Nippon Kogaku - Nikon name change? (1 Viewer)

Does anyone have an idea when did they change the name on binoculars from Nippon Kogaku to Nikon?
Also, would a pair of binoculars marked Nippon Kogaku 8x30 and looking almost identical to an E series be a decent birding tool?
Thank you.

Otto,

The company changed name in 1959, and the Nippon Kogaku models became the Nikon A line. In the late 1980's the E series was introduced, and SE series later in the 1990s. I own and use an early 8x30 Nippon Kogaku "Mikron," which is fully coated, has a nice wide field of 8.5 deg. and is beautifully made. I would say that it's about the same brightness as my phase-coated 8x30 SLC MkII of the early 1990s. It's not as bright as Nikon's E or SE porros, for which is was a forerunner, or Swarobright coated Swaros, but really very good and I'll be using mine for a long time. If you don't need eyeglasses it's great for birding.

-elk