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Kern 1988 8X30 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dries1
- Start date
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello Andy,
Are you writing of the black traditionally looking binocular? It looks like this binocular.
Or are you writing of the later model which looked like this binocular?
I have a Kern 8x30 Swiss military binocular made in 1971. Mine has single coating; your later unit may have multi-coating. Mine is a solid binocular with very good optics. As an IF binocular it is not ideal for bird watching but it is well suited to orienteering, some star gazing and hiking. I like the reticle which could be useful for hikers and hunters.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:
Last edited:
dries1
Member
Arthur,
I have the latter, single hinge, 1988 model without laser filters, with reticle and it is a great glass, very compact wide field of view (8 degrees) and waterproof. The only drawback was that it was bad with ghosting if viewing a light source at night, otherwise a great daytime bino for general observation. I always looked for your model in a 1980 date, I know the glass is very good even for single coating. I now have an EII my newest 8X30 porro which I cannot be more pleased with.
Regards,
Andy W.
I have the latter, single hinge, 1988 model without laser filters, with reticle and it is a great glass, very compact wide field of view (8 degrees) and waterproof. The only drawback was that it was bad with ghosting if viewing a light source at night, otherwise a great daytime bino for general observation. I always looked for your model in a 1980 date, I know the glass is very good even for single coating. I now have an EII my newest 8X30 porro which I cannot be more pleased with.
Regards,
Andy W.
Hans Weigum
Well-known member
https://www.kern-aarau.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Aldo/Wehrtechnik/Armeefeldstecher_8x30_e.pdf
Notable with the Kern/Leica 8x30 besides its single hinge design and the particular collimation procedure linked to it, is the fact that despite its wide angle of vision, the eyepiece consists of only three lenses.
HW
Notable with the Kern/Leica 8x30 besides its single hinge design and the particular collimation procedure linked to it, is the fact that despite its wide angle of vision, the eyepiece consists of only three lenses.
HW
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Andy, post 6,
If I am well informed Leica-Kern has two types: one with laser filter (red plate on top of the hinge) and one without (blue plate on top of the hinge), but Hans Weigum undoubtedly knows more.
Gijs van Ginkel
If I am well informed Leica-Kern has two types: one with laser filter (red plate on top of the hinge) and one without (blue plate on top of the hinge), but Hans Weigum undoubtedly knows more.
Gijs van Ginkel
The blue plated ones are those WITH laser filter; the earlier versions have the name Kern printed on them, the later ones Leica (first pic)
I am not aware of any red plated ones.
Kern (Hans knows that too) also produced a very small number of a central focus edition of the same bino without laser filter nor reticle (second pic).
Attachments
Hans Weigum
Well-known member
more about these Kern/Leicas:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=162961&page=9
IF Versions have a greyish anodized finish (Ematal), CF-Version have glossy black paint on the body, beneath the rubber sleeve.
https://www.festo-cvt.com/files/en.surfacetreatment.pdf
HW
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Canip and Hans,
The photographs with the blue sign I know, the one with the grey anodised finish also, but I have one with red inscriptions. How does that fit into the picture?
A number of years ago I found in a camera binocular store in Scuol a Kern civilian8x30 with central focus, very nice instrument with large field of view, I like it better than the Nikon E II and the FOV of both is comparable.
Gijs van Ginkel
The photographs with the blue sign I know, the one with the grey anodised finish also, but I have one with red inscriptions. How does that fit into the picture?
A number of years ago I found in a camera binocular store in Scuol a Kern civilian8x30 with central focus, very nice instrument with large field of view, I like it better than the Nikon E II and the FOV of both is comparable.
Gijs van Ginkel
dries1
Member
I have never seen the central focus model, no doubt a rare one, it probably would have been sold to many birders in Europe. I find it even today a great 8X30, small and portable, a wide field of view, weather resistant not sure if it is water proof, it probably is to an extent since it was used for the Military. The view is crystal clear with real color rendition. It has a longer focus turn compared to the Hensoldt Fero D-16 8X30 which is short and quick with a narrow field of view. If more folks on the US had a chance to see these, I am sure many would have procured one. A sure keeper for me.
Regards,
Andy W.
Regards,
Andy W.
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Canip, post 9,
I will try to supply some pictures soon.
Gijs van Ginkel
I will try to supply some pictures soon.
Gijs van Ginkel
dries1
Member
Canip,
It is a full degree, only 7 degrees as compared with 8 for the Kern. The sharpness /resolution in the Zeiss is better though IMO with a faster focus. The Hensoldt is a later glass, so it likely has improved lens coatings. If it did not have laser filters the view would be much better.
Andy W.
It is a full degree, only 7 degrees as compared with 8 for the Kern. The sharpness /resolution in the Zeiss is better though IMO with a faster focus. The Hensoldt is a later glass, so it likely has improved lens coatings. If it did not have laser filters the view would be much better.
Andy W.
Hi,
yes, civilian Kern bins are not very frequent outside of switzerland and modern examples are quite a rarity (and I'm not sure if they are not just demo units).
Not sure if Holgers review of the Kern and the Fero D16 has been mentioned... this has all the data...
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/kern8x30.html
Joachim
yes, civilian Kern bins are not very frequent outside of switzerland and modern examples are quite a rarity (and I'm not sure if they are not just demo units).
Not sure if Holgers review of the Kern and the Fero D16 has been mentioned... this has all the data...
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/kern8x30.html
Joachim
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Canip, post 9,
Here my attempt to post some pictures: a front view and one looking downwards on the eyepieces.
Here my attempt to post some pictures: a front view and one looking downwards on the eyepieces.
