John A Roberts
Well-known member
Yesterday SUGS listed an SE 8x32 for sale, see the images at: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/nikon-8x32-se-cf.420403/
It prompted me to look at the information that I’d previously collected on SE numbering, which may be of interest to some.
(Corresponding information about Nikon’s other premium Porro EII and E lines is at: EII - Increased Brightness following on from 100th Anniversary Edition )
Overview
The SE was introduced in 1998 and last listed in 2013 [see the correction in post #3 below]. See a photo of an 8x32 from Tobias Mennle’s review (below).
Compared to Nikon's other leatherette covered premium Porro offerings, the SE is immediately recognisable by it's RA covering.
Optically, it differs from the EII series in having longer eye relief combined with a flat field image, see the specifications compared to those of the EII.
Tobias has reviewed the 8x32: greatestbinoculars: Nikon 8x32 SE binoculars review
Roger Vine has reviewed the 10x42: Nikon 10x42 SE CF Review
And also the 12x50: Nikon 12x50 SE CF Review
For some reviews from when the SE was in production, see those of Steven Ingraham and Kimmo Absetz at: Early Reviews SE and EII Porro Binoculars
And back in 2005 Henry conducted some interesting technical comparisons of the optics of the SE 8x32 and the EII 8x30: Review: 8x30 EII, 8x30 E, 8x32 SE
Numbering & Production
In relation to what I've observed, each of the three models had two number series (and observed ranges):
a) 8x32
• 500k (500,238 to 505,762)
• 550k (550,069 to 550,999)
b) 10x42
• 002k (002,220 to 008,655)
• 050k (050,157 to 050,604)
c) 12x50
• 300k (300,027 to 300,681)
• 350k (350,259 to 350,433)
So all were three produced in relatively small numbers, with the specialised 12x50 being by far the least popular.
John
It prompted me to look at the information that I’d previously collected on SE numbering, which may be of interest to some.
(Corresponding information about Nikon’s other premium Porro EII and E lines is at: EII - Increased Brightness following on from 100th Anniversary Edition )
Overview
The SE was introduced in 1998 and last listed in 2013 [see the correction in post #3 below]. See a photo of an 8x32 from Tobias Mennle’s review (below).
Compared to Nikon's other leatherette covered premium Porro offerings, the SE is immediately recognisable by it's RA covering.
Optically, it differs from the EII series in having longer eye relief combined with a flat field image, see the specifications compared to those of the EII.
Tobias has reviewed the 8x32: greatestbinoculars: Nikon 8x32 SE binoculars review
Roger Vine has reviewed the 10x42: Nikon 10x42 SE CF Review
And also the 12x50: Nikon 12x50 SE CF Review
For some reviews from when the SE was in production, see those of Steven Ingraham and Kimmo Absetz at: Early Reviews SE and EII Porro Binoculars
And back in 2005 Henry conducted some interesting technical comparisons of the optics of the SE 8x32 and the EII 8x30: Review: 8x30 EII, 8x30 E, 8x32 SE
Numbering & Production
In relation to what I've observed, each of the three models had two number series (and observed ranges):
a) 8x32
• 500k (500,238 to 505,762)
• 550k (550,069 to 550,999)
b) 10x42
• 002k (002,220 to 008,655)
• 050k (050,157 to 050,604)
c) 12x50
• 300k (300,027 to 300,681)
• 350k (350,259 to 350,433)
So all were three produced in relatively small numbers, with the specialised 12x50 being by far the least popular.
John
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