OT- Zeiss Jena Telex binocs repair and value

8/12/07, 2:41 AM #1

Bill Houghton
Member
Offline
8,480 posts

Registered: 1/1/70

OT- Zeiss Jena Telex binocs repair and value

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>At a recent rummage sale, I picked up a pair of Zeiss binoculars, marked "Zeiss Jena" on one side and "Telex [serial number]" on the other. They're neat little critters, with independent focus of each side, and quite sharp.

However, the right eyepiece doesn't focus - it appears to have come adrift from its focusing mount. Anyone know of a good source of info on repairing this problem? The internet wasn't much help. I do have one book coming from our library system, but have no idea how good it will be.

Also, in doing my internet research, I stumbled over one site that's listing similar looking binoculars for a couple of hundred dollars (!). Any idea how I can get an idea of its value, or what collectors look for? For that kind of money, I could be convinced I don't need them; if they're only worth $25, then I'd be inclined to keep them.

Re: OT- Zeiss Jena Telex binocs repair and value

8/12/07, 2:49 AM #2

John in New Mexico
Guest

If I remember correctly...

John in New Mexico

>Zeiss Jena was the East German counterpart. No idea if that makes them worth less or more! Unless they're old enough to be pre-WWII and just from the Jena factory in the future East Germany.

Can't help much, but it sounds like a real neat research project!

John

Re: OT- Zeiss Jena Telex binocs repair and value

8/12/07, 4:40 AM #3

David Barnett - SW Florida
Guest

Repair suggestion...

David Barnett - SW Florida

>A good camera repairist should be able to help you. Chances are that the original damping grease has been exposed to freezing temperatures at one time and can be unstuck with proper solvent application. It sounds like you would not require re-collimation, so just a reapplication of damping grease of the appropriate viscosity should suffice to restore it to silky focusing. As for doing it yourself, you could take a shot at it. I've rebuilt a couple stereozoom microscopes, one new, one old, without mishap. Both are now superclean and silky smooth on their articulated booms. If you need a bit of damping grease, just let me know. I have a graduated set from Nye, which covers everything from audio knobs through jet yokes.

As for value, I'd say 160 to 320 would be a fair price range if those are 1930s production. Those pre-war Jena optics are superb and worth restoring. You should probably keep it.

OT- Zeiss Jena Telex binocs repair and value

Posts