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Revisiting the classic porro (1 Viewer)

FrankD

Well-known member
I have been spending a great deal of time and resources in acquainting myself with some classic porros. What I am referring to is, predominantly, Japanese made 1950-1980 7x models. These mostly consist of 7x35 Ultrawide angle models from a variety of manufacturers (Tasco, Swift, Sears, Manon, Jason, Binolux, etc...). You don't typically hear much discussion on the forums about these binoculars. Yes, Cloudy Nights has their Vintage binocular thread and there are some rare threads on here about this type of binocular but they are few and far between.

I wish I could remember how I got started on this track but I can't say I do at the moment. It started a little over a month and a half ago with a purchase of two Tasco International 7x35 EWAs. They turned out to be "ok" overall. Their field of view was impressive at 11 degrees but there were some optical characteristics that didn't really appeal to me as well. So, then I picked up the Swift Sky King 7x35. There is a thread posted about that experience along with some great input from our resident Swift experts over in the Swift forum.

Since then I have binged a bit and picked up quite a few Extra/Ultra/Super wide angle models via the bay. You really can find some great deals on these models on there. Some are in mint condition and for very small sums of money. Yes, they are not waterproof and their apparent brightness and contrast levels typically aren't at the level of current binoculars. This is mostly the result of their only being single-coated. If you can get past those issues then you are in for a treat. These binoculars can be quite addicting. The field of view is wide. Really wide. They make many current "wide angle" models seem like looking through a porthole. Their apparent sharpness, collectively, is also very, very good. I can see some very fine details on birds visiting the backyard feeder.

I have tried to find out as much information on them via the web as possible and have turned up some great tips. There isn't as much as I would like though. One forum contributor both here and over on cloudy nights, Simon S, has a wonderful Flickr page with some great pics and descriptions. With his pages in mind I decided to start one of my own. The link is below. I just started working on it today but thought that every little bit helps add to the collective wisdom on these models. I will continue to add to it as new models arrive.

Hope it provides some enjoyment for those that appreciate this classic porro design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73029961@N07/with/6590555331/
 
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Very interesting. given that i am an obligate eye glass wearer, I skip these types at flea markets, due to the common metal limitations on the ER. So, you remove those "eye cups"?
The build quality on many of this class and vintage is impressive.
 
Wow! Watch out Simon, here comes Frank D. nipping at your heels. :)

Frank D. wrote:

"I wish I could remember how I got started on this track but I can't say I do at the moment. It started a little over a month and a half ago with a purchase of two Tasco International 7x35 EWAs."

Do you mean a little over a year and a half ago? Hard to imagine that you spent "a great deal of time and resources in acquainting [your]self with some classic porros" in only a month and a half! Either that or you've been one busy beaver eBayer! (say that 10x fast :)

I spent about 10 years acquainting myself with some classic porros, most of which weren't considered "classics" back then.

Here's my first review of a porro in 2003:

http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/entry/swift-ultralite-8x42-21-10.html?PHPSESSID=34e369c9b55eb572bb0296582fb09471

Attached is a photo of some of the porros I owned (with one lone roof standing out in the collection). I still have the 8x and 10x EIIs (though the 10x is a newer black body model), the Sears 7x50, the 804 MC H/R5 Audubon, and the Nikon 7x35 WF. The 12x50 SE (first from left, second row) morphed into a 10x42 SE).

The EIIs, the Audubons, the 8x35 Nikon WF, and the Fujis are all WA bins (though not EWA). Not sure about the 8.8* 8x30 EII and the 9.3* 7x35 WF. Where does WA stop and EWA begin?

Brock
 

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I "birded" for over 10 years in Philadelphia watching the "BIRDS" at Veteran's Stadium in home games with an XW Sears 7 x 35 through the 1970's. I bought it new for $25.00. It is coated - but barely. The glass looks almost pure white. But they were great for watching football. 525' FOV at 1000 yards. My brother still has them but he likes my 6 x 30 Yosemite much better. And the Yosemite with it's modern coatings is much better for real birding.

Bob
 
Jay,

All but two of the binoculars that I have listed have removable metal eyecups. That aids greatly with eye relief issues though if you wear eyeglasses I could see where the remaining metal rings may scratch your glasses. I do agree about the build quality you mentioned. Very, very good.

Brock,

It seems you have, or have experience with, quite a few of the bins that I managed to pick up. With regard to the Sears 7x50, I purchased it based on wanting 7x with a large exit pupil and a wide field of view. Not many that fit that bill. I am very pleased with it. If the ocular lenses weren't so recessed I would be able to see the field stops and therefore the full field of view. That was the reason I picked up the Binolux. Hopefully the new unit that I have arriving will be in better shape.

I am glad you are still hanging onto that Nikon 7x35 WF. I love the view through that one. Not as wide as some of the others but very relaxed. I am surprised this one isn't mentioned more often with the likes of the E, EII and SE. In many ways it is very similar though it obviously can't match them in terms of coatings and therefore contrast or light transmission. Still love it though. This could easily be my full time glass.

Lots of other "goodies" in that list. The Tasco I have is much, much better than one would think.

Bob,

I would agree that the Yosemite is an excellent binocular. None of these can really match it in terms of apparent contrast or brightness. Still, they have a great deal going for them. I do love picking each one up and looking through it. They each have a slightly different optical "flavor" that I find appealing.
 
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Frank...I have also "cruised " the internet at times,looking for optics and camera equipment rarities.Not so much since I moved to Spain,for many sellers dont wanna deal with international shipping and the shipping prices makes this activity more painful than fun.
But I remember some of the models you have manage to put together .
One thing I remember about japanese manufactured optics of that vintage is that ,independent of the brand ,the actual manufacturer was marked in the binocular body with a number code..usually the letter J- or J-B, and then a number..pretty much like chinese optics today,they were comissioned but the brands and then imported into the West..It would be nice to find the actual manufacturers of your collected models and perhaps track their identity to their actual lineage
You have missed some of the classic Bushnell models of that era,some of them made by Fuji,with their study and beautiful lines and exceptional optics,...The famous Custom line coming from that era was very nice..I owned many of the small customs(not again ,please!)and one beautiful 9x36 with fancy rubber extensible eyecups,and massive AFOV as well...But for massive FOV , sturdy body, beautiful pebbled finish and ,for what I have heard amazing optics , was the "Rangemaster" model, 7x35 , featuring a 77 degree AFOV. It also has a huge separation between the objectives, probably adding to the 3-D "porro effect"..
 
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I would agree that the Yosemite is an excellent binocular. None of these can really match it in terms of apparent contrast or brightness...

As an owner of the Yosemite (BX-1 8x30) I find this very interesting. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the optical quality of my pair.
 
Manuel,

Good suggestion. I actually found a website that had info on part of the manufacturing code equation. I will copy and paste the info below so anyone has access to it. It lists all of the JB numbers but none of the JE numbers. If someone has that info and can add it to this thread then that would be great.

...and I didn't quite miss out on the Bushnell models. The problem is that everyone knows how the Bushnell Elite porros, Rangemasters and the Bausch and Lomb models perform. They typically sell for more than I am willing to invest in one of these older models. I had bid, repeatedly, on one of the Rangemasters a week or so ago but the price kept going higher and higher. I forget what it actually went for but it was way more than I wanted to pay.

I did receive some new units in the mail today. I will update the Flickr page this evening with the new models. Interestingly there is one specific body/eyepiece type that I find very enjoyable. The Binolux 7x35 that I have on my flickr page is identical to both a Jason and a Sears model I just received. The view is very unusual. Hard to describe. I will add more later.


Jay,

None of the older singe-coated models can match the Yosemite for pure color, light transmission and contrast. It is a great bino. I tend to prefer my 6x30 to the 8x30 because of the larger exit pupil but both are good. Truth be told I actually thought my 6x30 Yosemite had brighter and richer color (particularly the reds) than the 500xxx Nikon SE 8x32 I had this past fall.

Scoutman,

I am not sure if it is the same model but I had a gentleman offer me a 7x3- Bushnell Elite this past year. He wanted close to $400 for it. I love classic porros but, sadly, not that much. ;)

Japanese Manufacturer's Codes for Optical Products.

Most Japanese binoculars from the 1960s and several decades later carry one
or two tiny marks on the body, about 2 mm in height, frequently adjacent to
the hinge axis on the rear, between the objectives. 'JB' and two or three
digits identifies the manufacturer of the finished binocular, and 'JE'
identifies the maker of the body. The J symbol has a small horizontal line
extending from the middle of the J, and is explained in a pamphlet from the
Japan Binoculars Export Promotion Association, _'63 Binoculars From Japan_.
"Combining the letters L and J (standing for Light Machinery of
Japan)......on the shoulder hinges or support strut of all approved
binoculars manufactured in Japan since November 1959." The JBEPA had their
US office in the Japan Trade Center, 393 Fifth Ave, NY.
This list was obtained by Bill Beacom, who arranged for its translation, and
converted to electronic form by Fred Schwartzman. A second, later, list
added further companies; the earlier list used 'Kogaku' and the later list
used 'Optical'. No dates are available for either list.
We are looking for the manufacturers represented by the missing numbers 65,
66, and 209.
=============
Checkup On Quality - JAPANESE BINOCULAR INSPECTION INSTITUTE

Binoculars from Japan are rigidly inspected to make sure that every
component is of top quality and that all mechanisms are in perfect working
order. All optical products that have passed these rigorous standards are
tagged “PASSED” by the Government’s Japan Telescopes Inspection Institute.

The JL mark: Only those binocular and optical manufacturers meeting Japan’s
Government standards of inspection and quality may use the authorized JL
symbol. This symbol accompanied by the letter “E” or “B” and the number of
the respective manufacturer is engraved on the objective-end hinge or on the
cover plate. The letter “E” designating the metalwork manufacturer is
engraved on the right and the letter “B” designating the manufacturer of the
finished product is on the left.

“PASSED” labels. This oval silver paper label marked “JTII” certifies that
binoculars have complied with the export standards of the Japan Telescopes
Inspection Institute. It is usually found on the axle of the binoculars.
-----
The quality of the JB marked products are rechecked by the Institute for
items that are exported. This rigorous Government system insures that only
top quality binoculars are exported from Japan. Know your dealer. Your final
check on a quality pair of binoculars is your faith and reliance in your
dealer. A reputable dealer will stand behind his optical products.
=====================
Below are two lists, one in numeric order and the second in alphabetic
order.

JB 1 Toa Kogaku Co.Ltd., Tokyo
JB 2 Katsuma Kogaku Kikai Co.Ltd.
JB 3 Toei Kogaku Seisakujo Co.Ltd.
JB 4 Toei Kogaku Co. Ltd., Hatogaya-Shi
JB 5 Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB 6 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo.
JB 7 Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 8 Fuji Sbashin Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 9 Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 10 Toko Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 11 Omiya Kogaku Kikai Seisalcujo, Tokyo
JB 12 Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd. - Aurora Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 14 Ueta Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 15 Tokyo Oputikaru Co. Ltd.- Tokyo Optical Co. Ltd.
JB 16 Sankei Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 17 Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 18 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 19 FujiKogeisha Co. Ltd.
JB 20 Mitsui Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 21 Kokisha Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 22 Itabashi Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo Inc.,Tokyo
JB 23 Ishii Kogaku Co. Ltd.,Yokohama
JB 24 Ichikawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.,Tokyo
JB 25 Zuiho Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 26 Futaba Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 27 Sanyo Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 28 Fuji Seinñtsukiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 29 Meikosha Inc.
JB 30 Kofu Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 31 Muraki Koko Co. Ltd.
JB 32 Miyako Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 33 Teito Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 34 Musashi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 35 Raito Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd. - Lite Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 36 Jiyama Seiko Co.
JB 37 Yoshinon Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 38 Nakabishi Kogaku Inc.
JB 39 Josei Koki Inc.
JB 40 Mutsu Koki Inc.
JB 41 Shinsei Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 42 Nippon Garasu Kogyo Co. Ltd. Takinokawa Syuchojo
JB 43 Tozaki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 44 likura Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB 45 Taisei Kogaku Kogyo Co; Ltd.
JB 45 Tamron Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 46 Otsuka Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 47 Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc., Tokyo
JB 48 Kazusa Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 49 Sankyo Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 51 Yoshimoto Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 52 Kanto Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 53 Inoue Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 54 Suzuki Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 55 Enshu Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.,Tokyo.
JB 56 Hiyoshi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 57 Oji Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 58 Ryuko Seisakujo
JB 59 Mitsui Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 60 Akebono Optical, Tokyo
JB 60 Wakaba Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 61 Meiho Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB 62 Oshiro Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 63 Ofuna Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 64 Kobayashi Kogaku Scisakitjo. Inc.
JB 65
JB 66
JB 67 Esaka Kogaku
JB 68 Sono Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 69 Akebono Kogaku Kogyo Co
JB 70 Sugamo Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 71 Toho Koki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 72 Rubina Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 73 Tsuchida Kogaku Seisakujo.
JB 74 Omori Sogo Kogaku Kogyo
JB 75 Seki Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 76 Izumi Seiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 77 Koronbia Kogaku Co. Ltd. – Columbia Kogaku Co.
JB 78 Kuribayashi Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 79 Furukawa Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 80 Sansei Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB 81 Copitar Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 81 Takahisa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 82 Sanwa Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 83 Nakamura Kogaku Kogyo Seisakujo Inc.
JB 84 Oei Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 85 Kawashima Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 86 Niigaki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB 87 Yachiyo Kogaku Co. Ltd
JB 88 Kofuku Sangyo Co. Ltd. Kowa Koki Seisakujo
JB 89 Sekiguchi Kogaku Seisakujo. Inc., Tokyo
JB 90 Someno Koki Seisakujo
JB 92 Hayashi Kokisha
JB 93 Seiwa Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 94 Ibuki Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 96 Fuji Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 96 Nikkei Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 97 Soneda Kogaku Kenkyujo Inc.
JB 98 Seiwa Seiki Seisakujo Inc.
JB 99 Tokushu Kogaku Seisakujo Co Ltd.
JB 100 Nippon Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 101 Hifumi Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 102 Hoya Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 103 Teihoku Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo (Tohoku)
JB 104 Kyanon Kamara Co. Ltd. - Canon Camera Co. Ltd.
JB 105 Toyoshima Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB 106 Sanko Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB 107 Jyonan Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 108 Kenkosha Inc.
JB 109 Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB 110 Taiyo Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB 110 Tsukuba Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 111 Tosco Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 112 Keizan Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 113 Ito Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 114 Arai Kogaku
JB 114 Hoya Optical Co.,Ltd.,Tokyo
JB 115 Kanagawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd, Kamakura-Shi
JB 116 Hattori Koki Seisakujo
JB 116 Nichiryo Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 117 Nikken Kogaku
JB 118 Yoshikawa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 119 Nisshin Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 120 Noppon Koki
JB 121 Oizumi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 122 Imai Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 123 Kansai Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 124 Oda Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 125 Inoue Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 126 Yabe Kogaku Kiki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 127 Koei Seiki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 128 Taishin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 129 Narimasu Koki Seisakujo
JB 130 KomiyaKogakuSangyo Co. Ltd.
JB 131 Yamanoi Kogaku Co Ltd
JB 132 Taiei Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 133 Kamakura Koki Co. Ltd., Warabi-Shi
JB 134 Kozan Kogaku Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 135 Eikosha Sagyojo Co. Ltd.
JB 136 Araki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB 137 Katsuno Koki Seisakujo
JB 138 The Oriental Trading Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 138 Toyo Jitsugyo Co. Ltd.
JB 139 Busho Kogaku Seisakujo. Inc. (Bushu), Saitama.
JB 140 Toyo Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd
JB 141 Tonan Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 142 Subaru Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB 143 Nagashima Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 144 Tokuei Seiki Kogyojo Co. Ltd.
JB 145 Kimura Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 146 Warabi Kokisha
JB 147 Sankaku Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 148 Misuzu Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB 149 Urawa Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 150 Kuramochi Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 151 Daito Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 152 Taito Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 153 Kitano Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 154 Sanei Kagaku Kenkyojo
JB 155 Ichihara Kogaku Renzu Seisakujo
JB 156 Nippon Sogan Co. Ltd.
JB 157 Kuroki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 158 Towa Koeki Co. Ltd.
JB 159 Myoko Kogaku
JB 160 Myoko Kogaku
JB 161 Hakko Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 162 Akebono Kogaku Seiki Seisakuju
JB 163 Tokyo Koki Seisakujo
JB 164 Toyoshima Koki Seisakujo
JB 165 Yabuki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 166 Komiya Kogaku Kenkyuio
JB 167 Ikkosha
JB 168 Hirabayashi Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 169 Ota Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 170 Koseiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 171 Noguchi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 172 ShowaKokiSeizoCo. Ltd.
JB 173 OkayaKogakuKikai Co. Ltd.
JB 174 Chitose Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 175 Toyo Kogaku Kenkxuio.
JB 176 Sanyo Koki Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 176 Toyo Koki Kogyo Co.
JB 177 Keihin Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB 178 Shinyo Koki Seisakujo
JB 179 Otaki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB 180 Tsukumo Seisakujo
JB 181 Yamagami Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 182 Yarnato Koki Seisakujo
JB 183 Izumi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 184 Akatsuki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 185 Fuji Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 186 Nikko Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 187 Kurumada Kogaku Kogyojo
JB 188 Daiichi Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB 189 Sawama Kogaku Seisakujo
JB 190 Nitto Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 191 Seiwa Optical Co., Ltd., Wako-Shi
JB 191 Yoko Sangyo Co. Ltd
JB 192 Hoja Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 193 Atorasu Koki Seisakujo Inc. (Atlas Koki Seisakujo)
JB 194 Miyagaki Kogakusha
JB 195 Kawashima Seisakujo
JB 196 Kokoku Seiki Seisakujo Co Ltd.
JB 197 Sankyo Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 198 Tenwa Seiki Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 199 Keihoku Kogaku
JB 200 Nansei Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB 201 Takeuchi Shokai Seisakujo
JB 202 Jyohoku Kogaku Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai Sogankyo Chosei Daiichi Jigyojo
JB 203 Fujita Kogaku Kogyo Co. I.td.
JB 204 Chuo Koki Seisakujo
JB 205 Ileiwa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 206 Fujita Koki Seisakuio. Inc.,Tokyo.
JB 207 Aporon Koki Seisakujo
JB 207 Hitachi Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 207 Hiyoshi Optical Co.,Ltd.,Tokyo
JB 208 Katon Kogaku Seisakujo Inc. (Carton Kogaku Seisakujo)
JB 209
JB 210 Oishi Kogaku Kogyosho. Inc.
JB 211 Toho Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 212 Sanwa Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB 213 Daito Kikai Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB 214 Miyama Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 215 Jyosei Koki Seisakujo
JB 216 Noguchi Koki Seisakujo
JB 217 Kawashima Seisakujo
JB 219 Tokoki
JB 220 Ato Kogaku Co. Ltd. - Art Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB 221 Akabori Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo
JB 222 Kanda Koki
JB 223 Zaika Co. Ltd.
JB 224 Ikko Seiki
JB 225 Fuji Kogaku Kenkyujo
JB 226 Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 227 Jya Seikosha
JB 228 Kanagawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB 229 Kanto Seimitsu Sogankyo Chosei Gijutsu Kyodo Kumiai
JB 230 Higashi Nippon Kogaku Kikai Kyodo Kumiai
JB 230 Palus Optical, Tokyo
JB 231 Hiroyuki Tochihara
JB 231 Tochihara Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 232 Akira Ishii
JB 233 Shuzaburo Ishikawa (Ishikawa Optical Ind.),Tokyo
JB 234 Yoshitada Matsumaru
JB 235 Takeo Saito
JB 236 Shuzaburo Wakabayashi
JB 237 Motooka Yoshikimi?
JB 238 Toshio Maruyama
JB 239 Ogoshi (?)
JB 240 Teiji Hirose
JB 241 Kazuo Tsuchihashi
JB 242 Tornoaki Ogawa
JB 243 Suwa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB 244 Tosei Kogaku
JB 248 Opal Optical, Tokyo
JB 250 Fujimori Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 251 Toho Optical Mfg. Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 256 Shinsei Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB 257 Kyoshi Optical Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB 272 Atsugi Optical, Tokyo.
JB 274 Kohiyama Seisakusho, Tokyo
JB 277 Orient Co., Saitama
JB 345 Kobayashi Co., Ltd., Kyoto

====================

JB65
JB66
JB209
JB221 Akabori Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo
JB184 Akatsuki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB69 Akebono Kogaku Kogyo Co
JB162 Akebono Kogaku Seiki Seisakuju
JB60 Akebono Optical, Tokyo
JB232 Akira Ishii
JB207 Aporon Koki Seisakujo
JB114 Arai Kogaku
JB136 Araki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB6 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo.
JB220 Ato Kogaku Co. Ltd. - Art Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB193 Atorasu Koki Seisakujo Inc. (Atlas Koki Seisakujo)
JB272 Atsugi Optical, Tokyo.
JB139 Busho Kogaku Seisakujo. Inc. (Bushu), Saitama.
JB174 Chitose Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB109 Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB204 Chuo Koki Seisakujo
JB81 Copitar Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB188 Daiichi Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB213 Daito Kikai Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB151 Daito Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB135 Eikosha Sagyojo Co. Ltd.
JB55 Enshu Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.,Tokyo.
JB67 Esaka Kogaku
JB185 Fuji Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB225 Fuji Kogaku Kenkyujo
JB96 Fuji Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB8 Fuji Sbashin Koki Co. Ltd.
JB28 Fuji Seinñtsukiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB19 FujiKogeisha Co. Ltd.
JB250 Fujimori Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB203 Fujita Kogaku Kogyo Co. I.td.
JB206 Fujita Koki Seisakuio. Inc.,Tokyo.
JB79 Furukawa Kogaku Seisakujo
JB26 Futaba Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB161 Hakko Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB116 Hattori Koki Seisakujo
JB92 Hayashi Kokisha
JB101 Hifumi Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB230 Higashi Nippon Kogaku Kikai Kyodo Kumiai
JB168 Hirabayashi Kogaku Seisakujo
JB231 Hiroyuki Tochihara
JB207 Hitachi Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB56 Hiyoshi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB207 Hiyoshi Optical Co.,Ltd.,Tokyo
JB192 Hoja Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB102 Hoya Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB114 Hoya Optical Co.,Ltd.,Tokyo
JB94 Ibuki Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB155 Ichihara Kogaku Renzu Seisakujo
JB24 Ichikawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.,Tokyo
JB224 Ikko Seiki
JB167 Ikkosha
JB205 Ileiwa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB122 Imai Kogaku Seisakujo
JB125 Inoue Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB53 Inoue Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB23 Ishii Kogaku Co. Ltd.,Yokohama
JB22 Itabashi Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo Inc.,Tokyo
JB113 Ito Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo. Inc.
JB183 Izumi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB76 Izumi Seiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB36 Jiyama Seiko Co.
JB39 Josei Koki Inc.
JB227 Jya Seikosha
JB202 Jyohoku Kogaku Kogyo Kyodo Kumiai Sogankyo Chosei Daiichi Jigyojo
JB107 Jyonan Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo. Inc.
JB215 Jyosei Koki Seisakujo
JB133 Kamakura Koki Co. Ltd., Warabi-Shi
JB115 Kanagawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd, Kamakura-Shi
JB228 Kanagawa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB222 Kanda Koki
JB123 Kansai Kogaku Seisakujo
JB52 Kanto Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB229 Kanto Seimitsu Sogankyo Chosei Gijutsu Kyodo Kumiai
JB208 Katon Kogaku Seisakujo Inc. (Carton Kogaku Seisakujo)
JB2 Katsuma Kogaku Kikai Co.Ltd.
JB137 Katsuno Koki Seisakujo
JB85 Kawashima Kogaku Seisakujo
JB195 Kawashima Seisakujo
JB217 Kawashima Seisakujo
JB241 Kazuo Tsuchihashi
JB48 Kazusa Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB177 Keihin Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB199 Keihoku Kogaku
JB112 Keizan Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB108 Kenkosha Inc.
JB145 Kimura Kogaku Seisakujo
JB153 Kitano Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB345 Kobayashi Co., Ltd., Kyoto
JB64 Kobayashi Kogaku Scisakitjo. Inc.
JB127 Koei Seiki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB30 Kofu Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB88 Kofuku Sangyo Co. Ltd. Kowa Koki Seisakujo
JB274 Kohiyama Seisakusho, Tokyo
JB21 Kokisha Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB196 Kokoku Seiki Seisakujo Co Ltd.
JB166 Komiya Kogaku Kenkyuio
JB130 KomiyaKogakuSangyo Co. Ltd.
JB77 Koronbia Kogaku Co. Ltd. – Columbia Kogaku Co.
JB170 Koseiki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB134 Kozan Kogaku Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB150 Kuramochi Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB78 Kuribayashi Kogaku Seisakujo
JB157 Kuroki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB187 Kurumada Kogaku Kogyojo
JB104 Kyanon Kamara Co. Ltd. - Canon Camera Co. Ltd.
JB257 Kyoshi Optical Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB44 likura Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB61 Meiho Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB5 Meiji Seiko Co. Ltd.
JB29 Meikosha Inc.
JB148 Misuzu Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB59 Mitsui Kogaku Seisakujo
JB20 Mitsui Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB194 Miyagaki Kogakusha
JB32 Miyako Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB214 Miyama Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB237 Motooka Yoshikimi?
JB31 Muraki Koko Co. Ltd.
JB34 Musashi Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB40 Mutsu Koki Inc.
JB159 Myoko Kogaku
JB160 Myoko Kogaku
JB143 Nagashima Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB38 Nakabishi Kogaku Inc.
JB83 Nakamura Kogaku Kogyo Seisakujo Inc.
JB200 Nansei Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB129 Narimasu Koki Seisakujo
JB116 Nichiryo Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB86 Niigaki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB96 Nikkei Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB117 Nikken Kogaku
JB186 Nikko Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB42 Nippon Garasu Kogyo Co. Ltd. Takinokawa Syuchojo
JB7 Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB100 Nippon Koki Co. Ltd.
JB156 Nippon Sogan Co. Ltd.
JB119 Nisshin Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB190 Nitto Koki Co. Ltd.
JB171 Noguchi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB216 Noguchi Koki Seisakujo
JB120 Noppon Koki
JB124 Oda Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB84 Oei Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB63 Ofuna Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB239 Ogoshi (?)
JB210 Oishi Kogaku Kogyosho. Inc.
JB121 Oizumi Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB57 Oji Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB173 OkayaKogakuKikai Co. Ltd.
JB11 Omiya Kogaku Kikai Seisalcujo, Tokyo
JB74 Omori Sogo Kogaku Kogyo
JB248 Opal Optical, Tokyo
JB277 Orient Co., Saitama
JB12 Orora Kogaku Co. Ltd. - Aurora Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB62 Oshiro Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB169 Ota Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB226 Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB17 Otake Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB179 Otaki Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo
JB46 Otsuka Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB230 Palus Optical, Tokyo
JB35 Raito Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd. - Lite Koki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB72 Rubina Koki Co. Ltd.
JB58 Ryuko Seisakujo
JB154 Sanei Kagaku Kenkyojo
JB147 Sankaku Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB16 Sankei Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB106 Sanko Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB197 Sankyo Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB49 Sankyo Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB80 Sansei Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB82 Sanwa Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB212 Sanwa Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB27 Sanyo Koki Co. Ltd.
JB176 Sanyo Koki Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB9 Sato Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB189 Sawama Kogaku Seisakujo
JB93 Seiwa Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB191 Seiwa Optical Co., Ltd., Wako-Shi
JB98 Seiwa Seiki Seisakujo Inc.
JB75 Seki Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB89 Sekiguchi Kogaku Seisakujo. Inc., Tokyo
JB41 Shinsei Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB256 Shinsei Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB178 Shinyo Koki Seisakujo
JB172 ShowaKokiSeizoCo. Ltd.
JB233 Shuzaburo Ishikawa (Ishikawa Optical Ind.),Tokyo
JB236 Shuzaburo Wakabayashi
JB90 Someno Koki Seisakujo
JB97 Soneda Kogaku Kenkyujo Inc.
JB68 Sono Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB142 Subaru Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB70 Sugamo Kogaku Seisakujo
JB243 Suwa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB54 Suzuki Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB132 Taiei Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB45 Taisei Kogaku Kogyo Co; Ltd.
JB128 Taishin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB152 Taito Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB110 Taiyo Kogaku Seisakujo Inc.
JB81 Takahisa Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB235 Takeo Saito
JB201 Takeuchi Shokai Seisakujo
JB45 Tamron Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB50 Tanaka Koki Seisakujo. Inc.
JB103 Teihoku Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo (Tohoku)
JB240 Teiji Hirose
JB33 Teito Koki Co. Ltd.
JB198 Tenwa Seiki Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB138 The Oriental Trading Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB1 Toa Kogaku Co.Ltd., Tokyo
JB231 Tochihara Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB4 Toei Kogaku Co. Ltd., Hatogaya-Shi
JB3 Toei Kogaku Seisakujo Co.Ltd.
JB71 Toho Koki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB251 Toho Optical Mfg. Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB211 Toho Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB10 Toko Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB219 Tokoki
JB144 Tokuei Seiki Kogyojo Co. Ltd.
JB47 Tokuhiro Koki Seisakusho Inc., Tokyo
JB99 Tokushu Kogaku Seisakujo Co Ltd.
JB18 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB163 Tokyo Koki Seisakujo
JB15 Tokyo Oputikaru Co. Ltd.- Tokyo Optical Co. Ltd.
JB141 Tonan Kogaku Co. Ltd., Tokyo
JB242 Tornoaki Ogawa
JB111 Tosco Co., Ltd., Tokyo
JB244 Tosei Kogaku
JB238 Toshio Maruyama
JB158 Towa Koeki Co. Ltd.
JB138 Toyo Jitsugyo Co. Ltd.
JB175 Toyo Kogaku Kenkxuio.
JB140 Toyo Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd
JB176 Toyo Koki Kogyo Co.
JB105 Toyoshima Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd
JB164 Toyoshima Koki Seisakujo
JB43 Tozaki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB73 Tsuchida Kogaku Seisakujo.
JB110 Tsukuba Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB180 Tsukumo Seisakujo
JB14 Ueta Seiki Co. Ltd.
JB149 Urawa Kogaku Seiki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB60 Wakaba Koki Seisakujo Inc.
JB146 Warabi Kokisha
JB126 Yabe Kogaku Kiki Seisakujo Co. Ltd.
JB165 Yabuki Kogaku Kogyo Co. Ltd.
JB87 Yachiyo Kogaku Co. Ltd
JB181 Yamagami Kogaku Seisakujo
JB131 Yamanoi Kogaku Co Ltd
JB182 Yarnato Koki Seisakujo
JB191 Yoko Sangyo Co. Ltd
JB118 Yoshikawa Koki Co. Ltd.
JB51 Yoshimoto Kogaku Co. Ltd.
JB37 Yoshinon Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd.
JB234 Yoshitada Matsumaru
JB223 Zaika Co. Ltd.
JB25 Zuiho Kogaku Seiki Co. Ltd., Tokyo
=====================================
home page: http://www.europa.com/~telscope/binotele.htm
Updated 02 January, 2001.
11
 
Good Lord!..It was a manufacturer for EACH unit!!!!

:-O

Now that made me laugh. Seriously, yes, there are over 170 listed manufacturers of at least the housings if I am not mistaken. I do believe the JB is the housing and the JE is the final assembly. Someone correct me if I have that backwards.

I did acquire four new models today...Jason Clipper, Tasco International 400, Sears 6230 and Mayflower 110070. I added each to the site but wanted to comment further on the Jason model. The Jason appears to be identical externally, and internally for that matter, to the Binolux 7x35 mentioned previously. These units give me a totally different impression optically in comparison to any of the others. They have a listed 578 foot field of view but the images are more "immersive" for lack of a better word. You feel much more like you are "in the image" rather than looking at it. I believe this is the result of specific ocular design and the fact that I can get my eyes very close to the ocular surface. As mentioned earlier it, for some reason, instantly reminds me of the Nikon EII 8x30. Don't ask me why but it is the first thing that popped into my head when I looked through each of these models. A comparison pic is below.....
 

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Frank:

Interesting your quest in getting some of these porros. I agree, they may be a fun
option and the build quality of these Japanese types is very good.
I am wondering however, how many of these have some issues, with dust inside,
fungus, scratches, etc. that make them less than desired. I am thinking it is probably
a 50:50 chance. How have you fared so far? I suppose those watching, need to hear
about both the good and the bad.

Jerry
 
Frank,

I too have found vintage uber wide angle porros to be quite fascinating. I acquired a good number of them to include some models which have repeatedly been identified as excellent. Unfortunately I found that they didn't hold as much appeal as some others I had found. So I no longer have any other than my personal favorites. They're a lot of fun! :)
 
Jerry,

Oh, there certainly are issues to be concerned about. Several of them have had to be cleaned internally. For some of them it is a fairly easy task. Others it is not. I would say about 1/4 of them have had some type of internal dust/fungus. I cleaned all but one to my satisfaction. Two have come slightly out of collimation and that condition is noted in the review for each on the Flickr page. I am contemplating sending them off to Sudarth Optical or NRC optics to have them recollimated.

Most of the others are in surprisingly good condition both optically and mechanically. All of them have some wear...usually on the edges of the metal housings. I tend to expect them to be in decent/good condition when I buy them based on what the seller describes and their past auctions/feedback info. Of course the buyer should also check if there is a return policy from the seller. Keep in mind we are talking about $10-$40 purchases so expectations shouldn't be high to begin with.
 
Bob,

Thanks for chiming in. I take it that those models you have in your signature tag are what you have left. Any chance you have pics of those Binolux models?
 
Frank, in my almost 60 years of collecting binoculars, I have had many, many Japanese binoculars pass through my hands, from the occupied Japan era through today. Some early models were optically good but rather tinny. When the German moved away from porros, paying homage to the Japanese now making superior porros, (with a few exceptions such as the Zeiss 8x30B, 7x50B and 15x60B, etc.) several so-called vintage models by Bushnell, Swift, and B&L have shone for their durability and overall optical quality in spite of single coatings. I have a Bushnell 7x50 called the bino foto which has the best edge to edge resolution compared to any 7x50 made today. The Bushnell Customs, all models, were outstanding optically and mechanically. Sure my SE 8x32 and EIIs, and Zeiss FL 8x32, are better, but not by a whole lot. Regarding fungus growth, that is a function of where the binocular has been. Out of the hundreds of Customs passing through my hands, I have had only one with fungus on the lens and prisms. That must have spent some time in New Guinea in the fungus belt. Msny of the B&L Zephyrs are as sound today as when they were built, and a whole lot lighter. My Yosemite 6x30 is an amazing piece of optics for its price, but it has plastic construction which may not pass the test of time. The vintage models mentioned above have. IMO the reason that many Yosemite users of the 6x30 find it so useful and appealing is because of its power and good coatings, it lower power yielding benefits not immediately recognized, including the 5 mm exit pupil, good FOV, and light weight. There are still many vintage bargains out there, particularly the Custom 7x35 Rangemaster which is an extremely comfortable binocular to use. John
 
John,

Thank you for posting. You are one of the folks that I hoped would contribute to this thread. I know you have a fascination for porros and have owned many of the more current ones that I have. To hear that you have owned some of these models is also comforting. I do plan on continuing to keep an eye out for several of the models you mentioned. As I commented above, some of them are well known though and typically sell for more than I am willing to pay. Maybe one will sneak past everyone else's radar.

;)

I do want to share one experience I had today. I stopped by one of the local quarries to glass for any waterfowl present. I had the Jason Clipper, Sears 7x50, Nikon WF and the Tasco 116 with me (along with the little Nikon ED50). Glassing huge expanses of Canada Geese looking for an odd duck or two mixed into the flock of 1000 birds was really enjoyable with these porros. The 3D effect coupled with the great apparent sharpness and expansive field of view made the overall experience quite memorable. I did have two roof prism models along as well. They showed me the same birds. Their "objective performance" was better than the porros but the field performance of the porros is unmatched. I am glad folks are overlooking the classic porro design. ;)
 
Frank -

As you know the Bushnell Customs generally allow folks wearing eye glasses to get close enough to see most of the field. But as the powers increase from 7x35 to 8x36 and 9x36 ER becomes an issue, particularly with the 9x36 which has a very large field. These old Customs have UV filters which may affect the color a smidgen, but looking over snowy fields and water, it helps a little. In the later period of the Customs, Bushnell introduced the Insta Focus knob under the right ocular, and in my dogmatic opinion, it is the worst design they ever created. Too much slop and over focusing. Their teeter totter focus mechanism on cheaper and later models should relegate the designer to a special place in binocular hell, too. Comments from and old cranky senior. a grumpy old man.

For about a couple of bucks one can protect the eye glasses by a very simple method when the eye cups are removed to gain greater ER - this advice is not relevant to the Customs but rather to some of Bushnell featherweight and Featherlight models when the eye cup is removed. Access a plastic template with various size circles, the kind used by draftsman, and get the 3-M sticky back safety tread material available at most hardware stores. Avoid the grit. Get the pebbled rubber finished material (get the two inch wide stuff) and on the paper side, draw several circles creating a wide enough ring to cover the area where the eye cups were. Use a small sissors and snip out your flat ring. When the paper is removed, press the rings on the metal surfaces surrounding the lens, and you will have an easily removed protective ring and enhanced ER.

I will share a tip to you and other bincocular "nuts". Bushnell made some excellent porros (B&L style) with magnesium bodies in the 8x40 model, both IF and CF, in the 1950's. These have BK-4 prisms and are hard coated with special oculars. They are marked triple tested, featherlight, 7 degree 1 minute on the upper shelf. These are truly outstanding binoculars. While they lack the brilliant colors of today's multi-coated binoculars, their resolution and wide sweet spot make them very comfortable to use. With the eye cups removed and the simple sticky back rings on the occulars, most eye glass wearers can get the full view. If you find one in good shape, snap it up. You won't be disappointed.

Hope this is helpful.

John
 
John,

That is some excellent info. Nothin' on the bay matching that description at the moment but I have it saved on my "favorite searches" and will keep an eye out for it.

Truth be told I am finding several very good 7x35s from a variety of companies that I never handled not to mention heard of. Glad that nobody else has either.

If you think of any other classic porro tidbits you would like to share then they would be appreciated.

Happy New Years. ;)
 
Frank - Bushnell made a economy 7x35 under the Banner label. It was not up to the quality of the Customs but had prism clusters removal for cleaning and repairs by loosing a few screws. It can be picked up for 10-15 bucks. As many readers know, Swift made some very good binoculars, particularly the Neptune Mark II which had a wide field without bulk and the Audubon 8.5x44.

Before Canon went to their electronic stuff, they had a nice porro line, with the 7x35 IMO the best. I find the Canon 7x35 superior optically to the B&L Zephyrs, although I know some collectors will disagree. The Canon and B&L line had the best leather cases, many 50 years old and still in good condition. The Zeiss 8x30 B model is very nice but discontinued and fetching a premium price. Other than the Fujinon IF 8x30 rubber covered porro, the Kern IF 8x30 porro is the toughest porro I've ever used.

Older IF porros unless really abused are usually in perfect alignment and while not advertised as water proof seem to me to be the closest thing to it. And they are lighter. My first porro was a Bushnell 7x35 monocular. I couldn't afford anything else. But it was fragile - I banged it on a saddle horn and chipped a prism. But its optics to young eyes were excellent. I have found that the Zeiss porros, not the Jena models, have the most precise prism seats of any porro I have cleaned, even ones made before WW2. Quality roofs will handle shock better than most porros. Some very good European porros have IMO chintzy collimation sustems. Take the ultra light older Optolyth porro models. A small screw pushing against the side of the prism is used in collimation. The B&L 3 screw system on the objectives is time tested, but I believe the double eccentric rings systems employed by my older Japanese porros is superior to any other system.

John
 
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