7868 replies to this topic

[ChrisNYPilor]

Martin Pond did this great study on different depth of fields for some bins he owned.  https://www.cloudyni...-focus-range/  

 

My IF 6x30s can find a sharp focus at 16ft and maintain that sharp focus to a depth of about 23 ft.  I guess what I am saying is that for each setting of the focus the depth of field range is really quite impressive, even at the closest setting.  Set at 50 ft sharp focus, it maintains focus looking almost completely down the block and makes looking around in trees also sharp enough in focus to be enjoyable.  Depth of focus seems as interesting to me as ultra-wide field of view, and perhaps even more so as it makes using the binoculars as easy as setting the focus once for a rough estimate of the distances you will be using them for.

[semlin]

The M-20 I "found" has an 8.3^o field and was made by Ofuna:

https://www.auctionn...ars-400686.html

I'm guessing that's the listing you saw.  Definitely post-MIOJ and pre-JL.

 

Yes, I'm sure Wuest worked with multiple makers/suppliers, including Ofuna (early on, as you noted), Hiyoshi (likely after Ofuna) and Musashi (likely their biggest/most-contracted supplier).

 

Most binoculars are often (very often) sold with no reference to brand.  Model numbers are even more rare in both listing titles and descriptions. Sellers don't want to restrict the "find-ability" of their listings by adding too many details. Another common scenario is the "borrowing" of listing info from another seller's ad for a like-branded binocular.  (I'm sure you noticed there were TWO listings for Wuest H-10 #169390, - and one of them was the H-12 in question.)

 

Unfortunately, the "best" searches sometimes end up being the most general, and we searchers are left to "weed" and filter through many more candidates.

 

Usually, it's a pain, but sometimes the extra time & tedium lead to some eye-bugging (and wholly unexpected) gems. 

 

Cheers.

Dan

 

apart from the 8.3 degree ofunas the wuest binos have always struck me as very standard zcf/zif aluminum body designs so i have not paid much attention. the fact they have "h" and "m" models and are known for being supplied by hiyoshi and musashi suggests to me some correlation but the ofunas suggest otherwise.

[MisterDan]

In my search for IF 6x30's I found these on FB Marketplace.  The gentleman was asking me if I knew what they were and if they were worth anything.  I told him I had no idea, but I knew where to ask.  :-)  Another unmarked bin, but not even made in notations.  Could these be a USA manufacturer?

 

https://www.facebook...essenger_banner

Not American, but almost certainly superb.  The "131" inside an oval signifies PZO (Polskie Zaklady Optyczne - Polish Optical Factory or Works). They made and still make...

http://pzo.warszawa.pl/

primo binos.

 

Here's another sample from the same year - perhaps from the previous production run or batch:

https://www.flickr.c...lars/3543340700

 

This one is/was courtesy of Simon Spiers.  If you haven't sifted through his Flickr Photostream, I highly recommend doing so. Often.

 

The one you linked to may have a reticle (it was likely issued with one).

 

Cheers.

Edited by MisterDan, 09 February 2025 - 05:41 PM.

[Alex M.]

In my search for IF 6x30's I found these on FB Marketplace.  The gentleman was asking me if I knew what they were and if they were worth anything.  I told him I had no idea, but I knew where to ask.  :-)  Another unmarked bin, but not even made in notations.  Could these be a USA manufacturer?

 

https://www.facebook...essenger_banner

I have a Polish military binocular 6x30 in my collection, made in the period 1946-1950 with similar markings - the number 31 in an oval. The binoculars themselves are also very similar to yours.

Best regards, A.

[ChrisNYPilor]

Not American, but almost certainly superb.  The "131" inside an oval signifies PZO (Polskie Zaklady Optyczne - Polish Optical Factory or Works). They made and still make...

http://pzo.warszawa.pl/

primo binos.

 

Here's another sample from the same year - perhaps from the previous production run or batch:

https://www.flickr.c...lars/3543340700

 

This one is/was courtesy of Simon Spiers.  If you haven't sifted through his Flickr Photostream, I highly recommend doing so. Often.

 

The one you linked to may have a reticle (it was likely issued with one).

 

Cheers.

It's funny, I have these asperger's like traits of not liking change and even though these probably are great I feel so much more comfortable collecting Jap bins.  I am the guy who goes to the same restaurant for 30 years and knows the owner and all the staff.  :-)  I made him an offer, but I am really quite indifferent.  I think I really would prefer an NKK 6x30.  Lol.  

[jarrodeu]

I bought this Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Stereo 6 Power recently. Probably made sometime between 1898 and 1902. At the time, Bausch & Lomb was licensing spaced objectives from Zeiss. The exterior is a little rough with the leather cover coming off, but the eye cups are intact and it has the little hinge locking tool still in the case that is usually lost. (someone had asked about the tool a couple of weeks ago but I don't remember who) Cleaned them up and they give nice clear and sharp views as expected, though a little narrow by modern standards. Seems to have been gifted to someone in 1957, at which point it was over half a century old. Also has Andrew J Loyd retailer marked center hinge cap.

 

Jarrod

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Edited by jarrodeu, 10 February 2025 - 11:15 AM.

[jarrodeu]

A few more advertisements.

 

Jarrod

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[j.gardavsky]

In my historical collection, there are the Zeiss "predecessors" to the BAUSCH & LOMB = Zeiss,

 

the bent shoulders at left, and the flat shoulders at right.

 

These old binoculars also offer a very good color contrast, and so I guess that Bausch & Lomb have sold quite a lot of them.

 

Best regards,

JG

[J. Barnes]

 It looks like center focus was available a little earlier for these B&L=Zeiss than it was for the standard Zeiss. I believe Zeiss didn’t offer it until around 1910? No case, but objective covers on mine.

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[Kefka1138]

Came across a very nice pair of Sears red stripe 7x35 EWA No.6271 (J-E83 / J-B46) recently and thought I'd share.

 

They came complete with booklet, caps, case, and original soft cloth. 

 

Used them to do some light birding over the weekend and they're excellent performers! Sharp, clear and contrasty. Really enjoy the EWA, as the field stop seems to disappear once you're focused on a target. Very cool little binos.

 

Edited by Kefka1138, 11 February 2025 - 07:15 AM.

[jarrodeu]

 It looks like center focus was available a little earlier for these B&L=Zeiss than it was for the standard Zeiss. I believe Zeiss didn’t offer it until around 1910? No case, but objective covers on mine.

Yes, I believe that Bausch & Lomb began offering a center focus mechanism in about 1901. Your 1910 number for Zeiss center focus sounds about right.

 

Jarrod

[ChrisNYPilor]

The only other well-known (or "kinda-known") binos that come to mind were those "streamlined" magnesium ZCF binos sold by Tower, Regent, Como, Baker, Mirador, Simor, and others.  I think they were "J-B'd" by both Tamron and Futaba (and "J-E'd" by both too, of course), but I'm not sure of that.  Vast majority were J-B26, but - as semlin noted in the cases of those Swift models - Tamron may have "kicked things off" before Futaba took over.

 

See this Baker:

https://www.cloudyni...8x30/?p=5085424

 

and this Como:

https://www.cloudyni...iii/?p=11669537

 

and this Simor:

https://www.flickr.c...ion/47879122951

 

and this Tower:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144202651133

 

Most (if not all) had BaK4 prisms.

 

Cheers.

What is a Tamron 7x50 comparable to?

[semlin]

Came across a very nice pair of Sears red stripe 7x35 EWA No.6271 (J-B83 / J-B46) recently and thought I'd share.

 

They came complete with booklet, caps, case, and original soft cloth. 

 

Used them to do some light birding over the weekend and they're excellent performers! Sharp, clear and contrasty. Really enjoy the EWA, as the field stop seems to disappear once you're focused on a target. Very cool little binos.

 

that appears to be a beautiful example of a very nice bino.  

 

are you sure it is j-b83?  could it instead be j-e63?  the jb46 otsuka makes sense as otsuka made many sears binos.  j-b83 i do not know very well.

[j.gardavsky]

Yes, I believe that Bausch & Lomb began offering a center focus mechanism in about 1901. Your 1910 number for Zeiss center focus sounds about right.

 

Jarrod

One of the first center focus mechanics might have been developed by Goerz, and sooner or later patented (D.R.P.)

 

Bausch & Lomb in Rochester used to be in close contact with the German optics manufacturers. Their contacts with Zeiss might have been also due to the glass sorts developed and manufactured by Schott in Jena.

 

Best,

JG

[Kefka1138]

that appears to be a beautiful example of a very nice bino.  

 

are you sure it is j-b83?  could it instead be j-e63?  the jb46 otsuka makes sense as otsuka made many sears binos.  j-b83 i do not know very well.

Thanks for the feedback, semlin!

 

You're right, they appear to be marked J-E83, not J-B83. Corrected my original post. The light plays tricks on my eyes, as the stamp is partially obstructed by the focusing wheel.

[skyops]

that appears to be a beautiful example of a very nice bino.  

 

are you sure it is j-b83?  could it instead be j-e63?  the jb46 otsuka makes sense as otsuka made many sears binos.  j-b83 i do not know very well.

*

 

Based on the binocular case supplied with my Discoverers this sample appears to be older than Kefka 1138's model. Not as pristine, either,

but are a great performer.

 

They are marked JE83 and JB46.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Kefka1138]

Nice specimen, Skyops! I dig the purple lining and clean logo design.

 

I was just observing the moon with my set. Beautiful views and oh so comfortable to use. They are surprisingly hefty, and yet have great balance in the hands. Very pleasurable experience. I'm glad to have the opportunity to use them.

[ChrisNYPilor]

Anyone have any information on a 6x30 made my JB138 and JE4?  I know JB138 is supposed to be a quality manufacturer and I have had good luck with JB4 bins.  Just bought them.  Should be here in a week I guess.  Looked interesting.

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[semlin]

Anyone have any information on a 6x30 made my JB138 and JE4?  I know JB138 is supposed to be a quality manufacturer and I have had good luck with JB4 bins.  Just bought them.  Should be here in a week I guess.  Looked interesting.

unusual and potentially very nice binos.  i have always wanted an early jb138 6x30 but i am more focussed on featherlight or banner version and had not appreciated there was a wards version.

 

adams is a wards house brand from the 1950s.  featherweight on an adams means their premium line and usually means bak4.  date is very early 1960s if not 1960 as ward dropped the adams brand in favour of "wards" very shortly after the jb issue began, and also because of the white lettering emphasis of the the jb marks which only appears early that i can see.

 

those appear to be missing one bayonet eyecup.  that might be a challenge to source.

[MisterDan]

Ditto everything Semlin said.  Fingers crossed for BaK4, which would likely make that Adams a REALLY excellent 6x30 (a nearly 9^o field). -Perhaps a "step beyond" a Banner 6x30 and maybe "within reach" of the Prominar.

 

Congrats on another nice snag.

 

Keep an eye out for Birks Super 6x30s, too, as they were also J-B138 with bayonet eye cups. If you can find a clunker, your eye cup replacement could be quicker than expected.  (Most Birks Super models may also be BaK4, but that's not a certainty.)

 

Thanks for sharing, Chris.

Edited by MisterDan, 12 February 2025 - 01:21 AM.

[LoveWillSteerTheStars]

What sort of WWII binoculars? American, German, British, Japanese?

In 1941, they're all going to be uncoated except for German navy binoculars. Unless they had coatings added later.

Uncoated will have less contrast and have less brightness, but they're fine binoculars and will be as sharp as coated models.

Jarrod

Did early coatings do any color correction for better color rendition?  If not when did they begin doing color correction?
 

[LoveWillSteerTheStars]

I am sure your 1908 Zeiss 8x24 Telact's are in very good condition. I will look for a pair to try out, but so far I only see some really beat up models and $100 plus for that honor. My best bins as of today are a late 50s kowa prominar bak4 model 7x35.  Shockingly sharp and bright.  Also feels like more than 7x and feels wider than 7.5 degrees (as marked).  

 I thought PROMINAR was the trademark for their proprietary lab-grown flourite crystal lenses, which would not be BaK4 ?
 

[LoveWillSteerTheStars]

one of my issues with zeiss is that the flathead screws require very thin blades to seat.

Would JIS screwdrivers fit better?  I bought these from Amazon, and found them quite useful.

 

https://www.amazon.c...J?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

https://www.amazon.c...,92&sr=1-9&th=1

 

No, they don't fit the old very thin kerf screwheads.  Too thick.  Little success in trying gunsmithing drivers as well - I have a set of 80 something types.  Grind something down.  The pry tool for removing the back from watch casings can be useful.  I have several bins waiting on me to find / make a thin enough driver.
 

[LoveWillSteerTheStars]

 I'm seeing "G" (shaped like an achromat)

Huh?  what's an "achromat" and what shape is it ?

[pat in los angeles basin]

an achromat- the lens

 

https://en.wikipedia...Achromatic_lens