Show us your "vintage" and classic binos (1 Viewer)

[Binocollector]

Hi guys and gals,
I thought this might be a nice idea for a thread since I mainly "hoard" (not sure one can really call it collecting) old porros (but also a few roofs every now and then) from Japan, some from Germany, lots of old USSR optics.
And I'm guessing many here also have a few old gems they might want to show, talk about them, etc.
I'll start the thread with my latest acquisition. Two binos sold as a pair on German ebay for 50€. I already think this might have been the deal of the year even though it is just February.
It's a 7x35 EWA, JB-22, "Olympia Exclusive" and the other one a Katsuma-made (according to a well-regarded collector on CN) 9x35 wide angle, sold under the name "Zenith Tempest Deluxe". 7.5° FoV, great condition with a buttery smooth focuser. I love that "reverse" configuration of the focuser. Makes the bino easier to hold steady while using the focuser.

 

[murmeltier]

Binoculars used by my father-in-law Pietro Valmadre when he was officer of the alpine corps during the WWII and, later, when he was a partisan in the mountains of Valtellina (with the role of "political commissar") in a brigade of “Giustizia e libertà” (“Justice and Freedom", liberal democrats). He used them well into his 90s. (He died at 101).
On the left prism: San Giorgio Genova-Sestri 6x30 /140°°
On the right prism: R.E. (Regio Esercito - Royal Army)

 

[Binastro]

The large binocular has a forehead rest.

There was an Italian Galileo brand 90mm binocular with triple turret eyepieces at auction, but my friend didn't buy this and bought the broken tripod instead.

Regards,
B.

 

[Thotmosis]

Nice thread BC and how do you like this Peak Design system. A few days ago i bought the Slide Lite, so far i like it.

 

[Jbeagle]

What a great thread, I'll get some pics of my binos, unfortunately I don't think I have any but I will now

 

[beacon hill]

Sorry, it`s the thumbnail image from my you tube channel. Easier than taking a fresh picture.
Got them when I was at school with my weekend farm work.
Was for astronomy rather than birding.
Still get used. No fungus and in perfect collimation

 

[wllmspd]

7x35 Bushnell Rangemaster. Big, ugly, heavy, low eye relief, but lovely wide (11degree) views.

Peter

 

[wllmspd]

Oh, another one, I am not a collector. The wide angle 10degree Tasco 124 7x50. Look at those nose grating eyepiece surrounds. Lovely and wide, but the outer field does get quite fuzzy towards the edges.

Peter

 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

I have a number of 8x30 binoculars. I attach an illustration of a Zeiss 8x30BGATP Dialyt ClassiC, which about 20 years old which by its name is a classic and of a seventy year old Leitz Binuxit. The former is eyeglass friendly.

Stat safe,
Arthur

 

[Alaska4me]

Binoculars used by my father-in-law Pietro Valmadre when he was officer of the alpine corps during the WWII and, later, when he was a partisan in the mountains of Valtellina (with the role of "political commissar") in a brigade of “Giustizia e libertà” (“Justice and Freedom", liberal democrats). He used them well into his 90s. (He died at 101).
On the left prism: San Giorgio Genova-Sestri 6x30 /140°°
On the right prism: R.E. (Regio Esercito - Royal Army)

This is one of the finest posts I have read on this forum @murmeltier, thank you for it.

 

[Paultricounty]

7x35 Bushnell Rangemaster. Big, ugly, heavy, low eye relief, but lovely wide (11degree) views.

Peter

Ugly? That there is a thing of beauty. 😁😂

Paul

 

[wllmspd]

In the eye of the beholder…. Oh an S&S 998, nice too.

Peter

 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

Here is another classic but not terribly old binocular: Leica 8x32BN in a fetching colour, bought in 2003, or so.


Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[Scott98]

Binoculars used by my father-in-law Pietro Valmadre when he was officer of the alpine corps during the WWII and, later, when he was a partisan in the mountains of Valtellina (with the role of "political commissar") in a brigade of “Giustizia e libertà” (“Justice and Freedom", liberal democrats). He used them well into his 90s. (He died at 101).
On the left prism: San Giorgio Genova-Sestri 6x30 /140°°
On the right prism: R.E. (Regio Esercito - Royal Army)

6x30 porros....NOT 8x! Our elders had wisdom. You can't fight fascists with a tiny exit pupil.

Phillipp those two 35mm's for 50 Euros looks like the deal of the century! They look brand new

 

[Paultricounty]

Hello,

Here is another classic but not terribly old binocular: Leica 8x32BN in a fetching colour, bought in 2003, or so.
View attachment 1494909

Stay safe,
Arthur

Not really vintage, but yes definitely classic. And incredible and orange😃.

If we’re going to throw some classics in , here’s a few.

 

[tenex]

I'm not a collector and sadly have no vintage/classics today but will mention my father's that I grew up with and remember fondly, Bausch & Lomb Zephyr 7x35 followed by Zeiss (West) 10x50. I don't think the Zephyr had the kind of wide view Phillip has talked so much about, but it was very good. I liked the Zeiss better but it had so little eye relief my lashes were always smudging the glass. It was in perfect condition (we didn't actually use bins much back then) and I sometimes regret having sold it long ago.

(photos below from unrecorded sources)

 

[Paultricounty]

I'm not a collector and sadly have no vintage/classics today but will mention my father's that I grew up with and remember fondly, Bausch & Lomb Zephyr 7x35 followed by Zeiss (West) 10x50. I don't think the Zephyr had the kind of wide view Phillip has talked so much about, but it was very good. I liked the Zeiss better but it had so little eye relief my lashes were always smudging the glass. It was in perfect condition (we didn't actually use bins much back then) and I sometimes regret having sold it long ago.

(photos below from unrecorded sources)

I’d say that Zephyr is vintage.

 

[Thotmosis]

Some of the oldies i have:
Swift Saratoga 8x40
Swift Audubon 10x50 MC and FMC
Zeiss 8x30 IF Safari

 

[Thotmosis]

The local Zeiss squad

15x60 BGAT
FL 7x42
8x30 B Dialyt aka Safari

 

[Foss]

Here's my entry for the Zeiss Squad. 1930s CZJ Septarem H.