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Review: Zeiss Diascope 85FL (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Andy Bright
- Start date
jourdaj
Well-known member
salty said:
Salty,
I have the 85T*FL and 20-60X Zoom and love it! You will not be disappointed
if you get one, and you won't regret not getting the Swaro/Leica/Kowa comparables. For me, it came down to price between the Zeiss and the Swarovski ATS80HD. The Zeiss was (in my tests) slightly brighter than the Swaro at 60X, but maybe not quite as contrasty, but again, unless you are standing next to both of them, you'll never remember the differences....
Best,
Jerry
salty
geordie birder
jourdaj said:
i keep on hearing about the zeiss being the brightest scope, (yes it is 5mm larger on the objective, but that doesnt always mean anything).
if it is as good at high power as people say it is, then im sold. i need a zoom scope, and the zeiss is supposed to be THE scope at high power ie: 40x upto 60x. i was really happy with my old APO televid, i could not fault it optically, so im interested to know the difference in these two scopes.
salty said:
Make sure you test it side by side with the other scopes you are considering. I tried the 65 version last week, having read reviews of it I was expecting to think it was the scope for me. However I did not get on with it, I found the soft edges at the bottom end of the zoom very off putting, and found the focus wasn't as smoother as the Leica 62.
I went in expecting to end up wanting a Zeiss, but instead decided that when my APO77 sells I'll be getting an APO62.
salty said:
I'd say there isn't too much to chose between them - the Zeiss has a wider FOV, but also has those soft edges. The Zeiss has the bigger objective, so in theory should have better light gathering (I know it's often commented on how bright it is). Both have dual focusing system (which I really like), and both are a very similar price. No doubt when testing one of the small differences will be the thing that makes you like one over the other. Good luck at the weekend - I hope birdfair answer your questions about scopes, without raising too many new ones.
mike.keeley
New member
I'm fairly new to bird watching but have reached the end with my Opthlyth 80
Would you buy a this Zeiss or the leica APO 77?
I intend to get into digiscoping during a long break to Ireland this Autumn
Mike
Would you buy a this Zeiss or the leica APO 77?
I intend to get into digiscoping during a long break to Ireland this Autumn
Mike
Andy Bright said:
salty
geordie birder
mike.keeley said:
what ever suits you!
as mentioned, i owned the leica APO77 and was never let down by it, yes it is a little longer and heavier than the others, but it is still a good piece of kit, optically superb plus it has one of the best focussing wheels out there.
im getting my zeiss 85FL tomorrow, after much testing and reviews, even considering going back to the leica at more than one point, i have settled on this being my next scope.
lighter, brighter, shorter and only a tad more expensive than the leica, it is the one for me - and yes, it is said to be an outstanding digiscoping scope.
be warned though, they are not available everywhere like some scopes, for instance, my local optics stores in newcastle all sell the leica, but you have to order the zeiss. i was told of a 4 week wait at the earliest, and they were going to charge more than £300 more than the same kit that i have just bought from warehouse express, who had them in stock and ready to go.
£1297 for a zeiss 85FL angled in green, 20x-60x zoom amd manfrotto 055v with 701rc2 head.
this kit from jacobs, special order only, £1600!
although jacobs do sell the leica APO 77 with 20x-60x zoom for just £950, now that is a bargain. same price i paid from that store last year, leaves you with a few hundered quid for a good tripod and bag etc.
hornet
Well-known member
They're both excellent - I'm afraid that to be sure what is right for you, you're going to need to check them both out in person, along with at least the Swarovski and Nikon equivalents.
If you look at a recent thread started by Salty (called Scope Dilemma) you'll see that this is a tough call. They are all excellent optics, each with subtley different optical and handling features. They are summarised well by various contributors on that thread so I won't go over them all again here.
It's going to be down to these little features in the end - which focus mechanism do you prefer, which image (slightly 'warm' or 'cold'), wider fov or sharper edge to edge, weight and size, and so on.
99 percent of people who choose one of these top scopes are delighted by them, so my advice is to get to a good optics shop and find the right one for you. Nobody else's opinion but your own really matters when you're spending that much money!
If you look at a recent thread started by Salty (called Scope Dilemma) you'll see that this is a tough call. They are all excellent optics, each with subtley different optical and handling features. They are summarised well by various contributors on that thread so I won't go over them all again here.
It's going to be down to these little features in the end - which focus mechanism do you prefer, which image (slightly 'warm' or 'cold'), wider fov or sharper edge to edge, weight and size, and so on.
99 percent of people who choose one of these top scopes are delighted by them, so my advice is to get to a good optics shop and find the right one for you. Nobody else's opinion but your own really matters when you're spending that much money!
dbradnum
Well-known member
Although I happen to agree with Salty, and bought a Zeiss 85 after lengthy comparison with the Leica, there is only one answer to this question:mike.keeley said:
Go somewhere to try them both side by side!
They're both fantastic pieces of kit, and whichever you buy will not leave you disappointed. In the end, the decision has to be a personal one, however much you read other people's views - which image do you prefer? Which feels nicer to use?
Still like the Zeiss 85FL
Being a new birder I hesitated at spending the money but nw i am glad i did. I bought the 85FL becasuse I got a great price on it from Euro optics LTD. I also spent the money and bought the carbon fiber Manfrotto 055MF3 and with the 3130 I have a GREAT setup. I have been most pleased. And I still get lots of WOW factors from fellow birders when they look through my 85FL. I recommend it. For the price it can't be beat. the CF tripod is a bit light but on a windy day I just add a ballast (nearby rock in a doggie bag) as it has a strap and hook for the effort.
Being a new birder I hesitated at spending the money but nw i am glad i did. I bought the 85FL becasuse I got a great price on it from Euro optics LTD. I also spent the money and bought the carbon fiber Manfrotto 055MF3 and with the 3130 I have a GREAT setup. I have been most pleased. And I still get lots of WOW factors from fellow birders when they look through my 85FL. I recommend it. For the price it can't be beat. the CF tripod is a bit light but on a windy day I just add a ballast (nearby rock in a doggie bag) as it has a strap and hook for the effort.
dbradnum said:
Geoff Brown
Well-known member
I was in the happy position two years ago of being able to compare Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski scopes for a whole two months side by side at an RSPB "Aren't birds brilliant" campaign. All the scopes were first class performers as you would expect but to my eyes the Zeiss was the slightly better, being fractionally clearer and sharper even with various different eyepieces.
After much, soul serching, pouring over the avalible reviews, comparing, etc, I settled on the 85FL and never looked back. I couldn't be more pleased. While they are still not made to be absolutely foolproof, peep ID has certainly become much more pleasurable with the outstanding views provided by the Zeiss. With near perfect veiws my confidence is certainly increasing. Come on winter!!! Just bring on those gulls!!!
Make your choice, don't second guess it, just enjoy your new view of mother nature.
Cheers
Make your choice, don't second guess it, just enjoy your new view of mother nature.
Cheers
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Paul Jarvis
Registered Member
There is now doubt the Zeiss is good and the FOV is the best there is out of the top scopes not to mention the price. But beware of the new Kowa range when they eventually come to the party, they will own the dance floor if the price is right.
teircel said:
How right you are. It was a true revelation for me many years ago when I got my first looks through the then brand new Leica APO77. Needless to say, I tried to get one as fast as possible. Meanwhile, the selection of top-end models has considerably increased. But all of them offer that WOW effect when changing from a cheaper or much older model. I had changed from a more than 20 year old Bausch&Lomb Balscope which, at the time, was considered top-notch.
Paul Jarvis said:
That'll really mix up the market. I wonder whether that will really happen.
Your addition "if the price is right" might mean two different things, however. Either, the Kowas might be a little bit inferior but much cheaper. If that is the case, I doubt that they would own the dance floor. Or they might be at the VERY top, but should then not go the Swaro way by being overpriced. If they'd really be way up there, they might well own the dance floor for a while.
Most likely, however, that would only hold for those who do not already own one of the top-notch models. At least for now, it is hard to imagine such a quantum leap in performance that we'd all switch to a new model even if we could afford it. Except for a few perfectionists, of course. And then, there are always a few who need to impress others. Just as with those monster cars that reveal a lot about the deficits of their owners.
:egghead:
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Robert L Jarvis
Robert L Jarvis
Sorry Swissboy but it is a bit like people buying BMW, it is the badge they want, it does not always follow it is the best. I have seen other reports on the Kowa and they apparently are reported to be very good. There is no doubt the new Leica will also be excellent but I bet that moves into Swaro prices as well and Zeiss seem to being heading there as well.
Paul Jarvis
Registered Member
The new kowa has a 88mm objective and dual focusing, it is definately a step up from th 820 series. You are right there is some people out there who must have the latest products, and there are some who buy in to the name. The little kowa man told me it will compete with the swaro, leica and zeiss, but they have not yet decided on a price nor is it on the web site yet.
I take your point though as you've broken it down.
I take your point though as you've broken it down.
Robert L Jarvis
Robert L Jarvis
It is indeed, with so many new products to whet our appetittes not to mention new compact digitals to get us all going.
Agreed - it looks like Kowa is boldly attacking on two fronts: objective and eyepiece. Zeiss pioneered a wide-angled zoom, but as has been mentioned frequently, its edge sharpness (& geometry - if you ask me) leaves something to be desired. Now if Kowa can bring the same wide fov with good edge performance, while maintaining their traditionally excellent colours, contrast & CA correction, they may have a real winner in their hands.Swissboy said:
It may well be that there is more "cost-efficient potential" to develop the eyepieces rather than the objective - our astronomer-fellows already know the price of that route. But show me a zoom with 2.4° real fov, good ER and no TCA... :t:
Ilkka
