Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics The old Zeiss 'Classic' is STILL an excellent glass...........

I was out prowling around yesterday at a rural gunstore here in NW Oregon, and way back on a shelf, apparently long-forgotten, was a new set of 10X40 Zeiss Classics. There was so much dust on them that I don't think anyone had so much as picked them up in many years. They were still brand-new, however, and from all appearances they looked like they were built maybe 15 years ago.

The price on them was outdated and at the level of a real bargain, and after some gentle negotiation the price became downright friendly, and way too good to pass up. So I brought 'em home............

After a thorough clean-up, they absolutely proved to be new beyond question. I tested them this morning, and all I can say is, those old-style Zeiss binoculars are still a superb binocular, and they feel so much better in the hand than so many of the newer binoculars. The quality is first-rate all the way, and they're built of better stuff than are the newer Zeiss, no question about it.

If you can find a set of them somewhere for a fair price, you can do a whole lot worse than to buy 'em.........

AD

Cabela's just had 'em for $480 a pop.

I bought some more and gave them to my 9yr old daughter,for Xmas.

That'd be 3rd set,I've bought(gave another to my Dad)...................

I have heard nothing but good things about that binocular, would love to get my mitts on a set....
I have a little Zeiss Diafun 8X30, does not compare to the Classic of course, but still a very nice, handy, sturdy binocular.

A pair of 10x40 Zeiss Classics were my first really good optics. They really opened my eyes to what difference a really good pair of Bino's can make.
IMO it would be hard to think of a better binocular to buy in the $500-$700 range that I've seem some in, at $480 they are a true bsrgain..............DJ

I'm of the opinion that there are many binoculars out there that do as well or better than than the old Classic Zeiss binoculars. Many of them are in the $400-$500 range. All you need do is focus each and stack them against binoculars like the Pentax DCF SP and the differences, or similarities, are readily apparent.
As far as their being better than the newest Zeiss, such as their FL's, you've got to be kidding. Not even close.
I say this because I've played with lots of them, both the 10X40 and a 7X40. I owned an excellent 8X56 for a few days. I've also had the chance to try out a new Zeiss FL among others.
They really were hot stuff for a long time. Not really any better optically than the older B&L Zephurs, but far tougher and waterproof. E

Post deleted by cfran

After hundreds of Pentax's survive years of bouncing around Safari jeeps and enduring years of abuse on every hunting field on earth you can mention them in the same breath as Zeiss Classics. Until then just hush...................DJ

I had a pair of classics I used for years, until I upgraded to Geovids this year. As far as optics go the Geovids dont have anything on the classics IMO.

I absolutely love my Classics!!

My father-in-law has them from the mid to late 80's. They still say T* on them but also made in west germany! They are nice but not the nicest I have looked through

These are top shelf, I thank a MAN from Alaska for making me realize that even old bad eyes bennefit from very good glass. Thanks Stick!!!
DougD

They easily remain my favorite observation device......................

I love mine and use them all the time.

Never have tried the stacking trick, but I've spent many a long day afield able to swap my Classics out for Leica, Swavorski etc.

Never felt like I was giving up anything optically but gained considerably by ergonomics and weight. YMMV

E
Just tested against the Pentax and the ClassicS SMOKED them! Was really disappointed after all the great things I heard about them...

Though I felt my beloved ClassiCs were smoked by Leica...
art

I'd agree on both observations

I'm not into the which is better, Zeiss or Leica, at this point.
What I know is the my 8x30 Zeiss Classics are excellent, and they serve me well. When I look through them, the colors jump out at you, the glass is that good.
I have them and a pair of the Minox 6.5x's I bought from Doug to do everything I need for Northern Michigan. If I lived out west where you can see forever, I'd have the Zeiss 10x's, the same ones Stick bought for his daughter.
I bought my Zeiss 8x30's BD (Before Doug <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) from Cabela's when they first advertised them, at a very good price.
So, I am happy with my binox assortment for hunting.

Don

My impression of these tends to support AD's opinion, but, since I actually made my living for years using binos for hours every day, I may be biased. Funny how many guys here with actual field experience prefer the Zeiss, mine are now 32 years old and still work perfectly, always have.

I wish the Zeiss Classics had worked for me but they didn't. For all their virtues I never found them to be eyeglass friendly. I ended up with the ever trendy Pentax DCF SP for the sole reason that they allow me to glass in comfort with my spectacles on.

That, in a nutshell, is the rub... the Classic's are nice but the optic's world has moved quite a ways on. Leica embodies all that made the Zeiss Classic's great and a WHOLE LOT MORE...