Baker Standard (1 Viewer)

[Knighton]

Hello,

My first post.

Does anyone know of a binocular company called Baker Standard? I am interested in a pair of Baker Standard Teleview 20x60 ZCF but I am unable to find ANY information about this company or this specific binocular. Even the lady has no clue.

I have attached photos.

Thanks,
Knighton

 

[jan van daalen]

Hello,

My first post.

Does anyone know of a binocular company called Baker Standard? I am interested in a pair of Baker Standard Teleview 20x60 ZCF but I am unable to find ANY information about this company or this specific binocular. Even the lady has no clue.

I have attached photos.

Thanks,
Knighton

Hi Knighton,

Welcome to BF.

It is not so difficult. Z only means Porro. CF is Central Focus. The 'brand' Baker etc is printed on the prism plate and probably you will find on the bridge a code like JB12. This code represents the manufacturer. That is not Baker. Baker is just a so-called 'brandname' invented by the end seller.
If you would go to a commercial fair like the ShotShow in Vegas or the IWA in Germany you meet the manufacturers. If you like a certain model and order volume you will be given the choice of leather or rubber housing with your print on it.
Suddenly the Baker is called Knighton.
If you (the Knighton brand) put a lot of effort in social media that name will pop up everywhere.
This Baker model is from the 60s-70s, so no Internet in those days.

Jan

 

[Knighton]

Hi Jan,

Thank you for the information. Very helpful..

Is this a quality optic and by quality, does it compare to the quality level of a Bell & Howell from the 60s-70s? I have such an optic, and 8X40 and this quality level is suitable for me.

Or is this a poor quality optic, truly not worth my time or money? I am not looking for a Zeiss or Steiner quality level but put towards very amateur star gazing use.

Would a Siam Cat 20x50 be a better choice?

 

[Binastro]

It does not seem to be a rebadged Soviet 20x60, which had a wider field and the quality dropped after the break up of the Soviet system.
These vary from adequate to very good.

It is likely a Japanese binocular and the quality may be quite good, but I would check that it is in collimation and has no internal fungus or moisture.

A Siam Cat 20x50 would probably be a worse choice.
Again an invented name, but the 20x50s had less eye relief and although they could be good for faint stars they are difficult to hold steady for terrestrial viewing.

Both the 20x50 and 20x60 would be best on a tripod using an adapter that wraps around the axle.

Opticron sell various adapters.

There is the Chinese Pentax 20x60.
Both mine are poor quality although some seem to have good samples.
The field is very small at about 2.2 degrees.

If you carefully inspect the 20x60 with a torch and check collimation it could be quite good.
It should also be rather low price.

It seems to have had little use and is cosmetically good.

If you wear glasses with binoculars, check there is sufficient eye relief.
If you don't wear glasses there should be no problem, although looking upwards may need more eye relief.

Regards,
B.

 

[Maljunulo]

A 2.2° field would be nice for the Pleiades.