CLRobles
member
Reged: 06/26/09
Posts: 22
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Has there been a comprehensive evaluation between the best 7x50's out there?
How do these 7x50's stack up against each other in several areas - Overall quality of build, level of optical quality, collector/resale value....
Nikon ProStar
Fuji FMTR
Zeiss B/GA T* Classic
Docter Nobilem
Am I forgetting any? Also, how do these poro's compare to the roofs? Say a Swarovski SLC 7x50? Is there a clear difference between the poro's and the roof's?
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Somebody's gotta have deep pockets to have all those in posession to do a review. probably why we'll never see a review comparing all those.
I've reviewed a number of 7x50 porros, but never wrote the final piece to my Small Binocular Series.
I have done minireviews or posted technical measures in this forum on these 7x50s
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Captain's Storm King (Swift Mark II) 7x50
William Optic 7x50 ED
Nikon ProStar 7x50
Vixen Foresta 7x50
Captain's Helmsman 7x50
Some of the info is probably in the tables included in the Minireviews - Small Binoc Series
Nikon ProStar 7x50 far outclasses the other 7x50s, in fact far outclasses most any other binocular. William Optic 7x50 ED & Vixen Foresta 7x50 fill out the top three.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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nunciusaustralis
super member
Reged: 09/25/09
Posts: 100
Loc: Rio de janeiro, Brazil
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Yesh i just got an old nikon from my uncle. Its much better than all i ever saw.
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Nuncius Australis
70mm celestron EQ
9x50 finderscope
15X80mm binocular
20mm e 10mm k eye pieces
2xomni barlow
www.nunciusaustralis.blogspot.com
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1276
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Why, the Zen-Ray, of course!
Hi CL,
I can't give any comparisons with other 7x50s (except my first binocular, a $50 Swift Aerolite, single coated but rugged as all get out, it is literally all scarred up and dented but still reasonably collimated), but can attest that the Fujinon is certainly a fine binocular, compared to any other binocular that I have ever looked through.
Some years back local curmudgeon BillC did a review of astronomy binos in Sky and Telescope, and thought the Prostar edged it out with its flatter field. I'd agree the edge sharpness is nothing to brag about, and I notice CA in harsh light, but, basically the view is knockout. Clarity, color saturation, brightness, view comfort, build quality, I don't see how could be beat.
Ron
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Simon S
sage
Reged: 01/07/07
Posts: 389
Loc: Crawley West Sussex UK
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I would recommend the Jenoptem 7x50 with the later coatings. I have no experience with modern optics to comment otherwise.
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My binocular collection recent first
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/
My binoculars in Alphabetical order http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/sets/72157613812824211/detail/
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CLRobles
member
Reged: 06/26/09
Posts: 22
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Quote:
Why, the Zen-Ray, of course!
Touché, well done Ron 
Thanks for the responses EdZ, Nuncius Australis, Ron, and Simon....
I knew it was a stab in the dark but I have a local sporting goods store that acually have the Zeiss in stock, new and unused. I also have seen the Nikon, Fuji, and Jenoptems regularly for sale on the net. BobinKy has peeked my interest in this class bin and I tought I might search for a high-end pair?
Simon S, There has been quite a bit of CZJ bins up for auction lately and many look to be in very good condition by highly rated sellers... But, How do you know if your going to get a real CZJ? Most are from Germany and the UK. Almost none from the US...
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mooreorless
Just worried
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cornpropst Mills,Huntingdon,Pa
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Hi CL, So when are you going to get the Zeiss B/GA T* Classic. I would think this would be an excellent binocular to get for "Overall quality of build, level of optical quality, collector/resale value...." B&H used to list this porro binocular but doesn't show it anymore.
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Regards,Steve M
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BobinKy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1683
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Hi Chuck...
Here is a short discussion on the Zeiss 7x50 Classic
I am in Steve's camp--this appears to be a great porro (however, I have never seen one myself).
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Bob
38°N
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mooreorless
Just worried
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cornpropst Mills,Huntingdon,Pa
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Adorama shows Nikon Prostar 7x50 back ordered, maybe like the SE series back ordered, B & H says the 7x50 Prostar is discontinued. I thought I remembered that Pinewood had a pair of the Zeiss 7x50 Classic. I would think the price at the local sporting goods store might be high for this Zeiss.
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Regards,Steve M
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CLRobles
member
Reged: 06/26/09
Posts: 22
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Quote:
I would think the price at the local sporting goods store might be high for this Zeiss.
They are asking $1349 for it but I'm pretty sure they have been sitting there for quite a while? This is not the same store that matched prices on the internet for the SE's that I bought but I think I can work them over a bit..... They are NIB and have not been used before But 1349 is too high.
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Pinewood
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 824
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Quote:
Hi Chuck...
Here is a short discussion on the Zeiss 7x50 Classic
I am in Steve's camp--this appears to be a great porro (however, I have never seen one myself).
Hello Bob,
I seem to have written my opinion in your link. I have not changed my mind since.
Clear skies,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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Littlegreenman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 1364
Loc: Southern California
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I've had a pair of the Nikon Prostars and the Zeiss Jena, with later coatings, T* or T3 or whatever they are called. The Nikons are better in many ways. In Nelm 4-5 skies I could see more stars in the Milky Way, more contrast, more spacewalk feel. If I remember right both gave similar FOV, not perfect to the edge but still very good. On both the edge of the FOV is cut-off by a sharp edge, which I prefer over binoculars that fade out to mush.
Ergonomics: the Nikons weigh more which limits hand use after a while.
Around a year ago in daylight I compared the following with someone else:
Zeiss
Miyaichi Binon 5x32
Miyauchi 4" 45 degree with interchangable eyepieces
Canon 10x42 L Image Stabalized.
Compared to all the others the Zeiss had noticeably washed out colors; both of us saw it. Not a real issue for Astronomy, but there.
But, if you could live knowing you did not have the best of the best, but only some darn good binoculars, the Zeiss could be had on the used market for much less than the Nikons. Take precautions buying used that you get something in good condition with no optical defects.
Littlegreenman
Edited by Littlegreenman (10/18/09 02:47 AM)
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Simon S
sage
Reged: 01/07/07
Posts: 389
Loc: Crawley West Sussex UK
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If you but a CZJ second hand it MUST have a seven digit serial number. Also look at the prism housing screws, they are on the top edge of the binocular as seen in my link here and copies are the opposite side of the curve.
Jenoptom 7x50 genuline
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My binocular collection recent first
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/
My binoculars in Alphabetical order http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/sets/72157613812824211/detail/
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Pinewood
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 824
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Quote:
They are asking $1349 for it but I'm pretty sure they have been sitting there for quite a while? This is not the same store that matched prices on the internet for the SE's that I bought but I think I can work them over a bit..... They are NIB and have not been used before But 1349 is too high.
Hello,
The price, six and a half years, ago, was $1,250 for the Zeiss 7x50 BGAT*.
Make sure that it is not an earlier model.
Clear skies,
Arthur Pinewood
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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pcad
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/05
Posts: 1767
Loc: Connecticut
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A SARD model 41 7x50 10 degree fov was just sold recently on ebay for a bit more than $1600. I've heard some speak highly of this rare binocular also.
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Peter
Telescopes 25 - 318 mm
Binoculars 15 - 88 mm
Microscope 50x - 1000x
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John F
sage
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 383
Loc: Washington State
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For astronomical observing with a 7x50 binocular I serious doubt that the Nikon Prostars can be matched, let along surpassed. However, that binocular (as well as all the other 7x50s) require a really dark sky to perform up to their potential. That's why other alternatives like a high quality 8x42, 8.5x42, 10x42, 8x50 or 10x50 also need to also be seriously considered if you're just looking to get a single binocular in the 42-50mm aperture size range.
However, If you're willing to consider getting two binoculars in that aperture size range, then the 7x50 Nikon Prostar and the 10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX would make an excellent pair plus you can purchase the both of them for less than the cost of a single Leica or Swarovski 10x50 (which are both also excellent binoculars) but they're no better optically than the 10x50 Fujinon FMT-SXs. However, on the plus side, the 10x50 Swarovski SLCs and Leica Ultravids are significantly lighter in weight than the Fujinons so if you plan on using them primarily in hand held mode, then that's a big advantage that the Leica and Swarovki's binoculars have over the Fujinon 10x50s. And even the Zeiss 10x56s are lighter in weight than the Fujis.
After 20 years of experience using many different binoculars (and with many of them being the very best of their types), I've concluded from my actual use patterns (and not my original intent when I bought them) that a 7x, 8x or 8.5x are the only magnifications that I find it productive to hand hold for any length of time. Of course, the IS Canon 10x42s and 15x50s look very attractive but the one time that I tried a pair I could not get used to them and they gave me a headache so that's why I personally can't recommend them. However, there are many other observers who say they work very well for them and do highly recommend them.
John Finnan
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BINOCULARS
Nikon 7x50 Prostar
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe
Zeiss 15x60 B/GAT
Takahashi 22x60 Astronomer
SCOPES
Questar 3.5-Inch
Tele Vue NP-127 with TV Bino Vue
EYEPIECES
Deep Sky: 31Nagler, 17-13-10-8-6 Ethos
Lunar & Planetary: 16-10-6-4 ZAO-II
Binoviewing: 24Pan,16Nagler, 10ZOA-II,7.5Taks
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CLRobles
member
Reged: 06/26/09
Posts: 22
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Quote:
Quote:
They are asking $1349 for it but I'm pretty sure they have been sitting there for quite a while? This is not the same store that matched prices on the internet for the SE's that I bought but I think I can work them over a bit..... They are NIB and have not been used before But 1349 is too high.
Hello,
The price, six and a half years, ago, was $1,250 for the Zeiss 7x50 BGAT*.
Make sure that it is not an earlier model.
Clear skies,
Arthur Pinewood
Arthur, I'm going to bet this pair is going be several years old? Has there been much or any improvement in the optical quality of the Zeiss over the past half dozen years?
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CLRobles
member
Reged: 06/26/09
Posts: 22
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John F, I'm sure you are right on here with your recommendation. But I currently own several 10x42's(SE,EL,BRF), a 10x40 (Docter Aspherical), a 8x32 (SE) and a 12x50 (SE). BobinKy has raved about his 7x50's as a wonderful all around bin and I really value his opinion so I think I want to add a high-end one to the collection. Still haven't decided which way I want to go???? Zeiss is local but expen$ive! Docter, Nikon, and Fuji all under 1K.... Fuji's by half that.
Simon and greenman, The CZJ with the T coatings actually hold a lot of appeal to me but I just afraid of being fleeced by a over seas dealer? A lot of warnings about fake CZJ's out there so I'm not sure?
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Pinewood
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 824
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
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Hello Mr. Robles,
The 7x50 BGAT* is a ClassiC. The design was set years, ago, with the use of the Zeiss T* coatings. Although it is possible that there has been some slight improvements. If you can get the serial number, check with Zeiss USA, by 'phone or e-mail, who can tell you if it was imported by Zeiss USA, and covered by their warrantee, and who may give you the year of manufacture.
Clear skies,
Arthur
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Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
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Simon S
sage
Reged: 01/07/07
Posts: 389
Loc: Crawley West Sussex UK
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Quote:
John F, I'm sure you are right on here with your recommendation. But I currently own several 10x42's(SE,EL,BRF), a 10x40 (Docter Aspherical), a 8x32 (SE) and a 12x50 (SE). BobinKy has raved about his 7x50's as a wonderful all around bin and I really value his opinion so I think I want to add a high-end one to the collection. Still haven't decided which way I want to go???? Zeiss is local but expen$ive! Docter, Nikon, and Fuji all under 1K.... Fuji's by half that.
Simon and greenman, The CZJ with the T coatings actually hold a lot of appeal to me but I just afraid of being fleeced by a over seas dealer? A lot of warnings about fake CZJ's out there so I'm not sure?
I bought mine on eBay, if you follow the simple 7 digit serial number rule it's genuine. Just be sure the prisms are unchipped and optics are clear of fungus etc.
Contact me via srspiers@gmail.com if you want my opinion.
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My binocular collection recent first
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/
My binoculars in Alphabetical order http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/sets/72157613812824211/detail/
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