Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20 (View 1)
Manufacturer/Model: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20
Field of View: estimate 4.7 deg = 82 m/1,000 m; APFOV 37.6 deg
Weight: 365 gr
Exit Pupil: 2.5 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: none = model made 1898 -1908/09
Notes: The markings on the left prism plate are: Zeiss Stereo Field Glass., Pat. June 22. 97., Power = 8. The markings on the right prism plate are: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. New York Rochester, N.Y. Chicago.
Bausch and Lomb began manufacturing prismatic binoculars in 1898 (see View 2: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/40686502702/in/photostream/ ) under a licensing agreement with Carl Zeiss, Jena covering the manufacture of many different optical instruments but which importantly in regard to binoculars allowed them to space the objective lenses farther horizontally apart than the eyelenses in order to enhance stereo viewing (i.e. stereoscopy), a design patented by Zeiss until 1908. Zeiss also licensed E. Krauss, Paris (and possibly Obuchov, St Petersburg) to manufacture stereoscopic binoculars although some other makers such as Hensoldt (see: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/39466882945/in/photostream/ ) manufactured stereoscopic binoculars prior to 1908 without a license which violated the Zeiss patent.
The Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Stereo series binoculars made from 1898 until 1908/09 were available in a number of powers and although not exact copies very much resembled Zeiss’s Feldstecher models. An important difference between the two companys’ models is that beginning in 1901 Zeiss offered center focus versions of their models which Zeiss did not do until 1909/1910. In 1908 Bausch & Lomb introduced a new line of binoculars built like the new models introduced by Zeiss in 1907 most notably by having the hinge lugs cast into the binocular body instead of attached to a plate screwed onto the body. Bausch & Lomb may have continued to manufacture their old style Zeiss Stereo series binoculars for a few years after the introduction of the new types. The above historical information is from Hans Seeger’s book, "Zeiss Handferngläser von 1919 - 1946 Modelle - Merkmale - Mythos", Hamburg (2015), pages 359-369.
The optical performance of this Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20 is entirely comparable to that of the collection’s two Zeiss 8x20 Feldstechers. However, although it is certainly well built, disassembly reveals that in small details it is not quite as finely constructed as the Feldstechers are.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio12@gmail.com .
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20 (View 1)
Manufacturer/Model: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20
Field of View: estimate 4.7 deg = 82 m/1,000 m; APFOV 37.6 deg
Weight: 365 gr
Exit Pupil: 2.5 mm
Serial #/Year of Manufacture: none = model made 1898 -1908/09
Notes: The markings on the left prism plate are: Zeiss Stereo Field Glass., Pat. June 22. 97., Power = 8. The markings on the right prism plate are: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. New York Rochester, N.Y. Chicago.
Bausch and Lomb began manufacturing prismatic binoculars in 1898 (see View 2: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/40686502702/in/photostream/ ) under a licensing agreement with Carl Zeiss, Jena covering the manufacture of many different optical instruments but which importantly in regard to binoculars allowed them to space the objective lenses farther horizontally apart than the eyelenses in order to enhance stereo viewing (i.e. stereoscopy), a design patented by Zeiss until 1908. Zeiss also licensed E. Krauss, Paris (and possibly Obuchov, St Petersburg) to manufacture stereoscopic binoculars although some other makers such as Hensoldt (see: www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/39466882945/in/photostream/ ) manufactured stereoscopic binoculars prior to 1908 without a license which violated the Zeiss patent.
The Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Stereo series binoculars made from 1898 until 1908/09 were available in a number of powers and although not exact copies very much resembled Zeiss’s Feldstecher models. An important difference between the two companys’ models is that beginning in 1901 Zeiss offered center focus versions of their models which Zeiss did not do until 1909/1910. In 1908 Bausch & Lomb introduced a new line of binoculars built like the new models introduced by Zeiss in 1907 most notably by having the hinge lugs cast into the binocular body instead of attached to a plate screwed onto the body. Bausch & Lomb may have continued to manufacture their old style Zeiss Stereo series binoculars for a few years after the introduction of the new types. The above historical information is from Hans Seeger’s book, "Zeiss Handferngläser von 1919 - 1946 Modelle - Merkmale - Mythos", Hamburg (2015), pages 359-369.
The optical performance of this Zeiss Stereo Field Glass 8x20 is entirely comparable to that of the collection’s two Zeiss 8x20 Feldstechers. However, although it is certainly well built, disassembly reveals that in small details it is not quite as finely constructed as the Feldstechers are.
Note: If you have a vintage binocular you either wish to sell or would just like some information about, I can be contacted at flagorio12@gmail.com .