Magnification: 8x
Aperture (objective diameter): 24 mm
Field of view: 6.6°
Exit pupil diameter: 3 mm
Visible field of view (eyepiece FOV): 52.8°
The closest focusing distance: 6 m
Width: 15.8 cm
Height: 12.5 cm
Weight: 565 g
Production date: 1909.
Binoculars Carl Zeiss Jena D.F.95 n/A
In 1907, Carl Zeiss radically changed the framework and the design of his binoculars, replacing "civilian" models Feldstecher 6 Fach by Telex, Feldstecher 8 Fach by Telact, Jagdglas by Silvamar and Feldstecher 12 Fach by Telefort. The new devices’ detailed characteristics were published in the 74-th volume of Carl Zeiss catalog in August 1907. The optical characteristics were significantly improved in new devices (the field of view and the objective diameter were increased, optical aberrations were decreased), and the devices’ design was also changed: the central hinge and the “lugs” for a neck strap were not attached to binocular with the help of screws any more, they became integral with it instead, an eccentric objective alignment system appeared and its frame design was also changed, the prism covers spanned the binoculars’ carcass, and they were lubricated with a special compound at the joint points in order to improve impermeability. Moreover, the prisms inside the binoculars were no longer pressed by prism covers – they were fixed with the help of special flat springs instead. It helped increasing the device’s reliability greatly. Actually, the binoculars have survived in such appearance up to present days (see Hans T.Seeger. Zeiss-Feldstecher, Handfernglaser von 1894-1919, Modelle-Merkmale-Mythos, pp.399-414)
Earlier, around the end of 1906, the first military versions of D.F.8x binoculars appeared in the new design (the old version can be checked by the following link https://binocollection.com/catalog/-binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x.html). Those were analogues of the “civilian” Telact 8x model (https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-telact-8x.html).
Later, in 1908-1909, the D.F.8x “twin” appeared (in the Telact design) – it was the D.F.95 n/A military model. It’s a direct descendant of the military device D.F.95 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df951.html. “n/A - neue Art” - probably means the “new artillery”.
The grenade symbol on the right prismatic cover presence also indicates that this model was intended for application in the field artillery. In addition, the binocular has the goniometric grid (see photo), which differs from the grid used in a similar device D.F.8x https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-3.html
Apart from these two differences (the marking and the grid type), this device doesn’t differ from the D.F.8x binocular https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-1.html, however the D.F.95 n/A was produced in much smaller quantities. Accordingly, like the D.F.8x was produced in two different design versions (the Telact and the Turact), the D.F.95 n/A was also produced in the Turact design starting from 1912-1913 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-turact-8x.html.
The D.F.95 n/A is a high binocular with very good optical features, 8x magnification and 24mm lens. The binocular’s “military” application is also proved by the large diameter of the central hinge clamp (lock), see photo. The interpupillary distances scale is indicated on the upper hinge disk.
The D.F.95 n/A in the Telact 8x design was produced with various design changes in 2 versions:
1st version: the one with double-ring type lens frames (starting from 1909 and up to 1913);
2nd version: the one with rounded objective covers in two versions: with the grooves on the objective covers to minimize stray light and without them (starting from 1913).
This rare device belongs to the first version and it has the eyepieces with base diameter equal to 24.5 mm and the upper prismatic cover width equal to 50 mm (see photo). The eyepieces have a diopter scale and the transverse (perpendicular) knurling. The binocular’s body height (including the upper prism cover) is equal to 80 mm.
There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jena” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “D.F.95 n/A 249” and the grenade symbol on the right prism cover. The inscription is made in block letters with the help of silver alloy on the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image.
The binocular’s serial number is “166143” (it is also the military acceptance number) and it was manufactured in 1909 as a small 200 pieces batch. It is still unknown what the number “249” means.
The Carl Zeiss D.F.95 n/A binocular in the Turact 8x design can be seen here
Earlier, around the end of 1906, the first military versions of D.F.8x binoculars appeared in the new design (the old version can be checked by the following link https://binocollection.com/catalog/-binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x.html). Those were analogues of the “civilian” Telact 8x model (https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-telact-8x.html).
Later, in 1908-1909, the D.F.8x “twin” appeared (in the Telact design) – it was the D.F.95 n/A military model. It’s a direct descendant of the military device D.F.95 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df951.html. “n/A - neue Art” - probably means the “new artillery”.
The grenade symbol on the right prismatic cover presence also indicates that this model was intended for application in the field artillery. In addition, the binocular has the goniometric grid (see photo), which differs from the grid used in a similar device D.F.8x https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-3.html
Apart from these two differences (the marking and the grid type), this device doesn’t differ from the D.F.8x binocular https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-df8x-1.html, however the D.F.95 n/A was produced in much smaller quantities. Accordingly, like the D.F.8x was produced in two different design versions (the Telact and the Turact), the D.F.95 n/A was also produced in the Turact design starting from 1912-1913 https://binocollection.com/catalog/binoculars-carl-zeiss-jena-turact-8x.html.
The D.F.95 n/A is a high binocular with very good optical features, 8x magnification and 24mm lens. The binocular’s “military” application is also proved by the large diameter of the central hinge clamp (lock), see photo. The interpupillary distances scale is indicated on the upper hinge disk.
The D.F.95 n/A in the Telact 8x design was produced with various design changes in 2 versions:
1st version: the one with double-ring type lens frames (starting from 1909 and up to 1913);
2nd version: the one with rounded objective covers in two versions: with the grooves on the objective covers to minimize stray light and without them (starting from 1913).
This rare device belongs to the first version and it has the eyepieces with base diameter equal to 24.5 mm and the upper prismatic cover width equal to 50 mm (see photo). The eyepieces have a diopter scale and the transverse (perpendicular) knurling. The binocular’s body height (including the upper prism cover) is equal to 80 mm.
There are inscriptions “Carl Zeiss Jena” on the left prism cover. There is also an inscription “D.F.95 n/A 249” and the grenade symbol on the right prism cover. The inscription is made in block letters with the help of silver alloy on the background of Carl Zeiss Tessar photo lens schematic image.
The binocular’s serial number is “166143” (it is also the military acceptance number) and it was manufactured in 1909 as a small 200 pieces batch. It is still unknown what the number “249” means.
The Carl Zeiss D.F.95 n/A binocular in the Turact 8x design can be seen here
