Ed
In addressing your specific query, I've gone into greater detail to provide context for others . . .
The SLC HD x42 (an all new design, distinct from previous SLC production) was introduced in 2010, and the cross section is the most recent one for SLC models provided by Swarovski
I’ve also attached an alternate view from that time
In 2013, the new x42 SLC design was simplified in two ways:
- the use of dual texture all over rubber coating
- increasing the minimum focusing distance from 1.9 to 3.2 meters
Otherwise, the designs are identical - including optically (although no longer included in the designation, the 2013 version still has HD glass)
The changes had the effect of providing greater product differentiation between the EL and SLC lines, especially visually and price wise
(it seems that increasing the minimum focusing distance allowed the use of a mechanically simplified focus assembly)
n.b. in contrast, production of the original x56 SLC continued until 2013, when an all new design was introduced with the same style of covering as that of the 2013 x42
I’ve also attached an image from the current SLC catalogue (see:
https://aa.swarovskioptik.com/customer_service?contentid=10007.466400 )
It shows from the front:
2013 x42 SLC (current model, all over two texture rubber coating) EDIT: although the image seems to show 2 different colours, it is all the same colour
2010 x42 SLC HD (all new model, forrest green with blackened exposed metal in bridge area)
2005 x42 SLC neu (mechanically and optically identical to previous models, forrest green with black rubber in bridge area)
1997 x42 SLC upgraded covering (it lacks the ‘shoulders’ of the original covering, also with either green or black covering)
1992 x42 SLC introduced (with either green or black covering)
And while the above describes the obvious hardware changes, there were of course various 'firmware' changes across the period in terms of lens and prism coatings
John
p.s. as near as I can determine, the x42 SLC's were introduced in 1992 with locking diopter adjustment (x30's only had friction 'locking'), and push-pull eyecups. Twist eyecups were introduced in 1997 and could be retrofitted to the earlier production