Anybody using the 8 x 32 FL yet?

[Blincodave]

If so, I would be interested in any observations you might have as to their performance in the field?

Many thanks.

Dave

[Alexis Powell]

I have been using the Zeiss 8x32 FL on a nearly daily basis in the field for the past month or so. I bought it for its combination of overall quality, size/weight, close-focus ability, and minimum interpupillary setting.

I like it for its 5 foot close focus, wide field-of-view, 16mm eye-relief, brightness, sharpness, lack of much chromatic abberation, very smooth focus knob operation (with no slop, backlash, sticky spots, or excessive hydraulic feeling) and minimum interpupillary distance setting of 52mm (because I can share it with my wife, whose IPD is 54mm).

The only aspects that I don't like are the design of the area around the focus knob (there are slots/grooves that can collect debris, so dropping the binocular in sand could be a nightmarish experience), and the very small size of its "sweet spot." If not for these issues, especially the small sweet spot, I'd tout the 8x32 FL as the best midsize roof-prism binocular, for its optical qualities and excellent specs, but as it is, I think the other top contenders could suit many users better, depending on their needs and preferences.

The Leica 8x32 BA (same as BN), remains my favorite mid-sized birding binocular, though I haven't had a chance to compare it with the Leica 8x32 Ultravid (which is brighter, but perhaps ergonomically inferior)--I find it optically and ergonomically much more comfortable to use than the Zeiss, and I much prefer its design/build. I also appreciate the slightly smaller size of the Leica, its rain guard (the ONLY rain guard, for any binocular that I own, that I actually like and use), and its small size when packed (incidentally, the Zeiss will fit into the 8x32 Leica case--the case that comes with the Zeiss is more protective than the close-fitting leather case for the Leica, but it is also much more bulky). For me, in real-world practical use, the only significant advantage of the Zeiss over the Leica is its better close-focus for butterfly watching, but I do appreciate its greater eye-relief. I'm not much bothered by chromatic abberation, of which the Leica has a healthy dose.

With regard to other 8x32 roof-prism choices, I've never been a fan of the Nikon 8x32 LX or LXL because of these related models' weights, which approach that of some full-size binoculars. The Swarovski 8x32 EL has the best ergonomics of any bino I've ever used, but I like the optical qualities of the Leica better, and the Swarovski is so long that it cannot be packed into such small spaces as can the Leica (a significant disadvantage for me since small size for packing is the main reason I sometimes use mid-sized binoculars). In the arena of cheaper offerings, I own the Eagle Optics 8x32 Platinum Ranger, which has exceptionally good close-focus ability, but its optical quality is poor enough overall that I probably won't use it any more now that I have the Pentax 6.5x21 Papilio, except as a bino to take along on bicycle rides. I've never tried the Pentax 8x32 SP, which may be better than the EO Ranger optically, but which is quite heavy for an 8x32.

--AP

[Pinewood]

I thank you for your illuminating comments on the 8x32 FL. I am a happy user of the Leica 8x32 BN and an unhappy owner of the Nikon 8x32 SE. I was considering the FL but I am now in no hurry to test one.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

[Jonathan B.]

Hi, Alexis

That was an excellent review. Unlike Arthur, I am a satisfied owner of 8x32 SE, though I admit it is not ideal. Optically it outperforms the Trinovid, at least to my eyes. Don't assume the Ultravid is ergonomically inferior to Trinovid. The 8x32 is "dainty," but for its extremely compact size it delivers an amazing image.

I was seriously interested in 8x32 Zeiss FL a couple of months ago, but Zeiss has been utterly pathetic about answering some very simple questions about their product. I have decided that if they can't answer e-mails, they certainly cannot provide service that is worth a damn. I have lost all interest and will not be wasting my money on an FL. I am still interested in the little Ultravid.

[arran]

:clap: I recently bought a 10X32 zeiss FL.
I was really surprised of these bins :
-excellent depth of field
-superior contrast
-focussing wheel runs extremely nice.

To be honest , I have a leica 10X42 , 10x52 and a swarovski 10X42 EL
that I can exchange with my brother .
We both agree that this 10X32 FL of Zeiss is simply the best af all !!


If so, I would be interested in any observations you might have as to their performance in the field?

Many thanks.

Dave

[Jaeger01]

Hi, Alexis

That was an excellent review. Unlike Arthur, I am a satisfied owner of 8x32 SE, though I admit it is not ideal. Optically it outperforms the Trinovid, at least to my eyes. Don't assume the Ultravid is ergonomically inferior to Trinovid. The 8x32 is "dainty," but for its extremely compact size it delivers an amazing image.

I was seriously interested in 8x32 Zeiss FL a couple of months ago, but Zeiss has been utterly pathetic about answering some very simple questions about their product. I have decided that if they can't answer e-mails, they certainly cannot provide service that is worth a damn. I have lost all interest and will not be wasting my money on an FL. I am still interested in the little Ultravid.

I agree with testing the seller with an email, first thing I always do when thinking of buying a new set of optics of whatever, bins, scope, camera or just lens. The speed of and satisfactory answers are a big factor when it comes to making a decision.

[leightern]

I am very pleased to read the reviews above. They provide much food for thought. I am considering buying a pair of midsize bins very soon and am going to Cape May to look at optics this weekend. I have not decided which midsize bins to buy and even am still open to buying a 8x40/42 if the weight were light. Most important issue is hand comfort and neck comfort. I currently own the 8x42 Leica BN and love them but am constantly suffering with their weight. Specifically I have been having lots of problems with my right hand... numbness and such forth when using the 8x42 Leicas. So optics are not the main consideration. In the preliminary testing that I have done I have been surprised to find that the 8x32 equal or surpass my 8x42 Leicas optically. This I can't make sense of at all. My only explanation may be that my Leicas have suffered some insult over the years or technology has improved such that a new 8x 32 can outperform an older top of the line 8x42. Anyway I am currently leaning toward the Swarovski 8x 32 ELs because of their ability to held with one hand. I find the optics strangely dark for some reason though... or even golden but that was an old criticism of the previous Swarovski line SLCs and was I thought fixed??
I am new to this site and do not know how to start a thread but if anyone has some thoughts I would greatly appreciate the input. Thanks!

[Pinewood]

I am new to this site and do not know how to start a thread but if anyone has some thoughts I would greatly appreciate the input. Thanks!

Dear Leightern,

If you want to post in the Zeiss forum, click on "Zeiss" at this top of the web page. On the new page, look at the left, and a little above the list of threads, for "new thread" and click on that. If you want to post in another binocular forum, go to the tope of this page, and click on whichever forum you like, then click on"New Thread," on the left a little above the list of threads.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :brains:

[Otto McDiesel]

Anyway I am currently leaning toward the Swarovski 8x 32 ELs because of their ability to held with one hand. I find the optics strangely dark for some reason though... or even golden but that was an old criticism of the previous Swarovski line SLCs and was I thought fixed??

I suggest you look again and try again, on a current production specimen. The 8x32 EL is outstanding and i can't find any trace of color bias or "strange darkness". They are very contrasty and the color fringing is very well controlled, a clear step above the SLC line. At least that is how i see it.

[leightern]

Yes I do need to look again at all the top models. They all have some things that seems to work for me and somthings that don't. The ELs have the lead with their ability to be easily held with one hand. Currently I own a pair of Leicas so perhaps their is something about the Leica look that appeals to me. In the little testing I did my comparisons between the Swarovski 8x32 EL and my Leica Trinovids 8x42s the EL did slightly better. However, the testing was limited and mid day. Perhaps dusk or dawn would show an advantage to the Leicas. The only thing that bothers me about the ELs is the number of rotations it takes focus. I counted 4.5 spins of the wheel to focus from close in to infinity. I assumed this was the newly engineered version, but I would be more than pleased to learn otherwise. Does anybody know what serial number the faster focusing ELs begin with?








I suggest you look again and try again, on a current production specimen. The 8x32 EL is outstanding and i can't find any trace of color bias or "strange darkness". They are very contrasty and the color fringing is very well controlled, a clear step above the SLC line. At least that is how i see it.

[Marko_]

Does anybody know what serial number the faster focusing ELs begin with?

This was discussed in September 2004. Read the old thread from this link:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=19742&highlight=serial

Regards,
Marko

[Otto McDiesel]

Does anybody know what serial number the faster focusing ELs begin with?

The EL 8x32 was designed and introduced with the faster focus from the very start.

[PYRTLE]

If so, I would be interested in any observations you might have as to their performance in the field?

Many thanks.

Dave

Had mine for over 12 months, very good all round performance now even better with the new style eyecups. No intention of changing them as there is not a better 32mm roof prism, imo.

[jtpowers1972]

If so, I would be interested in any observations you might have as to their performance in the field?

Many thanks.

Dave

Hi Dave-

I currently own a pair of 8X32 FLs, and my second pair of 8X32 SEs. The SEs were the best bin's that I ever looked through, until I got ahold of the FLs. In fact, I acquired my current used pair of 8X32 SEs just to see if the FLs were really as good as they appeared to be to me.

Until I got the FLs, I was (and remain, to be sure) a big 8X32 SE cheerleader. I still think they may be the best value in binos today, given that they cost less than half what the same size FL does. I used to take the SEs everywhere with me. Now I do the same with the 8X32 FLs. They are VERY compact, they feel good in the hands (I should say that the SE bino's beat the FLs here, however. As good as the FLs feel, the SEs fit my palms like nothing else ever has.)

But the quality of image does, to my initial suprise, beat out the SEs. The color rendition and impact are astounding (the effect of an almost total absence of false color I find in the FLs cannot be overstated!). The SEs do officially have slightly improved far edge sharpness, BUT, this is fact is misleading. The SEs AFOV is 60 deg vs. the 67 deg of the FL. The inner 60 deg of the FL AFOV in identical in sharpness to the SE, at least as far as I can tell, qualitatively.

One drawback to the impressive images through the SEs is a bit of rolling blackout if my eyes are not positioned perfectly. I noticed this with the 8X32s, and saw even more of it in the 10X42s. With the 8X32 FLs, I have expereinced none of this. I think it may be do t the SEs having almost too much (?!) eyerelief for me. The Zeiss eyerelief seems to be just right, on the other hand.

The resolution I am experiencing with the FLs is a dream come true to me. For an 8X bin, I am picking out detail that I used to be happy to get with the 10X42 SEs, and with the improved steadiness of 8x vs 10X. This may be in part due to the inherent increase in steadiness of an 8X glass, but in the field, I find the difference relevent whatever the cause.

Also, I really like the case for the Zeiss FLs. It's a nice cordura case that provides better protection than the SE cases. It also has a shoulder strap, which the SE cases lack.

Please don't get me wrong, I have the highest regard for the Nikon SEs. Really. The 8X32 FLs, though, at least to me, are the single best binos I have ever touched. And they better at leat be close, given what they cost!

BTW, just this afternoon, my three year old son was excitedly counting birds he saw at the feeder through my FLs! I don't know what this may say about the FLs themselves, but it was a dream come true moment for me, nonetheless!

Best Regards,
John

[bunny]

Had mine for over 12 months, very good all round performance now even better with the new style eyecups. No intention of changing them as there is not a better 32mm roof prism, imo.
How were the eye-cups on the Swaro 8x32EL improved?