Nikon turns 100

[46er]

July 25th. They have a web site and a pretty good video. And you thought they were just lenses and cameras.

Let there be light.

http://www.nikon.com/100th/

 

[RednekF350]

I have a Nikon 3-9x rifle scope with the BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticle. It came as a part of a package with a rifle. I wasn't sure I was going to keep it on the gun because I assumed it might be sub-par because it was a package. I am a big Leupold fan and have three of their American-made 2-7x VXII scopes on my deer hunting rifles and I was ready to buy another to replace the Chinese-made Nikon if need be.

I was surprised with the Nikon's clarity and light gathering ability and decided keep it on my varmint rifle, for now. It still kills me that it is made in China and it's mounted on my American-made rifle.
Using the online Nikon Spot On program, one can determine what range each circle in the reticle will correspond to. Just about every commercial ammo load imaginable is in the program and one can vary sight-in distances and print charts that can be taken afield.
http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/spoton.html#:4

 

[46er]

I was surprised with the Nikon's clarity and light gathering ability

Nikon made its reputation with its glass; it still does and that's what sells the camera's, binoculars, scopes & microscopes. Nikon glass is made in Japan at their Hikari glass works. Most assembly is in the Phillipines, none that I know of is in China. I bought a pair of Cabela 12x50 bins, made by Steiner in Germany, at a really good price. Still prefer my Monarch 12x42's. Used to use Leupold Wind Rivers, but they didn't last long, only their high end gold ring bins are made in the USA, the rest are in China.

 

[RednekF350]

My Nikon BDC is definitely made in China, its stamped in the tube on the bottom side of the elevation adjustment.

I have Leuopold 10x 50 BX-3 binos and I love them. Awesome light gathering ability and clarity. Those are actually made in Japan.

Before I die I want to get a set of Swarovski binos ! I tried a set at the CM Refuge a few years ago. Incredible.

 

[46er]

My Nikon BDC is definitely made in China

Their glass is made in Japan. Assembly for the various things they produce is done all over the region. Nikon is currently undergoing a restructuring of their myriad companies.

I was surprised to find the Cabela's brand were Steiners, the package packing was in German , but from what I read most store brands outsource their stuff all over.

The Cape May Bird Observatory holds an optics sale each Spring, but they focus on birding optics. Members of CMBO or NJ Audubon get a 10% discount, but you still need a fat wallet. Nice to try before you buy

http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionCapeMayBirdObservatory/SpecialEvents/AnnualOpticsSale.aspx

 

[RednekF350]

Wow ! Thanks 46'er. I would like to hit that sale and drool. Maybe someone will feel sorry for me..
CM Refuge is where I tried the Swarovski stuff. They had a bunch of students there handing you all kinds of high end optics. The spotting scopes were so vivid it almost made the image look artificially enhanced.

I have been struggling for years to find a good but cheap spotting scope, primarily for range work. I have been getting by for years with a $100 15-45x with which I can barely see cannon ball holes at 100 yds.
I tried a Leupold Ventana (import) a few years ago and it was just OK so I sent it back and bought the Leupold BX-3 Binos instead.

This year I bought the Redfield Rampage 20-60x x 60mm for $200 +/- based on a lot of good reviews. Most reviewers know that there is no such thing as a good cheap spotter but this one ain't bad. Redfield is now owned by Leupold and they issue a lifetime warranty on it. So far I like it.
At the lower magnifications it is excellent with good images and no edge darkening. Past 40x it is not great but the image remains clear, just very small. It come with awesome protection and a somewhat useable bench tripod.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/982178-REG/redfield_67600_20_60x60_rampage_spotng_scope.html

 

[46er]

Back when we headed to Yellowstone each summer, I bought a Pentax PF-80ED straight with the 20-60x eyepiece. At the time it had the largest objective lens of 80mm, perfect for early morning/late evening critter watching. Also worked well when used with a camera for digi-scoping, sample below. Still have it and would buy another if the price was the same as back then

http://us.ricoh-imaging.com/index.p...potting-scopes-22/pf-80ed-kit-w-zoom-eyepiece

A good web site;

http://www.opticsplanet.com/spottingscopes.html

The nest

What was in it, Golden Eagle and chick.

 

[RednekF350]

I bought the Redfield spotter, my last two Leupold VX II rifle scopes, three pairs of prescription sunglasses and other equipment from Optics Planet. They are top notch as Teegate would say !

The Redfield is available in an 80mm objective but the reviews didn't seem to rank it that much better than the 60. I figure one day I will cut loose on something like your Pentax.