Z Classic Bino 7x50mm Porro Prism $1,144.95 (1 Viewer)

dwever · May 29, 2013

Optical newbie posting, but love a great image:

So I was looking to buy the Victory 8X56 FL for an African Safari in July (based on Henry Link's review http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=81438&highlight=henry+link+8x56), but came across The Zeiss Classic Binocular 7x 50mm Porro Prism Black for $1,144.95 marked down from $1,799.99 saving $655.04 from a business I've used for years.

$1,144 is over $1,000 less than the $2,200 I was about to drop on the 8x56's!

So, will I wish I'd gotten the Victory's in the long run, or is the Classic close enough in optical performance - brightness and clarity? (weight not an issue, my Steiner's were 3 lbs. I think).

My only other binoculars were a 7x50 pair of Steiners. Loved using those to go inside vehicles in low light from a distance and write no seat belt tickets. They finally wore out.

james holdsworth · May 29, 2013

If they are the ''marine'' 7x50, they will be individual focus, not actually waterproof, close focus will be hopeless and image quality will not equal the 8x56 FL.

Beautiful instruments, but far less versatile than the FL, IMO.

dwever · May 30, 2013

Thanks! Classics sound, very similar, in operation at least, to my old Steiner's.

8x56 Victory it is!

dwever · Jul 17, 2013

james holdsworth said:
If they are the ''marine'' 7x50, they will be individual focus, not actually waterproof, . .

Actually, the Zeiss website refers to these as "fully waterproof". See specialist binoculars, then choose Marine Binoculars on their website.

After using a borrowed pair of $2,300 Victory 10x42 HT, I thought I'd risk it on the $1,100 and bought the dramatically marked down Classics. At worst I end up with a premiere set of law enforcement glass. At best I saved ca. $1,200.

I'll let you know how they work out on safari. I leave Thursday (18 July 13).

ceasar · Jul 17, 2013

If these are the same ones they are still available new as a special order from Camera Land and are described as "water resistant." They weigh 42 ounces "with battery." I don't know why they need a battery?

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=525505

Bob

steve@37n84w · Jul 17, 2013

dwever said:
Actually, the Zeiss website refers to these as "fully waterproof". See specialist binoculars, then choose Marine Binoculars on their website.

After using a borrowed pair of $2,300 Victory 10x42 HT, I thought I'd risk it on the $1,100 and bought the dramatically marked down Classics. At worst I end up with a premiere set of law enforcement glass. At best I saved ca. $1,200.

I'll let you know how they work out on safari. I leave Thursday (18 July 13).

Actually James is correct, the Zeiss 7x50 aren't "fully waterproof" even though a cursory look at the Zeiss website would lead you to believe so. If you look at the technical specs for the 7x50 GA T* it clarifies the level of waterproofness as "sealed against spray water". In other words if the bino gets water splashed on it or gets rained on it should be fine but it's not waterproof in the way most people think of waterproof, i.e. able to withstand being submersed in water.

I like Zeiss products (I have a 8x20 B, 8x42 FL and 15x60 GAT T*) and love the old school 7x50 format, but if buying a 7x50 I would get one of the better Japanese versions. I have five 7x50s and considered getting a Zeiss 7x50 but couldn't justify the price for the Zeiss when the Japanese versions (Nikon Prostar, Nikon Tropical, Fujinon FMTR SX, and Pentax PIF) not only cost less but are much better optically and fully waterproof.

Steve

LPT · Jul 17, 2013

ceasar said:
They weigh 42 ounces "with battery." I don't know why they need a battery?

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=525505

Bob

No battery in these. Copy and paste mistake using description of image stabilized binocular.

ronh · Jul 17, 2013

That's already a lot lighter than my 53-ounce Fujinon. But, for sure, take the battery out to save a few more ounces!

I am a fan of the FLs, but I love a big fat Porro 7x50. Grave mechanical unsveltness aside, this format has a lot going for it optically, and when made to the highest quality it's a killer view wise.

Ron

Pinewood · Jul 17, 2013

LPT said:
No battery in these. Copy and paste mistake using description of image stabilized binocular.

Hello,

My guess is that it was confused with many other 7x50 binoculars, which need a battery to illuminate a built in compass, which is not in the Zeiss.

Big game hunters, and observers, might do well with with poor close focussing, but "varmint" hunters probably need centre focus and closer focussing.

As long as you are doing your observing from an automobile, the weight should not be a bother. However, that goes for the 8x56, as well, which has much better twilight illumination.

Happy observing,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:

dwever · Jul 17, 2013

steve@37n84w said:
I have five 7x50s and considered getting a Zeiss 7x50 but couldn't justify the price for the Zeiss when the Japanese versions (Nikon Prostar, Nikon Tropical, Fujinon FMTR SX, and Pentax PIF) not only cost less but are much better optically and fully waterproof.

Steve

Agree to disagree. The Zeiss 7x50's are spectacular optically for what they are; not 8x56 FL's obviously, but also not near the trade-off I feared. And, very very robust.

Pinewood · Jul 17, 2013

dwever said:
Agree to disagree. The Zeiss 7x50's are spectacular optically for what they are; not 8x56 FL's obviously, but also not near the trade-off I feared. And, very very robust.

Hello Dwever,

For sure, you will have more depth of field with any 7x.

Happy observing,
Arthur :hi:

steve@37n84w · Jul 17, 2013

dwever said:
Agree to disagree. The Zeiss 7x50's are spectacular optically for what they are; not 8x56 FL's obviously, but also not near the trade-off I feared. And, very very robust.

The Zeiss 7x50 are very good optically but I've found the Prostar and PIF sharper (resolution) and obviously much better when it comes to edge performance.

Steve

Z Classic Bino 7x50mm Porro Prism $1,144.95 (1 Viewer)

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