Cameras and Lenses
The WOW factor (a philosophical musing)
I've become very curious of my newfound love of optics. It borders on addiction actually and that got me to thinking about what it is that makes me want to own the next pair of bins when I already own "too many" wonderful pair that would fill almost any niche and use I might have. It seemed illogical until the answer dawned on me while hiking today.
I remember the first time I saw a bird close up with some really good binoculars. It was like seeing a new creature on a planet I had just discovered. I could see detail and color that was truly amazing to me. I remember distinctly saying WOW! When I showed a friend my new binoculars he aptly described the experience as being instantly stoned. He had experienced WOW!
After having my bins for a while that WOW experience became Wow and lost a little of it's edge. I contend that the search for the perfect optics then is the search to recapture that initial WOW that seems to open up a new world to senses and transform a mundane, "used to it" reality into an brand new somewhat magical world. Which this world actually is when we can see it with a child's eyes as if for the first time.
By the way this is the same search the junkie goes on looking for that next fix that never comes.
Anyone agree with this?
Who said you were boring? :-)
The "WOW FACTOR". Now there's a reality TV show for you!
Here's the rub. Generally speaking, and reserving this caveat for roofs, the more WOW! you want to get high on, the more money you need to spend.
There are always exceptions to every rule, so if you don't want your newly found "drug" habit to lead you to financial ruin and steeling hubcaps off cars, keep watching what Frank D. is up to since he has the uncanny knack for finding "best buys," that is, binoculars that deliver more than you would expect at their price point.
Also consider premium porros and classic roofs rather than the "latest and greatest" WHY2K? alpha.
More "AH FACTOR" than "WOW! FACTOR" in those categories, but if you have a limited budget, two or three big "Ahs" can equal one "WOW!" Cases in point: 8x30 EII, 10x35 EII and 10x42 SE. AHHHHHHHH!
I'm a bino junkie
And your my drug
I'm a bino junkie
Can't get enough
I'm a bino junkie
And your the one
Don't focus too close
or I might overdose!
Brock McLennon
Well being an addictive personality I've learned some tricks for not ending up in the gutter. And fortunately I have some disposable income to play with. But if I get one of the really alpha bins what will my next fix come from? Will I have to fly to Borneo to view the almost extinct goo goo finch? I need that reason to continue to continue? I need that carrot. (for anyone really interested in how this ultimately works in human psychology read the works of Ernest Becker but be ready to have all illusions shattered)
Anyway I feel the need for the next fix coming on and I'll see what I can do with some of your suggestions. Thanks buddy. 
Ricky's been kicking the gong
Lickety split didn't take too long
A junkie's sick
A monkey's strong
That's what's wrong
Well, I guess he's been messing around downtown
So sad to see the man losing ground
Winding down behind closed doors
On all fours
Mama, don't you call him my name
He can't hear you anymore
And even if he seems the same to you
That's a stranger to your door
Ask him what's he come here for
[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/a-junkie...mes-taylor.html ]
Oh my god, a monkey can move a man
Send him to hell
And home again
With an empty hand in the afternoon
Shooting for the moon
It's halfway sick
And it's halfway stoned
He'd sure like to kick
But it's too far gone
They wind him down with the methadone
He's all on his own
But baby, don't you throw your love away
I hate to seem unkind
It's only that I understand the man
That the monkey can leave behind
I used to think he was a friend of mine
Read more: JAMES TAYLOR - A JUNKIE'S LAMENT LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/a-junkie...l#ixzz1kKFVnCEp
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