Vintage and Classic Binoculars (2 Viewers)

Is there a list of recommended makers or models of vintage bins. There are so many different names on the net that I find it near impossible to sort out the good from the bad. Also some manufacturers made turkeys whilst also having a brilliant model at the same time. So basically a list that points towards the better models.

Cheers,

Ger.

List? Whatever happened to trial & error, OJT & discovery?

Treasure binos of the Sierra Madre, Lists? We don't need no stinkin' lists!
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http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=222373&page=6

Thanks Nix, A few bins there to point me in the right direction.

I find that trial and error usually end up being expensive. Yesterday whilst recovering from surgery I was quite happy surfing through ebay and found numerous vintage porros and when the pain killing drugs started kicking in I started bidding left right and centre for numerous bins in my own little happy world.:hippy: Suffice to say I luckily only ended up with one pair. A pair of Zuiho vintage bins which cost €25 of which I know absolutely nothing.

I'm sure there is a moral in there somewhere but having a list of recommended vintage bins will help those of us who are not of sound mind and body who surf the bay.

Ger.:smoke:

The moral of the story is should one find themselves under the influence of alcohol or narcotics stay off the internet, yet if you can't resist there's always porn & the aftereffects as a rule will not sting as a lark on any auction site.

You didn't become burned over one inexpensive bin. I have several to remind me of red flags I blatantly ignored whilst stone cold sober. Rough now I twiddle me thumbs over a 8x30 Komz listed as having a rough body.

Later offering w/made in Russia instead of USSR, but before Baigish(at least I think so as I'm not well versed on these offerings from behind the former iron curtain)), & apparently designed w/no need for screws to hold the prism covers in place. The body isn't rough at all & it's spot on collimated.

However, it would've been better described as seller restored. Both eyecups have rims epoxied on them, the diopter side eyepiece is cracked and one ocular is multi-coated w/other of older amber variety.

I previously purchased an 8x30 made in USSR version w/magenta coloured oculars that's clear & in good shape except for it's remarkably clear double vision. The shipping alone was $25 from the Ukraine to the states.

After buying a lowly 7x35 11* B&L Legacy of Chinese build I purchased a later model from Japan manufacturing. Lots of PC, but 11* covers a lot of territory. It's more of a two piece design & you'll be able to recognize it by the gaudy golden triangle inside the golden circle prominently displayed betwixt the objective lens.

I think of it as a lure for birds masquerading as a perch. The less expensive bins don't cost much, yet the shipping will eat you alive after a number of them. I find value in cheap glass, but the most in $50-$175 w/fairly recent coatings unless I'm looking for antiques.

However, still I buy them as I am no match for the lure of the siren's song. Happy hunting.

Nix
What is it you do not seem to like about the 7x35 Legacy 11° porro as your post seems to disparage it as nothing better than a bird perch?

Also your claim to an earlier Chinese made B&L 7x35 Legacy 11° is puzzling as the 7x35 11° Legacy's were made in Japan and disappeared from the B&L catalog before Bushnell moved production to China, with the 8x40 Legacy porro being the smallest Legacy to make it into Chinese production. Strange that an early model would be Chinese and later models Japanese. Can you clarify for me?

Tom

Are you looking at British, American , Russian, German or maybe Japanese Ger?

Mainly British and Japanese simon.

Tom,
I was remarking that the large triangle was a lure for birds as a perch for them to come closer. Merely a joke though weak as it may be. The Chinese version is one piece, actually two halves, style w/gold rings behind the objective endcaps, heavier and has Bausch & Lomb in gold colour instead of the triangle. Both are 7x35 11* & for the price I think well worthy.
Now, my latest Swift Holiday Mark II 704 came in today also in 7x35 600' FOV and there's no contest, but I paid a mite more.
Nothing against the Legacy as it's inexpensive & covers a lot of ground. Reminds me of the ZR EDII w/too much PC, yet for the paltry sum the Legacy goes for on the open market I highly recommend them.

squidge said:

Mainly British and Japanese simon.

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I would go with that too.

Just bought on a NZ auction site a set of Ross Stepruva 9x35, for not alot of $NZ. So fingers crossed they are ok.

You do get alot of, made in Japan stuff with names you have never come across before. So some help with ones to look out for would be good!

Simon, what can you tell me about the Ross Stepray 12x50? I read a post of yours from a while back on CN & I believe I saw that pic on Flick'r.

I'm braced for the worse, yet I've already bought one a bit newer than that w/SN around 150K & have no clue where to research my new bin.

Nixterdemus, The Stepray is a reasonable performer, well mine is anyway, as long as the prisms are in good condition and they are clean. Are yours coated?

Thanks Simon. Yes, they are coated & I found the link showing, 12 X 50 STEPRAY eyepiece focussing discontinued 1948/49.

The seller touts:
"These excellent binoculars are a Ross London-Stepray 12x50 no 146847.The body is in near mint condition, hardly a mark on them. They focus smoothly with nice coated optics which are bright and clear with no chips or scratches,giving a very good picture. They have there original ROSS stamped case and all straps."

I've always been fascinated by the turret porro II & this appears, from here leastways, to be in proper order.
From Europa:

1946 The ROSS advert covered eight pages. On the first page ROSS The British Journal Almanac 1946 announced they were being released from War Work and would return to supplying peace time goods. On the second page it was stated that wherever possible all glass air surfaces would be 'coated'
Then three pages of photographic lenses.One page lists the binoculars available, all coated on lenses and prisms.

The STEPLITE 7X 30, centre focus, £28-05-00
The STEPNADA 7X 30, centre focus, £24-05-00
The STEPLUX 7X 50, centre focus, £35-05-00
The STEPNITE 7X 50, eyepiece focus, £33-05-00
The STEPRUVA 9X 35, centre focus, £27-05-00
The STEPMUR 10X 50, centre focus, £38-05-00
The STEPSAK 10X 50, eyepiece focus, £36-10-00
The STEPSUN 12X 50, centre focus, £39-15-00
The STEPRAY 12X 50, eyepiece focus, £38-00-00

(The STEPRAY 12X 50, eyepiece focus, £1 15s shy of the centre focus Stepsun. Price remained steady the following year)

Nine binoculars listed, 7X 30 STEPLITE at £28-05s, 9X 35 STEPRUVA 1947 Catalogue
£27-05s,, 7X 30 STEPNADA £24-05s, 7X 50 STEPNITE £33-05s,
7X 50 STEPLUX £35-05s, 10X 50 STEPSAK £36-10s, 10X 50
STEPMUR £38-05s, 12X 50 STEPRAY £38-00s and 12X50 STEPSUN
£39-00s.

It would seem the prism arraignment was changed somewhat, in the Stepsun, after the Stepray was discontinued.

Anywho, I certainly look forward to this fine example of postwar production.

Less than an hour prior I had wagered similar amount on a 1919 Zeiss 10x50 Porro II that had no case/straps and looked, for what the low resolution pics revealed, to be much worse for wear and in questionable viewing condition.

I'm glad someone thought more of the jerryglass as I couldn't quite afford the twain.

ETA: I have found myself singing a few bars whilst awaiting the Ross Stepray.

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never will be slaves.

Cheers.

Simon S said:

Robert, Ross didn't make a Septrem.
The 9x35 is the Stepruva?

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Thanks Simon, I was too lazy to find my old Ross catalogue

Simon, might you know if the Stepray & Stepsun are the same 12x50 optics save the former being I.F. & the latter C.F.?

The gent I purchased from declares the Stepray bin as being from the 60's. Though my one reference says 48/49 as the last go round I do see where the Stepsun made it at least until the 1963 catalogue.

I wonder as well as I see you've remarked about a '55 Stepsun and the air spaced optics.

Greenkat 8x40 binoculars, Anybody know anything about these binoculars.

Thanks,

Ger.

Nixterdemus said:

Simon, might you know if the Stepray & Stepsun are the same 12x50 optics save the former being I.F. & the latter C.F.?

The gent I purchased from declares the Stepray bin as being from the 60's. Though my one reference says 48/49 as the last go round I do see where the Stepsun made it at least until the 1963 catalogue.

I wonder as well as I see you've remarked about a '55 Stepsun and the air spaced optics.

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I can tell you that my Stepsun has great optics and non cemented porro II prisms. A wonderful instrument.
Have a look at this wonderful new database on Peter Abrahams website.
http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Ross/

Thanks Simon, what's the odds? I came online to post one link, from that very set of links, that shows the 10x50 IF Stepsak & 12x50 IF Stepray coming out in 1934.

Then in 1935 the centre focus 10x50 Stepmur & 12x50 Stepsun emerge. For whatever reason the IF models were discontinued 48/49 whilst the CF continued on till 64/65.

One pound & fifteen shilling difference(1946 reduced then to just one pound 1947) suggests that the only other difference, optically speaking, is IF/CF.

I saw the pic & description of your 1955 Stepsun & thought you might be privy to upgrades within the line. You'd made note of some earlier binoculars in porro II as having cemented prisms.

I'm merely looking for information in anticipation of the Stepray to brush up a bit on the finer points of what I'm sure is a wonderful glass & example of the porro II turret.

Thanks again for taking the time & providing assistance.

squidge said:

Greenkat 8x40 binoculars, Anybody know anything about these binoculars.

Thanks,

Ger.

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Squidge, although Greenkat is a common find, the Jb and JE numbers on the hinge of the binocular is the true manufacturer, Greenkat buy their binoculars and have their name silkscreened onto the prism cover.
Some are OK others a poor, I have a 10x50 at home, sitting on the window sill at present.
It looks well built has multi coated optics but is rubbish. It is so bad I did not add it to my web site. But if you look in my link below, you will find a wide 8x40 that is a nice binocular.

Thanks Simon, I have been eyeing your collection with envy

I'll have to wait and see what the manufacturer markings on the greenkat are.

I also have a ross solaross 9x35 on the way. From what I can gather they are a pretty average bin.

The Zuiho arrived and they seem ok. I've given them a bit of a clean up and everything seems in order. I havent had a chance to bring them outside for a look but indoors they are ok. Not bad I suppose for £13 before postage.

Right whats next:eat:

Ger.

Any one have any info on the Tasco model no.110 7x35 ultra-wide, 857 foot at 1000 yards?