Vintage and Classic Binoculars (2 Viewers)

[42za]

Hello ,
Here is another oldish one that I have.

This binocular is in almost pristine external condition , but has some cloudiness in the eye-pieces , I am still deciding if I should attend to this or not LOL.

Has anyone ever heard of this brand ?.

[url=https://postimg.cc/Y4GgP8bz][/URL]

[url=https://postimg.cc/p9w8M8Sb][/URL]

[url=https://postimg.cc/rDp51q4b][/URL]

 

[Binastro]

Very good condition.
Maybe a local name to your area. I haven't seen this name before.
Standard Japanese 8x30 , 3 element eyepieces maybe, although I cannot see any coatings.
Only worth £25 or so, should be cleaned before fungus develops, but not cost effective unless local repairs are low cost.

Regards,
B.

 

[42za]

Hello All,

Another delightful "oldie" , a Nikon Venturer II 8 x 23 reverse porro.
It is in very good condition and still gives excellent views despite its age.
Thanks for looking.

[url=https://postimg.cc/sBQYG4tL][/URL]

[url=https://postimg.cc/Ln23Qf1q][/URL]

[url=https://postimg.cc/VdgBx6qK][/URL]

 

[Binastro]

I think that this Nikon has a good reputation and is well known.

B.

 

[Brad_mustafa]

Ernst Abbe Jena Binoculars

Good morning everyone,

I recently obtained binoculars and was looking for some help on potentially identifying the age of them. They are labeled at “Ernst Abbe” with “Jena” underneath Ernst Abbe. On the other side shows the magnification “P8x30.” Also shows the serial number “2619695.” From the little research I did I was able to find that Ernst Abbe was born 23 January 1840 and was a physicist. Also Abbe was a professor at the University of Jena.

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Bradmustafa, post 345,
Dr. Ernst Abbe was scientific director and of THE most influencial optical designers of the Zeiss company in the 19th century both for microscopy as well as for binocular-telescope designs. In my opinion he would be a candidate for a Nobel prize, but he died before they came into being.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[starbritemoonlight]

Soviet and Russian leather is not always good.
The Foton binoculars that I have still smell very badly maybe from the curing of the leather or the glue even though I've had them perhaps 14 years from new. If it wasn't for this I would use them a lot more.

And some Chinese camera cases smell appallingly. How on earth anybody could use them I don't know. I just chucked the cases in the bin, although the cameras still smell a bit from being in the cases.

In Russia and China, the leather is frequently made out of animals other than cows. I'll spare you the discussion on the sources because it will turn your stomach. In Russia, it isn't nearly as bad as China. In China, they will literally use anything they can find. I will not own anything leather from China. I will take my chances with Russian leather though.

 

[Binastro]

Wuhan bats?

Regards,
B.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Brad (post #345),

For some information on the great Ernst Abbe, see an official Zeiss history
It was originally in a 2005 edition of the Zeiss publication Innovation, marking 100 years since Abbe's death


John

 

[Foss]

In Russia and China, the leather is frequently made out of animals other than cows. I'll spare you the discussion on the sources because it will turn your stomach. In Russia, it isn't nearly as bad as China. In China, they will literally use anything they can find. I will not own anything leather from China. I will take my chances with Russian leather though.

The smelliest pair I own is an ancient Huet 8x30 (IF w/ reticle) in it's military metal case. One of these days when I get the time, I'll put a clothespin on my nose and see if I can discover the exact source and hopefully do something about it. Until then, they remain sealed.

 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

My binocular with the worst smell was a US Army 6x30. It reeked of tobacco. I wonder if soldiers had used the case, a rubberized case, as a receptacle for cigarette butts or as they say in the US Nav, " butt kit." It did eventually air out.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[jring]

My binocular with the worst smell was a US Army 6x30. It reeked of tobacco. I wonder if soldiers had used the case, a rubberized case, as a receptacle for cigarette butts or as they say in the US Nav, " butt kit." It did eventually air out.

Hi,

never have smoked, but extrapolating from my comrades during my military services who did (and tossed the butts), I would expect that they kept their tobacco or cigarettes in there to keep them dry...

Joachim

 

[willisoften]

I have a pair of Komz 8x30 I bought from the Salvation Army. The bins are fine, but the case is in the garage, it smelt of bad meat when acquired and still smells unsavoury (mouldy) now. Possibly after 20 something years it should be discarded.

 

[jring]

I have a pair of Komz 8x30 I bought from the Salvation Army. The bins are fine, but the case is in the garage, it smelt of bad meat when acquired and still smells unsavoury (mouldy) now. Possibly after 20 something years it should be discarded.

Hi,

maybe clean thoroughly with saddle soap (assuming it is leather) and then lots of fresh air to dry?

Joachim

 

[willisoften]

Hi,

maybe clean thoroughly with saddle soap (assuming it is leather) and then lots of fresh air to dry?

Joachim

A good idea, I've ordered a kilo of saddle soap, I have a couple of tired Zeiss, Zeiss Jena cases, as well. It won't be wasted, perhaps I'll clean my old music case as well. A little job for the remainder of lockdown. A dose of solar radiation to kill mould spores would be good too. Unfortunately just at the moment solar radiation is in short supply.

Will

 

[johnbaz]

A couple of my older ones..

Scope Over-Field 9x35..

Jena 8x30..

Steinheil 8x40

Swallow 15x80

Super Tecnar 12x50

Komz 8x30

And 7x50

Swift Ascot 8x30

Omiya 10x50

Yashica 8x40

Swift Trilyte 8x40

Citation 8x30

John 👍

 

[Binastro]

Hi John,

Nice selection.

What is the exit pupil size on the Swallow 15x80 CF binocular?
Any idea of the field size also?

Castor to Pollux in Gemini are almost exactly 4.5 degrees apart.

Regards,
B.

 

[johnbaz]

Hi John,

Nice selection.

What is the exit pupil size on the Swallow 15x80 CF binocular?
Any idea of the field size also?

Castor to Pollux in Gemini are almost exactly 4.5 degrees apart.

Regards,
B.

Hi Binsatro

Sorry, I don't know the exit pupil size but the fov is just 3.5°

EDIT, I looked up how to work out how to find the exit pupil, Apparently it's just the objective lens divided by the mag so it's 5.33mm!!


John 🙂

 

[Binastro]

Hi John,

Is the exit pupil at the back of the eyepiece smaller than 5.3mm, i.e is the binocular vignetted inside?

Is the exit pupil round or cut off by the prisms?

I am just trying to find out whether the working aperture is less than 80mm.

A high quality 8x42 binocular probably has 5.25mm round exit pupils.
A comparison side by side with the 15x80 would show any difference.

Regards,
B.

 

[johnbaz]

Hi John,

Is the exit pupil at the back of the eyepiece smaller than 5.3mm, i.e is the binocular vignetted inside?

Is the exit pupil round or cut off by the prisms?

I am just trying to find out whether the working aperture is less than 80mm.

A high quality 8x42 binocular probably has 5.25mm round exit pupils.
A comparison side by side with the 15x80 would show any difference.

Regards,
B.

Hi B

I just had a look, They look a similar size to my Nikon Monarchs but I can make out a squared shape with corners up and down within a round shape!

I'm wondering if I could catch it with my camera


John 🙂