Zeiss Jena NVA DF7X40 military binoculars

[admin]

Not sure if this will be something that I list in the classified section here or not. Figured I would first see if anybody has interest in this sort of thing or even knew about these.

I have a Zeiss Jena Binocular that I really do not know that much about as far as what to do next. I do see many internet postings about these. I had purchased them several years ago when I thought binocular’s might end up being one of the collectibles that I might be interested in participating in and when I thought I would carry them regularly. Also, 7X40 just was not being made by anybody and at the time I thought that it might be nice to have a 7X40 for use. These are Zeiss Jena NVA DF-7X40 binoculars, military glass…known as Checkpoint Charlies. First built for the military and generally considered the best military glass ever made anywhere.

They perform as the reviews for them suggest they should perform and I bought them as new and never used. They appear to be just that. They do not however appear to me to be as pristine as the copies I see on ebay for $1,500+. Those must have been tucked away in very controlled environments for their entire storage period. I also have the illumination kit which is new although God knows how one would charge or power the thing. I have the kit case as well. The reticular lenses are installed and there are new yellow tint and new clear lenses with them along with a paper instruction booklet. I got the whole thing at the same time. Their performance at dusk is staggering especially given the age of the design. Then again maybe that is just a testament to the fact that casual binocular use does not have the same consequences as possibly missing that tank muzzle coming over the horizon.

I have a contemporary Swarovski 10X32 binocular and that is what I turn to when I need a binocular for something. The NVA’s perform like a 7X40 but I always have the other glasses with me. Their major features are the performance at dusk or in limited light, their bullet proof ruggedness, and their overall clarity. They literally do perform like a contemporary $1,200.00 binocular which is crazy when you consider the advances in lens coating since these were made in the 60’s. These are doing everything simply based on the excellence of the glass and the workmanship in grinding the lenses. They are just incredible binoculars.

I see posts from people still using the NVA’s and happy to have them for use purposes. Since these are basically NOS I am reluctant to do that as I don’t want to deprive a real collector of something special should they be something “special”.

I am not an expert at all but looking for direction. Would it make sense to sell them or use them? If sell them, should I sell them as collectibles or are more people selling them now as “for use” items? Should I list them in the classified section at this forum? Any help would be appreciated as I am not an expert in the sense of knowing everything there is to know about binoculars. I know how these perform compared to other very good glass but that is all I know.

[Author]

Posts