
2. Best Chromatic Aberration Control (boosted, unboosted)
3. Best Ergonomics
4. Best Color Rendition
5. Best Color Saturation (ditto)
6. Best Contrast
7. Best Focuser (gloved and ungloved)
8. Best Control of Distortions
9. Best Edges
10. Best Overall 7x Birding Binoculars

Testing Targets might include:
1. 1951 USAF Contrast Resolution Target
2. Optikos VideoMTF™ measurement system (if we could borrow one and find someone who knows how to use it)
3. Macbeth ColorCheckerTM
4. Star Test Chart

Note: Due to the HH resolution test and ergonomics test, participants in these trials are strictly forbidden to take any type of stimulant within 24 hours of the competition. Testers with "coffee breath" will be immediately disqualified.

Tickets to the event will be available at Ticketron.

NOTE: The Lost Creek Shoe Store is "unplugged" so if you have electronic devices, please bring spare batteries and/or gas electric generators. And remember never to drop the brown acid.

See you at the 2010 Spring Binocular Olympics!

 

[ceasar]

I'm game!
Maybe a stop on a trip to Pitt to see our son. We must make sure he is well shod!
Bob

 

[mooreorless]

Hi Jerry, I was just down there before Christmas to trade in my Swaro 7x30 SLC for the Swaro 8x30 SLC neu. I did try out the 32x82mm Kowa Highlander while I was there. The first time I was there they had one of these Highlanders but it was the Prominar model, he told me $3700 for it at that time. I didn't ask what they wanted for the one I tried this time.

The people that own this shop are Amish and they don't have electric lights in this place, heat with wood and have low overhead so I think they are doing ok. They sell shoes/boots and some clothes etc. There are skylights in the roof, so you would be surprised how light it is in there.
Regards,Steve

Steve:
I just wanted to reply to this old post that was recently referenced in the
Alpha comparative thread.
Thanks for posting the pics of the Lost Creek Shoe Shop, wow, what a fine
display of a store with such a large selection. With the nice viewing area
this place really offers the opticoholic a large temptation.
I have found the large sporting goods stores that I have experience with do
not carry near the selection. I see these pictures were taken in 2007, and I suppose the slow economy has affected them, along with the rest.

Jerry

 

[mooreorless]

Hi Bob, I am always looking for an excuse to go to this shop.

I'm game!
Maybe a stop on a trip to Pitt to see our son. We must make sure he is well shod!
Bob

Brock, I know you have been wanting to go to this shop for quite some time. I'll try to set it up in warmer weather.

Regards,Steve

 

[Fireform]

Would be very interested in a head-on comparison of the 8x33 Kowa with the 8x32 Leica and Zeiss. Too bad PA is so far away.

 

[stereotruckdriver]

Would be very interested in a head-on comparison of the 8x33 Kowa with the 8x32 Leica and Zeiss. Too bad PA is so far away.

That would be good! That 8x33 Kowa has really been on my radar lately! Bryce...

 

[mooreorless]

Here are some pictures of where you turn off of Rt. 35 North from Exit 35 off 322 to go to this shoe shop. The picture on the left shows a sign and it is right by a shop, this is not the shoe shop. The next pictures show you are just going into Oakland Mills and you turn left at the stone house and go about 1/2 or so on this road until you see the shop on the left. The third picture is of my Swaro 7x30SLC I traded in, I forgot too take pictures of it before I went there.
Regards,Steve

 

[mooreorless]

I made another trip, it is 45 miles from my place to the Lost Creek Shoe Shop. I wanted to pick up my Celestron 8x42 Regal LX after this shop sent it in for me to get the diopter fixed. The one picture shows their used binocular section and there is an older style Zeiss 10x40 and also my Swarovski 7x30SLC that I traded in. The other photo is of two Swarovski "binocular" spotters, 80mm and 65mm, sorry I didn't try any of these except the two Kowa binoculars.Sorry for the lousy picture quality.
Regards,Steve

 

[stereotruckdriver]

I made another trip, it is 45 miles from my place to the Lost Creek Shoe Shop. I wanted to pick up my Celestron 8x42 Regal LX after this shop sent it in for me to get the diopter fixed. The one picture shows their used binocular section and there is an older style Zeiss 10x40 and also my Swarovski 7x30SLC that I traded in. The other photo is of two Swarovski "binocular" spotters, 80mm and 65mm, sorry I didn't try any of these except the two Kowa binoculars.Sorry for the lousy picture quality.
Regards,Steve

Steve, how was the Kowa 8x33? Right now that is the glass that is driving me crazy! Can't find one to look through! Been really curious for some time! Thanks, Bryce...

 

[mooreorless]

Hi Bryce, Between the two I tried, I liked the Kowa 8x33 better. A quick look at the edges inside this shop seemed excellent. I went to this shop not knowing much about either of these Kowa binoculars, but I didn't have enough time to go outside to really compare the two better. My wife had a Dr. appt. and I had to get back.:-( The Kowa 8x33 really has a very close focus. If I had more time and the weather was better I could compare this to the Zeiss 8x32 FL they have there. Sorry I can't tell you more.

Regards,Steve

 

[NDhunter]

Steve:

It is nice of you to post the pics and stories of your trips to the shoe shop.

Keep it up, and I guess for most optics nuts, it is just like a kid going to the
candy store.

Jerry

 

[mooreorless]

Hi Jerry, Thanks! I was kind of bummed out not having much time. I knew Bryce wanted to know how the Kowa compared to the Zeiss. I didn't know if this shop even had the Kowa 8x33, well they did have the the Kowa Highlander so I thought they might. Yes sir about the candy store. I haven't even had a chance to look through the Leica's and spotting scopes except the Nikon 82 Fieldscope. You could spend all day in there. They have Meopta as well.
Regards,Steve

 

[BobinKy]

Steve...

Did you look through the big Kowa Highlander? How much do they want for it?

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

 

[stereotruckdriver]

Hi Bryce, Between the two I tried, I liked the Kowa 8x33 better. A quick look at the edges inside this shop seemed excellent. I went to this shop not knowing much about either of these Kowa binoculars, but I didn't have enough time to go outside to really compare the two better. My wife had a Dr. appt. and I had to get back.:-( The Kowa 8x33 really has a very close focus. If I had more time and the weather was better I could compare this to the Zeiss 8x32 FL they have there. Sorry I can't tell you more.

Regards,Steve

Steve, thanks I'm probably gonna have to bite the bullet and buy these sight unseen! I don't really care for purchasing optics in that manner, it's kinda nice when you can some user reviews, Bryce...

 

[mooreorless]

Hi Bob, I looked through the Kowa Highlander back in Oct. when I was there, it is not the Prominar model that they had there before, they wanted $3700 for the Prominar model but I didn't price this other one. He sells the non Prominar model to hunters.
Regards,Steve

Steve...

Did you look through the big Kowa Highlander? How much do they want for it?

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

 

[JohnJos]

Steve, thanks I'm probably gonna have to bite the bullet and buy these sight unseen! I don't really care for purchasing optics in that manner, it's kinda nice when you can some user reviews, Bryce...

Bryce,

I looked through them briefly last year about this time. NJAS/CMBO has a yearly optics sale where manufacturers come to display their wares. I had been anticipating the Genesis XD33 Prominar bin and wanted to check it out at the event. I had only a few minutes with it. I was not impressed. I can't really say why but the overall package was not up to want I was expecting. I had the BD32 in 8x32 and that was a nice little bin. In fact, I may get another one since I lost my Browning 8x32 bins last year and have been looking for another inexpensive but good 8x32. I really didn't think the XD33 was significantly better than the BD32, but the time was short and the conditions limited to viewing out the windows of the CMBO center.

The yearly sale is this weekend and I plan on dropping by Saturday AM. I will give the XD33 (8x33) another chance and maybe spend more time with it if possible.

BTW, I also looked through the Zeiss FL 8x32 6 months later during the Fall Weekend at CMBO. I already have the Zeiss FL 8x42 but wanted to see what all the fuss was about with the 8x32. It was excellent! Maybe just a tad better overall than my 8x42. It certainly impressed me much more than the Kowa. Unfortunately I don't have the means to buy another FL at this time or else I would have walked away with it then and there.

I'll report back next week if I get a chance to look through the XD33 again at the sale.

John

 

[stereotruckdriver]

Bryce,

I looked through them briefly last year about this time. NJAS/CMBO has a yearly optics sale where manufacturers come to display their wares. I had been anticipating the Genesis XD33 Prominar bin and wanted to check it out at the event. I had only a few minutes with it. I was not impressed. I can't really say why but the overall package was not up to want I was expecting. I had the BD32 in 8x32 and that was a nice little bin. In fact, I may get another one since I lost my Browning 8x32 bins last year and have been looking for another inexpensive but good 8x32. I really didn't think the XD33 was significantly better than the BD32, but the time was short and the conditions limited to viewing out the windows of the CMBO center.

The yearly sale is this weekend and I plan on dropping by Saturday AM. I will give the XD33 (8x33) another chance and maybe spend more time with it if possible.

BTW, I also looked through the Zeiss FL 8x32 6 months later during the Fall Weekend at CMBO. I already have the Zeiss FL 8x42 but wanted to see what all the fuss was about with the 8x32. It was excellent! Maybe just a tad better overall than my 8x42. It certainly impressed me much more than the Kowa. Unfortunately I don't have the means to buy another FL at this time or else I would have walked away with it then and there.

I'll report back next week if I get a chance to look through the XD33 again at the sale.

John

John, yes the BD 8x32 is a good binocular I have handled it on occasion a local friend has that one. I thought overall handling was superb seemed like a very well built glass. Optics to me were a touch under my Pentax 8x32 SP. I thought the SP had a little larger sweet spot. Not taking any thing away from the Kowa, that was just my personal opinion! Still if you get another shot at the XD33 by all means share your account, I'm sure others would be curious as well? Thanks, Bryce...

 

[JohnJos]

Will do Bryce.

I had the Browning 8x32, the Pentax 8x32 SP and the Kowa BD 8x32 all at the same time for a few weeks last year. I kept the Browning although all seemed very good but very much the same. I could not perceive significant differences in the view between the three (but I usually can't see some of the smaller subtle issues that are often discussed on this forum). All seemed to suffer from inadequate flare control, which was the reason I was looking for an alternate to the Browning in the first place. One eyecup on the Kowa would not maintain its position so I did send it in to be replaced. The Pentax was nice but slightly heavier and I did not like the focus knob. In the end, neither the Kowa nor the Pentax bested the Browning sufficiently to justify keeping one or the other at 3x the price I paid for the Browning.

I'll try to be a bit more cognizant of the various aspects of the XD33 when I look at them this weekend.

Thanks,
John

 

[BobinKy]

Bryce...

If you get a chance, take a look through a Pentax DCF ED 8x32. I have the 10x50 and really like the performance.

...Bob
Kentucky, USA