My 1st Zeiss - Jenoptem 7x50W (1 Viewer)

[etudiant]

By the time Binocollector's multi-coated Jenoptem came along in the 1980s these binoculars were selling in western countries for peanuts (except in the US), I assume because the DDR was desperate for hard currency. I see the 7x50W Jenoptem listed for £59.95 including 15% VAT in a 1987 Vic Oddens ad.

I bought a 8x30 Deltrintem from them in 1987 for £43.43 without VAT and could have bought an 8x30 Jenoptem for ten pounds less.

BTW, what is that "W" after the 7x50 for? It wasn't a wide field binocular (128m @1000m.)

Afaik, the W did stand for 'Weitwinkel', or 'wide angle'. That too was a marketing driven addition, I believe.

 

[Binocollector]

I upgraded the Jenoptem with some front bumpers and winged eye cups. Really useful, especially for astronomy but also makes the eye cups more comfy in general.

 

[Scott98]

someone over at Astromart is selling mint condition Zeiss Jena official Stasi binoculars! 8x30. How cool is that? Good thing I'm not a collector!

 

[etudiant]

someone over at Astromart is selling mint condition Zeiss Jena official Stasi binoculars! 8x30. How cool is that? Good thing I'm not a collector!

Very much a collectors item, an 8x30 IF dating back to the 1970s or earlier, judging by the serial number.
Note that the MdI markings show it as property of the Ministry of the Interior, so Stasi or related civil security, rather than military.