[Torview]

I was watching a Kestrel last evening, it eventually perched on some cables by a pole, silhouetted and brightly backlit, a classic potential for C/A, but for the first time in my experience, with a Zeiss fl, there was none to be seen.

I find it amazing just how much the absence of something brings to my viewing pleasure, the perceived increase in clarity to my eyes, makes the Zeiss worth every penny, it might not have the flattest field/sharpest edge but that freedom from C/A in the centre is joyous.

[looksharp65]

I agree about their clarity, but the one feature that stands out the most is their amazing brightness, I think. Mine is a 10x32 and I can easily use it until dawn unless in a dense forest.
Their contrast rendition and straylight protection should have been better, IMHO.
That is the main reason why I'm using my 10x32 HG L a lot. The FL is still in use, though.

//L

[denco@comcast.n]

Yes, the FL is very good in CA control and they are very bright and colorless. So are the EDG and SV and with them you get a sharp edge too. I agree with Looksharp in that the contrast and straylight protection could be better in the FL. It is better in the SV and EDG and especially in the SE. The SE has better straylight protection than any of the roofs and really not much CA.

[Torview]

Originally Posted by denco@comcast.n

Yes, the FL is very good in CA control and they are very bright and colorless. So are the EDG and SV and with them you get a sharp edge too. I agree with Looksharp in that the contrast and straylight protection could be better in the FL. It is better in the SV and EDG and especially in the SE. The SE has better straylight protection than any of the roofs and really not much CA.

I found the EDG a bit heavy for a 32mm, and the SV would have cost me £600 more !, that`s the price of an SE.

Fl for the rain, SE for those rare sunny days would be a great combo. Although its now more likely to be an Opticron HR WP, easily available and optically staggering.

[Troubador]

Denco

FLs bright and colourless?

Bright for sure, but not colourless to my eyes.

Amongst other things I use my FLs for surveying for tiny wild orchids and the FLs easily pick up the unique and sublte shade of yellowish green of the Bog Orchid, distinguishing it from the myriad of other shades of green of other plants that surround it. That is a stringent test and the FL masters it.

Lee

[stephen b]

Originally Posted by Torview

....
Fl for the rain, SE for those rare sunny days would be a great combo. Although its now more likely to be an Opticron HR WP, easily available and optically staggering.

Very good choice.

I have the Leupold 8x42 Cascade porro ( a twin/ clone of the Opticron HR WP) and it is an outstanding binocular. In the center view the Cascade rivals the SE. Some may dispute that- but when you test them side by side- you see how good the Cascade really is. I am sure the Opticron HR WP looks nearly identical as far as comparing the view of the Cascade.

[bh46118]

If the HR WP is the same basic binocular as the Minox BP I have, and I believe it is, then the image resolution and illumination is in my opinion as good as any, and better than most. My main problem with them is the moderate to excessive CA at the edge, coupled with a narrow FOV that makes the CA impossible to get away from. The eye cups should be kept down if possible to avoid the "tunnel effect" that has been eluded to so much with this series. I will say though, that most people don't seem to see much CA in them, although AllBinos did make note of it for what that's worth.

Bruce

Originally Posted by Torview

Although its now more likely to be an Opticron HR WP, easily available and optically staggering.

[bh46118]

Several very credible optics enthusiast , yourself now included, have stated to me that A-B testing of this series against a host of "alphas" have proven to them that they are on par with the best.

Bruce

Originally Posted by stephen b

In the center view the Cascade rivals the SE. Some may dispute that- but when you test them side by side- you see how good the Cascade really is.

[bh46118]

I agree that the the absence of CA is a wonderful thing. I absolutely love to look through my Zen ED2 because of the miniscule amount of CA that is only visible on the outer edge of a huge FOV.

Bruce

[ronh]

Torview,
I use an 8x42 FL. How it breaks out between ED glass, superior coatings, and quality construction I can't tell, but it gives the brightest clearest image I have seen. It's also very lightweight, easy focusing and smooth panning--a very comfortable and quick binocular. It is just murder on birds at close to medium range. I'm glad you're enjoying your 8x32.
Ron

[denco@comcast.n]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Denco

FLs bright and colourless?

Bright for sure, but not colourless to my eyes.

Amongst other things I use my FLs for surveying for tiny wild orchids and the FLs easily pick up the unique and sublte shade of yellowish green of the Bog Orchid, distinguishing it from the myriad of other shades of green of other plants that surround it. That is a stringent test and the FL masters it.

Lee

What I meant is that the FL adds no color of it's own due to coatings. The EDG for example has a little warmer hue to it ,whereas, the FL has less. The FL certainly brings out colors very well. The Zeiss 8x32 FL is my second favorite roof behind the EDG and only because the EDG has sharper edges. The Zeiss 8x32 FL to me is the best all around roof value around. There was just a Non-Lotutec one an Amart for $800.00. Good buy!

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by stephen b

Very good choice.

I have the Leupold 8x42 Cascade porro ( a twin/ clone of the Opticron HR WP) and it is an outstanding binocular. In the center view the Cascade rivals the SE. Some may dispute that- but when you test them side by side- you see how good the Cascade really is. I am sure the Opticron HR WP looks nearly identical as far as comparing the view of the Cascade.

Stephen, i'm glad to see you you are still liking the Cascade i sold you!!! It's a really good bino!!! Bryce...

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by denco@comcast.n

What I meant is that the FL adds no color of it's own due to coatings. The EDG for example has a little warmer hue to it ,whereas, the FL has less. The FL certainly brings out colors very well. The Zeiss 8x32 FL is my second favorite roof behind the EDG and only because the EDG has sharper edges. The Zeiss 8x32 FL to me is the best all around roof value around. There was just a Non-Lotutec one an Amart for $800.00. Good buy!

Denco

Thanks for clarifying, and I agree with your observations. I recently acquired an FL 8x32 to partner my 8x42 but haven't yet tried them side-by-side. One thing for sure is that for years I have somehow regarded 30/32 mm bins as not really 'grown-up' bins. How wrong can you get!!!

Lee

[Torview]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Denco

Thanks for clarifying, and I agree with your observations. I recently acquired an FL 8x32 to partner my 8x42 but haven't yet tried them side-by-side. One thing for sure is that for years I have somehow regarded 30/32 mm bins as not really 'grown-up' bins. How wrong can you get!!!

Lee

Hope you post your feelings on the two, I`d certainly be interested.

[denco@comcast.n]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Denco

Thanks for clarifying, and I agree with your observations. I recently acquired an FL 8x32 to partner my 8x42 but haven't yet tried them side-by-side. One thing for sure is that for years I have somehow regarded 30/32 mm bins as not really 'grown-up' bins. How wrong can you get!!!

Lee

To me the 8x32mm is the best birding magnification made.

[Torview]

Originally Posted by denco@comcast.n

To me the 8x32mm is the best birding magnification made.

I think its the best available, 7x35mm would be the best made, if made, for me.

[stephen b]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

Stephen, i'm glad to see you you are still liking the Cascade i sold you!!! It's a really good bino!!! Bryce...

Hello Bryce,

Yes I do like it very much and it does have a great view. Although a bit constricted with the FOV being what it is, but it does not bother me much at all. Plus I also like to be able to loan out the Cascade to friends and Son In laws when we are on a hunt and they need a good H2O proof bin to use.

BTW- I do not have the one (exact one) that you sold me because I had to send it back to Leupold because it fell right at the edge of being a bit short with infinity focusing when I was not wearing glasses. I thought they would just adjust the focus, but they sent me a brand new one.

Cheers- Stephen

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by Torview

Hope you post your feelings on the two, I`d certainly be interested.

Hi Torview

Had a chance to use both 32 and 42 FLs now. Bear in mind I do not go out of my way to search for the limitations in my bins, that way dissatisfaction lies. I am more interested in characteristics that I notice in ordinary viewing.

First thing to say is that the 32 has knocked my socks off, it can do everything the 42 can do but is not quite as bright in really, really dull and gloomy weather. I could only detect this by trying them one after the other really quickly. I would never, ever describe the 32 as 'a little dim' as this would be totally inaccurate. During normal weather conditions it does everything you expect from an FL; bright, sharp and neutral colours. Really I couldn't see any significant difference between the 32 and 42.

I was concerned that I might find the EP a bit difficult to line up with (I wear spectacles) but yesterday I gave it the most severe test: watching flying dragonflies. When you spot a flying dragon you have to get your bins in postion against your eyes/specs almost instantaneously to be able to locate it and then follow it. I found this to be no problem at all (apart from my vision, speed of reaction etc :-)

Physically the 32s are a bit small for total comfort in my hands and for viewing for long periods in one position the 42s are more comfy. Having said that I didn't notice fatigue when I was watching mother otter and 2 young in the western isles recently and that went on for about 40 minutes or so.

As a general naturalist the 32s come into there own when flower hunting or seaside rock pooling: they don't get in the way but they are always there. When engaging in photography and juggling camera and lenses the 32s are great too.

Summing up, I am really lucky to have both 42s and 32s. The 42 I would always take out when expecting prolongued viewing in one position as they are a bit more comfortable for this. The 32s will be my first choice when chasing flowers and other static stuff. I think you recently posted that you need 5 mm EP for comfort to the 42 fits your requirements.

I will be trying the HTs on Friday at the Bird Fair and am really excited at the prospect.

Lee