scampo said:There has been plenty recently posted on this - do a search and you'll see plenty of comments. If the scope is with the zoom eyepiece, you have a good combination for sure. The Zeiss zoom gives a far wider view than any other competing scope. Basically, if you think that price is good, and the scope's optical quality is perfect, you'll not go wrong. The Zeiss is up there with the very best.
That's interesting what you say about sharpness. I have my zoom with the 85mm scope and it is razor sharp at maximum magnification; that said, at that magnification, the amount of haze and pollution in the atmosphere can seem to make the view less contrasty or sharp than at lower magnifications. In a well-respected test on the scope, the zoom was considered the sharpest available at that magnification:nightheron28 said:Just want to say that I have this scope and like already stated it gives a nice wide field of view, especially compared to the other top brands in its class. Something that is invaluable in my opinion.
Also people have been complaining about a slight yellow cast, unoticable in my humble opinion.
Only cons, is that I feel it is not quite razor sharp enough at the maximum extent of its zoom considering what one pays for this scope.
However it definitely compares nicely the the other bad boys in its league.
I.E. Leica 62mm, Nikon FSIIIED, Swaro 65mm.
HTH.
In the UK, the price with zoom is at best, US$1450 for a new scope. Sound as if you might have a bargain there. With a warranty from Zeiss, you're covered against optical and mechanical faults anyway.Bill A said:800 bucks seem good for a factory second with a warranty?
Bill
scampo said:In a well-respected test on the scope, the zoom was considered the sharpest available at that magnification:
"...the Zeiss provided an image of such quality that we would gladly have tried it with greater magnifications than the presently available eyepieces allow."
http://www.alula.fi/GB/index.htm
I quoted from the report on the Zeiss 85, Pete - I quite forgot there was one on the 65. I think the softer outer edge of the Zeiss zoom view is a feature of its extra wide field of view. It really is not an issue at all in practice in my experience.pduxon said:Kimmo must be pleased to see how well we read his reviews!!
The quoted price is rather good though.
scampo said:I quoted from the report on the Zeiss 85, Pete - I quite forgot there was one on the 65. I think the softer outer edge of the Zeiss zoom view is a feature of its extra wide field of view. It really is not an issue at all in practice in my experience.
Dethhhpicable, Pete, dethhhpicable.pduxon said:couldn't resist it Steve couldn't resist it.
To be fair at that price I'd have bought it!!
You won't niss much... the Swaro zoom is about 50% narrower in field of view, Bill - but what view you get is a delight.Bill A said:p.s. Opinions on a good tripod for it?
scampo said:That's interesting what you say about sharpness. I have my zoom with the 85mm scope and it is razor sharp at maximum magnification; that said, at that magnification, the amount of haze and pollution in the atmosphere can seem to make the view less contrasty or sharp than at lower magnifications. In a well-respected test on the scope, the zoom was considered the sharpest available at that magnification:
"...the Zeiss provided an image of such quality that we would gladly have tried it with greater magnifications than the presently available eyepieces allow."
http://www.alula.fi/GB/index.htm