Carl Zeiss Jena Fernglas Binoctem 7x50 binoculars.

The history of the Carl Zeiss Binoctem 7x50 model goes back to 1919. In that year the Carl Zeiss Binoctar 7x50 was launched - optically the same device but with an individual focusing system. The Binoctem model, featuring a bridge and the central focusing, hit the shelves in 1931. In 1937 both 50x models underwent a slimming treatment because the metal used for their casing was changed. As a result, the weight of the Binoctem decreased from 1300 grams to 860 grams (only to rebound later to 1010 grams).

After the war, when the Carl Zeiss Jena plants happened to be on the territory of the German Democratic Republic, the production of both binoculars was continued. The main difference was the implementation of single-layer antireflection coatings.

The production of Binoctar was ceased in 1971 so it didn’t live through long enough to see multilayer T3M coatings (implemented in 1978). The Binoctem 7x50 was produced with its sibling Jenoptem until 1990 so reaching the time when the plant in Jena was taken over by the Analytik Jena company; they have been producing Docter binoculars ever since.

The model we tested here is an old construction from 1968. Despite its 40+ years, this pair of binoculars remains in great working order. As the multicoating’s weren’t used at that time, the device features ordinary bluish single coatings.

The buyers got a leather strap, and a hard case with its own strap. There were no caps for eyepieces or objective lenses.