Zeiss is closing

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I found this recently. Jun 4, 2025

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH has announced that the production of optics for hunting and nature observation in Wetzlar is facing closure. Seventy employees will be affected.

Wetzlar. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH will cease production in Wetzlar by the end of 2026. The company announced this in a statement on Tuesday. According to Zeiss, approximately 70 jobs are affected by this decision. Employees were also informed of the move on Tuesday. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH is considered the world's leading manufacturer of binoculars, riflescopes, and spotting scopes. It is a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss AG.

Company speaks of “ongoing economic losses”
The challenging geopolitical and economic conditions are having varying effects on the Zeiss Group's business units. Demand for analog binoculars, spotting scopes, and riflescopes in the premium segment is declining, according to the statement explaining the reasons for the upcoming closure at the Wetzlar site.

“Price and competitive pressure, the deteriorating consumer climate, the disruptive shift to digital products, and the structural cost disadvantage in Germany are leading to ongoing economic losses in the production of optics for hunting and nature observation in Wetzlar,” explains Joachim Kuss from Corporate Communications at Zeiss Photonics & Optics.

The production of binoculars, spotting scopes, and riflescopes in Wetzlar will therefore only continue until the end of 2026. However, Carl Zeiss Sports Optics will continue to be represented at the Wetzlar site with customer service, logistics, and quality assurance.

"The employees in the Wetzlar production facility are doing an excellent job, and everyone involved has fought to ensure that we can continue producing here in the future," said Torsten Scheidt, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH, in the statement. However, the market changes, particularly in recent years, are so significant "that we cannot maintain the current value chain." In the coming months, discussions will be held with employee representatives to discuss how the affected employees can be actively supported and how the job cuts can be implemented in a socially acceptable manner.

The company's press release makes it clear that the focus in Wetzlar is on semiconductor manufacturing: Zeiss is represented at the site with its Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) division, which has grown significantly in recent years. A second production site for the semiconductor division is currently being built in Wetzlar. The so-called multifunctional factory in Dillfeld will expand production and development capacity by approximately 12,000 square meters. Upon completion in 2026, Zeiss SMT in Wetzlar will employ approximately 500 people.
 
More made in China crap on the horizon. I bought two magazine cases for handgun mags earlier in the year. I bought them off of Temu. They are pretty good quality actually. They each hold 50 handgun mags. They have the pressure release valves on them too. Airtight and water proof.

At the the time, the least expensive, comparable product made in USA was $72.00 each, while the Chinese ones were $36.00 each. So it turned out to be a 2 for 1. After the Tarrifs hit the Port of Los Angeles, the prices on both products were roughly the same.
 
Because he owns over 50 magazines. Doesn’t everyone?

Too bad about Zeiss, I hate to see these old companies disappear.
 
Always coveted a set of their binoculars... seems like there was a pair sitting in and enclosed glass case at my local gun/pawn store for a while ... they wanted something like $1,200 for them .... used.

Oh, and to slip off subject again.... lately the good heavy duty sealed plastic cases I buy for all my 'magazines' and such are by Nanuk which are at least made in Canada.
 
p345Fan said:
More made in China crap on the horizon. I bought two magazine cases for handgun mags earlier in the year. I bought them off of Temu. They are pretty good quality actually.

At the the time, the least expensive, comparable product made in USA was $72.00 each, while the Chinese ones were $36.00 each. So it turned out to be a 2 for 1. After the Tarrifs hit the Port of Los Angeles, the prices on both products were roughly the same.
Click to expand...
You are supporting the "made in China crap" with Temu. Temu is a Chinese-owned online marketplace that connects consumers with sellers, particularly manufacturers in China, to offer a wide variety of products at low prices. It operates on a business model that ships directly to customers, leading to lower costs by bypassing traditional wholesalers, but this can also result in inconsistent product quality and other risks.

US tariffs on China max at 47% so the doubling of the Chinese price was more like gouging, not tariffs. The $36 case would now be $53 if it is at the maximum tariff scale. It appears that Temu is taking advantage of the tariff to make more profit.
 
p345Fan said:
More made in China crap on the horizon. I bought two magazine cases for handgun mags earlier in the year. I bought them off of Temu. They are pretty good quality actually. They each hold 50 handgun mags. They have the pressure release valves on them too. Airtight and water proof.

At the the time, the least expensive, comparable product made in USA was $72.00 each, while the Chinese ones were $36.00 each. So it turned out to be a 2 for 1. After the Tarrifs hit the Port of Los Angeles, the prices on both products were roughly the same.
Click to expand...

You complain about more China crap on the horizon yet you re praising the China made product you bought off Temu? First...nyone who gambles with Temu needs medication....a strong dose of "NOPE".

blume357 said:
p345Fan, I don't mean to be contentious here but why do you need two cases that hold 50 pistol magazines each?
Click to expand...

I don't see anything wrong with that. I have MTM tactical mag can for AR/AK/1911 and double stack mags. I wish they had one that held 50. Would make storage much easier with less boxes. I'm guessing I have over 500 magazines.



As for Zeiss......even their lens cleaning wipes were more expensive than others and did just as well as the cheaper ones. I've had a couple Zeiss (Conquest) scopes in the past. About the same quality/cost as a higher tier Vortex.
 
Once you buy from Temu they never let you go. Constant email bombardment. I had ordered these before the Tarrifs hit.

My wife pointed them out to me as she buys tons of toys and stuff for the grandkids on there.

I thought the Tarrifs were 100 percent on China for awhile. Gouging wouldn’t surprise me though. The CCP isn’t known for being fair. But, why do we make our cell phones there? And why did they allow TikTok to continue?
 
IMO, what has really hurt the very top end , premium optics lines, is that there are some really really good optics in the midpriced line. And there are some pretty good optics in the cheaper lines. In the last 45yrs, "cheap" optics hav got 50x better and will do what 99.9% of the people need.
 
XUSNORDIE said:
You complain about more China crap on the horizon yet you re praising the China made product you bought off Temu? First...nyone who gambles with Temu needs medication....a strong dose of "NOPE".



I don't see anything wrong with that. I have MTM tactical mag can for AR/AK/1911 and double stack mags. I wish they had one that held 50. Would make storage much easier with less boxes. I'm guessing I have over 500 magazines.
Click to expand...
That was my first time buying from them. I had never heard of them before my wife introduced me to them. Harbor freight has similar cases that you.can buy liners for. But guess what, a lot of their stuff is made in China as well.

I have come to find out that Pelican and Savior are made here.

The Tarrifs won’t work if the cellphone makers are exempt from Tarrifs. Apple at one time was going to move production to India. But as to why we can’t mass produce stuff here, especially plastic crap, and do it cheaply, is beyond me. Isn’t most of this stuff made by robots anyway?
 
I'd never even heard of Temu before now. As to Zeiss, I was watching a TOT in Graf when a German officer asked me if I'd like to look through his Zeiss binos. They were the most clear and sharp set I have ever seen and that was...well an awful long time ago.
 
XUSNORDIE said:
You complain about more China crap on the horizon yet you re praising the China made product you bought off Temu? First...nyone who gambles with Temu needs medication....a strong dose of "NOPE".



I don't see anything wrong with that. I have MTM tactical mag can for AR/AK/1911 and double stack mags. I wish they had one that held 50. Would make storage much easier with less boxes. I'm guessing I have over 500 magazines.



As for Zeiss......even their lens cleaning wipes were more expensive than others and did just as well as the cheaper ones. I've had a couple Zeiss (Conquest) scopes in the past. About the same quality/cost as a higher tier Vortex.
Click to expand...
I have probably about 300. I haven’t counted lately.
 
Over thew many years that I've hunted the mighty woodchuck, squirrel etc., I've been totally happy with Tasco and Simmons scopes (Jap production in those days); and with Toyota cars. My buddies who mostly drive Benz'z and Bimmers like Zeiss. The trick to happiness is to NEVER look thru Zeiss or similar brands'... Life will be total satisfaction. p.s. The only person who really needs Zeiss is my Endodontist (and I've paid for most of his).
IMHO of course,
J.
 
I have enjoyed looking through Zeiss optics whenever I was offered the chance. Personally, I would love to own a set of their binoculars,, and a few scopes. But my budget hasn't allowed it. Heck,, just the other day,, I was using a family member's Zeiss binos to look at deer from his living room. The quality was undeniable.

But I do have a few sets of binos that are top quality,, and the difference in them & many of the mid-line priced is obvious. Now,, I can justify my optics. In my work,, I use binos to inspect houses,, from the outside for small holes & openings that critters can use to enter the home. But my very first pair of them was won on a game at the SHOT Show. It proved to me the benefits of top quality optics.
I now own a few of that brand,, (now gone due to a buy-out) and a pair of Steiners. But I did do a silent auction "buy it now" on a set of Vortex optics at a FoNRA event, for use as a "loaner" set when I have friends who want to use binos to look at something. Quite often, they say; "Wow,, these are nice!" I even bought a set of them as a gift for a friend once.
It's undeniable that modern optics are MUCH better than they used to be,, including the low end brands & models. But if you truly need a top quality optic,, it can be money well spent in the long run. "Buy once,, cry once!"

Zeiss is considered by many as THE top quality brand. Sad to see them go.
 
Was out in Jackson WY at a sporting goods store once and compared the different Zeiss products looking up at the hills, I thought my higher end Nikons were great until I did that LOL.
This thread could easily turn into a jobs, wages, taxes, etc. thing but for me its a simple thing, Same problem different product, most people want a “Cadillac for the price of a Volkswagen” is what we always said in our shop.
I personally hate that people are so willing to support all the foreign cheap throw away crap rather than spend a little extra, especially at the risk of receiving counterfeit product that is inferior, but that may be all they feel they can afford and it’s a free country!
OK I’ve said more than I should, have a great rest of your weekend, I have to go out and move snow
 
In my humble opinion, it's a LOT extra. ☝️
BUT, "mediocre" satisfies my simple needs.
J.
 
Sad to hear this.

Have 2 Zeiss rifle scopes and they are very clear. Always wanted some of their binoculars.
 
I guess I never dug deep enough into the Zeiss line to know much about them. One thing was a bit off putting was that part, if not all of the Conquest line was made by Meopta & the same scope that was branded Meopta was less money. Seems I recall some of the lower priced Zeiss binoculars were Meopta as well.
OTOH, some of their higher end offerings are verey, very nice, but.... Japanese optical glass has gotten really good & said to rival the german stuff,,,, for less cost. I have to applaud Zeiss for one thing, they didn't go the Nikon route, or say so anyway. Nikon quit making scopes because they no longer wanted to be associated with firearms. That was just great, they accepted gun owners money for 39 years.

Then came tactical rifle shooting, sniper competitions & the like where shooters might need a lot of elevation travel & come ups that are accurate & dependable. This started separating the really great scopes from the not so good ones. Not singling out Zeiss here, but many scopes that were thought to be great couldn't cut it. Many rifle shooters are a lot more savvy & better informed now than ever & scopes that can't make the grade or companies that haven't kept up soon get discovered, sales dwindle for them.

Just some thoughts on scope making in the 2020's,,, no pun intended.
 
gunzo said:
Then came tactical rifle shooting, sniper competitions & the like where shooters might need a lot of elevation travel & come ups that are accurate & dependable. This started separating the really great scopes from the not so good ones. Not singling out Zeiss here, but many scopes that were thought to be great couldn't cut it. Many rifle shooters are a lot more savvy & better informed now than ever & scopes that can't make the grade or companies that haven't kept up soon get discovered, sales dwindle for them.
Click to expand...

Just about any optics manufacturer can turn out a high quality scope, even if they are not known for that level of scope. Example being TASCO. Mostly associated with cheaper to mid level scope lines. NSW was looking for a new scope with specific milspecs.....while LEUPOLD ended up being the overall choice, TASCO's entry was also awarded an NSN under that contract and placed in the Navy inventory.

I have one of those early 90's originals....from before SWFA became a thing...;)
 
gunzo said:
I guess I never dug deep enough into the Zeiss line to know much about them. One thing was a bit off putting was that part, if not all of the Conquest line was made by Meopta & the same scope that was branded Meopta was less money. Seems I recall some of the lower priced Zeiss binoculars were Meopta as well.
OTOH, some of their higher end offerings are verey, very nice, but.... Japanese optical glass has gotten really good & said to rival the german stuff,,,, for less cost. I have to applaud Zeiss for one thing, they didn't go the Nikon route, or say so anyway. Nikon quit making scopes because they no longer wanted to be associated with firearms. That was just great, they accepted gun owners money for 39 years.

Then came tactical rifle shooting, sniper competitions & the like where shooters might need a lot of elevation travel & come ups that are accurate & dependable. This started separating the really great scopes from the not so good ones. Not singling out Zeiss here, but many scopes that were thought to be great couldn't cut it. Many rifle shooters are a lot more savvy & better informed now than ever & scopes that can't make the grade or companies that haven't kept up soon get discovered, sales dwindle for them.

Just some thoughts on scope making in the 2020's,,, no pun intended.
Click to expand...


Good points

To your point both my Zeiss scopes are more or less set and forget.

When I dial I have NIghtforce and a couple SWFA for that
 
p345Fan said:
Is Leupold still US made? How about Burris?
Click to expand...
Yes on Leupold, Beaverton Oregon. Last time I was there was 2019 they had about 900 people working there, (Beaverton). Some of their products are not in house. Some binoculars and range finders have been made elsewhere. Most rifle scopes I own are Leupold for a few reasons, They work great, real lifetime warranty, made in USA. They also have good mounting systems made in USA. Those are made also in Oregon.
 
Manufacturers can price themselves out of existence. I have always been on a Bushnell budget but, the last scope and binoculars I purchased were NIKONs. I really like those.
 
ex13F said:
I'd never even heard of Temu before now. As to Zeiss, I was watching a TOT in Graf when a German officer asked me if I'd like to look through his Zeiss binos. They were the most clear and sharp set I have ever seen and that was...well an awful long time ago.
Click to expand...
TOT in Graf?
 
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