Granite Glasser
New member

Greetings to all at Birdforum!
I am a geologist/hydrogeologist by day and an accomplished jazz trumpet player (currently having a blast playing in a reggae band)!
By night, I am more than a bit of an amateur astronomer and I frequently travel with my (now vintage) TeleVue Ranger on its TV Panoramic Mount along with a dedicated, and carefully-selected set of TV eyepieces: 24 Pan, 11 Nagler (T6), 7 Nagler (T1), and 4.8 Nagler (T1 "smoothie).
Yes, I also use me TV Ranger setup for daytime geological / nature observation.
About a year ago I picked up a vintage pair of Carl Zeiss Jena Deltrintem 8x30 binoculars, the serial number of which dates them from 1926.
These are mechanically and optically pristine (especially for their age) and I even had them professionally serviced by Cory Suddarth at Suddarth Optical Repair.
To me, there is NO beating the 3-D viewing experience of these Porro-prism gems from the past, and their 8.5-degree FOV is still tops among almost any high-end modern binocular on the market.
And quite surprisingly, for 100% UN-coated optics, the clarity, contrast, and control of CA is very acceptable in the CZJ Deltrintems! Much more than one might expect!
They are also quite bright (sufficient transmission) for such relicts even with their ever so slightly warm/yellow color rendition.
My use with the CZJ Deltrintem 8x30s and my TV Ranger in my travels as a geologist/hydrogeologist have recently given birth to a new found interest, appreciation, and fascination in birding. Among other activities in my professional career, I frequently conduct wetland delineations and, as such, often find myself in some rather remote and unique environments where land, water, flora, and fauna, as well as the night sky above, offer up some incredible views and experiences.
Admittedly, I probably need to "upgrade" to some modern water/weather proof, lightweight, compact roof-prism binoculars instead of risking damage to the non-weather-sealed CZJ 8x30s, but I simply have not felt the need (although that doesn't mean I haven't felt the desire)!
I have been reading binocular and other optics reviews on Birdforum for quite some time and I thoroughly enjoy spending time here among such knowledgeable and friendly folks! I also spend a considerable amount of time on the Cloudy Nights astronomy forums. My recent interest in birds and birding has also led me to become active with local birding groups in SW Michigan and I hope to engage with then on a regular basis.
Best Regards, Clear Skies, and Pleasant Views to all at BF.
~Bobby G.
Kalamazoo, MI
I am a geologist/hydrogeologist by day and an accomplished jazz trumpet player (currently having a blast playing in a reggae band)!
By night, I am more than a bit of an amateur astronomer and I frequently travel with my (now vintage) TeleVue Ranger on its TV Panoramic Mount along with a dedicated, and carefully-selected set of TV eyepieces: 24 Pan, 11 Nagler (T6), 7 Nagler (T1), and 4.8 Nagler (T1 "smoothie).
Yes, I also use me TV Ranger setup for daytime geological / nature observation.
About a year ago I picked up a vintage pair of Carl Zeiss Jena Deltrintem 8x30 binoculars, the serial number of which dates them from 1926.
These are mechanically and optically pristine (especially for their age) and I even had them professionally serviced by Cory Suddarth at Suddarth Optical Repair.
To me, there is NO beating the 3-D viewing experience of these Porro-prism gems from the past, and their 8.5-degree FOV is still tops among almost any high-end modern binocular on the market.
And quite surprisingly, for 100% UN-coated optics, the clarity, contrast, and control of CA is very acceptable in the CZJ Deltrintems! Much more than one might expect!
They are also quite bright (sufficient transmission) for such relicts even with their ever so slightly warm/yellow color rendition.
My use with the CZJ Deltrintem 8x30s and my TV Ranger in my travels as a geologist/hydrogeologist have recently given birth to a new found interest, appreciation, and fascination in birding. Among other activities in my professional career, I frequently conduct wetland delineations and, as such, often find myself in some rather remote and unique environments where land, water, flora, and fauna, as well as the night sky above, offer up some incredible views and experiences.
Admittedly, I probably need to "upgrade" to some modern water/weather proof, lightweight, compact roof-prism binoculars instead of risking damage to the non-weather-sealed CZJ 8x30s, but I simply have not felt the need (although that doesn't mean I haven't felt the desire)!
I have been reading binocular and other optics reviews on Birdforum for quite some time and I thoroughly enjoy spending time here among such knowledgeable and friendly folks! I also spend a considerable amount of time on the Cloudy Nights astronomy forums. My recent interest in birds and birding has also led me to become active with local birding groups in SW Michigan and I hope to engage with then on a regular basis.
Best Regards, Clear Skies, and Pleasant Views to all at BF.
~Bobby G.
Kalamazoo, MI