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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Zeiss 65`s (1 Viewer)

andy70437

Well-known member
Have had an order for green angled 65 going on two months now. Appears Zeiss are very slow just now. Anyone one else waiting for so long or can shed somr light on the delay ?
 
andy70437 said:
Have had an order for green angled 65 going on two months now. Appears Zeiss are very slow just now. Anyone one else waiting for so long or can shed somr light on the delay ?

It might be with the company you've ordered with, not Zeiss. As far as I'm aware Carl Zeiss UK Ltd do not sell direct to a customer - check out your retailer first!
 
Sounds like the retailer may not be up to date with paying their account. Hence the delay, Zeiss could be waiting for a payment before they release your scope.
 
It must be driving you mad. Its a great scope, and a shame that you've had to wait so long. I've had mine 3 months now (and there was no shortage of 65's then) and can't get over how good it is. I was going to say that at least there's not many birds about, but I think all the good ones at the moment are in your county!
 
Thanks for advice. Bought one at warehouse express, delivered in 26 hours and I`m totally amazed at the quality of this thing !
andy
 
andy70437 said:
Thanks for advice. Bought one at warehouse express, delivered in 26 hours and I`m totally amazed at the quality of this thing !
andy

So was I when I got mine, and having had it a few months now still can't believe how good an image such a small scope can deliver. Was watching the 'doubtful' Pelican on the River Ribble until 8.30pm last night in terrible light and rain. The image was still amazing even then.
Did you get the zoom?
 
Steve Jones said:
So was I when I got mine, and having had it a few months now still can't believe how good an image such a small scope can deliver. Was watching the 'doubtful' Pelican on the River Ribble until 8.30pm last night in terrible light and rain. The image was still amazing even then.
Did you get the zoom?

Yes, and trying digiscoping with Fuji F30, quick camera adapter and remote release by eagle optics. So far, pretty encouraging results.
andy
 
andy70437 said:
Yes, and trying digiscoping with Fuji F30, quick camera adapter and remote release by eagle optics. So far, pretty encouraging results.
andy

What is the eye relief and field of view like on the zoom?
Jim
 
passerine said:
What is the eye relief and field of view like on the zoom?
Jim

Field of view on the zoom is best in class - by a long long way. Eye relief is fine for me (I wear glasses usually, contact lenses occasionally) throughout the zoom range.

It is thing of beauty and a joy to use!
 
hornet said:
Field of view on the zoom is best in class - by a long long way. Eye relief is fine for me (I wear glasses usually, contact lenses occasionally) throughout the zoom range.

It is thing of beauty and a joy to use!

Thanks for that information Marc. Still not made my mind up on what is to be my first scope. Thought I would go for an Opticron but was a little disappointed when I tried the GS 665 ed. Mind you, so many people jostling about it's clearly not ideal testing conditions. Some good reports on the Zeiss though, maybe I should try and test one under more relaxed conditions.
Jim
 
Happy shopping! With a purchase this substantial you definitely need to try in the best possible conditions. Find a good specialist retailer with decent testing facilities (like Cley Spey in Norfolk, or Focus Optics near Coventry), get an assistant who really knows there stuff, and really take your time.

And once you identified the one you want - buy it from the shop, not the internet! You might save a few bob on the Net, but you won't get the aftercare and the shop might not be there next time you want to find new gear (sorry, I'm really passionate about supporting good local retailers, particularly if you've used their facilities and done all your research there).

There's not much optically between the big four (Nikon, Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski) so in my experience it's down to small individual factors - what features matter most to you, handling, brand favouritism etc.

Oh, and remember that absolutely everyone recommends the brand they use themselves (except me, cos I reckon the Leica 62 is better than the Zeiss 65, but I got the Zeiss much cheaper than I could the Leica, and that sealed the deal - never regretted it for a second, mind.)
 
passerine said:
Thanks for that information Marc. Still not made my mind up on what is to be my first scope. Thought I would go for an Opticron but was a little disappointed when I tried the GS 665 ed. Mind you, so many people jostling about it's clearly not ideal testing conditions. Some good reports on the Zeiss though, maybe I should try and test one under more relaxed conditions.
Jim
They are all pretty good at the top end for sure. What can be said for the Zeiss, if you buy the zoom, is that it is uniquely wide angled regarding its field of view - and if that quality appeals, then nothing else comes close. There is a small trade off in that the outer edges of the field are not as sharp as the other top makes - but then those outer edges are much further out!
 
scampo said:
They are all pretty good at the top end for sure. What can be said for the Zeiss, if you buy the zoom, is that it is uniquely wide angled regarding its field of view - and if that quality appeals, then nothing else comes close. There is a small trade off in that the outer edges of the field are not as sharp as the other top makes - but then those outer edges are much further out!

Any significant difference in eye relief? As a specs wearer this is obviously important. Wish I could have persevered more at the Zeiss stand at Birdfair - managed a quick look through a range of their bins - absolutely superb. At the In Focus section I found an unattended scope - turned out to be the Pentax 80 ed. Very impressive indeed. Think they said that they were going to start stocking them - will have to go out to Rutland and finally make my mind up. For eyepiece/scope my budget is £800
 
I think eye relief on all the big brands will be fine - I've certainly got no problems with the Zeiss zoom, nor with the Leica when I've used it.

Budget might be a problem for new stuff - I've got a feeling that the Swaro / Leica combos are closer to £1,000 - Zeiss / Nikon are a bit cheaper I think.

Second hand would be a great alternative cos all these models should go on for years. Might leave a bit of cash for a stay on case, decent tripod etc.
 
I think Steve is right optically there isn't a vast amount between any of the 60mm scopes.

I'm not convinced that the Nikon zoom is quite up with Leica/Swaro (haven't looked through a zeiss lately for it to be meaningful) not so much the image as the general comfort factor.

IF I was buying today I'd probably go for the EDIII with 30ww or Zeiss with zoom. Not the optics but price. Is the Swaro really £200 better with a fixed eye piece?

prices with zoom/fixed (for angled)
Nikon 798/758
zeiss 858/798
leica 989/909
swaro 1018/958

The ED82 with wideangled lens looks a good buy.

If in-focus are stocking pentax i wonder if they'll have the PF65ED that americans rave about?
 
pduxon said:
I think Steve is right optically there isn't a vast amount between any of the 60mm scopes.

I'm not convinced that the Nikon zoom is quite up with Leica/Swaro (haven't looked through a zeiss lately for it to be meaningful) not so much the image as the general comfort factor.

IF I was buying today I'd probably go for the EDIII with 30ww or Zeiss with zoom. Not the optics but price. Is the Swaro really £200 better with a fixed eye piece?

prices with zoom/fixed (for angled)
Nikon 798/758
zeiss 858/798
leica 989/909
swaro 1018/958

The ED82 with wideangled lens looks a good buy.

If in-focus are stocking pentax i wonder if they'll have the PF65ED that americans rave about?

Yes - the sales rep took it out of the box while I was there - I'm a real novice but it looked very small to these untutored eyes. You can see details of the 65 ed on Ace Cameras website - Hilton Photographic also deals in them. Will go out to In Focus and check it out along with some other makes.
Jim
 
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pduxon said:
IF I was buying today I'd probably go for the EDIII with 30ww or Zeiss with zoom. Not the optics but price. Is the Swaro really £200 better with a fixed eye piece?


I reckon based on those prices, that's a pretty good call.

I know Swarowski and Leica users love their scopes, but that's a steep price premium to pay when the optical differences are so small, and (imho) practically irrelevant in the field.
 
hornet said:
I reckon based on those prices, that's a pretty good call.

I know Swarowski and Leica users love their scopes, but that's a steep price premium to pay when the optical differences are so small, and (imho) practically irrelevant in the field.

well I own the Leica :) At the time prices were similar with the swaro more expensive.

I think the Leica is marginally better than the Nikon/Zeiss but not worth that difference. The Swaro/Leica are VERY close.

incidentally you could buy an EDIII/zoom AND get the ED50 compared to a Swaro.... no brainer....
 
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