Regarding 7x35 Porros -
I’ve just been comparing (daytime viewing) the excellent Nikon E2 with some late 1950s Bushnell FPO 7x35 rangemasters - two of the special edition FPO Rangeaster model, and a couple of the 7x35 FPO Rangemaster including one of the last ones made. I’ve compared them before, but I’d say there isn’t a single area where the old rangemaster isn’t superior to the Nikon, barring compact dimensions and low weight in the Nikon’s favor. The FPO Bushnell are weighing in at about one kg.
Viewing through the Nikon directly after the FPO Rangemaster - the Nikon E2 view feels constricted (noticeably smaller apfov) with a smaller sweet spot and the image to me absolutely feels ‘flatter’, with a noticeably shallower perception of depth of field. My eyes can pull focus within a greater range using the FPO. Without needing to use a resolution chart, the FPO is also focusing and resolving the finest veins on leaves etc with less effort than the Nikon. It’s not difficult to note. Both contrast and resolution are stunning - the FPO Rangemaster posseses one of the finest Porro views I’ve ever seen. It is incredibly easy on the eyes...quite Fujinon like - there is definitely something familial about a current Fujinon (I use the 7x50 fmt-sx) and these old FPO. Obviously the specs are slightly different between the 7x35 FPO and the 8x30 Nikon, but, regardless of specs, the same 7x35 FPO is also clearly superior to a late model Zeiss BGATP 7x42 regarding depth of field perception, sweetspot and fov. Using the 7x35 FPO I can leave my eyes to pull focus for a great deal of the viewing.
Against the FPO is it’s size, weight and minimal eye relief - non optical issues for myself. Also, they’re not ‘new and shiny’ objects, which will strike them off the list for many folks. The FPO are the biggest and heaviest bins for their spec I’ve ever seen. I like that, others won’t.
One of the special edition FPOs I have must be very close to mint condition optically...it was overhauled by a well known optics tech blokes in the USA before I purchased it - and it’s slightly better than an otherwise identical FPO I had refurbed in OZ by my own optics bloke here...but that particular FPO was in fairly crook condition internally before refurb. It was in shocking condition actually. I was aware of this before purchasing it. The optics tech wasn’t impressed with its condition before taking it on and he noted that he was wary of treading the fine line between undercleaning and overcleaning. Even after service, in comparison to the minty FPO it still has a very slightly milky haze to the view. I’m thinking of sending it back to my tech for a second scrubbing...could be risky but worth it.
Cheers,
Rathaus