Nikon 8x30E

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Brand and Model:Nikon 8x30E
Price ($USD):$250
Attributes:un-checked Waterproof un-checked Armored
Objective Lens Size:30 mm
Magnification:8 x
Prism Type:BAK4 Porro
Coatings:Fully Multi-Coated
Field of View:8.8 degrees
Eye Relief:13 mm
Near Focus:10 ft
Weight (lbs):20.3 oz
Dimensions (w/h/d):181x101 mm
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Nikon 8x30E
Funny thing, even though nikon shows as a current model, they have not been made in years. The only place to purchase one is camera store that old stock. If you can find an 8x30 purchase it, even better yet, if you can find a 10x35 which is even more rare do not pass up the opportunity....

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=596293

Nikon 8x30E
Outstanding optically. Very bright, wide field. Some pincushion distortion on both horizontal and vertical axis's. Very solid construction reminiscent of Leica Military 8x30 Binoculars with oversize prisms. No discernible chromatic aberation or color cast. 7 foot close focus is shorter than advertised. The leather covering started to bubble and come loose soon after purchase, but I liked them so much I did not return them. A marvelous birding binocular! Difficult to believe the 8x32 superior E's are $300.00 better,

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=377069

Nikon 8x30E
A really, really traditionalist choice! A must-have for real binocular freaks. The fit and finish is absolutely the reminiscent of the best yesteryear binoculars. Optically it gives up very little to its big brother: Superior E. What it losses include: slight pin-cushion distortion in E2, non flat field optics (minor though), image turns blur faster towards the edge, shorter eye relief. What it gains include: much bigger FOV, sturdier construction and possibly a little bit brighter image.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=365679 

>Amendment of the last sentence: and possibly a nearly as bright image. 

Actually, what else can beat SE in term of brightness issue?
Nikon 8x30E
These (8x30 E2 - the upgraded version of the 8x30 E ) are among the few binoculars which show a good diffraction image ! When magnifying the primary image to 56x using an auxiliary telescope, the detail and contrast presented are closer to that shown in a good spotting scope than in a binocular. Overall correction of s.a. is excellent. They arrived in almost perfect alignment and collimation. Eyerelief is comfortable but not sufficient for full field viewing with eyeglasses.
I worried about field correction considering the design has been around for a while. My apprehension soon proved unfounded. The generously wide 70 degree field is significantly better corrected than the so called 'aspheric' designs I have seen. Construction is excellent, focusing smooth and precise. The overall result is a binocular which is extremely sharp and pleasant to look through.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=354728

Nikon 8x30E
I found a pair of these in new condition on e-bay about a month ago for $135, and it was the best money I've ever spent on optics. I guess these things aren't that popular because they look like WWII era military binoculars, but optically they are tremendous.

FOV is huge at 8.3 degrees, and they are very sharp. I can split Alberio with these handheld, leaning against the cab of my pickup. Viewing the full moon, they show only the slightest perceptible yellow fringe, and I mean barely. They are substantially better color corrected than my 10x42 Superior E's (or my 8x Pentax DCF-WPs), and are as good in that respect as a pair of ED glass 8.5x44 Swift Audubons that I just sold. They are much sharper than the Audubons, too--no comparison.

As porros go, they are small in the hand and easy to hold (and to hold steady). They weigh 20.5 oz. The focus is smooth and on the quick side.

What are the cons? They are not armored and they are not waterproof. I haven't had them out in wet conditions yet, so I don't know how resistant they are, but if you plan to take them out in downpours you should get something else. They have fold-down eyecups, which don't bother me, but others may insist on twist-lock types. With the 30mm objectives, they are just noticeably dimmer than a good pair of 50mm binoculars, but the quality of the lenses and coatings in these things makes the difference very small and to me the sharpness more than compensates. The correction on the right eyepiece does not have a click-stop and it turns too easily to stay put--I put a wide rubber band around it to keep it where I want it. That's not a big deal but not the most elegant solution either.

All in all, a screaming great pair of binoculars for the money. You should be able to find them pretty easily for under $200, and they completely outclass anything I've tried under $600.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=129359

Nikon 8x30E
Amazing performance in this price range. The 8x30E produces images you would expect from German lenses costing twice as much.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41774

Nikon 8x30E
Great widefield views with very good to excellent sharpness
out to 90% of the edge. Twicethe observing area of non WF binos.
Excellent ergonomics. An outstanding birding bino that
wont dissappoint at night, particularly in suburbia. Check these out before
buying mediocre 40mm or 50mm models.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41772

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