james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
Check out auction prices - good 8x30B's are $300 - $400 bins, higher if minty. Definitely worth the refurb.
It isn't that old. It's the first version of the West German Zeiss 8x30B with a late serial number from maybe around 1970-71. Hopefully Gary will notice this thread and provide an exact date. The post below discusses the two versions and their serial numbers.
https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2612936&postcount=15
I bought a pair of those about 12 years ago. At that time Zeiss USA was able to completely clean and refurbish them, including supplying new rubber eyecups and didn't charge me anything. Your eyecups look to be in pretty good shape and happily your pair has the desirable prism housing strap lugs in addition the bridge slits that were the only strap attachment option in earlier production. I don't know what Zeiss's service department will or even can do with these old Porros now, but it's worth an inquiry. If Zeiss is no help then Cory Suddarth of Suddarth Optical Repair is the guy to contact.
Henry
Any chance someone can look up: 2395970 (Zeiss 7x42 TP)? Just curious!
Hi Joker
I am very hopeful of getting a date of manufacture for you very soon.
Lee
As far the Zeiss 8x40 pictured, I would not spend the money needed for a restoration. Maybe if it had
sentimental value, but you could purchase a nice clean specimen for less than the cost of restoration.
I would keep looking for a nice Zeiss, and I would want a newer model with multicoated lenses, that way you will have a clearer, brighter and sharper view.
Have you a budget in mind ?
Jerry
Hi,
I agree with Henry on the Delactem - only 8x40 center focus model in the general vicinity of the date of mfg, but it is interesting.
The serial number dates this in 1930 and the Delactem is listed as having been produced from 1931 to 1943 - so either the list of serial numbers is off by a few ten thousand (not too likely) or we have a very early example of the Delactem.
http://www.europa.com/~telscope/zeissbin.txt
Someone mentioned this anomaly to me by email. Interesting. I wish whoever had painted the daylights out of this thing hadn't. It doesn't look terrible until you look more closely, but it's the principle.
http://home.europa.com/~telscope/zeissbn2.txt
As for using it - modern bins with modern coatings will be a lot better than this obviously uncoated example. If you are a collector, things are different of course. Although a 8.75 deg true field of view is quite nice in an 8x40 model... how sharp is it at the edge?
Joachim
Joker
Zeiss Jena confirm your bino was made in 1930.
For a pic and more go to: http://www.archive.zeiss.de/zeig_start.fau?prj=zeiss&dm=museum&listex=Ident-Nummern&zeig=1017
Lee