Celestron Volcano Top Ortho by KD?

Greetings,
I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on this little mystery. I've started filling out my collection of 1980's vintage Celestron Orthos by Vixen (Circle-V). So far, I have the 4mm, 7mm, 12mm and 18mm models (I am the original owner for three of these). Recently I added a 9mm, but discovered a different mark on the barrel. This one reads "JAPAN KD". The lettering on the beveled edge is not quite as good as on the Vixen models. I haven't had an opportunity to star test it yet. Can anyone share some info on the history of this interesting variant?
Regards,
Blake Andrews

Blake Andrews said:

Greetings,
I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on this little mystery. I've started filling out my collection of 1980's vintage Celestron Orthos by Vixen (Circle-V). So far, I have the 4mm, 7mm, 12mm and 18mm models (I am the original owner for three of these). Recently I added a 9mm, but discovered a different mark on the barrel. This one reads "JAPAN KD". The lettering on the beveled edge is not quite as good as on the Vixen models. I haven't had an opportunity to star test it yet. Can anyone share some info on the history of this interesting variant?
Regards,
Blake Andrews

First I've heard of it. I have the 9mm, but it's a Circle T (Towa).

OK, Here's an update on my progress. So far, nobody's come forward and said "I've bought a KD-Mark Celestron Ortho on this date". Such info would really put a bow on this discussion.

It seems that there are at least three known marks on Celestron Orthos...
1) JAPAN KD
2) JAPAN Circle-V (Vixen)
3) JAPAN (nothing else)

JAPAN KD appears to be the first run of these eyepieces and probably spans from the very late 1970s to the very early 1980s. These appear to be found in sturdy pale green boxes with one or two all-black endcaps.

JAPAN Circle-V are the eyepieces made for Celestron by Vixen spanning from about the early 1980s to the early 1990s, when Celestron moved to a Taiwan supplier. Mine came in flimsier all-white boxes with two signature white or opaque vixen endcaps.

JAPAN (nothing else) was a mark I found on a 9mm Ortho purchased in Germany in the late 1980's. Little is known about this eyepiece other than it appears that Celestron may have sourced its eyepieces from another unnamed supplier for some international sales. It is a very well constructed eyepiece with a sturdy chromed brass barrel.

I am slowly compiling historical facts surrounding these vintage Celestron eyepieces.

My research includes the Volcano Top Orthos, Silver Top Plossls and other early volcanos like Erfles and Kellners. The most reliable info is based upon dated receipts, but price lists, spec sheets and catalog photos are also very helpful.

Anything you readers might be willing to share is most appreciated.

Regards,
Blake Andrews

anyone know which is the better ep, japan KD or japan V?

Here's an update on what I know, so far. Please help me fill in the "???"s. I'm looking for info on when the eyepiece was originally purchased, the type of box, part number if documented, etc...

Approximate Date:_late 70s__1980s____late 80s____1990s

Body Style:_______Bevel____Bevel______Bevel_____Side
________________Lettered__Lettered___Lettered__Lettered

Barrel Mark:______JAPAN____JAPAN____JAPAN_____JAPAN
__________________KD_____Circle-V___(only)____Circle-V

Box Style:_______Pale Grn___Pln Wht____???_______???

FL:______Part No:
4mm_____???______Made____Have_____???_______???
5mm_____???______Have____Made_____???______Have
6mm_____???______???______???______???_______???
7mm_____???______???______Have_____???______Have
9mm_____???______Have_____???_____Have______???
12mm____93305____???_____Have_____???_______???
18mm____93306____???_____Have_____???_______???
25mm____???______???______???______???_______???
36mm____???______???______???______???_______???
45mm____???______???______???______???_______???

PS Thanks to Jon for the table formatting tip (AM deletes the extra spaces between table entries).

Regards,
Blake