History of SP Di-electric prism coatings. (1 Viewer)

The question about the history of the development of prism coatings
has been mentioned recently, and so it seems good to have a go at when some of the various binocular mfrs. introduced them.

The roof binoculars that have Schmidt-Pechan prisms have coatings that
have may have coatings that are of: aluminum, silver and di-electric.

I have found that Swarovski was the first with di-electric prism coatings
with Swarobright in the EL in 1999.

Leica maybe in 2007 with the Ultravid Hi-lux coatings.

Nikon in 2008 with the Nikon EDG.

As far as Zeiss, not sure. The AK prisms in the larger FL binoculars
do not have the same type. The smaller 8x32 FL may be included.

Jerry

The first Zeiss were the 8/10x32 FLs in 2004. Abbe-Konig prisms don't need mirror coating.

henry link said:

The first Zeiss were the 8/10x32 FLs in 2004. Abbe-Konig prisms don't need mirror coating.

Click to expand...

Henry:

The Zeiss 42mm and larger FL models have AK prisms and do not need mirror coatings.

The Zeiss 32mm versions have a SP prism design, and that was the
question, if they have di-electric coatings, and when they acquired them.
With a little search, I see Kimmo tested the 8x32 FL in early 2005, so
that helps with the dating. Allbinos, also has a nice optical diagram of
construction.

Jerry

We were using Di-Electric coating in the mid to late 1990's for astronomy on star diagonals.

Mike