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  1. A

    The enduring allure of the 7x50 Porro

  2. A

    The enduring allure of the 7x50 Porro

    Very well said, John. Point well taken. I must agree it is very difficult to sort out real vs perceived differences, since binocular viewing is necessarily subjective. This discussion reminds me of discussions among audiophiles, who also struggle to separate real vs perceived differences.
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    The enduring allure of the 7x50 Porro

    Thank you for asking. What I was attempting to say, however inelegantly, is simply this: What we perceive as depth of focus will be influenced by actual measurable differences between the various binoculars in question, as well as the object being viewed, and in spite of our unfortunate reliance...
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    The enduring allure of the 7x50 Porro

    This explanation seems to fall short. It assumes that there is only a single variable - magnification. This discussion, as I read it, attempts to explore (albeit subjectively), observed differences among instruments of equal magnification. If, to a single observers eyes, there appear to be...
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    The enduring allure of the 7x50 Porro

    Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the binoculars which are perceived as producing the greatest depth of field, also produce the flattest field of focus. This is because depth of field and flatness of field are easily conflated. Both the Fujinon 7x50 FTM-SX, and the Nikon 7x50 Prostar...
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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    I found this, and thought it might be worth sharing: “Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd NATIONALITY: Japanese Part of Fuijifilm Global; created through the takeover of Enomoto Kogaku Seiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd (circa 1944); currently known as Fujinon Corporation.” Enomoto Kogaku Seiki Manufacturing...
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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    Thank you, Bill. I don’t think I asked my question as well as I might have. Not only did Fuji (NOT Fujinon!) use 2 different size prisms, but the larger of the two prisms is asymmetrical. The hypotenuse side is wider on one side, narrower on the other. This asymmetry in a single prism is...
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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    Very much appreciated, Bill. So, these were manufactured by Fuji Sbashin Koki Co. Ltd (JB-8) which I now know IS NOT in any away affiliated with Fujinon (a brand name used by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd, now known as Fujifilm). I greatly appreciate your pointing that out. I wish I could go back and...
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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    Hi, Bill. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on this topic. It has been my understanding that Swift contracted Fujinon to design and assemble the optics in this, and several other binoculars (as did Bushnell, most famously with the RangeMaster). It has been my understanding that the...
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    one of the most beautiful binoculars in history

    I understand this is an old thread, but I only recently acquired a Sears 6287-A (Jb56). I’m unable to accurately quantify it’s field of view, but it is noticeably wider than even my “Neiman Marcus“ brand “Extra Wide Angle 13 degree” (claimed) jb146 binocular. The 6287-A incorporated a lens...
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    Found a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718

    I happened upon a Swift Vulcan 7x35 Model 718 (FOV=525 feet) made by Fujinon, presumably in the late 1960’s. I know there aren’t many of these floating around, so I thought I might provide some first hand observations. FanTao called them a “Little Jem”, and I can see why. While not quite as wide...
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    Vintage Binoculars

    Hi, Brad. You may find some helpful clues here: https://www.birdforum.net/showrthread.php?t=189055&referrerid=31246
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    Need Help With B&L Discoverer Porro 10x50

    Problem solved. It unscrews, but requires a bit more torque than I expected. The screw head is covered by the decorative emblem, so I resorted to unscrewing the entire cap/emblem/screw assembly.
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    Need Help With B&L Discoverer Porro 10x50

    I was hoping someone might assist me in snugging down the ocular arms on a Bausch and Lomb Discoverer 10x50 Porro binocular. Before making this simple adjustment, I wanted to confirm that the embossed decorative cap between the oculars unscrews (as opposed to being pried off like a bottle cap)...
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    Vintage Binoculars

    I have a Hartmann 8x30 Porlerim Weitwinkel (Essentially, Wide Angle). Mine is badly fogged, so it will be visiting Mr. Suddarth sometime soon. It is my understanding that the Bernina is a newer model, with lens coatings. I don’t know whether the glass or construction was changed, but the...
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    Vintage Binoculars

    As I write this, there is an FPO 7x35 Bushnell RangeMaster on an auction site with a buy-it-now price of $1995. This binocular is in pretty rough shape, and has at least one cracked prism. I recently purchased a 7x35 Kowa Prominar, manufactured at about the same time (pre “jb” codes... perhaps...
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    Bushnell's bino-foto 7x50 - remarkable view

    I’m resurrecting this thread for 2 reasons. One is to thank John for his review in 2010. After reading it, I was emboldened to buy a pair of Bino-Foto binoculars I recently came across. I own a Fujinon 7x50 Polaris, so that is the standard against which I compared the Bushnell’s, once they...
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    BUSHNELL SPORTVIEW 7x35

    My particular pair is marked “BOL” on the end cap, and J-B207 on the frame. Serial number is FR19063. I also dislike the newer rocker focus, so these appealed to me as they have a focus wheel. I agree with James, the 10 degree FOV claim seems optimistic.
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    BUSHNELL SPORTVIEW 7x35

    I recently bought a well preserved pair - didn’t even require internal cleaning or collimation! They are optically excellent. Very sharp in the center, but with greater than average field curvature. The single coatings are well applied and effective. Colors are rendered surprisingly vivid and...
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    Habicht: 8x30 or 10x40?

    I think one of the reasons Swarovski's Porros receive such mixed reviews is that they were made over such a long period of time, during which Swarovski made significant improvements in their coatings. Both the Habicht SL and Traditional really came into their own (optically at least) when the...
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    Nikon SE 505 v 550 - The girlfriend test.

    Thank you, Ed. I appreciate your kind words. I was not aware of your professional background, but this certainly helps explain the quality and thoroughness of your history of the Swift 804.
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    SLC New Focusing Mechanism

    Hi, James. With your obvious passion and knowledge, you sound like a perfect candidate to take up macro photography. As a lifelong photographer myself, I just wondered whether you have ever considered this?
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    SLC New Focusing Mechanism

    Obviously, this is a very personal matter. For me 3 to 3.5 meters has always felt like a satisfactory close focus distance, since I'm rarely closer than that to an uncaged bird. Roofs accomodate close focusing better than do porros, since the objective lenses are closer together, but I consider...
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    New Swarovski 15x56 SLC

    Hi, Chosun. Great information, thank you. I assumed A-K prisms were always superior to S-P prisms, at least in terms of optical quality, due to their total internal reflection. I didn't factor in their odd shape, which I guess would limit the area of the light transmitting face of the prism in...
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    SLC vs EL?

    It is interesting and a bit puzzling how Swarovski has positioned the El and SLC. In a sense, they are co-alpha binoculars with different design philosophies. The EL was developed with field flatness a primary consideration, while the SLC produces a less flat FOV in what Swarovski hints may be a...
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