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

[mwhogue]

Hensoldt Diagon 10X50 almost 7 degrees FOV and clean as gin, however the leatherette is brittle and will need replacement. Focus is counterclockwise to infinity.
View attachment 1507647

Andy,

I can't tell about the condition of the leatherette on the bins but depending, you might try a leather care cleaning product called Bick 4. Works great on all smooth leathers and does not darken the finish. To my surprise I carefully tried it on some older leatherette bins and it cleaned and brightened up the armor. Also very good for conditioning, preserving and softening leather cases and straps. No affiliation.

Mike

 

[dries1]

Thanks for the tip Mike, but the leatherette is brittle to touch, these older Hensoldt models never had the best leatherette as compared to Zeiss Jena or the older Nikons.

 

[Thotmosis]

The latest member of my collection arrived today. It screems quality and the view is awesome.

 

[William Lewis]

An excellent addition, I think a complete collection photos in order!

Will

 

[Paultricounty]

An excellent addition, I think a complete collection photos in order!

Will

I second that! 😀

 

[Paultricounty]

The latest member of my collection arrived today. It screems quality and the view is awesome.


View attachment 1507681

Interesting that some of these older ones say MIP and others MIP.

 

[Thotmosis]

Interesting that some of these older ones say MIP and others MIP.

The Godfathers of Birdforum said the production was transferred from Germany to Portugal in 1974 or so

Post in thread 'LEITZ’S TRINOVIDS - Models and Numbering'
LEITZ’S TRINOVIDS - Models and Numbering

 

[Thotmosis]

Some members asked for more pictures so how could I refuse…these are the pictures from the seller.
In real life the binoculars are more beautiful i think.

 

[Paultricounty]

Some members asked for more pictures so how could I refuse…these are the pictures from the seller.
In real life the binoculars are more beautiful i think.View attachment 1507686View attachment 1507687View attachment 1507688View attachment 1507689View attachment 1507690View attachment 1507692View attachment 1507695View attachment 1507693

A thing of beauty there 🙏🏼

 

[42za]

Ok , here is my Plano 7 x 35 , a really nice Japanese vintage binocular (made by JB191 / JE17).
This binocular is in regular use , and is a pleasure to use.

 

[tenex]

The latest member of my collection arrived today. It screems quality and the view is awesome.

I'm sure someone has explained why these old Trinovids have a red dot on the diopter wheel and the left(!) eyepiece but I can't remember.

 

[Thotmosis]

I'm sure someone has explained why these old Trinovids have a red dot on the diopter wheel and the left(!) eyepiece but I can't remember.

So you know for which tube the diopter setting wheel is. So in this case for the left tube.

 

[Paultricounty]

My Swift Holiday MKII 7x35 11.4° , newer version J-B56. Such incredible views in these binoculars. If I would’ve tried a few of these high end vintage wide fields years ago, I would’ve saved thousand of dollars by not buying some of the new modern roofs that are in my collection, and don’t get much use anymore. Some of us get very spoiled with glass. Some of the high end excellent porros from 50-60+ years ago have a better more pleasing image than much of the good (upper mid level) roofs of today, at least under good sunny bright conditions. Of course when the light goes down that is when the new glass shines 🌥

Paul

 

[Binocollector]

Very nice! I got a very similar model, also J-B56. Does yours have BaK4 prisms? Mine has BK7.

 

[Paultricounty]

Very nice! I got a very similar model, also J-B56. Does yours have BaK4 prisms? Mine has BK7.

Very nice! I got a very similar model, also J-B56. Does yours have BaK4 prisms? Mine has BK7.
View attachment 1507826View attachment 1507827View attachment 1507828

Nice!
All these MKII holidays are BaK4.

 

[Paultricounty]

Phillip

these are BK7, but must be good Bk7 because the center image is right up there with the Holidays. It’s the edges where things get spooky on the Bk7’s.

 

[Binocollector]

Thanks . True, I never had an issue with BK7 really. Some of my best old porros have it. And I only notice the darker edges on models with longer eyecups. When my eyeballs are close enough -- as they often have to be anyway on those old super-wides -- I don't see the darker edges anymore.

 

[Paultricounty]

Thanks . True, I never had an issue with BK7 really. Some of my best old porros have it. And I only notice the darker edges on models with longer eyecups. When my eyeballs are close enough -- as they often have to be anyway on those old super-wides -- I don't see the darker edges anymore.

I don’t know, but I think some of those old Bk7 is better than a lot of new BaK4 today. Where is Bill Cook when you need him 😛.

 

[Thotmosis]

I'm sure someone has explained why these old Trinovids have a red dot on the diopter wheel and the left(!) eyepiece but I can't remember.

I have made a mistake. When cleaning i put the wrong ring (with the red dot) on the wrong tube. Just found out today ☺️

So the red dot should be on the right tube. Then it’s allright haha

 

[Patudo]

Some members asked for more pictures so how could I refuse…these are the pictures from the seller.
In real life the binoculars are more beautiful i think.

Jeez. No idea what they are like to look through, but they certainly are wonderful to look at. Elegant even in (or should that be especially in)_this day and age. Amazing how that styling has stood the test of time so well.