A Work Commenced April 6 2025
Want a really great binocular that exudes class and pedigree? A binocular that delivers in spades optically but won’t break the bank? Then look no further than this late model Nikon E 8 x 30!
I picked this up from EBay for about £150 plus import duties from Japan, so about £200 all in. It’s in absolutely mint condition despite being about 40 years old based on its late serial number(#922372). These models had an advanced single coating on all glass surfaces including the prisms. The Model E was updated in the late 1980s to the Criterion model Es (discussed in my 2024 book, Choosing & Using Binoculars)which had full multi coatings. Indeed, these are easy to distinguish from each other by the colour of the bloom of the ocular and objective lenses: the older Es having a purple tint while the newer Criterion models possessing a greenish bloom.
Mechanically, the Nikon E is beautifully built, in a robust magnesium alloy housing. Indeed, having tested it extensively on field trips, it is arguably true that the build quality of these classic E series was a little higher than the later Criterion and even the most recent EII incarnations.
My unit has a smooth focuser that exhibits a fair amount of friction. And while it’s harder to turn than the most recent EII model, it will likely last longer than the latter because the plastic is tougher than the softer synthetic rubber found on more recent models.
Optically, the Nikon E 8 x 30 sports a wide 8.3 degree true field- very large for its time and still very generous by today’s standards. The view is extremely comfortable and immersive – maybe a little more comfortable even than the venerable EII. It’s a very sharp optic with a great big sweet spot. Contrast is excellent with very good control of colour fringing. The outer field shows moderate pincushion distortion to minimise the dreaded rolling ball effect. Colour tone is ever so slightly yellowish which is not at all distracting to my eyes.
I did pick up a few internal reflections aiming the binocular at some bright light sources after dark though, and on the Moon, but they were far less injurious than I had expected given its single coated specification. Performance against the light is also impressive.
Having compared it to a late model E. Leitz Binuxit 8 x 30, also in pristine condition, and dating from about 1960, it is clear to see the improvement in light transmission in the Nikon E. Coating technology had very clearly evolved for the better in that quarter of a century!
In short, I was very pleasantly surprised by this classic 8 x 30 from the Japanese optics giant. If you’re on a budget and want a piece of optical and mechanical excellence from yesteryear, but can still deliver beautifully clear and sharp views, I’d strongly recommend this model. It’s likely that the later model Es had better coatings than the earlier versions so be on the look out for units with serial numbers from the 700,000-950,000 range. I guarantee you’ll be impressed!
Read more about great modern classic glass in my book, Choosing & Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.