The Bigger Picture
So for the record, I own three pair of binoculars, and a tactical monocular equipped with a ranging reticle.
Now they all have their own specialized usage, and depending on what I may be involved in on any given day, I reach for the pair that best suits my needs on that day.
Still, the pair of compact Baush & Lombs that I am carrying on this day, may be my favorite binoculars. I have owned these B&L 7X26 compacts for 25 years, having purchased them all those years ago at Farmers Supply in Winnipeg MB while visiting the outlaws.
I have carried these binoculars on many different occasions over the years, and I must say they have served me well, and continue to do so. One of the best features of the 7X26 bino's is the fact that they can focus down to 6 feet, allowing close up viewing of birds, butterflies, and possibly a rattlesnake sitting under a sagebrush sheltering from the sun
In their day, these B&L bino's were the number 1 choice in compact binoculars, and could be hard to find when you wanted to purchase a pair, as they always seemed to be back ordered at most stores that sold them, as they couldn't keep them in stock.
In fact, they still command a respectable price today on the used market if you can find a pair.
If you are on top of your game when it comes to the build of binoculars at that time (cameras also), binoculars like cameras of the day had metal bodies with the upper and lower housing plates built from brass that was painted black (unless the camera body had a hard chrome finish).
Interestingly enough, at that time I always wondered why photographers who made their living with their cameras, always had cameras that seemed to be missing part of the painted finish, with brass showing through here and there on their camera bodies.
I finally realized it was because these working photographers used their cameras everyday, and sooner than later, the brass began to show through the painted surface from the constant handling and banging in to things with the camera..
Funny thing is, today with pro camera bodies made from magnesium and painted black, I find since I began using my DSLR's most everyday, that the painted finish has worn away in places, and the magnesium is showing through, but not near as impressive to look at as the brass on film cameras of old, go figure.
So long story short, after I had owned the B&L binoculars seen here for about 10 years or so, the brass began to show through and continues to do so with more brass showing through from year to year. I believe it gives these compact B&L's character.
Expand on the photo for a closer look at the brass showing through the finish of my B&L's in the insert photo.....
