Age of Nippon kogaku binoculars (1 Viewer)

[John knowlittle]

Hi there

Was wondering if any Nikon experts, could tell me when, on the early A series binoculars
the markings on right hand prism plate, changed from pat pend to J- pat.

Only joined the forum ealier today, so can't yet post pics of the binos in question.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi John,

After WWII, Nikon recommenced commercial binocular production in 1945

The initial production was marked:
- Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (on the LH prism plate), and mainly
- Mikron (on the RH prism plate) - with some alternatively marked Novar, Orion or Tropical (and some small theatre glasses marked Spica or Cappella)


Nikon’s A series commenced in 1959 and continued until 1978 (when the E series was introduced)
I presume that A indicated aluminium (?) but I’ve not seen any explanation for the designation
The A series is distinguishable from the Mikrons by a number of physical details, but as they have different eyepieces, the different eye lens areas are definitive
see the images of an 8x30 Mikron and an 8x30 A


The A series models were: 7x35, 8x30 and 9x35, with the 12x40 from 1976; and all were centre focus; and all single coated
(and although the 7x50 introduced in 1957 was not officially part of the A series, it had the same characteristics and quality)
These were of course Nikon’s premium binoculars


The markings run as follows:
A) 1959 - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and Pat Pend (RH prism plate) *

B) Nov 1959 - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and J.Pat. and ‘J-B7’ (RH prism plate)

C) early 1960’s - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and J.Pat. (RH prism plate) **

D) 1969 - Nikon (LH prism plate) - and no marking on RH plate


* at least some very early 8x30 production was marked Mikron instead if Nikon - use was made of already marked prism plates

** I have not been able to find a clearer date as to when the marking changed


If you tell me which model you have and the serial number, I may be able to give you a clearer idea of it’s year of production


For a lot more information and resources about early Nikons, see here: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=373557

And for those interested in the numbering ranges of E series models, see here: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3895219&postcount=10


John

 

[John knowlittle]

Nippon kogaku/Nikon À series 8x30

Hi John

Thank you very much for your reply

It looks like my binoculars may fall inbetween A @ B on your list
as my markings are LH prism plate Nippon kogaku and serial number
beginning 254*** and RH prism plate J-B7 Nikon pat pend.

 

[gvca1]

The markings run as follows:
A) 1959 - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and Pat Pend (RH prism plate) *

B) Nov 1959 - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and J.Pat. and ‘J-B7’ (RH prism plate)

C) early 1960’s - Nikon Kogaku Tokyo (LH prism plate) - Nikon and J.Pat. (RH prism plate) **

D) 1969 - Nikon (LH prism plate) - and no marking on RH plate


*

John

Hi, John,

I think what you meant was "Nippon Kogaku" on the above...

Jim

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi John,

When I was looking at Nikon Porros a while ago, I was mainly interested in the details of the later E series
But I also looked at the A series in some detail by concentrating on 8x30 numbering and markings
And the details in the previous post reflect the information that I compiled at the time

However, your information got me to go back and look more closely at my notes and images, and so I was able to refine the changes
(specifically between 253k to 258k+)

As can be seen in the attached table:
- your 8x30 dates to very late 1959/ very early 1960 - hard to be more specific than that!
- and there was nearly 130,000 8x30’s over the 20 years of production

For those interested the origin of the JB marking it's described in the attached image and listing
It was essentially a marketing tool to address quality perceptions about Japanese goods

- - - -

Hi Jim,

Well . . . yes and no
As I listed the various complete wordings on the RHS plate, for consistency I also listed the complete wording in the logo on the LHS


John

 

[John knowlittle]

Nippon kogaku

Hi John

Thanks very much for your help with the dating of my bins
I'm astounded how good a pair of 60 year old bins can be, and
they look great.
Regarding the E series I've got 2 pairs of 10x35 with the
later coatings. Picked up the 2nd pair a month ago for
£100, boxed, hard case and mint condition, don't think
it's been used, a really good binocular, which competes
well with many modern bins in the £400-£600 bracket.
What A series and E series binos do you own?

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi John,

Good to hear that your old Nikons are giving you pleasure
Of course by the 1960’s the basic optical designs for Porros had long been developed. So with a premium binocular from the era,
it shouldn’t be a surprise that the view - especially in the centre of the field - is so good even when compared to current binoculars

Later binocular innovations mainly relate to:
- increased eye relief and field flatness, along with internal focusing and air tightness
- and improved brightness and colour, and contrast in harsh conditions, with multi-coatings

My main interest in Porro’s is with the Swarovskis. My oldest one is an early 1960's 8x30
However, I have both a multi-coated E 8x30 and 12x40. And as I’ve previously posted, I get on much better with my 8x30 E than the current highly regarded EII version
- a totally relaxed 145m field of view verses a constantly unsettling 154m one

And as I’ve also posted before, I think that a good condition second-hand multi-coated E is astonishing value
- at least 95% of the overall optical performance of a new EII at half the price
And you’d have to spend at least 3 times the price of an E to get a new roof prism with anywhere near the same optical performance,
see: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3893493&postcount=12


John