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Carl Zeiss Jena Dodecarem 12x50 B (1 Viewer)

S

STi_maXim

Member
Hello!

I've found a Carl Zeiss Jena Dodecarem 12x50 B in perfect condition, unused, and I want to buy it but I don't know if it's worth the 750 Euro price. I know it's big and heavy, but optical quality and light transmission are better than Conquest HD or Meopta Meostar B1.1 10x50 or any other new binoculars in this price range? Or are they outdated?
 
Sounds a bit high for a Jena binocular but not for a West German binocular.
What about the warranty period and by whom?

B.
 
Agree that this is a splendid binocular.
It was later also marketed as the Docter Nobilem 12x50BGA, a rubber armored version.
I birded with one for several years and was always delighted with its sharpness and extra reach. Shake was not a problem, this is a well balanced glass and as Binastro notes, that makes holding it steady comfortably possible.
Do note that this is almost a collector's item, Zeiss Jena pretty much disappeared with the fall of the Wall, so support will be minimal.
Of course the coatings will not be up to current standards. Still, these will have the best Zeiss Jena was able to offer and imho they are plenty good.
 
Last edited:
STi_maXim said:
Hello!

I've found a Carl Zeiss Jena Dodecarem 12x50 B in perfect condition, unused, and I want to buy it but I don't know if it's worth the 750 Euro price. I know it's big and heavy, but optical quality and light transmission are better than Conquest HD or Meopta Meostar B1.1 10x50 or any other new binoculars in this price range? Or are they outdated?
Click to expand...

The coatings and colour rendition on Conquest HD and Meostar B1.1 will most certainly be better. Gijs van Ginkel measured light transmission on a 8x50 Octarem and the figures are about 5% lower than a Conquest HD and about 3% lower than a Meostar. This difference should be noticable in use.

Test of the 8x50 Octarem:
https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TEST-VAN-HISTORISCHE-40-50-mm-KIJKERS-VAN-CANON-LEITZ-LEICA-OPTOLYTH-TENTO-ZEISS-JENA-EN-ZEISS-WETZLAR-MEI-2015.pdf

George
 
STi_maXim said:
I've found a Carl Zeiss Jena Dodecarem 12x50 B in perfect condition, unused, and I want to buy it...
Click to expand...

But... what do you plan to use it for?

I have the Nobilem Spezial, the short-bodied model that preceded the Dodecarem. It is the most specialised binocular I have, used for observation at very long distance. I can hold it reasonably steadily despite its size (although being able to brace your elbows makes an even bigger difference with this than it does with lower magnification binoculars). Coatings are adequate in terms of brightness, but not as good as those of present-day binoculars.
 
14Goudvink said:
The coatings and colour rendition on Conquest HD and Meostar B1.1 will most certainly be better. Gijs van Ginkel measured light transmission on a 8x50 Octarem and the figures are about 5% lower than a Conquest HD and about 3% lower than a Meostar. This difference should be noticable in use.

Test of the 8x50 Octarem:
https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TEST-VAN-HISTORISCHE-40-50-mm-KIJKERS-VAN-CANON-LEITZ-LEICA-OPTOLYTH-TENTO-ZEISS-JENA-EN-ZEISS-WETZLAR-MEI-2015.pdf

George
Click to expand...

Thank you for that link, as these are pretty interesting data, a snapshot of binocular technology in the 1950-1980 time frame.
My only quibble would be the 59-62% light transmission for the Zeiss Wetzlar 10x50, that seems very low for any coated optic.

I would add that transmission percentage is not the be all or end all.
My old Zeiss Jena 7x40 Checkpoint Charlie binocs had a super comfortable
bright view with very fine color, despite a 50+% transmission and a pronounced yellow cast. So statistics are not always reflected in actual usage.
 
Hi,

I would say 750€ is a bit expensive - btw. there is a nice example from a collection on german ebay for 400€ or so.

Holger has done a review of the Dodecarem and some other 12x examples here:

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/dodecarem.html

Modern roofs will probably win the transmission competition, otherwise not so much.

Joachim
 
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