How do old Zeiss Dialyts and Leitz Trinovids stand up? (2 Viewers)

[kkokkolis]

Here we have Jane Goodall with a roof binocular, in the '60s. Do you recognise it?

 

[jring]

Hi Konstantinos,

my guess would be a Hensoldt Dialyth 8x32 - like this one:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Fernglas-Hen...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Joachim

 

[kkokkolis]

I am happy knowing that my Conquest is better than these old binoculars, but, boy, this vintage glass LOOKS GOOD!
Maybe I just grow old and feel nostalgia for images of the past.
Vintage Hensoldt and Leitz and Zeiss and Leica roofs, as well as most unarmoured 8x30 porros, they look so sexy to me.

 

[edwincjones]

The binoculars that you ask about are nice collectable instruments, but they do not compare favorably with the fully multicoated/phase coated instruments of today.
A Dialyt or a Leitz from the 1970' or early 1980' will be surpassed optically by almost any $400 roof prism sold today.
Sorry to break the news to you.

I got a new zeiss dialyt 8x56 two years ago,
and it compares favorably with my non SV SW EL 8.5x42
and zeiss 8x32 FL.
The 8x56 is my favorite handheld astronomy binoculars.

edj

 

[Bencw]

Here we have Jane Goodall with a roof binocular, in the '60s. Do you recognise it?

Yes, a Hensoldt dialyt like my one I think but more used.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/95019762@N07/14122003641/in/dateposted-public/

 

[jring]

Nice one, Bencw! Thanks for sharing!

Joachim

 

[fstop]

A few observations:
I'm in awe of those able to recognize the binoculars from the photos!
I think it's great that the older optics mentioned are not summarily dismissed, but rather given their due and reasonable opinions shared.
Great thread!

 

[jring]

Hi,

well in case of the longish roof prism bin with a lot of patina from the sixties it is not that difficult - back in the 50s and before the only roof bins available were the Hensoldt Dialyth series with Abbe Koenig prisms giving them their distinctive longish form.

In 1964 Hensoldt was merged with Zeiss (although the Carl Zeiss Stiftung had a majority in Hensoldt since 1928 they were managed independently before 1964) and the name only used as a trademark mainly for military optics. The Dialyth line was continued until today by Zeiss.

Leitz Trinovid with Upendahl prisms started in 1963.

Joachim