CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Posts: 1154
Loc: Southern NH
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I doubt these Ofunas have any significant historical or optical value, so I think I'll rip them apart and rebuild them just for the experience.
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Charlie
NR1Q
Optica b/c 76x1200, Swift 831, Sears 6339-A, Sans & Streiffe 618
Astro Optical S5, Monolux 4380, Space Scope 60x910, Aerolite 859, Manon 60/700
Cartonesque 60x1000, Sears 4451, 6331
50mm HyScore, Unitron 105, Tasco 66TE
Optica b/c LN-4E
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Simon S
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/07/07
Posts: 2206
Loc: Crawley West Sussex UK
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Have fun! You will need a strap wrench to remove the oculars.
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All binocular repairs are undertaken at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any damage to any instrument resulting from my suggestions.
My binocular collection
Binoculars by date of addition
Binoculars in Alphabetical order
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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Ofuna made some great quality glass early in the Japanese optics industry days, right after the war. The glass in those binoculars is very well figured and polished. I would attempt to save the glass, if possible. A good careful cleaning might make the binocular useable, or at the very least yield 2 salvaged objectives of high quality - and possibly 2 eyepieces.
Given the lack of coatings, even if these were in "new" condition, the Ofunas (and others of that vintage) will not seem as crisp and contrasty as newer binoculars with better coatings.
Regards and clear skies,
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
☄ ⒼⒶⓁⒶⒸⓉⒾⒸ ⓈⓉⓄⓃⒺ ☞ www.galactic-stone.com
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mercedes_sl1970
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 518
Loc: Canberra, Oz
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Hi there
I recently bought these binoculars - Vixen 10x50. They're in good condition for their apparent age (1960s early '70s?) - externally clean, no fungus but the prisms look like they could do with a clean (which I might well do). The views are quite good, although with a rather small field of view (5.5 deg) - pinpoint stars at the centre degrading at around 80-85%, crisp and neutral colour rendition. The older coatings mean some flaring and ghosting - the moon at more than, say, a quarter is so-so.
I'm curious as to whether they are actual Vixens (current company). That is, was Vixen making binoculars in the 1960-70 period? The JB code - 164 - indicates the maker as Toyoshima Koki Seisakujo.
Overall, quite a good bino. Oh yes, just noticed the picture - the full sun has highlighted every speck of dust and over-emphasised some blemishes around the screws.
Thanks
Andrew
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Posts: 1154
Loc: Southern NH
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I finished cleaning the optics on the Ofunas. There was a bit of fungus on one objective that has slightly etched the glass, but not enough to really affect anything. There was also a small patch on one of the prisms, but it did not etch the glass. Disassembly was quite easy. Everything went back together very well and I was shocked that the collimation held - even after removing and cleaning all four prisms. Unfortunately the leather (or whatever they used for the case covering) is deteriorating badly . I'm not sure I want to bother with finding a suitable replacement. The views through them are now much brighter and sharper, but the cloud cover in New England still hasn't lifted so that I could not give them an astronomical test.
Charlie
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Charlie
NR1Q
Optica b/c 76x1200, Swift 831, Sears 6339-A, Sans & Streiffe 618
Astro Optical S5, Monolux 4380, Space Scope 60x910, Aerolite 859, Manon 60/700
Cartonesque 60x1000, Sears 4451, 6331
50mm HyScore, Unitron 105, Tasco 66TE
Optica b/c LN-4E
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Darren B
sage
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 289
Loc: UK
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Yesterday I was looking on E-bay at Carl Zeiss Binoculars and today I discover this thread. How good are the Jenoptems? These are going dead cheap at the moment. i'm looking at the 8x30 for day time use and 7x50W or 10x50W for astro use.
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Darren
WO ZS80FD 10th AV with Vixen Porta Mount
Skywatcher Equinox 66ED
PST
William Optics 7x50
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binman
sage
Reged: 09/16/08
Posts: 273
Loc: UK
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there are anti reflection coatings that are or appear clear that are apparently very good, i cant remember what is used but it begins with Z i think. were used on older bins, some russian ones as well i think?
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1742
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi Charlie,
I am wondering what the "patch" was on the prism. Was that, perhaps, fungus also, that did not NOT affect the prism's surface. Just curious and thanks.
Clear skies to you there; I'm in upstate NY, and we are blocked in too--even snow showers all day. Well, it is almost mid November.
Best regards,
Dave.
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Posts: 1154
Loc: Southern NH
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Yes, it was fungus, but it came off cleanly with no damage to the prisms. I did get a quick peek through them last night and was very surprised how little CA there was on the moon's limb & terminator and the fact that internal reflections were scarcely apparent. I am quite pleased with these little binos - specially for $10. By the way, I love upstate NY. The skies can get pretty dark. I used to play a lot of concerts in that area with the USAF Band before I retired and I always had an ETX-125 with me.
Charlie
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Charlie
NR1Q
Optica b/c 76x1200, Swift 831, Sears 6339-A, Sans & Streiffe 618
Astro Optical S5, Monolux 4380, Space Scope 60x910, Aerolite 859, Manon 60/700
Cartonesque 60x1000, Sears 4451, 6331
50mm HyScore, Unitron 105, Tasco 66TE
Optica b/c LN-4E
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orbitaljump
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 508
Loc: Charleston, SC
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I picked up some Kalimar 7x50 binoculars in great shape. They had standard 7 degree fovs, 50 degreeish (probably kellner) oculars, and BK7 prisms. They were were very good optically.
These old Japanese 7x50s (many brands) should be the first recommendation for people interested in binoculars for astronomy but low on funds(young people especially). They cant be beat for price/performance. Stick with standard field of views for a better chance at very good optical properties and quality.
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My God, it's full of stars!
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1446
Loc: New Zealand
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Darren the C.Z. Jenoptems are recommended.
The 8x30 are excellent light weight birding / day time binos.
I have the 8x30W widefield versions. C.Z. introduced the Multi coated lens in 1978. My 8x30’s are made in 1977 If you can get the M.C versions please do so - they give reduced internal reflections and give increased light transmission and contrast. I also have some 1980 10x50W’s with the M.C. lens. The 10x50’s are preferable to the 7x50 as you get a 7.3 degree panoramic image.
The C.Z.’s have excellent build and optical qualities and are superior to the entry and mid level binos of today.
There are some pitfall’s - make sure they are genuine C.Z. binos – there are fakes on the second hand market. They all have a 7 digit serial number on the front axle. Some come with the C.Z. lifetime warranty card also.
Check for internal mildew and dust spots. Make sure they are well collimated. Ensure the focuser unit is solid and there is minimal eyepiece ‘play’.
They can be expensive to repair.
Below is an excellent web site by Holger Merlitz that gives reviews on the various C.Z. binos.
Also there is a link to the various serial numbers and year of manufacture. Lastly there is also a link in identifying fake C.Z. binos. There is also a link in the C.N. bino review section to the C.Z. 10x50W Jenoptems.
Good luck.
Chris
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/
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30 binos.
Celestron C8
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1742
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi Charlie,
I am in Lisle, NY, and yes we do get some really good nights up here--just 30 miles north of Binghamton. Enjoy.
Best regards,
Dave.
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orbitaljump
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 508
Loc: Charleston, SC
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The Japanese fakes of Zeiss Jena "Deltrintem" 8x30 binos arent too shabby either.
Edited by orbitaljump (11/12/08 02:52 PM)
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Simon S
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/07/07
Posts: 2206
Loc: Crawley West Sussex UK
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I have just bought a nice pair of Kershaw Olyimpic 8x30 binoculars. I had a rough pair for a few years and they are in my opinion the best 8x30 binocular of it's time. It has a wide angle of view, coated in a light blue coating and has the focus control between the objectives. The earlier uncoated version had the traditional focus control and still performs well, although the view is not as bright. In comparison the Jenoptem of the same era is not as good in it's resolution or brightness.
There are a pair on ebay at the moment, this being the second good pair I have seen on ebay in 2 years. This is a keeper, a reminder of when this country could make quality optics.
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All binocular repairs are undertaken at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any damage to any instrument resulting from my suggestions.
My binocular collection
Binoculars by date of addition
Binoculars in Alphabetical order
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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Nice find , Simon !
Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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brentwood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/04/05
Posts: 2042
Loc: BC Canada
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I have about sixty binoculars, made all over the world, Japanese, Chinese, Stand at Ease, etc but NO British ones. I have heard that Kershaw was up there with the best of them. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled in the junk & Pawn shops.
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Big telescope.Small telescopes.
Ridiculous binocular collection
Be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
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orbitaljump
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 508
Loc: Charleston, SC
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British glass isnt that bad!
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My God, it's full of stars!
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brentwood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/04/05
Posts: 2042
Loc: BC Canada
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Quote:
British glass isnt that bad!
I should probably add that I buy ALL my binoculars at Pawn & Junk shops! Why pay retail when you can buy almost new Leica binoculars for $60!
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Big telescope.Small telescopes.
Ridiculous binocular collection
Be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
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orbitaljump
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 508
Loc: Charleston, SC
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I should have put a smiley face emoticon in that post. Just giving the Brits a jib.
Check out my list.
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My God, it's full of stars!
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orbitaljump
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 508
Loc: Charleston, SC
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Here are some photos of a fantastic collection of binos.
http://www.pbase.com/g_hawkins/binocular_pictures&page=all
Ill work up some comments and take some photos of my Kowa Wide Angle 7x35s.
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My God, it's full of stars!
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