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| Vintage classic winners: KERN Pizar, BAUSCH & LOMB Zephyr, HARTMANN Porlerim |
I tried to do it by myself:
I took a photo of white illuminated surface through the binoculars (reverse). Each sample under exactly same conditions and camera settings (set on manual). The white balance was set on the background. I took about 5% of the view surface, most evenly illuminated, in the center of view as much as possible.
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| MEOPTA 8X30 |
THE RESULTS OF VIEW COLOURS (click to enlarge image):
I made a comparison of 8X30 (and 6x24 Kern Pizar AR) classic binoculars. For reference, I took a modern Nikon (porro prism) 8X30 EII and Swarovski 8X30 SLC (roof prism) binoculars. There was no surprise, they were great.
Depending on the colour view binoculars were divided into five groups:
1. More or less neutral colours:
SWAROVSKY 8X30 SLC, KERN Pizar 8X30 AR, BAUSCH & LOMB Zephyr, E. LEITZ Binuxit, KERSHAW Olympic, HENSOLDT Sportglas, WRAY Clearvu
2. Warm colours:
NIKON EII, HARTMANN Porlerim, RODENSTOCK Octonar, CARL ZEISS Silvarem, CARL ZEISS (West), CARL ZEISS Deltrintem, KERN Pizar 6X24 AR, ROSS Steptron, BARR & STROUD C.F. 24, DOLLOND Luma
3. Peach to amber colours:
STEINER Bayreuth, CANON, HEDLER, MEOPTA
4. Yellow green colours:
CARL ZEISS Jenoptem, KOMZ "Baigisch"
5. Sand colours:
PZO
The differences between the best and worst oldtimers are very obvious:
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| Left: KOMZ, middle: KERN Pizar 8X30 AR, right: PZO |
Some other interesting one on one comparisons:
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| Left: KERN Pizar 8X30 AR, right: NIKON EII Old Pizar has more neutral colours than EII. |
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| Left: CARL ZEISS Deltrintem, right: CARL ZEISS Jenoptem Blue coated Deltrintem is more "neutral" than T3M multi-coated Jenoptem |
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To determine brightness is even more difficult. Field of view and its colours have a major impact on the perception of brightness. Example: Nikon EII appears at least as bright as the Swarovski SLC 8X30 if not brighter. But this is not true. It seems due to its wider field of view.
How I got the numbers:
In photoshop I set the levels curve till I got completely white image. Than I was reading/calculated the percentage of settings (from black 0 to 255 white). The figures also gave me the greyness for better presentation.
The first surprise was brightness of roof prism Swarovski 8X30 SLC. Its modern coatings do a great job. Secondly, expected surprise was Kern Pizar 8X30 AR. Its brightness in a combination with very neutral colours is just unbelievable. Especially for its age. Carl Zeiss Jenoptem is spoiled by yellow-green tint. CARL ZEISS (West) could be better. English and eastern block were left behind the German competition. Among them Meopta was the biggest disappointment.
Good day!
ReplyDeleteA very interesting study!
Very useful work! Thank you!
Sorry for my English, I from Russia. Also collect binoculars.
surprised at the result for the Carl Zeiss Jenoptem as this was their "entry" level consumer binocular and cheaply made; on the other hand the Deltrintem was a higher grade binocular of much superior construction - regrettably unknown to many. I am curious how you measured brightness. I have observed well known sports optics companies employing light meter's to declare their product brighter than others - while failing to identify the fact that many meters are sensitive to a particular spectrum of light ... and they can "indicate" superior performance of one system, when it is clearly evident that the high reading does NOT correlate to what the eye actually perceives. The older Metrastar meters are about the best I could find.
ReplyDeleteMy Deltrintem (made in 1962) is definitely better built and has more neutral colours than my multi-coated Jenoptem (made in 1990). While the sharpness and brightness are on the Jenoptem side. According to my knowledge Deltrintem and Jenoptem from the same time period should be pretty much the same - mechanically and optically. Allbinos (http://www.allbinos.com/allbinos_ranking-binoculars_ranking-8x30.html) tested them both (both made in 1985) and the results were identical. I have to solve the Deltrintem/Jenoptem mystery by myself some day by buying one multi-coated Deltrintem and compare it with my Jenoptem.
ReplyDeleteMy brightness measurements are not nearly close to any scientific method. As described I use digital camera, photoshop and some knowledge by reading and manipulating histograms. To my surprise, this method proved what I saw through the binoculars. For example: I cannot decide which Carl Zeiss is brighter. Deltrintem or the one made in west Germany? Then, Swarovski roof is incredibly bright comparing to those old porros, and Meopta is surprisingly dark... All that you can see in my chart.
Thanks for your comments, Gregor
which one should i buy a multi coated Deltrintem or Jenoptem ?
ReplyDeleteor non multi coated ?
It depends on what you want. Single coated Deltrintem pre 4800000 SN for better more "natural" colours. Deltrintem or Jenoptem multi coated for better brightness with green-yellow view (SN after 4800000).
ReplyDeleteQuite an interesting scientific research about porro binoculars BRIGHTNESS AND VIEW COLOURS! Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat work. I hope that each binocular was first cleaned internally. Every vintage binocular that I've seen has had some internal haze. That, of course, decreases light transmission quite a bit. Also the "color of view" is somewhat variable. I have two 8x30 Pizar AR and one has a slight yellow tint while the other is quite neutral. The serial numbers are even rather close.
ReplyDelete