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Kamakura 8x32

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RonnieDP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RonnieDP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Kamakura 8x32
    Posted: June/16/2020 at 13:52
Hi,

I have a Kamakura bought about 10 yrs ago. It has the following specs:

Multi-coated
Phase coated.
Field 7.5
8x32

Made in Japan.

I am wondering if someone is familiar with these, and can indicate what quality is like.
I ask this as I want to get a 2nd pair, but don't have anything to compare to.
Shopping online I am thinking of the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7. These are reported to be very good.
However one of us (my wife and I) will be using the Kamakura. So I will be keen to know if there will be a huge difference. To our eye the Kamakura looks pretty good, but will value another experienced opinion.

Thanks
Ronnie.
Images attached.

https://pbase.com/ronniedp/image/170800644

https://pbase.com/ronniedp/image/170800649


Made links hot


Edited by tahqua - June/16/2020 at 15:28
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/17/2020 at 10:01
Kamakura is a large Japanese conglomerate that likely makes half of the worlds binoculars.  Chances are that if you have handled two or more decent Japanese binoculars, you have handled a Kamakura product.  They likely produce binoculars for the bulk of the binoculars brands sold.  That includes the Zeiss Conquest HD.  The very rarely sell anything under their own brand name, preferring to do contract manufacture for others brands.  You can have them build your own optical design, see Leupold Gold Ring as well as the Conquest, or any number of possibilities available through contract discussion.  They can build to any quality specification their contract calls for.  They also have facilities in China, as do lots of makers, including Nikon.  Kamakura does assembly work at Kama Tech in San Diego, where a lot of service and warranty work is also done, probably all US brands made by them.

Your binocular is likely pretty decent, looks to be mid price range and should do just fine. The thing is there probably are not many who have seen that particular binocular.  What matters if you are satisfied with how it works.   Keep within your budget and the chances are likely you will come up with another Kamakura built product.  I have read, but cannot confirm, that Kamakura makes certain Nikon models, whether this includes the Monarch 7, I can't say.

My three go to binoculars are Kamakura products in the Maven B1, B2, and B3 series, and they give up nothing optically to the top tier glass.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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RonnieDP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RonnieDP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/17/2020 at 10:19
Thanks Steve.

What's making it very difficult to buy in SA at the moment is that our currency has depreciated about 25% to the dollar in the last 2 months. Most dealers could not operate for the last 2-3 months, but now can. So on the basis that they have probably been stuck with stock following the unexpected lockdown, they should be selling at pre-lockdown prices. Unfortunately most have bumped their prices. So to find a good deal on a decent pair is a bit difficult. Of course I'm trying to get good value for money given the circumstances.

But, I will keep on looking. The best options at the moment seem to be the Nikon and a Zeiss ED Terra 8x42. There are non ED versions at better prices, but we don't have retailers close by, and cannot do any testing. All online now.

Regards
Ronnie.
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RonnieDP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RonnieDP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/17/2020 at 10:29
Can you give me an opinion please Steve.

I have seen a Leica 8x32BA used for sale here. The equivalent of about $350.

Could you give me your views on these.

Thanks
Ronnie.
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/17/2020 at 21:54
If I recall correctly, the Trinovid BA was the first Leica model to come out with phase correction, this was after Leitz became Leica.  Phase correction was introduced in 1988.  I have not seen a BA model, but I did have some experience with its successor the BN series.  That one was a WOW...I gotta have one of these, but it never happened for various reasons.  I think I first saw the BN in 1992.  The Leica Trinovid series were built like a tank, but that BA is likely over 30 years old.  It will not have state of the art phase correction, and will have silver mirrored prisms instead of the more modern dielectric coatings.  That is not to put it down, but at this point it may be well enough along in years it might be in need of service.  Leica may well not have the parts to fix it.  I'd call Leica and see what they say.  ANother thing to consider is that not many people selling used binoculars have the first clue as to whether or not it is really truly functional.  You can get terrific deals on second hand stuff, but not every used glass is worth the bargain price, IME.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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RonnieDP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RonnieDP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/18/2020 at 02:15
Thanks Steve.

It is probably possible that models such as the Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 with ED glass will be sharper than the Leica? Price about the same.

Regards
Ronnie.
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Alp1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alp1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/18/2020 at 02:40
Hi

Yes, I'd take the Nikon over the Leica any day.
The Leica being 30yr old,and Leica service being what it is (unfortunately) doesn't help.
The Nikon will outperform the Leica in almost every respect.

Alp1
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RonnieDP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RonnieDP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/18/2020 at 11:59
Thanks Alp1.

After much consideration, I have decided to get the Zeiss Terra ED 8x42.

Regards
Ronnie.
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