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Vintage Porros

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Bird Watcher View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2014 at 15:48
Bud,

I already posted that info in the above opticstalk link. Wink


Depending upon just how W I D E you are interested in going, here's some that I use with eyeglasses.

Nikon 7x35  9.3* Wide Angle Gold Sentinel Porro prism (made in Japan) (eBay)
Unlike the later Action Series the Gold Sentinel is sharp out to the edges.

Bushnell 7x35  9.5* WA Sportview Porro prism (Division of Bausch & Lomb Japan)
This one was really an inexpensive model during its day; I bought it because it was brand new, (eBay).
Mostly good for keeping in a vehicle year round just to have anything on hand.

Montgomery Ward 7x35 11.8* Ultra Wide Angle Porro prism (made in Japan) Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Eventually this one will go off to Cory Suddarth for an internal clean & lube + adjustments. 

All of these have the fold down rubber eyecups which work well with eyeglasses. Thunbs Up
Beware of vintage plastic or metal eyecups, which will not allow you to get as close to the eyepiece lenses with your eyeglasses.


Edited by Bird Watcher - November/24/2014 at 15:55
I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2014 at 18:25
That is widely downloaded from this site, one every Vintage porro fan should have bookmarked.  In my case I have the Japanese J-L page as a file on my desktop, my laptop, my tablet, and even my cellphone.  Never know when it will come in handy, and it comes in handy quite a bit.

http://www.europa.com/~telscope/binotele.htm

As to the query on the eye relief on the Bushnell Rangemaster, there is maybe 10 mm on the early Fuji model and a bit less than that on the last Tamron model.  The view is superb.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/22/2014 at 08:14
Man I'm digging a hole fast!  Looks like several will receive Vintage Porros for Xmas... Smile
 
Alright, first a couple of questions...
 
1)  Are my eyes fooling me or isn't the later Sears Discoverers actually Rangemaster gen 3s?
 
 
 
2)  Is there a short list of the more desired manufacturers? form the JTII list.
 
 
Man this is totally addicting!!!  I have to restrain myself or the only one getting Xmas from me is me...Loco.
 
I decided to buy a couple of the lower end models to start then I'd concentrate on cherry picking once I have a better idea of what I want an where I want to go...
 
So far.....
 
1.  Sears 7X50mm Model 473.25130  $15.80
 
2. Tasco 7X35mm Fully coated model 318  like new $17.50
 
3.  Sears 6266 Discoverer 7X35 578'@1Kft   $49.90
 
4. B&L Legacy EWA Field 11º  #12-7356     AF4872  $49.75
 
And I chickened out at the end and lost a Jena 8X30 in good condition that ended up selling for $86... Whacko
 
 
I'm thinking the B&L is the best find of the four followed by the Discoverer...
 
How do you guys think I did for starters?
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/22/2014 at 12:01
More glass than eyes.   Excellent   That's a lot better than having glass eyes.
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/22/2014 at 12:50
Originally posted by budperm budperm wrote:

 
2)  Is there a short list of the more desired manufacturers? form the JTII list.
 

Tasco 7x35 Model 110  Porro 657' @ 1,000 yds.

Bushnell Rangemaster 7x35 Porro 10* made by Fujinon.

Bausch & Lomb 7x26 Custom  http://betterviewdesired.com/Bushnell-7x26-Custom.php


I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/22/2014 at 22:29
I don't think the Sears Discoverer is quite the same as the Rangemaster.  At any rate they have different JB codes.  They are very good glass.

If you start buying a bunch of these, be prepared for some clunkers and some needed repairs.  What repair  ability I have gained is from necessity in doing some of the work myself.

My recommendations for top end vintage binoculars are, in no particular order...

Baush & Lomb Zephyr  Probably the last truly made in the USA binocular.  Outstanding view
Bushnell Rangemasters  Big and heavy for 7x35's but what a view'  Versions by Fuji and Tamron.
Swift Binoculars.  This is a brand that has been destroyed and is a pity.  Their Audubon series 8.5x44 are seriously good. So are the Sport King and Holiday.
Bushnell Custom are good
Jason Venture
Sears Discoverer, particularly some of the 11* EWA 7x50's

Just go slow, you'll pick up a lot along the way...binoculars and knowledge.  Have fun.  Be prepared for the odd clunker.  Ask me how I know Big Smile
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 08:25
Should be an interesting trip....  I used to clean and adjust the fiber optic inspection microscopes at my last job. B&L and AOs.   at 200 to 600 magnification it's hard to get the field clean and clear of debris. 
 
I've never opened up a bino but I'm well acquainted with optics cleaning procedures for microscopes.  I have the spanners needed to open / unscrew lenses too.  It's been a few years....Hippie
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 09:49



I just scarfed these up on ebay yesterday.  Sears 6243 Amber Coated 7 X 35s  with 578' FOV.    $26.56 plus postage.  Will be a Christmas gift to a son-in-law....Look to be hardly used....






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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 09:58


Here is another photo but these are not the ones I bought.  Mine do not have any numbers carved into them.....Eek









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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:06
I like old binoculars....but they're not waterproof.  So, after you buy a few for very reasonable prices, you should quit and go back to getting real, waterproof ones....


But, I have a Sears Discoverer 7 X 50  11*   needs a cleaning, but is still great

and a Manon 7 X 50  small degree FOV    mint

a Tasco 7 X 35 400 International  11*    578' FOV   mint

a Tasco 118   7 X 35  with 11*  mint condition but needs collimation (!)  Shocked    [ I paid $18 for them to my door...]

a Baigish ( Russian )  8 X 30  Brand New....   ( paid $41 to my door!! )  Bucky






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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:12
Thanks guys, I think I've successfully survived my plunge into it.
Now to be more prudent and selective.  I'm getting lost in all the research, I have to admit...Whacko
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:14
Tell me about it....I want them all!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:18
ED I was a royal CH from bidding on that 6243 but everybody is saying its problematic for eyeglass wearers on all the EWAs...
 
Got it cheap! Excellent
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:19
Did you see the Monkey Wards One with 609'@ 1K?!?!?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 10:57
Help again guys!  There is a
 Fujinon Poseidon MTR-SX 7x50 Bino on eBay
and I've heard the Fijinon name more than once associated with hi-end Binos.
 
Are these decent glass?  They have EP of 7.1mm and 12mm ER I need and ~400'@1K
They are listed for ~$50 with a few hours left.  If good ones, what price point limit? ?$150?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 12:32
I've got all Monkey Wards and Jason super wides on my Watch List as we speak.....


I will have one or two of them soon.....I will certainly win one or two of them...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/23/2014 at 13:43
Originally posted by budperm budperm wrote:

Help again guys!  There is a
 Fujinon Poseidon MTR-SX 7x50 Bino on eBay
and I've heard the Fijinon name more than once associated with hi-end Binos.
 
Are these decent glass?  They have EP of 7.1mm and 12mm ER I need and ~400'@1K
They are listed for ~$50 with a few hours left.  If good ones, what price point limit? ?$150?


Bidding varies on eBay every time a different seller advertises.

Retail price on the internet is just under $500.00 for a Fujinon 7x50 MTR-SX.

The Fujinon 7x50 that you are referring to is in reality a Fujinon FMTR-SX which has field flattners
in the eyepieces & is more expensive than the MTR-SX. 
You can tell by the yellow rings around the eyepieces & the yellow paint behind the tripod adapter
socket cap.


Edited by Bird Watcher - November/24/2014 at 15:58
I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2014 at 10:39

I just got a pair of Montgomery Wards 7X35s delivered to the door.  They have 11.8* 620 Feet FOV.  These are like freaking Brand New!  Very nice for $34 plus ship.  

I also got a Jason Statesman 11.5* bino a couple of weeks ago.  It's clean and sharp...but not as snazzy as these Wards ones.  I only paid $17 I think for those Jasons....



 
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