Thursday, January 29, 2009

Repair A Jena Binocular Fixture

Zeiss Jena binoculars are older style optics, produced by the company between 1894 and 1991. These binoculars use ground glass lenses, adjustment focus-dials, and are 10x50 magnification. The fixtures, the optic barrels, house the lenses and eyepieces and are attached via the forward and back binocular plates. If a fixture is loose, use two methods of securing them in place. If your lenses are out of alignment or damaged, send the Jena binoculars to Zeiss as it is not recommended you fix the lenses themselves.


Instructions


1. Push the fixture in need of repair with your finger. Look at the movement of the ficus circles surrounding the eyepiece fixture for movement or looseness.


2. Fill a small and disposable eye dropper with clear, liquid super-epoxy. Open two small C-clamps -- use hobby C-clamps found at hobby shops -- and set them next to the binoculars.


3. Insert a very small amount of the epoxy on the fixture at the loose point. Quickly wipe away any excess with a cotton swab. Prevent drips or running of the epoxy down the fixture or barrel.


4. Attach the C-clamps around the fixture once glued. Let the epoxy cure. Different epoxies have different times for curing; consult your bottle to ensure adequate drying-curing time is allotted.


5. Tighten the center screws in the front of the binoculars. This is the screw that controls the closeness of the two chambers.


6. Remove the C-clamps after curing. Push the fixture to test the hold.







Tags: fixture loose, Jena binoculars, Push fixture