Vintage binoculars (2 Viewers)

[555]

Can't find any info on these binocs I picked up? Anyone?
Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place?

 

[WJC]

Can't find any info on these binocs I picked up? Anyone?
Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place?

You are posting in the right place. That bino with the Nikon name is just rebranded and carries several dozen other names. By the way, what is your definition of "vintage?"

PS Welcome aboard!

 

[555]

Thanks for the reply. I did google up (was either Outdoor Life or Sports Afield) mag from 1990, volume 4 I think.Couldn't get the whole add in the mag but they was offering a free pair of these if you bought somthing.Said they had a $360 value.I picked them up for $75 and they have a bright sharp image.Not exactly vintage, unless your under 30 yo. Interesting that they were branded with several other names.Do you recall any of the others? Thanks

 

[WJC]

Thanks for the reply. I did google up (was either Outdoor Life or Sports Afield) mag from 1990, volume 4 I think.Couldn't get the whole add in the mag but they was offering a free pair of these if you bought somthing.Said they had a $360 value.I picked them up for $75 and they have a bright sharp image.Not exactly vintage, unless your under 30 yo. Interesting that they were branded with several other names.Do you recall any of the others? Thanks

Sorry, no. But… Choose for yourself. In that quality range it’s like musical binoculars! If you have enough money, they can have your name on it too.

See if you can find a JB number on it somewhere. Probably on the lower axle. If you can provide that, I can direct you to the company that actually made it.

 

[555]

I did see these on ebay.They appear to be the same ones, 7x50 6.2 degreeThey're asking $175. Nikon Windjammer

 

[pat mitchel]

I think there was a 7x50 6.2 Owl as well. Pat

 

[555]

The only #s I found was: Nikon 502268 Japan?

 

[lilcrazy2]

The only #s I found was: Nikon 502268 Japan?

These are part of the Nikon Action series of binos. Here is an interesting thread from Henry Link you may find enlightening on the evolution of this series. The 502268 is the serial #. The jb - # if found, is usually stamped on the underside.

Revisiting a Classic Nikon Porro

My first really good binocular was a 7x35 Nikon Action Porro purchased in 1985 for about $80. Unfortunately, my pair is long gone, but I recommended this binocular to many friends at the time. Recently I found that one of them still has hers and, very happily, it’s in nearly mint condition (even...

www.birdforum.net

 

[555]

Here they are again.This time as Nikon Seasider.Still with the Nikon brand

These are part of the Nikon Action series of binos. Here is an interesting thread from Henry Link you may find enlightening on the evolution of this series. The 502268 is the serial #. The jb - # if found, is usually stamped on the underside.

Revisiting a Classic Nikon Porro

My first really good binocular was a 7x35 Nikon Action Porro purchased in 1985 for about $80. Unfortunately, my pair is long gone, but I recommended this binocular to many friends at the time. Recently I found that one of them still has hers and, very happily, it’s in nearly mint condition (even...

www.birdforum.net

Thanks, that is an interesting and infomative thread.At the very end there is a pic of Nikon Owl ll from the same time period with the same specs and look to be the same.The only differance I see is that the " Naturalist" that I have are "always in focus" where as the Owls are not.Don't know how the Auto Focus models compare to the standard focus models?

 

[555]

I like these Nikon bugget friendly binoculars.I slso like my Zeiss 8x42 fl's, I should I paid a lot $$$ for them.

 

[WJC]

"The only differance I see is that the " Naturalist" that I have are "always in focus" where as the Owls are not."

Oh, my dear new friend, it looks like you have just been sucked into probably the biggest fraud in consumer optics. But I'm certain a little reading will help; see attached.

 

[lilcrazy2]

Here they are again.This time as Nikon Seasider.Still with the Nikon brand

Thanks, that is an interesting and infomative thread.At the very end there is a pic of Nikon Owl ll from the same time period with the same specs and look to be the same.The only differance I see is that the " Naturalist" that I have are "always in focus" where as the Owls are not.Don't know how the Auto Focus models compare to the standard focus models?

Stay focus and auto focus are just older marketing terms for what we now refer to as IF (individual focus). The 3 pics of binos you show are pretty much the same IF binos no matter what name they slap on them, with each eyepiece focusing individually. They don't have a diopter adjuster or central focuser, but instead focus each eye piece individually with the right eyepiece becoming the diopter adjuster and focuser rolled into one. Simpler and less parts. These IF binos are generally designed and used for marine, astronomical, and long range hunting uses. They are not much use for birding or general nature observation in most users minds.

 

[Binocollector]

They are not much use for birding or general nature observation in most users minds.

Depends on how good your eyes accomodate. On my Komz 7x30 I can focus on the stars and anything during the day from about 15 meters outwards will be reasonably sharp and really sharp from about 20 meters out with no further adjustment. Or I can focus slightly closer when using them for birding. Let's say I focus on something in 300 meters away it will work even better for things closer to me -- maybe from around 10 meters out. Normally the birds are not as far away as the stars. But that is just my eyes. Ask me again in 10 years (I'm 46 now) from now if I still use ANY IF-focus binos. But right now they are one of my favourite binos. I love the sharpness, flat field, minimal (almost zero) distortion. And with the removable eyecups on the newer model that I have, I see the whole FoV with glasses on. I even used my Fujinon FMTR 7x50 for birding but it is maybe a bit heavy for longer hikes with 1.4 kg.

 

[lilcrazy2]

Depends on how good your eyes accomodate. On my Komz 7x30 I can focus on the stars and anything during the day from about 15 meters outwards will be reasonably sharp and really sharp from about 20 meters out with no further adjustment. Or I can focus slightly closer when using them for birding. Let's say I focus on something in 300 meters away it will work even better for things closer to me -- maybe from around 10 meters out. Normally the birds are not as far away as the stars. But that is just my eyes. Ask me again in 10 years (I'm 46 now) from now if I still use ANY IF-focus binos. But right now they are one of my favourite binos. I love the sharpness, flat field, minimal (almost zero) distortion. And with the removable eyecups on the newer model that I have, I see the whole FoV with glasses on. I even used my Fujinon FMTR 7x50 for birding but it is maybe a bit heavy for longer hikes with 1.4 kg.

You notice I said most - but I didn't say all. I still have some 9x35 IF Leupold Gold Rings and 10x50 Brunton Eternas but don't really have much use for them. Occasionally use the Eterna for the stars, but not much else. I use CF porros pretty much exclusively when using porros, and usually WF 9.3* to 11* 7x35's or 8x30's.

 

[Binocollector]

Wide angle 7x35 or 8x30 are among my favourites. I think I have more 8x30 than any other sizes. I did notice you said "most" ;-). I am one of the "few" I guess but even some of our favourite bino-reviewers like Holger or Roger Vine mention the fact that when being able to accomodate or setting a certain "goldilocks" focus in which most of the action happens (my birding rarely involves distances of more than 300m and less than 10m for example) then an IF bino might work fine. Best is to have a couple ready for use. My wife always complains. I keep a 10x50 and 8x32 on the kitchen window sill, the Komz 7x30 and another 10x50 plus a 10x56 in the living room. "What's with all the black tubes?", my wife asks. "But honey, why collect these things, when I don't use more than one? I might as well just own one. Oh, wait ..."

 

[lilcrazy2]

Wide angle 7x35 or 8x30 are among my favourites. I think I have more 8x30 than any other sizes. I did notice you said "most" ;-). I am one of the "few" I guess but even some of our favourite bino-reviewers like Holger or Roger Vine mention the fact that when being able to accomodate or setting a certain "goldilocks" focus in which most of the action happens (my birding rarely involves distances of more than 300m and less than 10m for example) then an IF bino might work fine. Best is to have a couple ready for use. My wife always complains. I keep a 10x50 and 8x32 on the kitchen window sill, the Komz 7x30 and another 10x50 plus a 10x56 in the living room. "What's with all the black tubes?", my wife asks. "But honey, why collect these things, when I don't use more than one? I migh as well just own one. Oh, wait ..."

I know the feeling. When 10 seems enough then after a while 20 doesn't seem too many, and then when 20 seems enough 30 or 40 doesn't like too many after a while. Absolute madness this addiction.

 

[lilcrazy2]

I know you like your WF porros. You should keep your eye out for a used Bausch & Lomb Legacy 7x35 11* MIJ

 

[555]

"The only differance I see is that the " Naturalist" that I have are "always in focus" where as the Owls are not."

Oh, my dear new friend, it looks like you have just been sucked into probably the biggest fraud in consumer optics. But I'm certain a little reading will help; see attached.

Interesting read.Wouldn't say I was sucked into buying these binos do to any auto focus hype.I picked these up at a consignment shop with no info at all on them.I was drawn to them due to the bright sharp image and the solid smooth feel of the moving parts.I will put them to good use.

 

[WJC]

Interesting read.Wouldn't say I was sucked into buying these binos do to any auto focus hype.I picked these up at a consignment shop with no info at all on them.I was drawn to them due to the bright sharp image and the solid smooth feel of the moving parts.I will put them to good use.

That is good! Just, please, don't equate performance or user satisfaction with auto-focus ... anything.

"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. Ignorance may deride it. But, in the end ... there it is." — Winston Churchill

 

[Binocollector]

I know you like your WF porros. You should keep your eye out for a used Bausch & Lomb Legacy 7x35 11* MIJ

I have an alarm set on ebay for any 7x35 that pops up . Unfortunately Bausch and Lomb are rarely offered on German eBay. And buying in the US involves insane shipping costs + 19% taxes .