Hi Zeiss experts,
I'm looking at buying an excellent condition 8x32 Victory T* FL. Per Zeiss support they were shipped to the dealer in June in 2008 so they are a little older.
Were there any changes in production, design, or coatings between 2008 and now?
Thank you,
Dave
Hi, Dave,
I'm certain there were changes. Could any mortal perceive the difference? I'm certain they couldn’t. Think about it. If all the changes in optical performance that people like to talk about carried only a ½% improvement per iteration from, say, 1955 until the present, we would be able to see things
BEFORE they happen!
Noted optical systems designer Dr. Dick Buchroeder of Optical Design Service of Tucson has been applying a critical eye to
Nikon’s $6,000 WX 7x50. The result: while for daytime use better glass types and AR coatings give the
WX a SLIGHT edge over an 80-year old US Navy Mk 41 7x50, no improvement was documented over that 80-year old binocular for amateur astronomy.
Go to any binocular forum and you can be immersed in wild speculations about which bino is the best. The fact is that when you are in the realm of a series of binoculars of similar quality, the difference in perceived optical performance is almost always (unless you are Einstein, Superman, or Christ) below the threshold of recognition of those declaring opinion as fact. In addition, one must take into consideration physiological differences of the observers. These may include: early onset glaucoma, cataracts, strabismus, retinal tears and scaring, floaters, macular pucker induced distortion, and other anomalies, as well as photopic vs. scotopic (day or night) vision.
Many of these folks will refer you to a marketer’s sales verbiage, which is often inaccurate, or refer you to myriad tests to prove their point. However, different tests performed at different times with different subjects having different ranges of accommodation for different visual acuities under different conditions will produce different results.
The bottom line: you can get into some interesting conversations that are just as beneficial as a steering wheel on a rock. :cat:
‘Back in my hole now.
Bill