Some more information. Between Zeiss 8x32 FL, and Leica UV+ 8x32, I have finally decided for the Leica. It was a difficult decision.
In addition to my previous comparison, the tipping reasons were these:
Eye relief: The Zeiss is a little better, but with my sunglasses (with which I hike), in the end, there was not a large difference between Zeiss and Leica.
Contrast and color: the contrast of the Leica is a bit better, but especially, the Leica had a much better color representation for the reds. The Zeiss was a bit yellowish -- meaning that the reds were less saturated and more towards orange. For instance, the contrast between pine needles (pale green) and bark (brown, dark orange, reddish) was better with the Leica.
So I feel, overall:
Zeiss 8x32 FL has no chromatic aberrations, very sharp, very sturdy, great fit for me.
Leica 8x32 UV+ has a tiny bit of chromatic aberrations, a little more contrast than the Zeiss, truer colors, a slightly less great fit to my face, not quite as sturdy but slimmer, with a more useful case for me. They are also a bit more resistant to flare and glare.
Both are great, but as I mentioned, in the end I prefer the truer colors of the Leica.
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Regarding the Zeiss 8x25, the truth is that I own both the Terra 8x25, and the Victory Pocket.
Both of these have truer colors, to my eye, than the FL 8x32.
My copy of the Terra must be very good, or perhaps they are all very good, in any case I really like it. I can find no obvious defect with it. I can discern a bit less detail than with the Leica 8x32, and the view from the Leica is much more pleasant, but the Terra is my binocular of choice when rough use is expected -- for instance, it's the binocular that I carry in the side pocket of my backpack when I mountain bike. I would fear carrying other binoculars like that, in case I fell -- even though I have never damaged anything I ever carried, truth be told.
The Vicrory Pockets are outstanding, as reported in this forum -- indeed I bought them after reading about them here. Compared with the Terra, they have wider field of view, even higher sharpness, and especially, an easier view, less critical eye centering. They are all they are said to be, and compared to the Leica, to me:
- They have no chromatic aberrations I can see
- The colors are equally good, or perhaps the Leica is better by a small amount
- The view, as expected, is a tiny bit less great, due to the smaller exit pupil.
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In summary, I think I prefer Zeiss Terra 8x25, then Victory Pocket 8x25, then Leica UV+ 8x32. Less so the Zeiss FL; they are great, but I like their color rendering a bit less. This is very personal. I like photography a lot, and I spend time calibrating monitors and camera profiles -- I am fairly sensitive to color representation. I am a beginner birder, and I find a clear perception of the bird's colors is extremely helpful in identification.
Also note, I am nowhere as experienced as others here in the forum. I have always liked to have binoculars with me while hiking, to identify animals, scout trails, enjoy the landscape, but I am a newcomer to birding, so don't necessarily give too much weight to my impressions.
In addition to my previous comparison, the tipping reasons were these:
Eye relief: The Zeiss is a little better, but with my sunglasses (with which I hike), in the end, there was not a large difference between Zeiss and Leica.
Contrast and color: the contrast of the Leica is a bit better, but especially, the Leica had a much better color representation for the reds. The Zeiss was a bit yellowish -- meaning that the reds were less saturated and more towards orange. For instance, the contrast between pine needles (pale green) and bark (brown, dark orange, reddish) was better with the Leica.
So I feel, overall:
Zeiss 8x32 FL has no chromatic aberrations, very sharp, very sturdy, great fit for me.
Leica 8x32 UV+ has a tiny bit of chromatic aberrations, a little more contrast than the Zeiss, truer colors, a slightly less great fit to my face, not quite as sturdy but slimmer, with a more useful case for me. They are also a bit more resistant to flare and glare.
Both are great, but as I mentioned, in the end I prefer the truer colors of the Leica.
---
Regarding the Zeiss 8x25, the truth is that I own both the Terra 8x25, and the Victory Pocket.
Both of these have truer colors, to my eye, than the FL 8x32.
My copy of the Terra must be very good, or perhaps they are all very good, in any case I really like it. I can find no obvious defect with it. I can discern a bit less detail than with the Leica 8x32, and the view from the Leica is much more pleasant, but the Terra is my binocular of choice when rough use is expected -- for instance, it's the binocular that I carry in the side pocket of my backpack when I mountain bike. I would fear carrying other binoculars like that, in case I fell -- even though I have never damaged anything I ever carried, truth be told.
The Vicrory Pockets are outstanding, as reported in this forum -- indeed I bought them after reading about them here. Compared with the Terra, they have wider field of view, even higher sharpness, and especially, an easier view, less critical eye centering. They are all they are said to be, and compared to the Leica, to me:
- They have no chromatic aberrations I can see
- The colors are equally good, or perhaps the Leica is better by a small amount
- The view, as expected, is a tiny bit less great, due to the smaller exit pupil.
---
In summary, I think I prefer Zeiss Terra 8x25, then Victory Pocket 8x25, then Leica UV+ 8x32. Less so the Zeiss FL; they are great, but I like their color rendering a bit less. This is very personal. I like photography a lot, and I spend time calibrating monitors and camera profiles -- I am fairly sensitive to color representation. I am a beginner birder, and I find a clear perception of the bird's colors is extremely helpful in identification.
Also note, I am nowhere as experienced as others here in the forum. I have always liked to have binoculars with me while hiking, to identify animals, scout trails, enjoy the landscape, but I am a newcomer to birding, so don't necessarily give too much weight to my impressions.
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