View Full Version : OT: Zeiss Eyeglasses
This topic was briefly mentioned in another thread. In 1995, I had a pair of eyeglasses made and had my ophthalmologist send it out to Zeiss for the lenses. Lenses are of coated glass. Unbelievable difference.
It has outlasted at least 3 pairs of glasses with plastic (Hoya or other) lenses from Pearl vision. Definitely worth the (minimal) extra cost. IIRC, the local "distributor" was Sierra Optical (I think it goes by a new name now) in California, but (your frame) is sent to Germany.
Ask about it the next time you have glasses made. You will not regret it.
Michael I.
12-08-2005, 14:00
I remember,In soviet russia, some elderly people had eyeglasses with german zeiss lenses.They were unscratchable and very heavy
The lenses are glass, so heavier than plastic lenses, but not any more so than other glass spectacles. I have no scratches on mine. In comparison, my plastic lensed eyeglasses scratch up easily. But I think that is just the case with plastic.
Last time I had glasses made I asked about better lenses, as I have quite a large correction (-6 diopters), and the guy had some lenses made by a japanese company that were extremely thin and very well coated for reflections. Tha glass cost about 2/3 time more than normal (not a problem at the time as I had a scheme to get them free with the company my father was working at), and the difference was fantastic. The glass was no thicker than the frame and it made those glasses much more comfortable to wear. So definitely, ask about better glass next time you have glasses made. (lost those now and I wear my contacts all day, bad for the eyes I know...)
Arent glass lenses thinner than plastic ones, because of the rate of refraction?
The lenses are glass, so heavier than plastic lenses, but not any more so than other glass spectacles. I have no scratches on mine. In comparison, my plastic lensed eyeglasses scratch up easily. But I think that is just the case with plastic.
Plastic scratches easier, glass breaks easier. In europe from what I've seen they tend ot only use plastic for kids now.
I'm quite happy with multicoated Rodenstock lenses, but I need them for reading only.
IIRC, modern plastics have a higher refractive index and thus can be thinner, as well as lighter, than glass.
I am going to my optometrist next Wednesday to take an older pair of frames and discuss my options for new lenses. I have a bit of money left in my flexible spending account, so I thought I'd use it to get a spare pair of specs with my current script. I'm considering Transistions (photogray) lenses, but I don't know if that will work with Zeiss glass, which I'm also considering.
My "good" specs are framless; I asked about Zeiss glass, but it wasn't possible with those "frames".
Earl
IIRC, modern plastics have a higher refractive index and thus can be thinner, as well as lighter, than glass.
That's what I have for my pairs. They are "super thin" - same thickness as traditional glass at 1/2 the prescription strength - and coated. Bought the first pair some six years ago and still not a scratch, not to mention the light weight advantage.
Zeiss specs (actually made from Schott glass?) are nice if you don't need a strong prescription, I guess.
Mazurka: I need a strong prescription, multi-focal and I have astigmatism. I may not be able to use the Zeiss glass.
Earl
Earl, so go with plastics like I did. :) Not even Zeiss/Schott glass can make me go back now.
Oops, Zeiss does offer plastic lenses: http://www.zeiss.de/4125680F0053A38D?Open
bmicklea
12-08-2005, 17:35
The coated glass Japanese lenses may have been Nikon. All mine have been for the last 10+ years - both for my normal glasses and for my perscription cycling Oakleys.
I actually just picked up my new glasses and the Optometrist told me that because they're quite wide and narrow she'd had them use coated Aspheric Nikon lenses.
I guess that means I can finally buy that new 50 Summilux I've been eyeing!
lol
flipflop
12-08-2005, 17:38
Not to burst anyones bubble but you can get zeiss lenses at Wal-mart....I opted for Nikon lenses because they were not able to put the zeiss lenses in the frames I chose...so far so good...no complaints but being a zeiss fan I really wanted zeiss lenses....instead of Nikon
This is at the Wal-mart vision center inside the walmart
back alley
12-08-2005, 17:45
maybe i'll try glass lenses next time.
my plastic lenses always seem to get scratched the first day i wear them.
joe
Not to burst anyones bubble but you can get zeiss lenses at Wal-mart....I opted for Nikon lenses because they were not able to put the zeiss lenses in the frames I chose...so far so good...no complaints but being a zeiss fan I really wanted zeiss lenses....instead of Nikon
This is at the Wal-mart vision center inside the walmart
That good to know. Nothing wrong with getting it for less (I assume they charge less?).
Do they offer the plastic ones too at walmart? I will need to change my scratched up lenses on my frameless specs soon.
And if you want some official Zeiss apparel to go with your Zeiss lenses, there's even some on clearance (http://stores.cccpromo.com/zeiss-consumer/Default.asp?p=viewcat.asp&par=cat&id=09&item=01&catg=DIS) .
Mazurka: Doh, I knew that! We'll see how it goes, and how much $$ the options are. I have about $300US to play with.
Earl
Frank Granovski
12-08-2005, 20:02
Yeah, I have Zeiss eye glasses also, because I'm a Zeiss guy. :)
I don't see any difference with my old non-Zeiss glasses, though.
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