Archives of an email list on the history of binoculars. http://home.europa.com/~telscope/listp200.txt home page: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/binotele.htm 201-250 =============================================== Binocular List #201: 21 January 2002. ================================================= Subject: News from Denmark From: More from Copenhagen: Sollux Nr 66, Sollux nr 88, and Hellux nr 208 are all made or at least sold by: Werkstätten für Präzisions-Mechanik und Optik, Carl Bamberg. This comes from an offer, the company sent to the danish army in 1919. The numbers seems to be factory model numbers. Has anyone heard of a Voigtländer 18x80??? looks like a Zeiss Delfort in configuration. The swedish company mentioned last time has a logo...take a look if you like: http://www.geocities.com/mikedenmark/plc5/norinab.jpg Hope to get back here with some more detailed info some time soon. Michael Simonsen --------------- Bamberg manufactured some of the finest astronomical and geodetic instruments, but not binoculars, unless these products were not listed in catalogs or histories. Since Sollux & Hellux are Busch names, it seems likely that Bamberg acted as agent. In 1919, Bamberg began the process of joining with Otto Toepfer, Hermann Wanschaff, and Hans Heele, to form Askania, also renowned for the finest quality instruments. --Peter ====================================== Subject: Fujinon Mariner 7x50 From: WIta057@___m (On ebay was) a rubber armored version of the Fujinon Mariner 7x50. I believe the mariner body is plastic so this pairs construction is similar to Steiner. It would be interesting to see if anyone on the list knows anything about this pair. It could have been a prototype submitted for government contract. I will let you know if I get any more information. Wayne Itamoto. ======================================== Subject: Various web sightings --Minox, Germany, has some unusual binoculars. The 8 x 58, and the ED glass 10 x 58 & 15 x 58, introduced September 2001, look excellent. A 10 x 52 looks great but has only a 50 degree field. The 6 x 20 was new in December, and has the 'skeleton' look popular in Japanese mini-binoculars from the 1950s. The Fullgrabe 'Fata Morgana' 4 x 12 from the 1920s, illustrated in Seeger p48, is the only non-Japanese model of this design that I'm aware of - does anyone know of any others? Since Minox introduces their 6x as having the 'nostalgic look', and I expect they're not nostalgic for Japanese models of the 1950s, I assume they're referring to the Fullgrabe or another early model. http://www.minox-web.de/english/masterframeset_produkte.html Minox also has binocular brochures in .pdf at http://www.minox-web.de/english/masterframeset_produkte.html --A British binocular periscope unlike anything I've seen: http://www.anchor-supplies.ltd.uk/periscope.htm --Seiler has a page on the M65 battery commanders telescope: http://www.seilerinst.com/mltry/m65per.htm --Undoubtedly the worst idea for a binocular, ever. Billboard Binoculars: http://www.kentvision.com/index.html ================================================= Subject: Conferences that should have a paper on binoculars Proposals are invited for contributed papers to sessions on THE ROLE OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS IN WARFARE to be held at the 2002 History of Science Society (HSS), the 2002 Society for the History of Technology (SHOT), and the 2003 Society for Military History (SMH) conferences and to be combined into a published survey volume on the topic. SHOT meets in Toronto 17-20 October 2002 HSS meets in Milwaukee 7-10 November 2002 SMH meets in Knoxville 1-4 May 2003 The goal of these sessions is to investigate the military uses of scientific instruments, either as distillations of scientific concepts for paraliterate users or as generative objects for the development of military sciences and thought. Examples of the former might include objects such as rangefinders that allow unskilled soldiers to utilize advanced ballistics, while examples of the latter could include diagnostic instruments which identify soldiers for certain duties or create ‘types’ of soldiers. More broadly, contributors might consider peculiarly military uses of general scientific instruments, from microscopes, testing machines, or even more broadly, computers or medical devices. Generally, however, the concept of scientific instrument should here be understood as a material object or technology which embodies scientific theory which used in a military setting in a way that distinguishes it from a civilian setting. It is hoped that these papers will cover scientific instruments in war from a wide chronological base (pre-modern to present) and from many different perspectives (organizational, artifactual, logistical, or perceptual) and many different disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, acoustics, biomedical, and so forth). Ultimately, the published volume will seek to do more than combine narrowly focussed investigations of individual objects, and published contributors will therefore be asked to place their specific investigation in a wider framework, whether chronological or thematic. Solicited contributions may be sought to fill gaps so that the published volume serves as an introduction to the field as well as showcasing individual important research. Further inquiries or paper proposals (for either conference or a chapter in the published volume) should be directed to: Steven A. Walton MTU-Dept. of Social Sciences 209 Academic Office Bldg. Houghton, MI 49931 Tel. (906) 487-2459 Fax. (906) 487-2468 Please include a title, abstract, and brief C.V. Initial inquiries should be made before Feb. 15 and completed proposals should be sent by March 1 for the fall conferences, and Sept. 1 for SMH. ------------------------------------ I hope there is some work on binoculars at one of these sessions, and I'll be following the sites to check. Unfortunately, the announcement above contains the following 'red flag': "published contributors will therefore be asked to place their specific investigation in a wider framework, whether chronological or thematic." This means that if you research some unexplored aspect of binoculars in war, and write an essay with original findings that explains a previously unknown history -- that is not enough. You are also expected to have a 'thesis', and if there is no clear conclusion to be drawn from your research -- you're very likely to speculate until you have found the 'wider framework' you've been asked for. This means that the proceedings of these meetings will be puffed out with endless & idle speculation on how these instruments fit someone's chronology or theme. It is unfortunate that research & findings are not sufficient for professional historians. Theses & theories are thought of as required in every paper & not recognized as an appropriate conclusion to years of work. A new field like the history of instruments needs data first, then the theories can be appropriate. --Peter ===================================================== =================================================== Binocular List #202: 28 January 2002. ============================================== Subject: Army Binoculars of WWII From: Arthur Tenenholtz Many Army binoculars from WWII, have the engraving "HMR," whether it was made by Nash Kelvinator or Westinghouse. Does anyone have any idea what the letters stand for? Arthur Tenenholtz --------- These 3 letters are not in a list of inspectors of army weapons & supplies, and not in my files. From an earlier list: From: SrsIII353@___m With regard to the "wpb" and "hmr" markings on certain wwii binoculars; i believe that"wpb" stands for "war production board". this was an agency set up vary early in the war to coordinate all industrial production for the war effort. As to the "hmr" marking; is this not associated with, primarily, instruments supplied to canada? if this is the case the perhaps "hmr" stands for "his majesty's....(something-or-other). just a thought. ================================================= Subject: Change of address From: "Earl Osborn" I recently got bumped from one I.P. to another by my phone company. Could you update my email address to the list: optical_repair@___m so I can stay updated with the folks. Our new address is 14114 N. 88th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85381. (623)847- 4705/Fax(623)847-4706. ================================================= Subject: Fujinon From: Binofixer@___m Back to Wayne Itamoto's e-mail. Fujinon has a more economical model, same optics as the AR series, but housed in a carbon fiber body. I may be somewhat inaccurate in this, I've been out of retail land for several years now, but to say they are like Steiner's is a total error! Fujinon actually get's their optics within an acceptible tolerance. And nobody betters them when it comes to waterproof integrity. Also, from a tech's stand point, working with a Fuji (repair) is intuitively logical. Steiner's... good luck! Need parts? Forget it! Steiner's with that highly touted Ruby-Coating? Come on, get real! What the heck is "Sparc Coatings" (Semi-Penetrating-anti-reflective-Coating)? Sounds Tekkie to the unaware, but to the trained, it's a fine coating to use for shaving your face in the morning! Steiner simply out runs their head lights. If their product ever catches their hype, they may get up to Fuji's game level. Last time I checked, looks like they have a ways to go. Just my opinion, Cory ---------------- One of the real mysteries of binocular-world is why Steiners are regarded in such high esteem by many people you meet at military & hunting events. Perhaps it is because they were used by the US military. They are quite rugged, if I'm correct. But I find their imaging quality to be mediocre, though I haven't used the 15 x 80. --Peter ===================================================== Subject: New Leica From: "Rolf Penzias" I do not have any further information, but Leica is ready to launch the Duovid 8+12x42 binocular. It is not a "zoom"; but switches (maintaining focus) from 8 to 12 (and visa versa 12 to 8) magnification with the mere manipulation of some mechanical feature. I am sure an e-mail to the site operators would elicit more info. They are talking pre-delivery orders now at: http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/leica/index.html http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/leica/Duovid.jpg Best regards, Rolf ====================================================== Subject: The sad slow demise of centre -focus porro -prisms ? From: Kennyj2@___m As I have mentioned in previous postings , I am looking to purchase one (or more) top quality binocular(s), mainly for the casual pleasure of medium to long -range terrestrial use but also for equally casual night-sky-gazing. The more I read about binoculars the more I feel inclined to purchase a separate unit for each purpose . I understand why birders , hunters , sports -spectators and most outdoor users demand features such as waterproofing and dustproofing , which are more easily provided in a roof prism design , and that for the astronomer, individual eye- piece focussing is not an issue , as a setting close to infinity will suffice for most objects. Call me "old -fashioned " but I prefer the looks and feel of a porro prism glass , the more three -dimensional view the wider -set objectives provide , and centre -focussing for ease of adjustment. Waterproofing is not really an issue for me , being a "fair weather " type of observer , and I cannot imagine engaging myself in much night -time sky watching when it is raining ! What began a year or so ago as a vague notion to check -out the odd review or recommendation from someone more expert than myself via the internet ,has developed into a very keen , some would say obsessive , interest in the whole subject of binoculars , which is why I have become such a grateful ( and perhaps undeserving ) member of this wonderful group . I have now spent over 100 hours of my free time reading reviews and articles etc. and have come to the conclusion that out of what one could call the " Top 30 " of highly recommended commercially available binoculars in the 8x to 15x power range , very few models are of conventional porro -prism design with centre -focussing . Even amongst these , the Nikon Superior E series ( one of which I will probably decide to purchase ) is criticised in some circles for not being waterproof or shockproof and for not having a tripod adaptor , the Canon Image Stabilised series for only coming with a one year warranty , and the Zeiss 15 x 60 BGAT ( no longer manufactured per Zeiss ) for being "ridiculously expensive " , even compared with the top of the range roof prisms from Swarovski , Leica and Nikon. On the subject of "prices ", I wonder if anyone would have any idea why the new Minox 58mm Roof Prisms ( kindly brought to my attention via your last posting ) are 35% MORE expensive in the U.K than in the U.S, particularly when they are supposedly made in Germany ? -- Regarding the new 58mm Minox models , it would interesting to read comparative reviews with the 56mm models from Zeiss and Swarovski . The U.K price of the Minox is around 90% that of it's leading "rivals ", but doubtless much of this high cost is due to the use of E.D ( flourite ) glass . The use of flourite in the Swift Audobon 44mm glass increases retail price by around 70% over the ( more recent waterproof ) standard version , yet opinions I have read indicate that the actual optical superiority thus gained by the E.D glass amounts to a minimal amount , and certainly not worth the extra cost . I wonder how and why it is that Nikon appear able to create a binocular at least optically equal to any other without using E.D glass ? One relatively " low-priced " recent introduction to the giant porro -prism market place is the new 20 x 80mm Chinese model from Oberwerk , regarding which I also eagerly await a "professional " review . I have a hunch that this could prove to be a low to medium priced binocular that may satisfy the requirements of some " tripod -mounted higher -power " amateur astronomy enthusiasts, although in my case ,residing in the U.K rather than the U.S again brings financial penalisation , uplifting the cost to approaching that of the revered Fujinon 16 x 70 . Alas , I am worried that we are witnessing a dearth of top quality centre - focus porro -prism designs . Most research , technical development and marketing money seems currently to be squarely behind roof prism designs and if this continues I feel it will be a very sad situation , which might eventually even bring to an end a great chapter in the history of binoculars. I hope I am proved wrong. Regards to all on the list , Ken Jones ---------- Plenty of people on this list are partial to Porro I binoculars. It is unfortunately true that most engineering is directed towards roof prisms; I can only guess that the body style is though to be more sell-able. ED glass has no precise definition, if I'm correct; and the term can be found in less-than-accurate descriptions. It is true that for low power uses, the color correction provided by a standard achromat is sufficient. I'd guess that a high power binocular can often profit by use of this glass. I recall that comparison of Nikon's excellent HP 7 x 50, with their Prostar 7 x 50 using ED glass, indicates only a very subtle difference, if any at all. I like center focus binoculars for all uses, even for astronomy, I find myself 'tweaking' the focus almost every time I use it. --Peter ======================================================= Subject: Edmund Scientifics -- How the mighty have fallen From: "William Cook" Well folks, I have never used this forum for proselyting – at least as far as gospel principles go. Nevertheless, I think a little group prayer might be in order. I just got the latest copy of the SCIENTIFICS catalog and flipped through the binocular section. When I first see a bunch of shuck and jive, my natural reaction is, “Here is someone else, trying to rip-off their fellow man.” However, with all the blarney I saw in those ads, it was plain to see that they were written by someone who probably really thought he knew what he was talking about. “Large 50mm objective lens gathers 87% of Incoming light.” Yes, I know what they meant. BUT, there was not one word said about coatings! That particular telescope, which was a folded REFRACTOR, was advertised as: “An innovative Newtonian-style reflecting lens…” On the Fujinon Techno-Stabi they speak of it being hard to hand hold higher powered instruments: “…making it very hard to view above 7x10 magnification.” They also have a 7x50 Ruby coated binocular that has: “Large 50mm PRECISION objectives gather light effectively, for bright hassle-free viewing.” I guess some sizes cause some people a hassle!? The same bino has a right eye adjustment the “can correct for any eye combination.” I guess that means that if you have 3 eyes you are still set. That ad concludes by saying that the “optical components are precision and fully coated.” I guess I shouldn’t be too critical. I once had a telescope that was coated with “precision.” Then they advertise the “WORLD’S SMALLEST 6x16 binocular.” However, directly below that ad is an ad for a 17.5mm bino that is half the size and weight of the “World’s Smallest.” On top of the next column they advertise their 30x50 “NEWTON REFLECTOR BINOCULAR” . . .which of course. . .is not! Finally, we have the “Little Mak hand-held telescope.” In the first place, the corrector looks like a Gregorian and not a Maksutov. Secondly they say, “Little Mak delivers an image that is as sharp at the edge as it is in the center.” I can believe that. However, with a central obstruction that appears to be literally 65% or largest, it wouldn’t really matter – ona counta u ain’t gonna getno contrast anywaze. The most intriguing comment was on the Night Owl image intensified bino: “Mirrored Optics Provide Faster Light Transition” I think they were looking for “light transmission.” However,that is not the point. Light can travel the distance around the earth 7.45 times in ONE SECOND. So how much quicker is light going to travel through a 6-inch binocular because of mirrored optics!? Yeah, I know, I’m bad. . .I will go away now. William J. Cook, Opticalman Chief, USNR-Ret. Manager, Precision Instruments & Optics, Captain's Nautical Supplies, Seattle Editor / Publisher, Amateur Telescope Making Journal =========================================================== Subject: Skeleton binoculars From: Arnold Cohen RE:Skeleton binoculars. In addition to the great variety of such binoculars made by many different Japanese makers in the 50's and 60's in powers from 5x to 12x-I think I even saw a 15x once-Nikon reintroduced a commemorative 6x15 a few years ago to mark the anniversary of their first binoculars which were made in that style. Additionally, they made a limited run of 7x15. These all were top of the line Nikons with their best coatings and superb mechanics, wide field, extra close focus and deapth of field. A wonderfull travel glass due to its small size. The only problem with most of the type is the method of collimation-tiny screws moving the prisms. The greatest advantage is relatively small size for performance-especially with pre-phase coating technology as they are as compact as a roof but with a porro prism. In additon they just look COOL. Arnie ========================================================= Subject: The Virtual Binocular http://www.nvis.com/virtualb.htm This is a hand held viewer that puts a computer screen in front of each eye. It really doesn't have a lot to do with a 'real' binocular, but I find it interesting because: 1, They made it look like a binocular. 2, We already have 'night vision' binoculars; and it is not going to be very long before we have a 'virtual binocular' hooked up to two cameras (one for each eye), and then the possibilities are extensive: we could show an image in other wavelengths- radio, infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray; see behind ourselves or with enhanced depth perception; we could superimpose GPS, rangefinding or identification data; view an image of the site as it was in the past, with a text on the history; and much more. There's a good article in the February 2002 'Popular Science' on 'Augmented Reality' instruments, where a GPS and a compass allow a computer to analyze what you are looking at and display data about the object. They mention a hospital that uses surgical goggles that superimpose an ultrasound image onto the view of the surgeon. The entire article is online at http://www.popsci.com/popsci/exclusive Other information on these ideas: http://www.cs.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/ ------------ The Virtual Binocular Handheld Immersive Display System Applications for the device include: -simulators that require a substitute for real binoculars (e.g. air traffic control, ship handling, aircraft identification) -public exhibits that require unassisted use of immersive displays -workstation based virtual reality applications that require users to switch their attention between the immersive display and the conventional screen -medical applications n-vision’s Virtual Binoculars have set the price/performance standard for simulated binoculars since their introduction in 1995. Combining high-resolution miniature CRTs and low distortion eyepieces, the Virtual Binoculars are a flexible, cost-effective hand-held immersive display. Mechanical features include focus adjustment, interpupillary distance adjustment, and mouse-compatible buttons on the top of the unit. The buttons can be programmed using any software tool kit that supports mouse gestures. Uses for the buttons include toggling reticules and indicators, zoom control, and motion control in virtual environments. The Virtual Binoculars are housed in a rugged plastic clamshell housing with sides cushioned by ergonomic rubber grips. A rubber heel in the top center of the shell adjusts interpupillary distance. Underneath is a standard-threaded tripod mount for statically mounting the binoculars using off-the-shelf fixtures. The binocular display system is designed for easy and unobtrusive mounting of tracking sensors internally or externally. Integrated Tripod Mount IPD Adjustment: 58-73mm. Weight: 36oz. The system can be adapted on a custom basis to simulate practically any binocular or monocular optical instrument. Successful implementations include simulated endoscope eyepieces, riflescopes, spotting scopes and a number of vehicle mounted sighting systems. Optical: Monocular FOV (diagonal): 42°, 60°. Image Plane Focus: infinity to 0.5m. Pupil Diameter: 6mm Display Technology: 1" CRT Video Formats: 640x480 to 1280x1024 (multisync) Price: $14,000 (VGA) $16,500 (XGA) $25,000 (HiRes) Also: VDB-30 model. $3,400. http://www.nvis.com/vb30.htm n-vision, inc., 7915 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 1201, McLean, VA 22102, USA, 703.506.8808 voice sales@___om, http://www.nvis.com Another model shown in use by NASA for training astronauts: http://www.nvis.com/nasa-jsc.htm NASA JPL NASA scientists at Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, California employ the Virtual Binoculars HiRes to scan the landscape of Mars, millions of miles away. The scientists report that the Virtual Binoculars give you a sense of spatial awareness that allows you to look around and feel like you are actually standing on Mars. Integrated with advanced graphics computers for Silicon Graphics, Sense8 visualization software, motion tracking from InterSense and stereo cameras mounted on the Sojourner surface exploration vehicle, the Virtual Binoculars provide NASA scientists with realistic, high-resolution images of the Martian views captured by the distant cameras. In addition to viewing the Martian scenery, NASA scientists use the integrated Virtual Binoculars system to navigate a visual user interface developed to archive data and comments about the surface features of Mars. Image at: http://www.nvis.com/nasa-jpl.htm There's a Quicktime movie of limited interest at: http://www.nvis.com/Eidetics.htm ============================================================================ ============================================================================= Binocular List #203: 31 January 2002. ====================================================================== Subject: New book on Barr & Stroud binoculars. From: Peter Abrahams Bill Reid has distilled his work on Barr & Stroud into a new book, 'Barr & Stroud Binoculars and the Royal Navy'. I'll be posting a review of it, but meanwhile I can recommend it as a truly excellent, in depth history, of a topic in the development of binoculars. Amazon books on line does have it, at list price, but I warn you that if you buy from them, they will send you advertising emails seemingly forever, saying that 'you can stop these spams if you log into our web site using your password', and I don't believe I ever got a password. An annoying business. Try your local bookstore first; but I would guess that a lot of them won't be able to find it. Even Amazon didn't have the ISBN. Reid, William. Barr & Stroud Binoculars and the Royal Navy. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 2001. (176pp) List Price: $39.95 (US) 20 pounds (UK). ISBN 1-901663-66-3. =================================================================== Subject: Steiners From: "William Cook" >Steiner's "Sparc Coatings" (Semi-Penetrating-anti-reflective-Coating)? The “S” in SPARC does not stand for “Semi.” The rights to NAVY ONE have been purchased by the Trogdon family of Weems & Plath of Annapolis – read nice, honest people. They have asked me to help them slice through the shuck and jive in the ads from the previous importer. I can’t include the whole letter here – but I did want to pass along a couple of my points: ----- “…SPARC (Simulated Penetration Anti-Reflection Coating)…” Let’s suppose for a moment that James Cagney stood before you and emptied his Tommy Gun into your chest. If the “Penetration” was “Simulated,” would you be injured? There is no such term in the optical industry. Fortunately, they did not go on, as they have in previous ads, with: “reflects electro-magnetic waves back into the light beam.” -- “No Thorium content.” I am ecstatic knowing that an element which hasn’t been used in commercial binoculars in many decades has also NOT been used in the Navy One. I feel much better knowing that. Thorium was used in some military equipment during WWII. However, it was controlled. It was also used in certain aerial camera lenses. ----- Just a thought, William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret. Manager, Precision Instruments & Optics, Captain's Nautical Supplies, Seattle ======================================================== Subject: Steiners From: "Loren A. Busch" I don't know how many Steiners are still in service with the US military, but weren't there reports of up to 100,000 of them showing at at various DRO facilities right after Desert Storm, the first real test for the Steiners?? Also, after watching binos coming in for repair for five plus years, I saw far more Steiners coming in than Fuji's, and most of those went to the factory. I can say this for Stiener: Most of the stuff going to their factory was fixed at a quite reasonable cost to the owner. When not fixable, Steiner always offered an equivalent factory refurb in exchange and again at a reasonable price. Good follow up policy on a mediocre product. Their reputation seems to be based on their advertising. ============================================================ Subject: Nikon From: "Loren A. Busch" If Ken can find (now out of production) Nikon 8x30 E he should look at it. The new Nikon EII series is as good or better, approaching the Superior E series. ======================================================= Subject: Porro prism binoculars and Steiner From: Arthur Tenenholtz Kenny J writes, from England, of the paucity of 8x, and higher power porro prism binoculars, with center focussing. I cannot write of the quality, but the Swarovski Habicht binoculars are available in 7x, 8x and 10x. One salesman told me that they were the equal of the roof prism Zeiss binoculars. As mentioned, for close viewing porro prism glasses give more plasticity or depth than do roof prism binoculars, which may have something to do with the perceived greater depth of field of the porro type. If any one wishes to help me choose among the Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski Habicht 7x42, I would welcome his advice. I am interested in a top notch, modern 7x42 glass because I find 8x rather hard to hold steady for star gazing. Additionally, the annual ephemiris of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada used to have an article, which stated that by middle age the pupil cannot dilate wider than 6mm. This means that a 7x50, with a 7mm exit pupil is wasted on an old fogey like me. I am currently of the opinion that 7x40 or 7x42 is the best compromise for hand held star gazing. A correspondent, from a rural Georgian area, informed me that an old pair of Square D binoculars were superior to Navy Ones for moon gazing. He was a bit upset because he had just sold me the Square D glass. Apparently Navy One has something to do with Steiner. Writing of the ephemeris reminds me that all American readers, east of the Rockies, should be aware of the occultation of Saturn by the moon, on the evening of February 22nd. The best part may be emergence of the planet from illuminated limb of the moon. With good wishes to all, Arthur Tenenholtz ================================================== Subject: Multi-magnification binoculars From: Arnold Cohen RE:Duovid binocs from Leica. I just acquired an interesting glass from c.1938(At least the case has that date written in the lid, and by gross inspection the 1930s would seem correct.) Lemaire, stereo, made in Paris on the left and Changeable 8-10-12 on the right telescope cover. They are an uncoated, Porro I, 30mm objective, center focus binocular with interesting oculars. They rotate with distinct click stops at the three powers and in so doing rotate a different ocular lens into the center of the eyecup and simultaneously the ocular moves up and down, thus remaining parfocal/in focus, much like a good microscope when rotating the turret objectives. The image is remarkable sharp, esp. for a French glass!! and the mechanics smooth and precise. While it certainly cannot compare to a modern Leica, it does prove that there is nothing new under the sun!! Arnie ======================================================== Subject: Fujinon (and Steiner) From: "Rolf Penzias" Although I have only looked through one Steiner - an 8x30 "military" - I have to say I was not impressed at all either. Of course military equipment is often selected for reasons over and above excellence in design, fabrication and function. But the "mil spec" label often carries much weight when it comes to marketing. Another item I was not impressed by (mentioned in a past bino list), the "Apache" 7x25(?) binocular. The one and only I have handled at a gunshow felt solid enough - until I put them to my eyes. The image appeared so dark and dull I glanced at the lenses to check for accumulated soiling. Seeing none, I set them down and quickly walked - not wishing to say anything to offend the seller - who looked as if he believed he had a premium piece of gear for sale. Subject: The sad slow demise of centre -focus porro -prisms ? (and the prices on items in the U.K. much higher compared to the U.S.A.) Having lived in the U.K. for many years I noticed this with many items. I would have thought that the "Value Added Tax" would be at least partially balanced by shipping costs here to the U.S.A. But American importers probably buy and ship in such numbers that they get discounts unavailable to any in the U.K. and pass that savings on to greater and lesser degrees depending on the item, and the U.S. market. Much like large discount chains buy at costs that allow them to retail at prices below what small specialist retailers pay wholesale. Subject: Edmund Scientifics -- How the mighty have fallen Mr. Cook wrote: "...I just got the latest copy of the SCIENTIFICS catalog and flipped through the binocular section. When I first see a bunch of shuck and jive, my natural reaction is, "Here is someone else, trying to rip-off their fellow man." However, with all the blarney I saw in those ads, it was plain to see that they were written by someone who probably really thought he knew what he was talking about..." I often get the impression that engineers and techs in many fields must howl - with laughter and/or perhaps pain - when they see some of the marketing junk published about their goods. This no doubt often takes place in marketing for a given item or product line at retail level. But I have also observed such things in factory ads or promotions, and do not understand why such material is not routed through engineers, techs and other product developement staff for final edit or veto before being sent off for print and distribution. In these cases perhaps it is due to the use of contracted "marketeers". Best regards, Rolf =========================================================== Subject: Replies, 'virtual' binoculars From: "William Cook" Dear Kenny: Thank you for your kind words. I really do get my knickers in a twist when people are out there making millions of dollars in profit a year having their lunitic lies eaten up by a ill-informed customer base. "Only two things are infinite; the universe and the stupidity of makind. . . .and I'm not really certain about the former." ----Albert Einstein As far as what I think about "virtual" binoculars: a) The resolution will not be as good as with real binoculars. b) constructing it as an electronic device, and not an optical device, collimation will be a bear. And just because the designers work for JPL or NASA, you may not conclude that they have more than a basic underestanding of collimation. Cory and I have had to save those types from themselves on more than one ocassion. c) If such a device could give one an up close and personal view of the surface of Mars (as indicated in one of the posts), at least if I didn't breeze through it too quickly, we would have no need for Palomar, Keck or Hubble. D) I am all in favor of the advancements in technology. However, for the time being, I would only be willing to purchase "virtual binoculars" with "virtual dollars" -- the real dollars are MUCH too hard to come by. Kindest Regards, Bill ====================================================================== Subject: Japanese binocular industry. I posted scans of a collection of photos provided by David Bushnell. They show the Fuji Film Company; and Fuji Photo Optical, Omiya Japan; in May of 1953. I'll soon be posting this list on the web site, with some brief explanations. The file names give names of persons, when known, or a clue about what is going on in the photo. The plan is, to write up what little we have on Japanese binocular production, post that with these photos, and then I'll lean on a couple of list members who know big names in the Japanese binocular business, to forward a note to these persons. We'll try to persuade them that there are people seriously interested in the history of the Japanese optical industry, and that we need to get the information in the near future, before it is unavailable. http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Arai-Bushnell.jpg 36k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-furnace.JPG 114k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-furnace2.JPG 131k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-glass-pot.JPG 132k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-glass.JPG 106k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-glass2.JPG 130k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-glassblocks.JPG 108k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-glasspot.JPG 127k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-lenses.JPG 79k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-lenses2.JPG 96k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-lenses3.JPG 107k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-lensmaking.JPG 95k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-machines.JPG 132k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-test.JPG 111k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-testchart.JPG 124k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FFilm-testglass.JPG 77k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-RngmstrFthrlt7x.JPG 140k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-anodiz.jpg 104k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-anti-corros.JPG 147k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-bodies.jpg 139k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-machining-bodies.jpg 197k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-machining.jpg 157k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-meas-eccntr--7x35.JPG 160k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-meas-fcl-lng-lens.jpg 137k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omi-pol-cvr-plts.JPG 146k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omiya-bodies.JPG 160k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omiya-paint.jpg 131k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omiya-prism.jpg 137k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omiya-workers.JPG 127k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FPO-Omiya-workers2.jpg 124k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Kobayashi-Bushnell.JPG 45k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Levin-Bushnell.JPG 45k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Omiya-06-May-1953.JPG 95k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Omiya-06-May-53.JPG 81k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Omiya-06-May1953.JPG 106k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Omiya-06May1953.JPG 120k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Omiya-Bushnell-1953.JPG 60k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Seoul-Optical-Factory.jpg 202k ============================================== ============================================== Binocular List #204: 05 February 2002. ================================== Subject: Thorium From: "randle dewees" Radioactive materials in optics: The thorium content requirement is still relevant in the industrial and military optics world. For visible band optics the need for radioactive elements is long gone but the boiler plate 'content requirement' will probably live on and crop up in odd places as long as optics are being made that do use radioactive ingredients. Thorium fluoride is still commonly used for anti-reflection coatings for infrared lenses. Thorium and other radioactive elements are presently being experimented with in heavy metal fluoride IR transmitting glasses for high energy laser (HEL) purposes. If anything, antireflection coatings using thorium fluoride are coming back in vogue for critical HEL use. For the IR FLIR systems I design and build I used coatings that do not contain radioactive materials, but only because these systems can tolerate slightly diminished performance. I do occasionally refurbish and make optics that use radioactive materials and I follow standard industrial hygiene guidelines, and I document the radioactive content for downstream users of these optics. Randle Dewees ==================================== Subject: Japanese 18 x 50 From: "Grimsey" A bit of help required. I have just acquired a pair of Japanese 18X50 prismatics that I have never heard of before . On the top plates are Left hand side CHIYOKO i na lens outline like Zeiss. Right hand side Model name CLIO field of view 3.0 degrees. They look to be a copy of a Zeiss design and are quite good to look through. Any information would be appreciated. regards Phil Grimsey ========================================== Subject: Navy One From: "Herman, Mike" Regarding the comments on the Navy One Binocular and SPARC coating, etc, I would be interested in seeing the full text of Mr. Cook's letter to the Trogdon family, if it is available. I would also like to know his opinion (and that of others on this list) of the Navy One 7x50 Binocular (putting aside the well merited criticism of the marketing hype used by Pioneer, the former importers). ================================== Subject: " Virtual Binocular Confusion " From: Kennyj2@___m To all list members . Just the presence of Bill Cook's comments regarding "virtual binocs" in the last post must have confused readers even more than the content ! Having read the article about these mind -boggling instruments in the previous bulletin I had sent Bill a private e-mail asking his valued opinion on this "giant leap in optical technology " with special regard to the price and serviceability of such hi -tech instruments . I figured that any repairs to such would likely require specialist skills and knowledge developed in areas of study and experience considerably removed from those possessed by "traditional" optical technicians amongst whom the likes of Cory A. Suddarth and W.J. Cook himself are so rightfully well respected . Unless I win the National Lottery Jackpot , I doubt very much that I will ever be purchasing a " virtual binocular " ( and if they are as good as the article suggests the wife and kids would probably want one each too ! ) but this does not prevent me from being curious about aspects such as whether or not , even at $25,000 for the high resolution version, the customer gets any more than the standard one year warranty that comes with most other "electronic gadgetry " goods . I was rather hoping that my query would bring the " humourous " side out of Bill and was not disappointed in that respect . In fact on a lighter -hearted note , I hasten to add that there was no mention of whether or not a soft leather carrying case , de -luxe neck -strap or cleaning cloth was included in the price ! Back to reality , I thank Loren A. Busch for his thoughtful suggestion regarding the older Nikon 8 x 30 and Arthur Tenenholtz for bringing to my attention the older Swarovksi porro -prism models . I think the "shrinking pupil dilation theory " could easily be proved to be true in the case of most ageing eyes , although I have read ( somewhere ) of exceptions . Sky and Telescope's Alan MacRobert ( again somewhere / sometime - I can't remember ) explained what I recall as being two simple D.I.Y ways to measure one's maximum pupil dilation . He is also one of very few " binocular experts " I have read who tends to support my own observations that 7 x 50s in general are somewhat "overrated" instruments for astromomy purposes , except for young eyes in very dark skies . Good luck Arthur with your selection process ! ====================================== Subject: Introduction From: "James J. Gorman" Hello, My name is James J. Gorman, and I have been collecting binoculars fairly seriously now for about five years. I am an aeronautical engineer by training (BS & MS @___ specializing now and for about the past twenty five years in advanced materials. I am intrigued by the unusual confluence of science, engineering, art, and craft represented by the best binoculars, and suppose that I am most interested in the development of their technology and mechanics. To that I must add that I live about 30 miles west of Boston Massachusetts in an area that still permits "walks in the country" and always take along one or more of my perhaps 40 glasses for use and comparative critique of the different types. I am interested primarily in prismatics, generally from the turn of the last century to perhaps the 1960s. There is little in the past 30 years in binoculars that grabs my interest, except perhaps the possibilities of gyro- stabilization. With respect to that issue, however, I will always rather pay for optical quality than electro-mechanical gizmos. I have a very soft spot for Porro II binoculars in general and Ross binoculars (Porro I & II) in particular. Being a designer of aerospace structures myself drives my interest in the direction of figuring out the different and sometimes unique ways the binocular designers traded-off power, resolution, brightness, bulk, and general utility. I tend perhaps toward the more eclectic solutions to this general design problem, which is why the Porro II ond other less common prism systems appeal. I have some professional experience with optics, from the viewpoint of constructing optical benches and telescope tubes of Graphite/Epoxy composites for customers ranging from hobbyists to NASA. Over the past five years I have developed happy and illuminating relationships with several collectors and dealers in the USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. I have been very lucky to find individuals who are generous of their time and experience to guide this developing interest. My Holy Grail at present is to find a mint condition SARD 6 x 42 Mark 43 binocular, a quest that is proving to be challenging as I am sure you are aware. The problems of achieving sharp wide field images in a user friendly fashion are of course challenging, and several other wide field glasses of some reputation have only served to show how difficult it is to do properly. It seems particularly difficult in my case, since my IPD is always at the upper extremity of a binocular's adjustment. Anyway, this note gives you some idea of my interests, which tend to be technical/performance related rather than "collectability" related. I look forward to some interesting interchanges. Thanks, Jim Gorman ======================================================== Subject: Photos of Japanese industry I scanned & posted the last of some photos provided by David Bushnell. I am hoping we can identify the 'unknown' factory (and its beautiful 'optiker'). Fuji Meibo factory, 1950 http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-PrismClusterAssy.jpg Installing prism cluster in binocular --95kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-assembly.jpg Assembling binoculars --117kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-coating.jpg Lens coating vacuum jar --178kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-coating2.jpg Lens coating rack & vacuum jar --153kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-collimate.jpg Collimation --115kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-lens.jpg Lens grinding & polishing --83kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-lenspolish.jpg Polishing a group of lenses --99kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/FujiMeibo1950-machining.jpg Machining barrels --133kb ------------- http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/Narimatsu-Kowa-engn-R-1952.jpg Kowa engineer Narimatsu on right --58kb -------------- An unknown factory; one photo shows a Tamron part. http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-assy.JPG Assembling binoculars; building exterior --82k http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-binoc.JPG Assembly; finished binocular --63kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-coating.jpg Inspecting, coating, Kanji found in scrapbook --94kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-design.JPG Designers --60kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-machines.JPG Lens grinding & polishing machines --51kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-maching.JPG Machining metal parts - -81kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-sports.JPG Baseball & Judo teams, 'Tai Sei' --80kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-worker.JPG A worker --51kb http://home.europa.com/~telscope/Japan/unkn-workers.JPG Several workers --57kb ========================================= ========================================== Binocular List #205: 09 February 2002. ============================================== Subject: Japanese 18 x 50 From: nekogahora >Japanese 18X50, CHIYOKO in a lens outline like Zeiss, CLIO field of view 3.0 degrees. Chiyoko brand was used by Chiyoda Kogaku (now Minolta) as late as early '60s. They began manufacturing binoculars in the WWII era and exported a good number in the postwar era. The pair look to be made in the '50s as they have no MIOJ markings. Hayao =============================================== Subject: Leupold 7 x 30 Golden Ring Binoculars From: Thomas Press tpress@___le.edu I recently acquired a Leupold 7 x 30 I.F Porro Golden Ring binocular, and wondered if you or anyone on the list has any information as to the actual maker? It's a somewhat unusual configuration, and the diopters are click stopped but the overall appearance and diopter markings are very similar to the late lamented Bausch & Lomb Japanese Zephyrs and Discoverers. All that Leupold will tell is that this binocular was imported from Japan in the early 1980's and that it is still covered by their Golden Ring Lifetime Warranty. There are no JB#s in the usual places and the identification of Japan as the country of origin is truly hidden - simply the word 'Japan' in tiny letters on the right telescope near the hinge, very similar to the tiny reference to Portugal as the country of origin for the current Leica compacts. Good binocular, by the way, very sharp to the edges, fairly wide field (7.8 degrees), excellent depth of field and very handy. Not waterproof or fogproof, unfortunately, but still a very useful binocular in the field. Best regards, Tom --------------- Leupold is a very interesting company, located about 10 miles from my home, outside Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1907 to repair surveying instruments, they began manufacturing surveying transits & instruments in 1907, and have been very successful at producing rifle scopes since 1947. They branched out into binoculars with some success. Their top of the line 'Gold Ring' binoculars are very fine, although the compact models are merely good. The less expensive 'Wind River' models are mostly mediocre to good. I posted a review of the Leupold Gold Ring 10 x 40 and 9 x 25 binoculars in list 88. Prior to 1992, Leupold sold imported binoculars, including some with the 'Golden Ring' designation. In 1992, Leupold introduced 9 x 25 and 10 x 28 'Golden Ring' models. These 'Golden Ring' models were designed and prototyped at their Beaverton, Oregon plant. The lenses and prisms were made in Japan, the bodies were made and the binoculars were assembled in Beaverton. Some reports say the compacts were entirely made here. In 1992, the 'Golden Ring' was taken off imported binoculars, and in 1994, all imports were labeled 'Wind River, imported by Leupold'. In 1996, Leupold introduced Golden Ring 8 x 32, 10 x 40, and 12 x 50 binoculars, similarly designed & fabricated in Beaverton, using imported glass parts. As of about one year ago, they ceased production of binoculars, and if my information is correct, any new models sold with their name are manufactured elsewhere. I have not found a JB number on Leupold binoculars, some at lease use Kyocera optics. Leupold showed remarkable discernment in selecting Wright Scidmore to design the 'Golden Ring' series of binoculars. Scidmore graduated Columbia (in optometry) in 1950, had a long career of designing optics for the U.S. military, being involved in the design of the M19 binocular - at least peripherally. The 'Scidmore' eyepiece of the 1960s is a very wide angle ocular that is a predecessor to the Nagler eyepieces; the patents for the Naglers refer to Scidmore's patents. Scidmore did not publish many articles, but the few that appeared were very creative: a 50cm f1 catadioptric objective, and a binocular with 140 degree true fov ('overlapping monoculars'). I wrote in an early list: During a visit to Leupold, we discussed the use of an industrial x-ray machine to help reverse engineer old binoculars. I had been told by a lens designer that x-rays could be used to help determine the type of eyepiece in an instrument, and that instrument makers use it for similar purposes. I loaned Leupold a Hensoldt 8 x 30 Diarex (uses mirrors instead of prisms) and a Minox T8 Taschen-Teleskop (folded optical path to produce a low power telescope the size of a stack of 10 credit cards), which they had radiographed. The electronic scan of the x-ray is not particularly successful, and little detail is visible, but perhaps this will encourage others to pursue this field. Any city has an industrial x-ray business. I am grateful to Leupold for providing this image. It is posted at: http://www.europa.com/~telscope/binxray.gif An x-ray of a Hensoldt 8 x 30 Diarex and a Minox T8 Taschen-Teleskop. 88 kb. Leupold's web page: http://www.leupold.com/ ================================================ Subject: Identify photos From: I just acquired these two old press release photos, from the text on the back, this is an italian sailor. dated january 19th 1943. The pics are probably taken earlier. But the bino? Which type is that? Close up http://www.geocities.com/mikedenmark/germanoptic/gallery/itabino1.jpg Outlook http://www.geocities.com/mikedenmark/germanoptic/gallery/itabino2.jpg Does anyone know?..Doesn´t look like a Zeiss tripod to me. Michael Simonsen =============================================== Subject: Reid book From: "Steve Stayton" I received a mailer regarding the new book by William Reid and mailed back the order form to National Musuems of Scotland with my Visa card info to place the order. 20 pounds Sterling plus 3 pounds shipping to USA. Mailing address: NMS Publishing Ltd.; National Musuems of Scotland; Chambers Street; Edinburgh EH1 1JF; Scotland email: publishing@___.uk tel: +44(0)131 247 4026 Very interesting title: "We're certainly not afraid of Zeiss, Barr & Stroud Binoculars and the Royal Navy" Steve =============================================== Subject: Thorium, Navy One From: "William Cook" Thanks to Randy for the update on optical work with Thorium. I guess what I would like to know is: What binoculars use Thorium today and how much more radiation one is exposed to by using one that by walking along the beach in the sunlight. Also, I was asked my opinion on the Navy One binocular: It is not a Zeiss. It is not a Leica. It is not a Swarovski. It is not a Nikon. However, it is a very good binocular for the money and does not come with a price tag associated with the binos mentioned above. It does have the most sure gripping surface I have ever seen and I am especially pleased with the way it is baffled. I have yet to test one as I did on those I wrote about in Sky and Telescope. However, for daytime use, it offers a very well-defined field of view surrounded by a BLACK background - indicating good baffling. I know Dick Buchroeder tortures his binos looking for stray light. That is why he has the big office while I work for Captain's. Under everyday testing, though, they appear considerably better than many others of their genre. I'm trying to figure out whether I love or hate the unusual rubber eyecups. Everyone else here likes them. When I get time I will check them out while wearing glasses. I think we will start selling them. My biggest concern over the years has not been the product, but rather the advertising. I know that binocular sales is a cutthroat business and folks need to go for all the "gusto" they can get. However, I don’t want Captain’s or myself to look like we support flexible advertising for anything. You should have seen the correspondence between Jason and me a few years back when they offered me a chance to sell their "Auto-Focus" binoculars. Can you say. . . "as -best-os?" Finally, this forum is very important for the dissemination of hard to come by information. On behalf of all the others who wear their experience on their sleeves, I would ask that the information imparted here be for the use of the List members only. I for one do not want to get into a peeing contest with anyone’s "rent-a-judge." Kindest Regards, Bill Cook ======================================== Subject: Leitz BIDOX From: Marc James Small I picked up a pair of 6x30 "Dienstglass beh" binoculars today -- these are Leitz BIDOX glasses, a rather successful design, having remained in production from 1927 until 1962. Being wartime production, they lack the Leitz name but do have the "beh" production code, indicating Leitz Wetzlar. The nice part about these is that they came in a hard plastic case, an exact equivalent of the leather case but made from a brown plastic of some sort held together by leather straps and assembled with screws. (This design might have saved some leather for the boots the Landsers were wearing out on the Ostfront, but it was also labor-intensive to manufacture!) I've never seen a case like this before. What is odd, to me, is that I have no other reference to such a case in any military or Leitz publication. I am sent scads of Lists with Leitz wartime binoculars on them but have never seen such a case listed. As you note, probably, most broke! But why aren't they in the listings of yummy Leitz collectibles -- the binoculars themselves are there, and the leather case. The case is marked "ejo 1882/2" There was a book published around 1977 which listed all 9,000 German military manufacturer's codes but I lack a copy of this. I would suspect this to be a case to fit any like binocular of the era, and that it was simply issued by the Wehrmacht to fit their MilSpec binoculars, regardless of make. I will check to see if it will fit my (several many) pairs of DELTRINTEM glasses, as I suspect it shall. I did pick up a pair of Zeiss 10x40 Victory binoculars last week. Interesting. There is a slight edge in actual performance as observed (given my "personal equation") over the older 10x40 BGA's and a very slight, but noticeable, edge over the lamented and beloved Docter Optic 10x40 BGA Asphericals. The Docter glass is lighter; the Zeiss Victory focuses closer. You takes your money ... Or, in my case, I'll probably be using the Docter 10x40 a lot more often, as Zeiss seems to have chosen to no longer include a case with the Victory glasses, and that leaves those front elements exposed to damage. Marc msmall@___e.infi.net FAX: +276/343-7315 Cha robh bàs fir gun ghràs fir! -------- There is a list of these three letter codes, those for optical devices, on my web site. ejo is not in John Walter, German Military Letter Codes. Hove: Small Arms Research Publications, 1996. The case is bakelite, and is shown on page 96 of Seeger, 'Militaerische', with several binoculars that fit it, but not a Leitz. I cannot locate the German text in that chapter that discusses these cases. If a list member can fill us in on how these bakelite cases were issued and their intended purpose - if any, that would be helpful. --Peter =========================== Nikon press releases on binoculars http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/news/index-bino.htm ====================================== ======================================== Binocular List #206: 13 February 2002. ============================================ Subject: Binoculars of Italy From: "gian" >http://www.geocities.com/mikedenmark/germanoptic/gallery/itabino1.jpg About the Italian Binoculars they are the San Giorgio Astramar built By San Giorgio at Sestri near Genoa from Thirties to Fifties mainly for Italia Navy. Here a short description: 12-20-40x80 Astramar binoculars built By S.Giorgio for Italian Navy in the forties. S. Giorgio begun to build optics instruments (rangefinders , binoculars and sights) for Italian armed forces during WWI. In the thirties they became the most important supplier of optic instruments to Italian Regia Marina. The Astramar was in rotation to all major ships of the Regia Marina but in poor quantities. Admiral Campioni, commander at sea of the Italian Fleet at the battle of Punta Stilo(off Calabria for English speaking people), in his report on the battle, lamented the lack of Astramar on His battle station and suggested to put at least a pair of Astramars on all ships which can host the Admiral commanding a squadron. The three magnification 12-20-40 are obtained revolving the turrets. The Astramar are 25 inches long and are about 15 pounds in weight. Extensible lens hoods.They come with their own tripod in excellent overall conditions. Usually they are engraved Regia Marina or Marina Italiana. Here a list of Italian Binoculars makers in order of age: Koritska Milano: They made photographic lenses, microscopes, survey optics and after WWI binoculars also.I have heard more times that the binoculars issued to lookouts on board of Italian Subarines during WWII were Koritska 7x50. Salmoiraghi or Filotecnica Salmoiraghi or Filotecnica at Milan. Founded at Milan by Porro himself made binoculars and astronomical optics from about 1880 to 1960. The commoner I saw were 6x30 and 8x30 binocs both for the civilian market and military. San Giorgio or S.Giorgio Genova began to make optics during WWI and between the two WW wars was perhaps the most important maker of optical instruments being the main suppliers together with Galileo for the Italian armed forces. They made binocs of very high quality 6x30, 8x30,7x50,10x50,10x80 and the famous Astramar which was 12-20-40x80 and a lot of sights and stereo rangefinders. S. Giorgio ceased to make optics in early fifties. Very good binocs are the S. Giorgio Lataocta which were wide angle 8x30. Officine Galileo Firenze more specialized in geodetics and astronomical optics between the world wars produced for Armed Forces the same of S. Giorgio in the range 6x30-10x50 and many sights and rangefinder. After WWII Officine Galileo launched in the market some very interesting civilian binocs as wide angle 7x35 but the Japanese landslide compelled them to cease binoculars production on late fifties. Ducati , a mechanical plant , produced during WWII and immediately after the 20° inclined Eyepieces 10x80 copy of the most famous Zeiss, some telescopes, sights and few cameras which are most sought by collector.. Sbisà , a little producer, made some hundreds of little binocs (6x30, 8x30) at Florence and Triest. Some Siege optics were produced from before WWI to the end of WWII by a branch of the Italian Army. S.Giorgio, Galileo and Salmoiraghi had quality standard very near to the most renowned German Factories. A doubt I have. I recently got two Rollei 7x42 binocs black rubber armored one engraved Rollei and one engraved Avimo for British Armed Forces. Both don't have any dioptric regulation (Fixed focus?). Are they suitable for anyone ( with visual defects also) or they are conceived for people who have a perfect viewing? I cannot believe that Rollei made these Binocs for only perfect viewing people. Can Anyone give me an explication?Thanks! Giancarlo Bozzano, Italy ----------------- Fixed focus: I suppose the thinking is that if you provide enough eye relief, the user will wear their spectacles, and only view distant objects. Fixed focus binoculars are a terrible idea. Obviously they are more rugged & weatherproof. If you're only viewing objects farther than (20 meters?), and if you are young, focus might seem optional. Inexpensive consumer binoculars are sold, that try to make a virtue of this lack-of-feature, by calling it 'focus-free': buy this binocular & you'll never have to focus again! --Peter ============================================================= Subject: Bakelite cases From: hans.t.seeger@___ne.de (Seeger) Bakelit cases for German issue glasses 6 x 30. The code ejo is in my gray book on page 139 (list): Presswerk A.-G., Kunstharzartikel, Essen, Lueschershofstr. 80 a. These cases are not rare in Germany, they were exported to Sweden too (in the 2nd edition of my book one of the "Swedish" cases will be shown). On page 98 details about the introduction are given: Apparently, these bakelite cases were introduced circa September 1939. I cite an official paper stating that the Rodenstock, Hensoldt , and Oigee 6 x 30 binoculars should be packed in leather cases because these don't fit exactly into the bakelite cases. By the way: On Abbildung (illustration) 53 on page 96 the bakelite case is only shown as a "general purpose" case for German 6 x 30 Dienstglasses. Therefore it is not my statement that only the depicted binoculars fit into this bakelite case. I will change the illustration text of Abb. 53 a little to avoid confusion or an incorrect interpretation (nobody is perfect!). Best regards Hans ======= Subject: Bakelite Case for Leitz BIDOX From: "James J. Gorman" I find a listing for "ejo" in Seeger "Militarische..." on page 139. The code is associated with "Presswork A.-G., Kunstharzartikel, Essen, Luscherhofstr. 80 a". If my sadly failing German serves, kunstharzartikel refers to art objects fabricated/molded from resin, so it would seem to be a company which in civilian life made knicknacks of what was still at that time a somewhat novel material. Bakelite (cured phenol-formaldehyde resin) was invented (half-accidentally) in 1906 by the Belgian Leo Baekeland. It's first commercial use is thought to be the gearshift knob for the 1917 Rolls-Royce. The binocular cases and objects such as kitchenware or other hollow shapes would have been made by impregnating cellulose paper or fabric sheet with the phenol- formaldehyde resin and then molding the sheet over forms or mandrels at 150 C and perhaps 1000-2000 psi pressure. This work would have been done in very large hydraulic presses, hence the "Presswork". It is perhaps surprising that this industrial capability would be spent in making binocular cases, but perhaps this factory was not of sufficient capability to make articles of more demanding size and performance specifications. I believe I have seen such cases offered with dienstglaser on E-Bay, and will attempt to locate other information in Seeger and elsewhere. Take Care, Jim Gorman ========= Subject: Bakelite case From: As a reply to the 6x30 case question I have translated the part of Mr Seegers book: Page 98. The following Message (news on military gear) from ordinary Army messages of Oct.7th. 1939 is important, because it contains serial numbers and indirectly refers to the intruduction of the Bakelite case. Binocular 6x30 (packing). The binoculars 6x30 from the following companies: G. Rodenstock, München, until serial number 203501 M. Hensoldt & Söhne, Wetzlar until serial number 383621 and Oigee, Berlin-Schöneberg, until serial number 21651 shall, whenever possible, be used with cases of leather, as they are difficult to fit into the bakelite case. (End of translation.) Upper right side of page 98 it is stated that only half of the 6x30 and the 8x30 will be delivered with straps, and furthermore 15 juni 1944: that the binocular carrying straps will be delivered with 5 buttonholes for adjustment. The bakelite case is made of what is known in german as pressstoff...Polymers are basicly either thermoplastic or thermosetting...bakelite is the later type. Thermosetting means that you mould it hot, but after the moulding a renewed heating will cause the material to deteriorate, and finally burn, it will NOT be soft again....Thermoplastics will become soft every time they are heated until the material deteriorates from basic wear. Pressstoff refers to the usual way of producing thermosetting plastic items...in high pressure forms. As the basic polymer is expensive, it is often filled with additions, like saw dust, torn fabric, or the like (german : Faserstoff) On early Bakelite cases the fillings are finely grained, and the base polymer is dyed black. This gives very smooth black shining surfaces, and a very compact end product. In later production cases the filling has become much coarser, and the colour is often yellow/ orange. The surface is no longer smooth, nor shiny. I have a feeling that later cases are made from less material, hence thinner walls. Moderate amounts of filling will increase the strength of the item, as long as the polymer can bind between the filling elements. Same principle as used in glasfiber resin production, like boats. Exaggerate use of filling, (which is far cheaper and more easily obtained than the polymer) will make an inferior material. The polymer can no longer bind the material in the form. The yellow cases are rarely seen here, most cases are the pitch black type. How rugged are these items...? Well I have never seen a broken case, and the same bakelite material was used throughout the war for field telephones...and here in Denmark, those german telephones was used until 5 years ago. Original Wehrmacht telephones!. They sure are rugged, Of course they can be broken, but I have used them, and never seen them break...a drop from a truck didn´t necessarily kill such a telephone. Worst case: if they are put on the back and pressure is applied from the front. That can break the bino case. But put upright, closed, you can sit on it. Bakelite is a bit like concrete: high pressure won´t hurt it much, but strain will. The bakelite cases are still in use in Norway and Sweden. Also old german war production. Michael Simonsen ======================================================= Subject: Chiyoko From: Allen Feldman Reference the Chiyoko brand 18x50 binocs, apparently the info is quite right about them being today's "Minolta." I recently placed a vintage "Made in Occupied Japan," Minolta folding camera on ebay, which has a Chioko lens assy. Cheers, Allen ========================================================= Subject: Binocular Pronunciation From: Kennyj2@___m A minor matter in the great scheme of things to be sure , but following casual conversations with various fellows of Celtic and Anglo Saxon descent , it would appear that here in the United Kingdom many people have a slight problem with correct pronunciation of no less than three of the world's five top binocular manufacturers ! To put the matter to bed once and for all I would appreciate being given the correct answers to the following multi - choice questions . 1. Does ZEISS rhyme with (a) Ice (b) Peace or (c) Pace ? 2. Does LEICA rhyme with (a) Bike - a (b) Teak -a or (c) Cake - a ? 3. Does NIKON rhyme with (a) Click - On or (b) Icon ? Unlike leather cases or tripod adaptors for any of the above goods , entry to this little quiz is completely free of charge. Wishing FOG - FREE Skies / Coastlines / Mountain Ranges / Bird Sanctuaries / Streets housing retail stores employing managers who allow binoculars to be tested outside their shop . -- Ken Jones . ----------- Out here in the wild west, when the cowboys or loggers want to unholster their bino, they reach for their Zeiss = ice; Leica = bike-a; Nikon = Icon. I'm confident that Germans will have similar pronunciations, except the 'Z' sounds more like an S. I don't know how the Japanese pronounce Nikon. But if you want a tough pronounciation, try the German manner of saying 'Voigtlaender'. There are no English equivalents to the 'V' and the 'ae' (umlaut a); but if you were to try to force diacritical marks on it, they might be: fwat - lhen - der --Peter ============================================================== Subject: peleng 1240 gs From: rcbibbo can you give me any information on a peleng 1240 gs? it is a gyro stabilized binocular. the writing in the owners manual is in russian.it is about 12 power. about 40-42 objective. it's pretty heavy,very well made, and beats my cannon 12x36, in sharpness. it has orange colored screw on filters as accessories, which are very sharp also. i would like to know origin and price. thanks bob =============================================================== Subject: various From: DeutOptik@___m A couple points of note: (i) We've just received a small number of unusually articulated French naval binoculars by Huet. They include an unusual rhomboid/amici prism arrangement (sort of half-and-half) in an 8x40 configuration. We're guessing they were used for fire control (as there's a spider-site reticle in the right-hand optical path), but I've never seen them in the literature. Anyway, they're $500 apiece, all cleaned up; (ii) Also, we've turned up a small lot of mixed WWII glasses of German/Swedish ancestry, including some Swarovski, NIFE, Busch, and other more uncommon makers. Many include Bakelite cases and most also feature the Swedish "three crowns" insignia somewhere on the housing. There are a few monocular mixed in as well. Anyone interested can contact us and we'll fax over a list (too many to go through here). Finally (iii) we have a customer who is looking to buy or trade for a Hensoldt 15x56 monocular and/or Zeiss 8x56 B/GA monocular. Oddly, he has very nice examples of both instruments in binocular configurations, but he will trade straight across for the monocular equivalent. Actually, he asked us to cut down his binos and make them both into monoculars, but we couldn't bring ourselves to do it. Thus, this is a straight-across deal that should make someone very happy. New (spring) catalogue now in the mail. best/Mike ================================================================== Subject: Barr & Stroud book From: Peter Abrahams Barr & Stroud binoculars. A review of: William Reid. We're Certainly Not Afraid of Zeiss: Barr & Stroud Binoculars and the Royal Navy. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 2001. (176pp) 20 pounds (UK). $39.95 (US). ISBN 1-901663-66-3. Available from: NMS Publishing Ltd. National Musuems of Scotland. Chambers Street. Edinburgh EH1 1JF. Scotland email: publishing@___.uk tel: +44(0)131 247 4026 Visa accepted, 20 pounds + 3 pounds shipping to US. -------------- By attempting to document in a detailed manner the binocular production of one manufacturer, Reid has produced a book that is useful to those interested in the history of binoculars as a whole. The development of these instruments at this company paralleled the accomplishments of companies world wide, as materials and processes improved over time. Also, the relationships that Barr & Stroud had with other companies were extensive and are highly illuminating. One need only look through another book on Barr & Stroud - 'Range & Vision' - to see that binoculars were a small part of this very large manufacturer. (Moss, Michael & Iain Russell. Range and Vision: The First Hundred Years of Barr & Stroud. Edinburgh: Mainstream, 1988 256pp.) There were laboratories and resources available to devote to the improvement of optical intruments, and military contracts to pay for it all. On page 54, the derivation of the title is given. James French, chairman of Barr & Stroud from 1939-1941, wrote to the London office in March of 1930 on the subject of the manufacture of binoculars, 'We're certainly not afraid of Zeiss: we hope we shall give them reason to be afraid of us'. Reid notes that this 'appears, with the benefit of hindsight, to be a glorious example of optimism and hubris impeding experience and commonsense'. The book begins by introducing some of the persons relevant to the history, including: Frederic J. Cheshire, 1860-1939, was Scientific and Technical Director of the Optical Department of the Ministry of Munitions of War; and president of the Optical Society from 1916-1920. Charles Vickery Drysdale, 1874-1961, at the Admiralty Research Laboratory 1921-1929, author of noted articles on binoculars, and activist in the National Birth Control Council. Thomas Smith, head of the Optics Division at NPL, who during WWI, worked to 'assess & decide the means of testing & marking of commercial binoculars acquired for the military. Smith is introduced on page 73, and is noted here because he appears as 'T. Smith' in many publications from the Optical Society, exhibiting a mastery of mathematics and technology well ahead of his times. He has been a mystery figure among my correspondents, and this book is the first documentation of his identity, albeit brief. Following are notes that I found of great interest in this book, which pertain to binoculars in general, more than they are directly relevant to the subject of the book. In 1918, there were 15 companies in the United Kingdom with contracts to supply prismatic binoculars to the Ministry of Munitions: Aitchison, R. & J. Beck, Bellingham & Stanley, T.E. Bladon & Son, J. Brimfield, Dollond, Theodore Hamblin, Heath, A. Kershaw & Son, H.F. Purser & Brothers, Ross, Sherwood, W. Watson & Sons, E.R. Watts & Son, and Zeiss London. In 1918, the British military purchased 1,200 Victor No. 4 binoculars from the Japanese company Mitsui; Gundlach-Manhattan sold 5,000 Turner-Reich 6 x 20 at 6 pounds each; and Crown (U.S.A.) received a contract for 10,000 6 x 30 models at $35. each, despite a strongly critical report from an inspector. When Barr & Stroud began producing binoculars in 1919, the Japanese were purchasing one third of the rangefinders produced by B & S, more than the British, and Japanese workers were trained at B & S, in cleaning & repairing instruments. A trainee named Yamada opened an optical factory in Japan in the late 1920s. (p149-150) In post-WWII Japan, binocular production was prohibited, along with other industries; but in 1946, the Japan Optical and Precision Instrument Manufacturers' Association was created by 72 companies, in seven divisions, including the Japan Telescope Manufacturers' Association, for camera and binocular companies. A very unusual & attractive model was the CF9 4 x 15 center focus prism binocular, circa 1920, similar in design to the Goerz Pernox. Probably about 100 were made and only a few sold. James French, the manager of the design department, had studied at Goerz circa 1900. (p34) A mystery of long standing has been the precise identification of the material used to inlay company names & insignias in old binoculars. Reid identifies it (for Barr & Stroud) as Wood's metal and provides the composition. Many references to Wood's are found on the internet; it is an alloy of approximately 50% bismuth, 25% lead, 12.5% tin and 12.5% cadmium; used in fire sprinklers, since it will melt in boiling water (76 degr C); however none of these references describe how to rescue an instrument that is being eroded by reaction with the alloy. (p34) Bakelite resin is formed by combining phenol with formaldehyde, which is then heated & compressed in a mold, used by Barr & Stroud for cover plates and prism housings. It was also used by Goerz for the cover plates of some 8 x 15 Pagor binoculars, and in the 1930s era Busch Heda model; during the 1940s, Busch made 19,000 6 x 30 Dienstglaser of Bakelite. (p39) The 1936 Zeiss 6 x 24 Sportur, weighing 330 grams, was made of Elektron alloy, identified as manganese and aluminum. Control of chromatic aberration is very important for viewing colored signal flags at long distances. (p58) Graticules are described, 1 mil = 1/6400 of the circumference of a circle = the angle that subtends 1 meter at 1000 meters distance. German WWII binoculars marked H/6400 have graticules marked in mils. (p49). Reid refers to two very interesting-sounding articles that I have not seen: Rheinberg, Julius. Graticules. Transactions of the Optical Society 20:8 (May 1919) Darius, J. and P.K. Thomas. Crosswires in a guiding eyepiece. J. Phys. E.: Sci. Instrum. 14 (1981) 761-765. On pages 90 to 97 is a description of Britain's National Physical Laboratory, a comprehensive scientific facility for setting & maintaining standards in technical matters. Between 1853 and 1895, 2,574 binoculars were tested at NPL. In 1889, NPL began testing telescopes and binoculars purchased for the Royal Navy. Between 1885 and 1890, 677 binoculars tested; 1891-1895, 1,897 binoculars tested; 1896-1900, 2,270 binoculars tested; 1901-1905, 4,652 binoculars tested; 1906-1910, 6,320 binoculars tested. In 1897, 661 passed & 28 failed; fees were 2s 2d per test. In 1900, 963 passed & 31 failed. Approved instruments were engraved with a stylized 'KO', a serial number that matched a document, and two digits for year. The 'KO' mark was replaced in 1913 by 'NPL'. In 1927, the 'NPL' mark was granted trade mark protection. NPL was located at Kew Observatory, in Richmond, Surrey, until 1902, when it moved to Teddington, Middlesex; although the binocular testing facility moved with the Physics Division in 1913, and instrument testing was underway in 1914. By 1919, 53,000 military contract binoculars had been tested, with additional tests done on existing stock. The British Army used a separate testing laboratory at Woolwich. The NPL was civilian staffed, and from 1900 to 1919 was led by optical physicist Richard Glazebrook. A list of tests to be performed on binoculars from 1934 is provided. Some binoculars were apparently marked to indicate rank of user. Noted is a 1998 news photo showing a binocular with two yellow bands that indicate the rank of lieutenant (a female lieutenant). (p112) The 13 digit NATO stock number was introduced in 1966 (p120) A very intriguing model was the CF44, a 7 x 50, 10 degree field, Porro II, aluminum body, with a neutral grey filter bought into the ocular by turning a conical wheel on the prism housing -- but only one is known. (p130) The most creative model of all was the CF50, an 8 x 30, center focus, from the mid-1960s, with a cost of 175 pounds that was three times the price of the CF38 8 x 30. The close focus of this binocular was 24 inches, and the objective barrels are mechanically linked so that at close focus range, the optical axes converge. In appearance, it resembles two prism housings mounted on a rectangular box. (p133) In 1907, C.P. Goerz, Berlin, was granted UK patent 27,214, for 'angled binoculars' (eyepieces offset at angle); leading to the question of whether Goerz manufactured such a model at this early date. (p135, footnote 217) By 1937, Barr & Stroud was investigating lens coatings at a special laboratory at their Anniesland facility. In June of 1940, the optics of seven Ross Stepnite models were coated at the British Scientific Instrument Research Association, and afterward tested in the field, but hot & humid conditions caused loss of the coating. British periscopes were coated during WWII, but not binoculars. Post war sales of binoculars advertised coating, and coated models were sold by the close of the 1940s. (p141-142) Appendix I is a list of models with specifications. A reference is made to a list assembled by William Prentice in 1969, of binoculars manufactured between 10 April 1919 and 12 January 1920, which has apparently been superceded in places by Reid's book. Appendix III is an approximate dating guide. A very useful appendix is number II, consisting of British patents granted to Barr & Stroud, including: 361,650; 10 Dec. 1930, J.W. French. The only known B & S roof prism, objective cemented to the entrance plane and a field lens cemented to the exit plane. 430,826; 23 Dec. 1933, J.M. Strang. Magnetic focuser; a magnet outside the barrel is adjusted & moves a lens inside the barrel. Footnotes include references to the following two items: Book of Reference 797, Handbook on Look-outs and Service Optical Instruments. 1943. Public Record Office copy: ADM 234/151. 'describes the Royal Navy's optical equipment in greater detail than any other secondary source used' Physics Department, Optics Division, Tests and Measurements Undertaken. August 1934. Teddington: NPL. The bibliography includes: Hebditch, J.R. Binoculars. Doncaster: Herbert Hill, 1950 (revised ed.) I would appreciate a note from list members familiar with this book. It is new to me. -------------------- Notes on Barr & Stroud from the web: Archibald Barr, born in Paisley in 1855, graduated BSc from the University of Glasgow in 1878. He worked as an assistant in the Civil Engineering Department until he was appointed to the chair of Mechanical Engineering in Yorkshire College at Leeds in 1884. There he met William Stroud, who was appointed the Cavendish Professor of Physics in 1885. Barr and Stroud began collaborating on several projects before attempting in 1888 to enter a War Office competition for a new infantry single observer rangefinder with an accuracy of 4 per cent at 1,000 yards. Despite having no previous experience of making rangefinders the engineer and optical physicist patented their first design within a month. Their design was approved by the War Office but they had to employ the mechanic in the Physics Department to make the first rangefinder, keeping a careful account of the costs in order to reimburse the College. When Barr was appointed to the professorship of Civil Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Glasgow in the autumn of 1889, Stroud feared that their research on the rangefinder would end. Barr, however, was determined to continue and was unhindered by the terms of his appointment which allowed private consultancy work. In 1892 the Barr & Stroud rangefinder won the competitive trial held by the Admiralty for a single observer rangefinder. A subsequent contract for six rangefinders led to the various parts being bought in and assembled in Barr's house. It also attracted other orders. The partners formed Barr & Stroud's Patents in 1895 and rented a small workshop at 250 Byres Road. This soon proved inadequate and they moved round the corner to Ashton Lane where a three-storey building, close to the University, was rented. The business proved to be very successful and in 1904 a new purpose-built factory was opened at Anniesland, with a workforce of 100. By that time the firm had extended its market into Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, Italy, Russia, Spain and Sweden. Stroud retired in 1909 and worked for the business in Glasgow full-time. Barr resigned his chair in 1913 just after Barr & Stroud Ltd was set up as a limited company with Barr and Stroud as the major shareholders. At the end of its first year the company produced after-tax profits of £57,894. During the First World War the Anniesland works were extended to accommodate 2,000 workers. In 1977 Barr & Stroud Ltd merged with Pilkington Brothers Ltd and in the early 1990s moved into new premises in Govan. Like Kelvin, Barr was concerned with re-investing in engineering enterprise and raised funds for the construction of new University engineering laboratories that opened in 1900. He also died a wealthy man, leaving £153,000. Glasgow's early entrepreneurs of knowledge responded to the demands of industry and commerce and were richly rewarded. Their successors today are continuing to bring external earnings to the University, developing new products and bringing investment and jobs to the Scottish economy. Lesley Richmond http://www.gla.ac.uk/publications/avenue/28/business2.html ===================================================================== ====================================================================== Binocular List #207: 22 February 2002. ========================================== Subject: Rangefinder attachment Elliot Brothers was a very large manufacturer of scientific instruments in England from the 1800s into the 1900s. They made a rangefinder attachment for a binocular, British patent 4871 of 1882, by Captain Charles McGuire Bate. The mechanism has a sliding sleeve on a calibrated bar, and there are mirrors that correlate a known base line with a multiplication. There is an image of this at: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/BinRFrElliot.jpg 60 kb Is there any more information about this device? --Peter ========================================================= Subject: East Bloc Yellow Images From: Thomas Press In my admittedly limited experience, every East Bloc (Russian, IOR and Zeiss Jena) military binocular I have ever tried has been characterized by noticeably yellow images. I have always assumed the theory is that, like yellow shooting glasses, the image is brightened in overcast light and vision is sharpened at night. For my eyes, however, the yellow images are a simply nuisance in all lighting conditions. I wonder whether others on the List have had better experiences with their East Bloc binoculars, or whether other military glasses from other countries have followed the same yellow image approach as the Warsaw Pact. Many thanks, and best regards, Tom --------- I don't like them either. Obviously the yellow, or green, image coloration found in many modern Eastern European binoculars is purposeful. It can have some usefulness, in cutting chromatic aberration at high magnification, and some feel they are helpful in fog; but the image is always unattractive. --Peter ================================================= Subject: Rollei From: Arnold Cohen RE:Rollei 7x42. My understanding was this was originally a British military design. Mine is a civilian Rollei with a an unarmoured, silver finish. The optics are excellent and the glass can be collimated by adjustments at its hinge. The idea was to have a rugged, foolproof,easily serviced glass. Much like the thinking behind the modular M19. It is fixed focus, the rationale being most of its soldier users would have normal vision or optical problems that would require glasses anyway so long eye relief and great deapth of field were the order of the day. Unfortunately, those with presbyopia must use reading glasses to use them. The real problem was the prism geometry with the oculars on a plane above the objectives. A soldier had to put is head up higher out of cover to use them, if used upright. In the Falklands War this made the glass very unpopular and was frequently reported as damaged in action with a request for old WWII 6x30's!! Overall, a well made but poorly conceived glass. Arnie ====================================== Subject: accuracy in prism angles From: Stephen Sambrook I wonder if anyone can tell me what standards of accuracy are normally attained in prism manufacture ? I've come across a late-19th century controversy over necessary accuracy in prism making for the Weldon Rangefinder, where the design of the instrument meant that one prism angle had to be precisely 88 degrees 34 minutes and 3 seconds ... an exchange of views between critics and enthusiasts centred less on whether such angles could be regularly produced to specification, but more on the question of cost. Estimates varied between 30 pounds sterling (then about 150 US dollars) down to 25 French francs or roughly 7 US dollars. A U.S. Army officer entering the correspondence later in 1880 stated that Alvan Clark had made such a prism for him at a cost of 12 US dollars, but had promised a price of only 2 dollars each if an (unspecified) quantity were to be ordered. I would be particularly interested to know if anyone has knowledge as to what standards were and are attained in series production of prisms, for whatever applications. Stephen. Et in Arcadia ego --------- Probably for a rangefinder, prism accuracy was extremely important. One such prism could cost any price, but with mass production, they shouldn't be too expensive. Two dollars per prism makes me wonder if the idea of a 'loss leader' had entered the 19th Century mind. I imagine that an angle of 88 degrees, 34 min, 3 sec, is vastly more difficult than 90 degrees, 0 min, 0 sec. Are there figures for prism specifications, for angles between faces? --Peter ========================================= Subject: from a binoc fan from belgium From: "Hugo Vanderlinden" About myself/ Name : Hugo Vanderlinden staatsbaan 248, 9870 Zulte, Belgium. born in 1943 dutch speaking reading English ok Writing : a little rusty , no writing since my schoolperiod in the 60ties. Occupation : retired schooldirector , now part time real estate agent for non-residential housing hobby : binoculars , collecting , repairing ,intruments and fine mecanical pieces. My first binocular a 10x80 dkl 45 degree bought in 1978 I tried to recondition him and i succeeded so wel the seller asked me to some jobs for him. Quite a difficult job . Only my hands and a lot of patience as skills to begin. The earnigs i spent in buying military binoculars ( i have (had) nearly all the makers and colors ) I think i repaired more than hundred flaks and their accescoires. I have also the marine flak (eug) version , never seen a beh version. Repairing them i became facinated en tried to find some information. Nothing to find before the internet era. The book of herr Seeger ,i received as a present from mike rifkin, was an answer to many of my questions.For me it ment as much as a bible . I also had a few contacts a few years ago with Steve Rohan. I hope with my practical knowledge of the flaks to contribute to the history of the magnificent item. But as a humble amateur, i have more questions then answers. I have some spare part for the flaks , and like to trade them . I like to have a copy of the original manual and plans or documentsof the flaks I am now reading the txt files on the net and discoverd in a few hours more then the knowledege I gathered in the 20 year I was repairng flaks. Now i am looking for a more powerful binocular that can compete with the qualities of the flaks. The fujinon is unreacheble ( price) . What is left ? The russian PNBs , the chinese 20 x 100 , or the binocs from IOI . Does somebody know about the qualities of this instrument.? Thanks for reading this message , and best regards s/Hugo Vanderlinden hugo.vanderlinden@___.be ps . How can I ask some questions ? f.e. : 1 . Problems with fungis at the interior and glaswork? 2. What kind of sealing compound are used at the time?The are the best : easy to remove (warming up). The modern silicon based sealants are to difficult to remove if a litte adjument has to be made afterassembling them.) I heard german repairman had their own formulas (mixture of waxes and parafine ? ) 3. Difficult to find the litte fixing screws that fix the rings. 4. I remove fungis with very fine ceriumoxide but the coating are damaged. 5. What is an averege cost recoating lenses en prisms ? ------ --Fungus has been discussed quite a bit on this list, and can be found in the archives on the web site linked at the end of this email. We certainly welcome new input. --Little fixing screws…..the only solution I can think of, is to avoid Zeiss binoculars. --I hope everyone that uses polishing compounds to remove fungus & haze, is aware that this changes the curvature of the lens & can easily change the performance of the binocular. Please be very careful when doing this on a very good & rare binocular. You have to make a pitch lap, cast on the lens itself - and if the lens is aspheric, even this won't be sufficient. --Peter ================================================ Subject: 30 mm objectives From: Arthur Tenenholtz I seem to see no 6x30 binoculars manufactured by first line companies. There are FEW high quality 6x30 binoculars manufactured, today. The size is not very useful for astronomy or birding, but at one time this was a preferred size by the military and by others. I like my M13 binoculars for tourism and I would guess that they are really suitable for sporting events, indoors or out. Any thoughts about why the size is out of fashion? Recently, I observed a moon of Jupiter, from within one and a half miles of Times Square, using a Kern 8x30. I was pleasantly surprised because of the light pollution at my location and because I had never resolved a Jovian moon with a 30 mm objective lens. I had thought that a 40 mm lens was required. My recollection of Norton's Sky Atlas is that the ability to resolve close objects was a function of the objective diameter. With warm regards, Arthur ------------- If you mean that at 6x you saw a point of light that was a moon of Jupiter, yes that is very believable. There are occasional reports of naked eye sightings of a Jovian moon (totally impossible for me, but there are people with exceptionally good eyesight). I like low power, except that to get a wide apparent field, you need a huge eyepiece. That might be part of the reason why we don't see 6 x 30s, the manufacturers realize that if they boost the eyepiece to 8x, they can provide a much larger apparent field. Other than that……speculation about why manufacturers & marketers do what they do, is beyond my abilities. --Peter ====================================== Subject: U.S. Signal Corps telescopes Thanks to an email correspondent that I've not personally met, David Gaddy, we have some resources on US signal corps telescopes: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/signalcp.txt ================================================================ Subject: Introduction from France From: michel bas Bonjour ……I am a French (64) retired engineer who still has a collector's fiber (old New orleans jazz records, vintage cars, militaria ) My hobby has been collecting German spiked helmets for 35 years. I sold almost of them and bought some parts of uniforms of the pre 1914 German Army of the Empire (German do not like talking of "Imperial Army") Now I still have 6 fine mannequins. For them I bought an old binoculars (a broken Goerz Militr Trieder) in a mint officer's leather case stamped Zeiss. I left them several years but last january I went to the flee-market in Paris with my box and bought for it a Zeiss Marineglas 6x30 (with most parts made of brass) It works well except the clouds inside. I though cleaning it would be easy. Next week I visited an old camera fair where Curt Fargo (himself) was selling his Micro-Tools. I bought him some and tried to open my binocs. (I think I discovered the Christ Colombus egg : with one meter long of a 1 cm wide strip of cotton (use to pull the blinds of windows), stick with some adhesive scotch and rolled around the cylinders or the lens rings, this gave me enough power torque to unscrew them. I bought with help of Mr. Fargo both books Alii Service and Seyfried , found some of your .htm web articles but got only yesterday your main page and who was a the base of thes informations. In few words : till last year I had no interest on the binocs. Now i have opened two (the Zeiss Marineglas and the Goerz), bought + 3 wreck of the same marks for spare parts. From a manufacturer of "Abrasive" I wait for sample right powder to clean some "clouds" on glasses. I printed your 60 pages of mails 50/100, started reading them carefully, saved now 1/50, 100/150 and 150/200 to read them carefully. I once again confirm the "adage" of a former teacher " in every topic somebody has writen the fundamental book" today we can add "is on the internet" I would be glad to enter your circle but am very new on the subject (I used to travel with since 1975 with a Zeiss 8x30B dialit but had no more interest on it as for the key of my home or my sunglasses). I wish to buy and restore old binoculars military German Zeiss, Goerz or similar of the 1900/1918 because it seems me the easiest to work on. I do not know when and how I could help you, but I start with a question : I noticed almost all very old binoculars have minimal one (most both) broken or damaged eyecups. my question is is there solution to replace them ? Because there were many : screw diameters, threads, size avec mes salutations amicales de Paris, michel bas PS1 I have a web page dealing with the Kaiserzeit at PS2 I have a "strange-wellmade-mint-never-used-French-Military Trench-Periscope" from I suppose 1939/1940 (never used because the may-june 1940 blitz-krieg did not allowed trench fights Does it enter your field of interest ? ----------------- Re: eyecups. There are many, many more binoculars with broken eyecups, than there are spare eyecups. They were made of a variety of fragile plastic materials. They could be replicated easily, but since there are dozens or hundreds of different sizes, it would be a risky business venture. If all you want is a comfortable viewing experience, I've turned eyecups out of ebony wood on my lathe. --Peter ======================================= Subject: Binocular Nebula Filters for Astronomy For those who like to observe astronomical nebulae with binoculars, there are filters that can help. You need lots of eye relief. Howie Glatter is a reputable dealer who sells them. howieglatter@___ring.com ----------- (text copied from on-line) They are narrow bandpass type, for viewing emission nebulae. Their characteristics are similar to Lumicon UHC filters. The transmission in the passband is very high ; about 90%, and they are supplied with actual spectral transmission printouts for those particular filters. I have used them at a location with skyglow from a nearby town, and subjectively, the filters seem to give about a four or five times increase in contrast. I easily observed the many nebulae around Sagittarius, only 20 degrees away from a quarter moon. Without the filters the nebulae were barely visible. I have also observed the very dim veil nebula with the filters. It was invisible without them. The Nebula filters fit between the eyelens and rubber eye cups of binoculars with removable eyecups. The eyecups of many binoculars either screw or pull off. The actual filter glass is 18.5mm clear aperture, and they are 1.5mm thick. The multilayer interference coating is cemented between two pieces of glass and is therefore protected, so the filter can be cleaned without damage. The filter glass is mounted in a 0.5 mm thick blackened metal disc, and I can supply them between 23 and 30mm. O.D. I supply them in different outside diameters to fit different binoculars. I have been developing a list of binoculars that they will fit, and which size filter is necessary for each binocular, but the list is far from complete. If the eyecups of your binoculars remove, you can check which size will fit them by measuring the diameter of the cavity within the eyecups. The filters cost $140/pair + $5 shipping in the U.S. Howie ================================================== ================================================== Binocular List #208: 24 February 2002. ================================================== Subject: International meeting of binocular collectors in Herne, England Planning is underway for an international meeting of binocular collectors & others who are interested in the subject. This will occur 15-16 July, 2002, at Herne, England. This is about 20 minutes from Canterbury, 40 minutes from Dover, and 45 minutes from Beltring, where there is an enormous military collector's show & sale 17-21 July, see their site at It appears likely that there will be attendees from England, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and elsewhere. Plans include papers, displays, tours of Dover & viewing the spectacular scenery, swap meet including dealers & collectors, and planning future meetings (possibly involving a society or organization). This would happen on Monday and Tuesday, with most people adjourning to the military show on Wednesday. This is a very preliminary announcement, so that you can keep your calendars open. This type of meeting is very productive for those interested in a subject as neglected as binoculars, so if you can attend, please consider doing so. ================================================= Subject: Out of Fashion Sizes From: Thomas Press I agree completely with Arthur Tenenholtz's lament for the loss of high end current 6 x 30 binoculars in the February 22 edition of the Binocular List. The only arguably quality 6 x 30 still made today that I can think of is offered by Steiner in their ubiquitious individual focus military model (and, while I wish it weren't so, it's hard to like Steiner binoculars). The Fujinon 6 x 30 FMTR, also an individual focus model, was a great glass, but it, too, has succumbed to fashion, and is presently out of production. I know of no center focus high end 6 x 30's at all - probably the last of that breed was Swarovski's long-departed 6 x 30 Habicht model. In my view, the same lament could also be offered for quality 7 x 35 glasses. At one time, the 7 x 35 Zephyr was the most popular Rochester-made Bausch & Lomb binocular, with scores of imitators, and was widely regarded as an ideal "all- round" size. While 7 x 42 and 7 x 50 binoculars remain popular, the 7 x 35 is, today, a low end glass found chiefly on the shelves of Wal-Mart and Sears; the last good one that I can think of was the remarkable Bausch & Lomb 7 x 36 Elite of roughly a decade ago (an example of which I own and much enjoy). My best guess as to why both the 6 x 30 and 7 x 35 have fallen from favor is that neither size much appeals to birders, and the common misconception that higher power is always good. In that last regard, improvements in coating technology have greatly helped the brightness levels of modest size higher power glasses, and, I suspect, also their popularity. Best regards, Tom Please reply to: tpress@___le.edu ========================================== Subject: 30mm objectives From: "Rolf Penzias" Fujinon makes a 6x30 binocular. I also have a Kern Armee 8x30 binocular - and some WW2 Leitz 6x30, and a 7x21 Leica compact roof. One of these days when I can find the time I shall attempt some objective comparisons. .... One of these days(!) Regards, Rolf ========================================== Subject: Small Objective Binoculars From: Kennyj2@___m Regarding Arthur's expression of surprise upon seeing a jovian moon through objective lenses " as small as 30mm " I can categorically state that on a "clear " night from my light -polluted backyard I can easily make out four moons around Jupiter through my tiny 12 x 25s . I don't think there is anything exceptional about my eyesight and there is certainly nothing exceptional about the £34 binoculars ! This fact would appear to support my point in an earlier posting about being very cautious of " exit -pupil theory set in stone " . It confuses me why everyone accepts that a typical , perfectly acceptable view through a refractor telescope is probably via an exit pupil of less than 2mm and in some cases less than 1mm , yet most people seem to think that an exit pupil of at least 4mm is required for binocular "astronomy " I think magnification is the key here. Peter's comments about the 6x 30s may be true but unless I read it wrong Arthur said he had seen one of the moons through 8 x 30s , not 6x . By the way Fujinon still advertise a 6 x 30 model , although it has individual eyepiece focussing and , as with most Fuji's , may be too heavy for some users to feel comfortable with . ---------- Yes, my mistake re: 6x. Another perfect year ruined. Microscope users view their well-illuminated, sharp images using exit pupils that can be a fraction of a millimeter. It is true that if you're prone to 'floaters' & stuff in your eye, the tiny pupils really increase their visibility. It's not so bad in a binocular instrument, as in a monocular scope. -- Peter =========================================== Subject: Another revolutionary full function ground breaking binocular http://www.businesswire.com/ FEB 21,2002 8:08 PACIFIC Meade Instruments to Introduce Revolutionary Binocular With Integrated Digital Camera At PMA 2002 IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2002--Meade Instruments Corp. (Nasdaq NM: MEAD) today announced that it will introduce CaptureView(TM) -- a revolutionary binocular featuring a built-in digital camera -- at PMA 2002, the annual convention of the Photo Marketing Association International to be held this year on February 24th - 27th in Orlando, Fla. CaptureView(TM) combines a full-function 8X22 folding-roof prism binocular with an integrated digital camera capable of storing up to forty 640X480 resolution pictures (as well as hundreds at a lower resolution). Utilizing software provided with the product, a user can download the images to a PC to be printed or e-mailed. According to Brent Blaine, Vice President of Sports Optics at Meade Instruments, CaptureView(TM) will be available in spring 2002 and is expected to sell for approximately $100 at retail. "Early indications of interest from our retail partners suggest that CaptureView(TM) is ground-breaking in the field of consumer optics," said Blaine. "In particular, we believe that with its digital imaging capabilities, CaptureView(TM) has the potential to expand measurably the worldwide market for binoculars -- whose buyers include sports enthusiasts of every description." Since its 1999 acquisition of Bresser Optik, Meade Instruments has been one of the largest distributors of binoculars in the world. Meade is a leading designer and manufacturer of optical products including telescopes and accessories for the beginning to serious amateur astronomer. Meade also offers a complete line of binoculars for the casual observer to the serious sporting or birding observer. The Company distributes its products worldwide through a network of specialty retailers, mass merchandisers and foreign distributors. Additional information on Meade is available at www.meade.com. Information on PMA 2002 is available at www.pmai.org. ============================================= Subject: Survey of Japanese made binoculars List member Gene Harryman has begun a survey of Japanese binoculars. It has always been difficult to find information on Japanese products. There are two lines of approach to this problem; from the manufacturer's end - by collecting catalogs & attempting to contact surviving companies; and from the consumer's end - by documenting the binoculars found in collections. This survey is an attempt to begin a list of Japanese binoculars found in collections. Obviously, a complete list would be enormous & is not likely to be completed. But it is likely that the survey will result in a list of the most significant models; those that their owners find to be interesting. This is a simple survey, with 18 questions, that should take only a few minutes to complete. One survey form should be submitted for each binocular. It would be easiest to copy the 'form' and paste it into the body of an email. Gene will gather the data & periodically send me a new Excel file to post on the site. The surveys should be sent to Gene at: listkeeper@___om A form with 18 questions is included below & is also posted on the web site: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/JpnSurvy.txt Survey results will form a file that I expect will be quite useful to us, kept in an Excel file on the web site: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/JpnSurvy.xls An initial survey, covering 22 models, is posted to the above address. Periodically, I'll convert the Excel file to plain text & post that to the site. Below is the text posted to the web site as 'instructions': ----------- Japanese Made Binoculars - Inventory Reply Form The purpose of this Inventory is to collect basic and fairly objective information on binoculars made at any time in Japan and that are in the hands of the contributors. The information collected will be made available to everyone thru a file on the Web page. All contributions will remain anonymous. Documentation on the numerous makes, models, and actual manufacturers of Japanese binoculars in the early years is to a large extent non-existent, or at best, unavailable. By contributing data to this inventory of Japanese binoculars, it is hoped that after compiling enough entries we can draw some inferences as to various brands and actual makers. The current version of the survey is kept in an Excel file, posted to: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/JpnSurvy.xls We encourage everyone to send in information for all of the Japanese binoculars they have. Email completed form to: listkeeper@___om Please send the form in its current format as a Text (.txt) file, without converting to a Word document. The 'survey form' below can be copied to the body of an email, and then filled out. Enter the information immediately after the colon (:) Please use CAPITAL letters. See the notes below the form for assistance with the format of your input. (SURVEY FORM): ------------- BRAND NAME: MAKER NAME: MODEL: POWER: SIZE: BODY TYPE: FOCUS TYPE: COATING: PRISM: SERIAL No.: FIELD of VIEW: JB No.: JE No.: MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN (Y/N) LOGO DESCRIPTION: SOURCE: COMMENTS: ------------- (END OF FORM) FIELD DEFINITIONS: *************************** BRAND: This may be different than the maker's name. Usually is a store name, such as Sears or JP Penny. **************************** MAKER: NAME Sometimes the name of the actual manufacture will appear along with a brand name. This usually happened before the use of "J" numbers. For instance, some early Bushnell binoculars had the Bushnell brand on them as well as "FPO" (Fuji Photo Optical) on them somewhere. Fuji is the actual maker, Bushnell the marketing brand. Bushnell also used other makers besides FPO. **************************** MODEL No./NAME: May or may not be present **************************** SIZE (of Objective lenses in mm): 50, 35, etc. Example - for a binocular labeled 7x35, the size of the objective lens would be 35. **************************** POWER: 7, 10, etc. Example - for a binocular labeled 7x35, the power would be 7. **************************** BODY TYPE: There are two basic types. Zeiss style - which consists of a main body with two extended screwed-on barrels protruding several inches out from the flat front part of the main body. These contain the objective (large) lenses. This is the type most often seen in Japanese glasses. There is a variant model where the objective lenses are screwed directly onto the flat front of the main body and there are no extended screwed- on barrels. This configuration is most often found on smaller sized models such as some 6x30's and 8x30's. For the Zeiss type with the extended barrels, enter "Z" For the Zeiss type, with the objective lenses screwed directly onto the flat front of the main body (no extended barrel), enter "Z-NB" A B&L body is distinguished from a Zeiss body in that, while the barrels with the objective lenses protrude, each side of the binocular is one solid piece, with no screw on barrels. For Bausch & Lomb, enter "B&L". **************************** SERIAL No.: Usually labeled as such. However, some older ones had an "Art. No., which was, in some cases, the (chain) store's ID. Please put "Art. No." in the LOGO section **************************** FIELD of VIEW: Please give as "378ft" (1000 yds" is the standard reference), or in degrees, such as "7.1" (degree sign is not on keyboard). **************************** COATING: If there is no coating, or it is unknown use "N". Use "C" for Coated, "FC" = Fully Coated, and "FMC" = Fully Multicoated. **************************** PRISM: Use "P" for porro prisms, "R" for roof prisms. **************************** FOCUS TYPE "CF" = Center Focus, "IF" = Individual Focus. **************************** JB: Number usually on the front hinge bar or front prism cover. **************************** JE: Number usually on the opposite hinge bar or prism cover than the JE No. **************************** SOURCE: A = You have access to the actual binoculars. C = Data is from a catalogue. Or some other source. **************************** COMMENTS: Whatever you think would be helpful to the history of the item. Includes general comments on quality, condition, materials and construction, etc. Please limit comments on optical quality to general observations that would be obvious to most users. ============================================================== =============================================================== Binocular List #209: 08 March 2002. ================================================= Subject: Yellow tint; sealant From: Arnold Cohen RE:yellow tint of Eastern Bloc binocs. This has been discussed in the past on the List. As the best Eastern Glasses used Schott glass, it is clearly not an undesired impurity. However, the explanations have ranged from attempts to increase contrast, like an amber fog filter, to salts used to make the glass resistant to nuclear attack!! It is interesting to note that IOR has dramatically reduced such coloration in their most recent products, because of consumer feedback. Thus, it must be some additive that was purposefully incorporated. 2. The sealing material in old binocs. A binocular repairman told me that the old sealing material was just beeswax and pigment. Do any of our old optical techs have better information? Peter has pointed out that the melting point of beeswax may be too low to allow its use in this appplication. Cetainly, when we open an old glass we often find brittle pieces of this black stuff rattling around!! Arnie =================================================== Subject: New Nikon models http://64.77.49.6/usa_category/category.jsp?cat=4 Venturer 8 x 32, 10 x 32 StabilEyes 14 x 40 Exclusive dual mode - ONBOARD/LAND Eliminates movement from waves and vibration from hand shake, etc. Exclusive Pan and Tilt Feature ==================================================== Subject: Swift & Anderson BA-1 Binocular Adapter for TLR Cameras From: Marc James Small I recently purchased one of these puppies on e-Bay; one of the inducers was that the requisite Neptune II binoculars were also on auction, from a different seller, at the same time. I have been a long-time Swift addict, for almost forty years, and recall this rig from my days of drooling over their catalogue in Junior High School. (Yes, yes, YOU guys were drooling over more normal objects when you were in Junior High School, but, well, binoculars and I go back a long way ... ) The short report is that I rigged it up, and it does seem to work, sorta- kinda. The downside is that today's Swift company has no memory of this piece and I have no clue as to how to adjust it to provide a complete alignment of the upper binocular with the viewing lens while still maintaining alignment of the bottom binocular with the taking lens. The upside is that the Neptune II is a wide-angle glass and, thus, seems to provide full-frame illumination without any vignetting. It is still a vicious f/15 wide-open; there are aperture rings which can reduce this to f/21, f/31, or even to a princely f/42. Shades of Waterhouse Stops! The image in the VF seems sharp enough but I've not run any film by this one on my Automat, Type III, though this seems to be the camera shown in the instruction book. I might sacrifice a time-expired roll of Ilford PanF or so to check it all out at some point. These binoculars are touted as being "multi-coated", whatever that meant a decade before Asahi and Zeiss introduced the world to the art. Marc msmall@___e.infi.net Cha robh bàs fir gun ghràs fir! =============================================== Subject: Notes on US production of optical glass From: Peter Abrahams Finn, A.N. Optical Glass at the National Bureau of Standards. Journal of the Optical Society of America 28 (January 1938) 13-17. The first American manufacturer of optical glass known to Finn was the photographic lens maker Manhattan Optical Company, of Cresskill, New Jersey. Optical instrument maker Dr. Hugo Schroeder emmigrated from Hamburg, worked in London with Ross, and arrived at Manhattan Optical in 1893, where he persuaded them to begin glass production. Schroeder knew the grandsons of P.L. Guinand, E. and C. Feil; and recommended that Manhattan acquire as an employee the son of C. Feil, who moved to the U.S. about 1892. Finn concludes that the first optical glass made in the US was produced with the expertise of the great-great-grandson of Guinand. Beginning in 1894, Manhattan made optical glass for six years until the company joined with Gundlach and glass production ceased. Morey, George. The Availability of Optical Glass in America. Journal of the Optical Society of America 28 (January 1938) 5-7. At the end of WWI, there were four companies making optical glass in the U.S.: Bausch & Lomb, Keuffel & Esser, Pittsburgh Plate Glass, and Spencer Lens. In 1938, B & L was the only such company. Corning made 8 ribbed mirror blanks supplementary to the 200 inch disk, including a 120 inch flat; being non-transmissive, this Pyrex is not considered optical glass. ============================================= Subject: Replies from France From: michel bas bonsoir, this is my second message to you (you need not print it in your file 201 to.....250) I can tell you this after reading back e-mails from 1 to 100 My new hobby covers the collection of German binocs made before 1920 1/ A good name for your association might be the one proposed by some readers "the Binocular Historical Society" which for a French hear sounds Victorian era, Jules Verne (Phileas Fogg...) and smell old leather. I really like it. You also might add "Telescope" "the Binocular and Telescope Historical Society" 2/ I am reading both books for maintenance and repair and I did quite good collimation on old Zeiss and Goerz pre 1920 binocs 3/ Have you issued something about painting ? 4/ when cleaning the parts I found something looking like wax or old grease or soap mainly in some "recess" in the occular screws . Was it a mix of wax and another material or only grease..... For these non coated glass I think any modern mechanical grease would fit ???? 5/ I just looked my old collection of german and French military books from the 1870 German-French War searching when came the binoculars on the battlefield. I found some drawing (of the time) with only some high ranking staff generals showinng only 1 man with binocs eitheer on the French side or the German one. I cannot see if binoculars were already used during the former German wars : 1864 German-Austria against Danemark and in 1866 Germans against Austria As Americans you can see if binoculars were used duribg the cessession war I have a lot of old german photo with kaisers' maneuvers during the 1898/1913 era. All shows staff officers carrying prism binoculars.... My wife call me for dinner... salutations michel --------------- We haven't had anything on painting binoculars for restoration. There are many types of paint that have been used. Some of the poor-quality metals used for binocular bodies need a primer coat to help stabilize them. Ocular focusing threads need a very stiff grease that isn't slick, but that doesn't get too stiff in cold. There are synthetic lubricants for every purpose, but it can be difficult to purchase a small quantity. --Peter ============================================ Subject: Scope of reversing prisms From: "Rafael Chamón Cobos" I was seeking in the web for sites containing description and/or drawings of reversing prisms, and I selected the following ones: http://www.optik-reith.de/lexikon/l_0006.htm http://omega.ilce.edu.mx:3000/sites/ciencia/volumen2/ciencia3/057/htm/sec_8.htm http://www.fleige-optik.de/e_menu_p.htm http://www.canfields.net/optics/info/roof.htm http://www.canfields.net/optics/info/porro.htm http://www.aosa.es/Ing/Catalogo/optica/prismas/reversor.htm I also have improved my drawings and you can see them at: http://wwwa021.infonegocio.com/646/Porro-I.gif http://wwwa021.infonegocio.com/646/Porro-II.gif http://wwwa021.infonegocio.com/646/Schmidt-Pechan.gif http://wwwa021.infonegocio.com/646/Abbe-Koenig.gif Summarizing, I only found drawings of the most known systems: Porro-I, Porro- II, Schimidt-Pechan and Abbe-Koenig (by the way, the Abbe-Koenig prism is now used in the Zeiss Victory models, i.e. in the supra high class of binos). I only found references to other old prism systems like Leman, Delaborne, Huet, Goulier prisms in your site, and they are only textual. They are excerpts of books, translated from German and put in the web by yourself, for instance: - Moritz von Rohr. Die Binokularen Instrumente. Berlin: Springer, 1920. - Telescopes and Rangefinders Die Fernrohre und Entfernungsmesser. Berlin: Springer, 1923. A. Koenig, PhD, Zeiss Works Berlin, Springer Publishing, 1923. Translated by Ilse Roberts and Peter Abrahams I have read those translation