Anyone here also interested in binoculars?

narsuitus said:
I thought the original question was, "Anyone here also interested in binoculars?"
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It's kind of a two-part question. I just wanted to set-up the second one with an explanation of why I brought the subject up, and hoping that the moderators would see it as a photography related subject. Also to draw out those who do use binoculars, and might have some insight on the Kenbar brand. I think it worked.

PF
 
Thanks all for the information, and suggestions on what binoculars are good for what use. I have a few pairs (maybe seven, I'd have to dig through the boxes to see where they all wound up), and always hope to run across a pair of Trinovids in some junk shop or yard sale. I do have two pairs of Nikons in the mix.

I think the reason I don't carry a pair around with me is they would spend a lot of time in the vehicle, and we all know how that would turn out. Maybe I should see about putting the small pair of Nikon in whatever camera bag I'm carrying at the moment. That is, if it already isn't stuffed to the gills with lenses and accessories.

PF

ps: Just looked at the listings from my search on John Barker Kensington, Ltd, and at this site, I believe I've found the definitive answer thanks to ptpdprinter's tip. Check out the delivery truck in the sixth image down from the top. There on the passenger side door is the 5432 number, just like on the binoculars. https://flashbak.com/john-barkers-magnificent-department-stores-on-kensington-high-street-55768/
 
I have too many binoculars around the house. I picked up my first pair of 7x50's before I reported for duty in the Navy. I've picked up many smaller backpacking binoculars over the years, often as anniversary gifts at various companies I've worked for over the decades. They're all around here somewhere.

Scott
 
We are birders, my wife uses a pair of Zeiss Dialyt 7x42s; very bright and quick focusing, made in "West Germany." I've been using Leica Trinovid 10x50 BAs, heavy but wonderful for tree-top warblers or distant shorebirds.
 
farlymac said:
Thanks all for the information, and suggestions on what binoculars are good for what use. I have a few pairs (maybe seven, I'd have to dig through the boxes to see where they all wound up), and always hope to run across a pair of Trinovids in some junk shop or yard sale. I do have two pairs of Nikons in the mix.

I think the reason I don't carry a pair around with me is they would spend a lot of time in the vehicle, and we all know how that would turn out. Maybe I should see about putting the small pair of Nikon in whatever camera bag I'm carrying at the moment. That is, if it already isn't stuffed to the gills with lenses and accessories.

PF

ps: Just looked at the listings from my search on John Barker Kensington, Ltd, and at this site, I believe I've found the definitive answer thanks to ptpdprinter's tip. Check out the delivery truck in the sixth image down from the top. There on the passenger side door is the 5432 number, just like on the binoculars. https://flashbak.com/john-barkers-magnificent-department-stores-on-kensington-high-street-55768/
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Hi,

If it's any help, the USSR made Tento 7 x 50's have been in the boot of the car(s) over the last 20, 25, 30 or perhaps longer. Old fashioned design and nicely made and excellent.

Funnily enough I did a talk on the things at the IoA years ago and the ones that met with the most approval then and outside were the small 10x25 Zeiss and the Tento bin's.

If I wasn't worried about damage or theft the Leica large ones would go around in the car but like the M series cameras I worry about them...

After the talk I was talking to someone from the RGO and he said that they'd done some tests (paid for by a magazine or newspaper) on telescopes and binoculars and came to the conclusion that little could be done to improve the USSR made ones.

Regards, David
 
Anyone here also interested in binoculars?
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Yes :)

Leica/Leitz (Portugal) 10x25 BCA Trinovid (great for concerts) - c. mid/late 1980's - about the size of a large pack of cigarettes when collapsed
Leica/Leitz (Germany) 8x42 BA Trinovid (good general all-rounder) - c. 1998 as a gift to myself for finishing graduate school

Just lovely looking through these things!
 
I have a pair of rather impressive Carl Zeiss 7 x50B rubber covered binoculars that used to belong to my father. They are the type that has individual focussing for each eye and no central focussing. To be honest I have often thought about selling them because they don't get used but have no idea of their worth.
 
Ok, I’m fairly passionate about my binoculars, so…

I have always said that I use photography as ‘is a way of seeing,’ and if that thought carries on, my Trinovid are the ‘seeing,’ just without recording the subject. Sharpness, with natural color and contrast, and they don’t add anything except the magnification and light gathering in darkness or shadow detail.

I have two sets and use them everyday. They are just gorgeous - black paint and anodized black parts, durable baked-on vulcanite, so smooth to work, the traditional Leitz blue-purple multi-coatings, the black ‘Leitz’ logo dot, tank-like construction of superb over-all quality made in Wetzlar (these had a 30-year guarantee when new!), and fit my hands so well it’s a Leica camera in another form. Both sets are classic compacts from the late 1960s; 10x40 for distant sea/boating, birds or whatever, and a very compact 8x32 that are my travel and bike riding set.

The 8x32 are perfect for architectural details up high (in my case mostly with temples in Asia countries), a quick look here and there, and just general use. The 10x40 bring everything just a bit closer, especially with bird plumage detail. I got the 10x40 originally as they show almost the exact view of a 400mm lens, so used them as a spotting scope before bringing out the big 400mm Telyt and shoulder stock. They also work well on a night sky and stars, as they bring a significant amount of light in.

Usually if I give them to someone to look through, they look, and then bring them down and look at the Trinovid in somewhat amazement and almost puzzled, because they’ve never experienced this quality of view.

Sometimes I’ve found myself just looking across at breaking waves or wind blowing leaves, and with their wide-field of view picking up birds flying is easy. They are my personal viewer to the different world.
 
dreamsandart said:
...

Usually if I give them to someone to look through, they look, and then bring them down and look at the Trinovid in somewhat amazement and almost puzzled, because they’ve never experienced this quality of view.

Sometimes I’ve found myself just looking across at breaking waves or wind blowing leaves, and with their wide-field of view picking up birds flying is easy. They are my personal viewer to the different world.
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That was my reaction went I first looked through a pair. A whole different experience.
 
"for birds, wildlife, lunar, sports, concerts, and surveillance." [/QUOTE]

Well, that last bit is intriguing, nars.
What have you been surveiling? ... (if disclosure is OK)
 
I've noticed on the birder forums there are quite a few other brands that compete with and some out-perform the Leica's. Zeiss, Swarovsky, Minox and others that I'm leaving out. I would love to sample some of those and learn about them. It's all good.
 
farlymac said:
Anyone here also interested in binoculars?
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Not any more but binoculars got me into photography really. My father got me a pair of FSU binoculars when I was about 12y.o, I had just broken an old toy microscope (which I also absolutely loved) and he thought getting a set of binoculars was the next step up. I still have them somewhere in my parent's house, i think they were 8x25 and I used to observe the moon or the Acropolis when the weather was nice. Very soon after, I thought I should get a camera and my photography journey started. I must have been 13y.o. or something...
 
Krombach Wetzlar Porrolux 7x35 - father purchased in early ‘50’s
Nikon Action Egret 8x40 - bought in mid ‘90’s
Swarovski CL 10x30 - good for hiking
 
I have three pairs of binoculars and hopefully no more :)

This is a pair of Goerz Trieder 12x binoculars, circa 1900-1902. I got them for a really great price off eBay, took them apart and cleaned everything and they work very well. They're a bit low-contrast and the eye relief is very short (requires eyeglasses removal in order to properly see through them), but I love using them. One day I'll get a better-looking strap for them.


Goerz Trieder1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr


Goerz Trieder2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

This pair of 'Jena' 7x50 binoculars from the 1950's-1960's belonged to my father and I really cherish them. Being that they're only 7x they don't bring birds in super-close, but the view is crystal-clear and bright plus I can use them with my eyeglasses. They still have that distinctive smell that I remember as a child. The only thing I've done is replace the case strap and make a neck pad for the binoculars strap. The only real downside is that these binoculars are really big.


Dad's Binoculars by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

I also have a pair of Leica Ultravid 10x25, and my wife has a super-sweet pair of Fuji 14x40 with the stabilizer.
 
^ Those Goerz's are gorgeous! Love the engraved script on the 12x.
 
raydm6 said:
^ Those Goerz's are gorgeous! Love the engraved script.
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From what I've seen, Goerz binoculars seem to be readily available on eBay, but you might have to look around a bit to find the 12x, plus finding ones in good shape. Fortunately these were in nice condition and they cleaned-up pretty easily.

You know the one nice thing about owning binoculars -- there's no pressure to do anything with them other than look through them. With some cameras I find there's a 'pressure' (whether self-imposed or otherwise) to go out and make pictures with them, and hopefully good ones. With binoculars I don't feel pressure to sight that one special, elusive bird. I can look at sparrows or robins in the backyard and not care that they're considered 'common' or perhaps 'uninteresting' by more seasoned birders. I still like looking at them.
 
I agree with you Vince on not feeling any pressure. To me, it's a passive pleasure and getting lost in the view. Time seems to slow down.
 
I also agree with Vince re the not feeling any pressure .
I`ve been a birder most of my life but feel little compunction to photograph them , although I do occasionally .
I bought a pair of Leica Trinovid 10x40 in 1982 and still use them to this day .
 
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