Nikon 8x32 SE Chinese Clone (1 Viewer)

[brocknroller]

I was hoping that Nikon would resurrect the discontinued 8x32 SE to celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2017, but that never happened. Nikon did make a 100th Anniversary Edition 8x30 E2, which is both superb to look through and look at. Well done!

My hopes for a new SE were dashed until I saw an announcement on Cloudy Nights by LA Pat (Surveyor) about a new 8x32 SE Chinese clone. It has twist-up eyecups, ED glass, a larger central focuser, but otherwise looks a lot like the original Nikon SE. Unlike the original, it weighs as much as my 8x42 EDG—28 oz.

Can Kunming Yunnan, Oberwerk’s Chinese partner, actually produce optics that match the legendary Nikon SE for only $249? If so, then I’m going to believe in Santa Claus again.

Here’s the new 8x32 SE (Special Edition, not Superior E):

8×32 SE - Oberwerk

Brock

 

[Binastro]

Hi Brock,

See thread below Oberwerk SE 8x32.

Regards,
B.

 

[brocknroller]

Hi Brock,

See thread below Oberwerk SE 8x32.

Regards,
B.

Thanks, I didn't see a forum for Obie or a thread under "Other," but I found the "loose thread."

 

[edwincjones]

looks interesting,
but 1.75# or 28 oz?
heavy for 32mm-if accurate

edj

 

[[email protected]]

I wonder why the Oberwerk is so heavy! Aluminum instead of Magnesium like in the SE or a lot of armor.

 

[Binastro]

From the photos it looks like an 8x40 with stopped down objectives.

If this is so the performance may be good, but at the cost of weight.

It will be interesting to see if the proposed 10x42 is similarly perhaps a stopped down 10x50.

Regards,
B.

 

[pat mitchel]

According to the reviewer (Fiske), the initail daylight views were very encouraging regarding the lack of chroma. A slight amount with a slow dropoff in edge definition from a broad sweespot. Results encouraging if not necessarily Nikon SE class. Pat

 

[brocknroller]

For $249, I'm not expecting the OB SE have as high quality optics as the SE, but the fact that Kevin is trying to recreate a porro classic, makes this devotee of Ignazio Porro pleased