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Minolta UC 8x18

Mfr: Minolta? (No J- marks)

Date: 1990's

AFOV: ~60 degrees

TFOV: 7.5 degrees

Eye Relief: ~10mm

Prisms: roof?

muc8x18s.jpg (28843 bytes)muc8x18f.jpg (24020 bytes)

This is one of the better ultra compact binoculars recently on the market.  It features a rectangular "widescreen" image (the objectives are ~11x18mm).  The optics appear to be multicoated, and probably employ roof prisms.  The roof prisms are probably not phase corrected because the image is lacking in contrast.  Also the image is not very bright due to the small objectives.  Otherwise, the optics are very good, with excellent correction of distortion and a fairly flat field, though some lateral color is noticeable.  The body is very compact and slides apart for interpupilary adjustment, with a closed size of about 70x85x17mm.  There is a knob on the right side for adjusting the diopter difference.  This model is an excellent choice for hiking, sporting or entertainment events.  This is my favorite binocular for backpacking.  Note that later versions of this model (UC II, III) may have a smaller field of view.