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Swift Neptune 7 x 50 mm of the 90' (1 Viewer)

MBS

Well-known member
Hi all of you,

I have been the owner, for about twenty years, of a Porro Prims Swift Neptune 7 x 50 mm binocular.

A binocular very seldom used, up to now.

Why ?

Well, because I was more tempted to use other ones (ex-SSSR Foton 7 x 35 mm mainly, or Helios 8 x 42 mm, those two models with roof prisms, and the last one with phase treatment, etc.).

Yesterday, in the night, after years of no use, I decided to reactivate my Swift Neptune, in an urban context, looking mainly at distant hills immersed in obscurity.

Immediately I felt something but without being able to define it.

Just few minutes ago, I have been giving it a new try, in dailight.

And then the confirmation of the previous night, plus the explanation of this feeling.

This binocular is totally transparent, I cannot define it better.

In other words, what you look at it is totally similar with the nacked eye view of the same thing.

The only difference is that you have zoomed in.

Totally perfect rendition, really.

Juste after that test I put in service the recent (2005) Helios 8 x 42 mm, with upper end surfaces treatment, prisms with full reflection lining and phase compensation.

A pity compared with this so old Porro Binocular.

Incredible, but true.

Except the avantages of sturdiness, compacity and waterproofness, I am asking myself the interest to keep this Helios, compared with the Swift.

One thing is sure: if somebody, somewhere, in my country, is sufficiently "kind" to resell a similar Swift Neptune (or even a Swift Audubon) binocular, made in the 90' and in very good condition, I will not hesitate to buy it (to get a spare one).

And, it is not tomorrow the eve of the selling of my one.

By,
 
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Many Swifts hold up very well, even today.
The filtering and the incredible precision focuser work magic.
The Neptunes are fairly rare. Triton #748s are great and more common.
Many features are basically like the Fujinons. They even have a
very nice prism carriage for cleaning.

Correctionhere: Neptunes are a not heavy...they just look it)


I have a pair of Neptune7x35sarriving today....can't wait!
I like the 420ft fov, and they have bigger EP openings,
so the design eye relief is probably a bit better than the Triton#748s.
The only product line that's just ordinary is many of their "Aerolite"s.



-------------------------
I just opened and cleaned up the Neptune 7x35s...
they exceeded my expectations.
---coatings: The usual Triton/Custom/Fujistyle UVC front and amber internals,
but....the Neptunes have an Asahi SMC Takumar style for inner coatings.
---very rich saturation, intense contrast, quite sharp (a tad "Kodachromey"actually)
---the weight is surprisingly low....a reprise of the Featherweight chassis.
---The eyecup is not asfancy as Customs or Tritons, but I really like it:
it's an 'easy pluck off' collar so eyepiece use won't wreck the rubber with folding back.
---a slight 'green bias' (orange|green|blue slightly favored)
from the UVC and SMC coatings, not bad. Phenomenal haze rejection.
---smooth and precise
---~90-92% useably sharp field.
---NO blackouts...none. That's being polite, old school.
---A nice 1/4-20 adaptor thread for the hinge.

The only nit is a little arm play. No rush,but I'll slip a 2-3-mil washer in the focuser
someday instead of converting to removable LocTite.

I would expect the same for the 7x50s,
but better depth of focus and even easier eye placement...of course.
 
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Hi Optic_nut

A good thing that this Neptune is a pleasant model.

I am waiting for your future comment about the Neptune 7 x 50 mm, with an anticipated interest.

By,
 
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