Thread: Binocular cleaning

We recently were given a zeiss 8x30 set if oldish binoculars. When I had a look thru them they gave a very poor detail somewhat dim and poor light detail. The exterior lenses look ok but looking from objective to ocular I can see dust etc inside. The clarity does not equal even a basic scope. Can these be restored or are they not worth the effort? I am guessing about 30 years old but outwardly in very good condition. If they can be retored optically then by whom and at what cost? Would they ever be as good as more modern steiners etc?

Send them back to Zeiss for cleaning via the agent. Don't send without the factory support. I sent a Zeiss scope back for repair and they refused to accept it and it got lost in the post coming back to NZ and NZ Post refused to honour the insurance claim because it was outside 30 days. About 5 years ago, I sent in a scope to Zeiss for a reticle change and this time I followed the complicated process they required (there is no postal agreement between NZ and Germany) and it took about 6 months and cost about $500 (but it did get back to me). I had a pair of Swarovski 8x30 (1997 model) cleaned at the factory a couple of years ago. The cost was around $450 and it took about 9 months. So, it is a rigmarole, and it takes quite a while, and it is expensive.

Thanks for that info @rupert. Sounds like it's probably not worth the hassle for an older set.

Camera workshops may be able to help. They clean fungus spots out of lenses all the time. Zeiss do not have a lifetime warranty that can be voided, so taking a punt might pay off.

Yes. Will have a yarn with camera shop