Littlegreenman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 2730
Loc: Southern California
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Quote:
...I'm keeping the brand names secret until I snatch up a bunch before I pump up the value and sell them at an enormous profit. ...
Okay, I'll fess up. The brand is Mayflower. Mayflower imported Japanese scopes and binoculars. I've had 10x50's, a bunch of 7x50's, I think 8x40's, a few 7x35, and a few 6x30. I think.
Average price paid about $35. But, about 1/3 were broken or majorly defective, so the average price paid for an acceptable pair was about $47.
The 10x50, 8x40 and some of the 7x50's were very good. Lacking modern coatings they suffered when the moon was out or from nearby suburban lights. They don't have as flat a field as many modern binocs, but it isn't bothersome.
Some of the 7x50's were not as great, but not bad at all. There were several versions of 7x50's.
In daylight, they were all high quality, some softness toward the edge. But nice color and 3-D quality.
The smaller binocs were not as impressive. Maybe the lack of coatings on the smaller binocs shows up is less light throughput?
I sold off all 'em except a pair of 7x50's with nice, large prisms, and a pair of knock arounds I keep in the car. I think I'm close to breaking even on the whole project.
Conclusion: Mayflower was looking out for quality.
Salient comments: Assumptions of what was a good binocular in those days were different; exit pupil issues had not been beaten to death yet. So, you won't find 8x42 or other 'modern' sizing. Vintage binoculars over 50mm are much less common.
Question: anyone ever tried Stellar brand or Manon?
Littlegreenman
(What? No wisecracks? I'm slacking off.)
Celestron 6.5x44 ED
Nikon Prostar 7x50
Zeiss Binoctar 7x50
Mayflower 7x50 Japan, 1960's
Stellarvue 15x63
Celestron 11x80 (Japan)
Orion 25x100 (Japan)
Majestic Tripod
Charles Funk P-mount
1965 Ford Mustang Pony car (wrecked)
1975 Lancia Beta Coupe (sold)
& 1979 VW Rabbit (I spilled a gallon of olive oil on the back seat helping a friend move...)
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Littlegreenman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 2730
Loc: Southern California
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...of 7x50 Mayflower
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Littlegreenman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 2730
Loc: Southern California
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Bwa-la!
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brentwood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/04/05
Posts: 2042
Loc: BC Canada
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I've seen Manon, but not the Mayflower. Who are they actually made by according to the JBL(?) code. I think the list is on the Europa website (never quite figured that site out) Interesting to see that some of the early 'Bushnell' Custom models were made by Fujinon.
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Big telescope.Small telescopes.
Ridiculous binocular collection
Be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1742
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi MikeG,
Getting back to your question earlier on. Some Japanese binocs mnfg. in the 60s era had a tripod socket thread. Some did not; for instance, I machined one in a rather favourite and heavy 7x50 Binolux (center obj. post, of course).
A few had the 1/4" adapter offset on one main objective tube, generally on the righthand side while holding in an observing position.
Moreover, I've never seen a WWII MIL spec binocular with a thread incorporated into the body. They were handheld, not mounted, for the most part.
Now, the really big battleship special devices were already designed to be mounted on the deck of the ship.
Just my thoughts for your information.
Best regards,
Dave.
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krehmkej
member
Reged: 08/24/05
Posts: 94
Loc: Dallas, OR
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I have here a KONICA 7x50 WA. Appears to have Konica's reknown optical quality. Optics are sharp across the field and multi-coated a deep purple color. A very solid and nicely made piece. The only Konica binocular I have ever seen. Has anyone seen another?
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-jwk-
Dallas, Oregon
Orion 100mm f6.0
Meade ETX-90
AstroTech 66mm ED f6.0
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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Brand name check : has anyone heard of these?
Pilot 7x35 (made in Japan)
Gemini 7x35
Manon 10x50
Bushnell Falcon and Bushnell Ensign (both 7x35) : are these made in Japan? They appear to be early Bushnells.
Clear dark 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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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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"Warabi Kokisha" - does anyone know something about this Japanese optics manufacturer? I looked it up on a JB code but I could not find anything about the company (or quality) on the web.
Any help would be appreciated...
Clear dark 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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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 4391
Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA
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>>>They appear to be early Bushnells.<<<
David Bushnell started importing 1947. I believe the Ensigns are from the 70s. Some had plastic field lenses. Some had plastic field lenses AND rear eyelenses.
I learned that the hard way one day while talking shop with a bottle of acetone.
Cheers,
Bill
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William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Ophthalmic Tech, Naval Station, Everett, WA
Optical Mechanic, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Founder, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
21-year Mgr., Optics Dept., Captain's Nautical Supplies
Optics Mechanic, Ft. Lewis, WA.
Contributing Editor for Numerous Magazines
It's better to be a "has been" than a "never was." But only barely; the pay is about the same!
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refractory
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/05/05
Posts: 1337
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Can you tell us, ballpark please, when Bushnell started becoming associated with 'junk'? Thanks.
Jess Tauber
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"Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brain falls out." - Richard Feynman
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trainsktg
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 4952
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Quote:
>>>They appear to be early Bushnells.<<<
David Bushnell started importing 1947. I believe the Ensigns are from the 70s. Some had plastic field lenses. Some had plastic field lenses AND rear eyelenses.
I learned that the hard way one day while talking shop with a bottle of acetone.
Cheers,
Bill
Interestingly, during WWII, Bushnell actually imported lenses from Zeiss via the Swiss (I believe) to put in their binoculars produced for the US military.
Keith
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He was a good little monkey and always very curious.
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brentwood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/04/05
Posts: 2042
Loc: BC Canada
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As far back as I can remember, most Bushnells have been very low end. I say most as the Rangemasters from the 70s & 80s were very good quality, as were the Custom line. I have a few Rangemasters and an earlier 10x50 Custom, which is a beautifull set. Wide angle, great resolution, maybe a bit heavy, the only goofy thing is the text on the inside of the objective rings which includes the immortal phrase "Squint proof lenses"!
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Big telescope.Small telescopes.
Ridiculous binocular collection
Be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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Bill -
Thanks for the input. Sometimes it is very hard to sort out the plethora of Japanese-made vintage binoculars.
I'll avoid the Ensign model in the future.
Ever hear of "Manon" ??
Clear dark 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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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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Well, I just won these for the stately sum of $22.00 :
Manon 10 x 50 field 5.50 - 288 ft. at 1000 yds
It looks like a nice binocular in great condition, we'll see.
I think I had to outbid a fellow CN'er. If so, then we vintage-bino nuts need to network and coordinate our bidding, so we don't run the price up on each other.
Any rate, I will post a review when they arrive.
Clear dark 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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trainsktg
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 4952
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Well, how about an 'Elite' 8x30 with M. I. I. marking (Made in Italy???)? It appears to be pre-WW II, possibly a Zeiss clone. Glass is in excellent shape and finish is still spotless. The view is surprisingly consistent across the entire field. My Mom-in-Law picked 'em up for $2.00.
Keith
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He was a good little monkey and always very curious.
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brentwood
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/04/05
Posts: 2042
Loc: BC Canada
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See if there's a Japanese manufacturers symbol under the lower hinge, Ive never seen Italian binoculars. Picked them up for $2.00 ? Sounds like me! The best Ive done was a set of Leitz (Leica) 10x40(wide angle version)with leather case & both straps, for $15.00 !
--------------------
Big telescope.Small telescopes.
Ridiculous binocular collection
Be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 4391
Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA
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>>>Interestingly, during WWII, Bushnell actually imported lenses from Zeiss via the Swiss (I believe) to put in their binoculars produced for the US military.
Keith
Hi Keith:
I think you are confusing Bushnell with Bausch as in Emil, or Bausch & Lomb. Later B & L did purchase Bushnell. However, to my knowledge, David didn't start importing until 1947--two years after the end of the war.
Cheers,
Bill
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William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Ophthalmic Tech, Naval Station, Everett, WA
Optical Mechanic, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Founder, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
21-year Mgr., Optics Dept., Captain's Nautical Supplies
Optics Mechanic, Ft. Lewis, WA.
Contributing Editor for Numerous Magazines
It's better to be a "has been" than a "never was." But only barely; the pay is about the same!
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trainsktg
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 4952
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Quote:
I think you are confusing Bushnell with Bausch as in Emil, or Bausch & Lomb. Later B & L did purchase Bushnell. However, to my knowledge, David didn't start importing until 1947--two years after the end of the war.
You are absolutely correct. It was B & L. As usual, I type before I think. Thanks for catching the snafu.
Keith (Once again proving you can never be too young to be senile.)
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He was a good little monkey and always very curious.
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refractory
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/05/05
Posts: 1337
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Once a while back someone told me (don't remember who) that Bushnell was some sort of acronym for Bausch and Lomb (I guess B(a)us(c)h'(a)n(d)L(omb). Takes all sorts....
Jess Tauber
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"Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brain falls out." - Richard Feynman
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 4391
Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA
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After an old wives tale gets spread around so long--unchallenged--people begin to look upon it as fact. That one was a STRETCH at best.
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Ophthalmic Tech, Naval Station, Everett, WA
Optical Mechanic, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Founder, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
21-year Mgr., Optics Dept., Captain's Nautical Supplies
Optics Mechanic, Ft. Lewis, WA.
Contributing Editor for Numerous Magazines
It's better to be a "has been" than a "never was." But only barely; the pay is about the same!
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