Zeiss Porro Prism Binocular Accessories (1 Viewer)

[John A Roberts]

Responding to a query about the Zeiss 8x40 Delactis (at: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/zeiss-jenna-delactis-8x40-rebuilt-over-the-weekend.322426),
prompted me to look through a 1928 catalogue
One interesting aspect of the older Zeiss catalogues is that they used to include a comprehensive set of accessories for use with Porro prism binoculars

See a well illustrated set of accessories from a post-WWII Carl Zeiss Jena (i.e. CZ East Germany) catalogue from 1959,
The original can be found at the great resource Miniature Binoculars: https://www.miniaturebinoculars.com/part3/Page1464.htm


John

 

[John A Roberts]

And for comparison, images from a Zeiss West Germany catalogue dating from 1964


John

 

[Pinewood]

Hello John,

My Leitz Binuxit, circa 1951, was supplied with a graticule, or reticle, and fifteen years, ago, Leica was able to supply an eye guard which accommodates eyeglass wearers. I know that the eye guards were discontinued. Bausch & Lomb did have eye guards for wearers of spectacles. I would not be surprised if B&L had other accessories similar to Zeiss.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[yarrellii]

Thanks for posting this John. As always, this is so interesting and goes to show that it is indeed possible to supply different eyecups to cater for the needs of different users. I'm amazed of the impressive array of eyecups and accessories. A constant gripe of mine regarding binoculars (top tier in particular) is that a great effort is put towards the optical performance (field flatteners, impressive coatings, outstanding FOV perfectly corrected, incredible transmission, you name it) but then eyecup comfort is simply forgotten, and given that it is the most crucial point of contact between the user and the device I find it's simply amazing for the top brands to keep doing that. I think that, given most top designs have removable eyecups, it should be relatively easy to provide at least two widths (if not three: narrow, regular, wide) to accommodate different face features, the same way you get twist-up eyecups to enable spectacle users to enjoy the full potential of the binoculars.
A nice lesson from the past.

 

[Hermann]

A constant gripe of mine regarding binoculars (top tier in particular) is that a great effort is put towards the optical performance (field flatteners, impressive coatings, outstanding FOV perfectly corrected, incredible transmission, you name it) but then eyecup comfort is simply forgotten, and given that it is the most crucial point of contact between the user and the device I find it's simply amazing for the top brands to keep doing that. I think that, given most top designs have removable eyecups, it should be relatively easy to provide at least two widths (if not three: narrow, regular, wide) to accommodate different face features, the same way you get twist-up eyecups to enable spectacle users to enjoy the full potential of the binoculars.

You can say that again! In fact, I'd love to be able to use simple rubber eyecups instead of the twist-up eyecups. They're in many ways simpler, and you can't get any dirt or sand in the works. Make them in three lengths and perhaps two widths. That would do nicely. Twist-up eyecups are a solution to a non-existent problem IMO.

Hermann

 

[Troubador]

You can say that again! In fact, I'd love to be able to use simple rubber eyecups instead of the twist-up eyecups. They're in many ways simpler, and you can't get any dirt or sand in the works. Make them in three lengths and perhaps two widths. That would do nicely. Twist-up eyecups are a solution to a non-existent problem IMO.

Hermann

I am not sure that would work for spectacle wearers. Three lengths might be sufficient help for folks who don't use spectacles but when folded flat won't all three eyecups be the same height? I remember folding rubber cups down and I am not convinced it would be possible to reliably fold them down to different lengths to achieve some level of adjustability and especially to ensure both eyecups end up the same height to avoid off-axis viewing.

Lee

 

[Sebzwo]

I so much like those old leather pouches "Koffer" to carry them around. However I am not sure they are protecting perfectly well against fungus and such if you put in wet binoculars and store them inside as not much air is circulating in and out.
I use a heavy canvas bag to carry over the shoulder for my binoculars when I am walking in the woods and hillsides. But keep it open and "ventilated" when at home.

 

[Hermann]

I am not sure that would work for spectacle wearers. Three lengths might be sufficient help for folks who don't use spectacles but when folded flat won't all three eyecups be the same height? I remember folding rubber cups down and I am not convinced it would be possible to reliably fold them down to different lengths to achieve some level of adjustability and especially to ensure both eyecups end up the same height to avoid off-axis viewing.

Simple: One flat rubber cup for spectacle wearers, one medium and one long eyecup.

Hermann

 

[Troubador]

Simple: One flat rubber cup for spectacle wearers, one medium and one long eyecup.

Hermann

If only. Did you read where Chuck is setting eyecups on one roof bino, not on the click-stop but just on top of it, and how some others are using o-rings to adjust the eyecups and some others reject some models because they just can't find an optimum eyecup position? Some people struggle to get the right eyecup position.

I absolutely agree that the old rubber eyecups avoid some of the issues of twist-up eyecups but I am not convinced they offer sufficient adjustability.

Lee

 

[Patudo]

I wonder how much field of view those shallow eyecups allowed one to actually see. The CZJ 8x30, according to Pinac, has only 5.5mm usable eye relief. Even if the shallow eyecups were able to get you 5mm closer to the eyepiece, that's only just over 10mm eye relief. Mr Pinewood - do the eyecups you mentioned allow you to see the full field of view of your Binuxit with glasses? If I had a spare pair of eyecups for mine (or the knowhow to fabricate a pair) I'd experiment with machining them down, as I'd quite like to be able to use mine with glasses - although using them without gives that "immersive" view that is most satisfying, it's a real advantage to be able to go straight to your binoculars without having to remove your glasses first,

I truly love the elegance of the old leather cases - the current cordura type ones do the job well, admittedly, but the Zeiss ones especially look so utilitarian. I've often wondered whether an aftermarket, modern take on that style of leather case - maybe a high impact plastic body with a faux carbon fibre finish and a bit of padding inside (which the leather cases didn't have)- might have some sales appeal.

I can see where Hermann is coming from, as rubber eyecups do work very well for those who don't need glasses. I have to use my 12x50B without glasses and the rubber eyecups are not only comfortable but block away side-light really well, almost like when the lights go off in the cinema. Alas, for those of us who need to wear glasses, fine adjustments to eyecup height are often needed. Just today I had to inch up the (folded) rubber eyecups of my Nikon SE to help avoid blackouts, and later push them down as the eye relief I needed increased as it became more overcast. Fortunately the SE eyecups allow me to do this, but twist-up eyecups would be much better.

One answer, I suppose, is to manufacture eyecups that have the same attachment as twist-up eyecups, but with rubber ends. You'd fit them into the binocular and keep them in the "down" position. I'm actually slightly surprised that Leica and Swarovski don't in fact offer these, but it wouldn't be too difficult for an aftermarket manufacturer to have these made to order.

Incidentally, I've noticed a lot of the rubber eyecups/eye guards advertised on Ebay and other such locations are too straight for my liking. The ideal shape would have a slight outward flare like the Dialyts and Nobilems. Much better comfort and fit IMO.

 

[Pinewood]

I wonder how much field of view those shallow eyecups allowed one to actually see. The CZJ 8x30, according to Pinac, has only 5.5mm usable eye relief. Even if the shallow eyecups were able to get you 5mm closer to the eyepiece, that's only just over 10mm eye relief. Mr Pinewood - do the eyecups you mentioned allow you to see the full field of view of your Binuxit with glasses? If I had a spare pair of eyecups for mine (or the knowhow to fabricate a pair) I'd experiment with machining them down, as I'd quite like to be able to use mine with glasses - although using them without gives that "immersive" view that is most satisfying, it's a real advantage to be able to go straight to your binoculars without having to remove your glasses first,

...

Hello Patudo,

Please do not call me Mr. Pinewood, it makes me feel old. Arthur is good enough and that is how I signed my post, or even Pinewood.

The Leitz replacement eye cups have a narrow fold down rubber band. I see a slight difference between using the band down with glasses and the band up without glasses. Nevertheless, they are a definite improvement. On that digital auction site, there is someone in the UK who sells replacement eye cups for old binoculars. If you know someone with a model makers' lathe, perhaps those eyecups could be trimmed down. Please be aware, if they are trimmed too far, some folks with eyeglasses like glass ashtrays, could harm the top eyepiece lenses.

Stay safe,
Arthur