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Message: <blockquote data-quote="joejeweler" data-source="post: 2828557" data-attributes="member: 15421">Another old thread i know................:eek!:Well, .....coming across this thread in a google search it looks like my pair of Zeiss 8X32B Dialyt "mintish" binos are even older than i thought. The serial number on my pair is # 671950 , so it's from the 1964-1969 "long" version of production,....and of the earlier part of that group probably.  (1964 or 1965 maybe?m but not sure as i have never contacted Zeiss.) I bought them on ebay about mid 2009 and have not used them a lot. Somewhere around $400 as i recall with excellant hard leather case but needs a new case strap as the original has broken.Besides the model's limitations you have noted, I found the weight of the Zeiss was so much more than i wanted to carry regularly. My Leitz 8X32 Trinovid (a "beater but still sharp and clear glass), and my Leitz 8X32B Trinovid were the ones i chose to carry most often when going for an 8X glass.  And even then, THEY take back seat to the Leitz 6X24 Trinovid for actual "carry" on my person over extended time periods. In a car or a short to medium walk most any heavier glass is OK, but i don't want to carry them around otherwise when they're a bit heavy. And for sure these old mid focal length binos ARE heavy!  Built like a tank, IMO. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Outwardly, the glass on my Dialyt is still amazingly clear and unmarked both internally and externally, but the rubber eyecups were stored in the "down" eyeglass position and are too stiff at this point to attempt to raise them. I usually lift my glasses anyway as i feel the image is clearer. The body and all the covering looks "new" as well!  :t:As far as the Zeiss 8X30B Dialyt performance goes,.....at age 57 now i could certainly use these more and live with the obvious limitations within the era of production. Truth be told i don't believe i own ANY bino with phase correction or multi coating, and in most cases i havn't missed them. But ease of carry IS important for me, for what good are the finest modern optics if you have to labor to carry them with you, and therefore less likely to have them along on a non-planned for trip outdoors?  I ride a bicycle evey day to stay in shape,....and my pocketable Leitz 6X24 Trinovids are always available.  Sadely, there is NOTHING made today coming close to their weight/size/performance of them.  Oh,.....the original carry strap is still fairly soft and usable, but i'd like to replace it just to be sure it's not on it's last leg. (it has the several length adjustment slots that also weaken the thin leather strap)If anyone knows a source for a 3/8" leather strap for the binocular itself that's priced reasonably I would appreciate it.  (any brand as these aren't maked Zeiss anyway, so i don't need German cowhide!)Additionally, the original Zeiss hard leather case is in very nice condition, "except" for the case strap which HAS broken in one spot. That's the reason i really don't trust the wearing strap on these binoculars. I've found thinner leather tends to dry out and deteriorate faster than heavier and wider leather such as used on cases. Anyway,...if someone has ordered leather (or perhaps soft synthetic) straps that are well made please pass it along.Just curious what the Zeiss 8X30 Dialyt eyecups ran you back then,....as i might consider ordering a pair if $50.00 or less?</blockquote>

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