mgp13
Well-known member
Hi all, as I've mentioned in other threads I had to send my 8x42 SFs back due to a lack of blackening on one of the eyepiece surfaces causing a small reflection to appear just outside the field. At the time I considered it a defect of that specific pair and thought I'd try my luck at getting a repair or replacement (one or two others in here say that resolved the problem). However, I now think it may well be a "defect" that's present on all Vic SFs (threads in this forum suggest that may be the case) and if so I'm willing to accept that. Zeiss have not commented or offered me any closure although that doesn't really matter since now I just badly want them back, reflection or no reflection.
The store I bought them from have struggled to get any feedback from Zeiss over the last three weeks and due to that and a lack of stock of 8x42 they yesterday offered me a full refund. The thing is this, there is absolutely nowhere I'd be able to get the 8x42 SF at that price again (approx $2040 USD albeit I paid $1820 USD with a coupon), in fact they're out of stock at most places, and I'm not interested in the least in NL pures or EL SVs (I could pick up NL x32s for $2130 or SVs for $1945) because I just love the features of the SF way too much. I'm also far too hesitant to go for SF x32s since I prize the light gathering capabilities and 92% transmission of the x42s. So, I did something inspired and asked for a pair of 10x42 SF as a replacement instead. The retailer agreed to this, nothing more to pay, and they've now dispatched them.
From the moment I owned the 8x42 SF I decided the only other binocular I could ever want would be the 10x42 SF so to say I'm excited for their arrival would be a huge understatement. I simply can't afford both so I'll always be making a compromise one way or the other. I am lead to believe the 10x42 will produce outstanding detail and dusk penetration (superior twilight factor), at the cost of the wider FOV I'd get from the 8x42. I also wonder if the relative brightness of the 8x was perhaps slightly too much (more on this later).
I did get a lot of field time in with the 8x42 and I remember its characteristics well. Thus, after I've owned the 10x42 for a week or so I'll be able to compare and contrast the two and post my findings here. Obviously user preference matters a lot in comparing 8s to 10s but I'll be able to provide an account of differences that do exist. I have a strong suspicion I'm going to narrowly prefer the 10s, because even though I recently became an enthusiastic 8x convert, I've had to use my old Leica Trinovid 10x over these last few weeks while I've waited for my replacement pair. Viewing through these made me realise that a) even a 336ft FOV looks good and plenty wide enough through the right glass and b) the extra detail through 10x bins is perhaps no small thing. It also happens to be the magnification I've used most of my life. I also had a seawatching experience with SFL 8x40s and found the lower magnification quite a serious impediment when trying to glean detail from distant shearwaters. In any case we'll see. I think one way or another I'll stick with the 10s because I can't imagine I'll miss the wide view through the 8s so much that I'm unhappy with the advantages that come with 10s.
In closing, I must say I'm just thrilled I'll have the Victory SF back in my hands by the end of this week. 8x or 10x, I just absolutely need my SF 42s back - and soon.
The store I bought them from have struggled to get any feedback from Zeiss over the last three weeks and due to that and a lack of stock of 8x42 they yesterday offered me a full refund. The thing is this, there is absolutely nowhere I'd be able to get the 8x42 SF at that price again (approx $2040 USD albeit I paid $1820 USD with a coupon), in fact they're out of stock at most places, and I'm not interested in the least in NL pures or EL SVs (I could pick up NL x32s for $2130 or SVs for $1945) because I just love the features of the SF way too much. I'm also far too hesitant to go for SF x32s since I prize the light gathering capabilities and 92% transmission of the x42s. So, I did something inspired and asked for a pair of 10x42 SF as a replacement instead. The retailer agreed to this, nothing more to pay, and they've now dispatched them.
From the moment I owned the 8x42 SF I decided the only other binocular I could ever want would be the 10x42 SF so to say I'm excited for their arrival would be a huge understatement. I simply can't afford both so I'll always be making a compromise one way or the other. I am lead to believe the 10x42 will produce outstanding detail and dusk penetration (superior twilight factor), at the cost of the wider FOV I'd get from the 8x42. I also wonder if the relative brightness of the 8x was perhaps slightly too much (more on this later).
I did get a lot of field time in with the 8x42 and I remember its characteristics well. Thus, after I've owned the 10x42 for a week or so I'll be able to compare and contrast the two and post my findings here. Obviously user preference matters a lot in comparing 8s to 10s but I'll be able to provide an account of differences that do exist. I have a strong suspicion I'm going to narrowly prefer the 10s, because even though I recently became an enthusiastic 8x convert, I've had to use my old Leica Trinovid 10x over these last few weeks while I've waited for my replacement pair. Viewing through these made me realise that a) even a 336ft FOV looks good and plenty wide enough through the right glass and b) the extra detail through 10x bins is perhaps no small thing. It also happens to be the magnification I've used most of my life. I also had a seawatching experience with SFL 8x40s and found the lower magnification quite a serious impediment when trying to glean detail from distant shearwaters. In any case we'll see. I think one way or another I'll stick with the 10s because I can't imagine I'll miss the wide view through the 8s so much that I'm unhappy with the advantages that come with 10s.
In closing, I must say I'm just thrilled I'll have the Victory SF back in my hands by the end of this week. 8x or 10x, I just absolutely need my SF 42s back - and soon.
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