SOLD - Vintage Zeiss Jenoptem 8x30W Binoculars, 1971-1977, Worn But Fully Useable

Vintage Zeiss Jenoptem 8x30W Binoculars, 1971-1977, Worn But Fully Useable

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Description

Zeiss, founded in 1846, is the world's oldest and most respected lens manufacturer, responsible for numerous innovations in optical technology. After the Second World War, when Germany was divided into East and West, it split into two separate companies - Carl Zeiss in the West, and Zeiss Jena - still based in Jena, where the first Zeiss factory had been all those years before - in the East. Unfortunately for Zeiss Jena, the Red Army took most of the factory's machinery with them back to the USSR, leaving them unable to keep up with the developments being made in the Carl Zeiss laboratories; instead, they developed older designs.

The Jenoptem 8x30W binoculars are a prime example. They were made for an extraordinarily long time from 1971 all the way up to reunification in 1990 (and then, after the Zeiss Jena factory was purchased by a company called Docter, for another five years with different logos) with only cosmetic changes. However, the model's history goes back even further, being essentially the civilian variant of the Deltrintem 8×30 binoculars first introduced in 1920 (which lasted even longer - also right up to 1990) which, as a model intended for military use, had been constantly updated - by the time it went on sale as the Jenoptem, the design had been updated with anti-reflection magnesium fluoride lens coatings and newly-designed Erfle 5-element eyepieces to cut down distortion. It's fair to say that, even though it was being made in East Germany by a company doing the best it could with what it had, they were among the best binoculars available.

In 1978, both the Jenoptem and Deltrintem got a new multi-layer coating which gave the objective lenses a very distinctive orange sheen. This pair doesn't have that, so they're likely to be an early pair made between 1971 and the end of 1977 - handy because, unlike Zeiss photographic lenses and cameras, the serial number assigned to Zeiss Jena binoculars does not provide an easy way to ascertain the year of production. Despite their age, and despite the external wear and tear seen in the photos, they remain in good condition and are fully useable - the coating of the objective lenses and eyepieces is scuffed, but the glass itself is undamaged and there is no indication of dust or fungus inside the barrels; meanwhile, the central focusing, dioptre adjustment and collimation are excellent. So too is the hinge, and the model is well-known for its range of hinge movement making them ideal for very young users.

They are supplied in their original leather case, but this is in a poor state with split stitching so that one side is only barely attached; this will be easy to repair if so desired and, otherwise, condition is very good with no rot. The binoculars and strap both retain their original straps.

Model: Zeiss Jenoptem 8x30W
Prisms: BaK-4/Porro
Field of View: 8.5°
Focus: Central
Dioptre Adjust: +/- 3
Made: East Germany

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

Further Details & Enquiries

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

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Delivery

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Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

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Collection

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Returns

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.

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