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New Leica Ultravid HD Plus 12x50 - compared with Swarovski EL 12x50 and Zeiss 10x54 HT
I rejoined the Leica club after a long departure. These are the initial impressions of the 12x50 Ultravid HD Plus versus Swaro 12x50 (latest gen) and Zeiss HT 10x54. The picture quality, out of the 3 goes to Leica. As good as Swaro EL is, Leica is at least equal to it and maybe exceeds it. I... -
Case for large binoculars - Zeiss 10x54 HT?
I got this case from Crooked Horn Outfiters and it works wonderfully for mid-size binos like Swaro EL 8.5 or Zeiss 8x42. I need something similar but for the large sized 10x54 HT. https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Horn-Outfitters-Protective-Binocular/dp/B004XUNLQI- etc
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- Replies: 17
- Forum: Binoculars
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A quick review of Swarovski 12x50 EL versus Zeiss 10x54 HT
Just got the 2017-vintage 12x50 EL and here are the first impressions. In the context of exclusively using 10x54 HT for the last few years. The 12x50 EL does not look much bigger than the 8.5x42 EL I've had for a decade. Which felt like a featherweight. It is however noticeably heavier. Which... -
Swarovski 12x50 EL versus 15x56 SLC
I already have the most excellent Zeiss 10x54 HT and am debating whether to get the 12x or 15x. My concern about 12x50 is that 12x is not a good match for the 50m objective in terms of exit pupil size. Making it harder to use. OTOH, both binoculars have an almost identical exit pupil size. I... -
Zeiss 10x56 Night Owl
Have a chance to acquire Zeiss 10x56 Night Owl, not much info on them on the forum. How do they compare to the 10x54 HT? I am upgrading all my smaller binoculars for large ones, thinking about swapping the 8x42 SF for the older Night Owl. how is overdrive past infinity? I do not like to use... -
Swarovski 10x50 EL question
I want to go from the 8x42 Zeiss SF configuration to the 10x50 EL as I like the improved low-light performance that you get with a bigger objective. Problem is, out of the EL family, 10x50 EL is the only that does not have sufficient diopter correction at infinity for me. I am -5.5 (equal in... -
8x42 versus 10x54 observations
I recently acquired a 10x54 Zeiss and I am surprised that the shake is not as bad as I thought, if the binoculars are in a stable position it's not noticeable at all. I think the ease of use has to do with the large 54mm objective, and the larger exit pupil size. Bottom line, between 8x42 and...- etc
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- Replies: 7
- Forum: Binoculars
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Zeiss 10x54 HT impressions today
What a brilliant weekend here in DC area and what a wonderful companion is the 10x54 HT on days like this in the nation's capitol. I am continuously impressed with the 10x54 HT's brilliant picture -- it's lively, vibrant, life-like, razor-sharp, with very neutral colors. 10x is much easier... -
Leica is not getting the attention it deserves
Just looking at the number of topics in each category, Leica is behind both Swarovski and Zeiss, each of which has about the same number of topics. Not that the forum is an indicator of how well it does nationwide or world-wide But. I haven't owned a Leica in a decade and a lot has changed in a... -
Zeiss 10x54 HT and 8x42 SF - an informal review and first impressions
So I got the Zeiss HT 10x54 and writing my first impressions without going into much objective analysis. I compared it to the first generation green-gray 8x42 SF which I also got fairly recently. I know it's not a direct, fair comparison given different classes of optics but FWIW. Having done a... -
I like slower focus
I've had several alphas in the last decade from Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss and IMO I don't like the trend towards faster focus. Why? Because it harder to zoom to a specific setting. I tend to overshoot a bit and then go back. When the focus is slow or slower, it's easier to dial in precisely to...- etc
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- Replies: 28
- Forum: Binoculars
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Possible to upgrade 1st generation 8x42 SF eyecups to 2nd generation?
I realize the 2nd gen 8x42 SF eyecups have been redesigned. Is it possible to install 2nd gen SF eyecups onto a 1st gen model? The green-gray one. The second question is, who has the best price on a the objective covers for the SF? It does not have to be OEM, something improved can work. -
Swarovksi SLC 10x56 versus Zeiss Victory HT 10x54
The original plan was to get a 10x56 SLC but found a Victory HT 10x54, what are the pros/cons? Only interested in these two specific models. -
Zeiss Victory HT 10x54 - diopter value at infinity?
What is the diopter setting of the Victory HT 10x54 at infinity? I need at least 6 diopters so I can use these optics without eyeglasses and I have -5.5D (same value in both eyes). -
Compared Swarovski EL 8.5x42 versus Zeiss 8x42 SF
Compared my 2008 era Swaro EL 8.5x42 to the first gen of Zeiss 8x42 SF that I got to replace the EL. I wanted a 8x42 for a long time. These are some random and subjective and opinions from the real world, not a lab environment with numbers and charts and pictures. I expected to be blown away... -
A review of Zeiss 8x42 SF vs Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
This is a very unofficial, "first impressions" type review without deep diving into any deep analysis. I have had this 8.5x42 EL since 2008 and decided to finally upgrade to the first gen "gray-green" 8x42 Zeiss. I was able to compare it directly with the 2008-vintage EL. First of all, I... -
Ultravid HD+ - Any changes in the overdrive past infinity?
Of all the Alphas, Leica is my favorite. Yet I don't use it because with eyesight at -5.5 Diopters (equal in both eyes), it lacks enough overdrive past infinity to be useful without eyewear. The old Trinovid stopped at -4D as did the Ultravid that replaced it. I stopped worrying about it about... -
An inexpensive 6x30?
Looking for a quality but not very expensive 6x30? Something that's easy to carry everywhere and not a huge loss if stolen from the car.- etc
- Thread
- Replies: 54
- Forum: Binoculars
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I like slow focus
I understand the concept behind fast focus but consider why slow focus has been with us for decades. It allows one to fine-tune into a scene. Fast focus is great when moving between different distances but the downside it's more difficult to fine tune.- etc
- Thread
- Replies: 15
- Forum: Binoculars
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Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 diopters at infinity
Directly from Zeiss: Meaning if you have myopia of -6 Diopters or less, you can use the device without any optical correction provided you do not have any astigmatism. I have -5.5 and a rare case where it's -5.5 in both barrels and almost zero astigmatism, which means I can transfer from using... -
SLC 10x50 - why was it discontinued?
I see the 10x50 SLC was dropped circa 2010. Any opinions on it? Looking at one used, considering it. Not sure if it's the "Neu" one but it is WB. Currently SLC has only 42mm and 56mm configurations. Not that it's a bad thing, just thought I would pick 10x50 configuration before I got a... -
Thoughts on 10x56 SLC versus 12x50 EL?
I am considering these two beasts, reading various reviews to no avail. 10x56SLC has 8 diopters of overdrive at infinity, which is great, I can use it without binoculars. 12x50 EL has 7 which is more than enough and 10x50 EL has only 5 - not enough for me. Can 12x work off-hand or is it too... -
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL: Better objective cover?
The contraption that comes with the 8.5x42 EL of 2008 vintage just continues to amaze me, what a cheap piece of junk on such a fine binocular - Leica is miles ahead. I am talking about both the objective and the eyepiece side. I've dealt with the eyepiece but the 42mm objective needs a better... -
10x56 SLC vs 8.5x42 EL
I have a 10 year old 8.5x42 EL and wonder how the 10x56 SLC would compare to it optically. Just as sharp? 10x56 SLC does not seem anywhere as popular as the 10x50 EL, which is what I would normally but SLC looks much better from the standpoint of diopters of infinity: 8 versus 5 and I need... -
Upgrading my 8.5x42 EL from 2008
I got this EL 8.5x42 pair in 2008, so it's 10 years old now. Nothing really wrong with it other than I wish it had a bit more overdrive past infinity, when I use it without any vision correction hardware, the dial is at the very limit. Other than that, the optical quality is A1. Now questions...