While it is true that from time to time, a member will post respectfully or even affectionately about the Mark 1 Conquests, these binoculars simply do not crop up very often on Birdforum, compared with other Zeiss models. Perhaps they were over-shadowed by the FLs, which were the replacements for the Mark 1 Victories, and which were marketed over the same period. Conquest Mk1s were the affordable Zeisses of the period, and the FLs were the flagship range of the time. Whatever the explanation, my misguided impression has been that Conquest Mk1s were unremarkable, but an examination of the Conquest Mk1 range reveals that they were actually quite intriguing, at least when compared with the roof prism model ranges that Zeiss offered prior to the Conquests and since. Note that this discussion ignores Zeiss’s rangefinder binoculars.
Technically the Conquest Mk1s of course lagged behind the FLs, lacking the FL glass and also, taking the Conquest 8x40 and FL 8x42 as typical models, the Conquests had a lesser field of view of 120m (360ft) compared with the FL’s 135m (405ft).
Taking a broader view of Zeiss’s post-Dialyt roof-prism binocular output, and comparing it with the Conquest Mk1s, is where we uncover some quite remarkable (remarkable to Zeiss-followers that is) facts.
I will list the models of the various ranges after listing the following points:
Firstly, the Conquest Mk1 range is the biggest range that Zeiss has ever offered, consisting of no less than 12 different models, including 2 pocket models. The FL range had 7 models (there were no pocket models), the Design Selection range was also 7 strong 4 of whichwere pockets. The Victory Mk1 range consisted only of 5 models and no pockets. The current Conquest HD range is 7 models and of course the HTs and SFs have had 4 models each.
Secondly, the Conquest Mk1 8x50 and 10x50 are the only 50mm roof prism binoculars Zeiss has ever offered under the Zeiss brand name. Several 50mm roof models were sold under the Hensoldt brand name but this again makes it all the more remarkable that while Zeiss adopted and continued to develop and sell the Dialyt 7x42, 10x40 and of course the famously long-lived 8x56, which started their lives as Hensoldts, Zeiss did not do this with the 50mm models.
Thirdly, the Conquest 12x45 is the only 12x model Zeiss has offered other than the rather rare Victory Mk 1 12x56.
Fourthly, the 12x45 and 15x45 are the only 45mm binoculars Zeiss has ever offered for normal nature observation purposes apart from the earlier Design Selection 7x45.
Fifthly, Abbe-Koenig prisms were fitted to the 40mm, 50mm and 56mm models but SP prisms featured in not only the 30mm models, as one might expect, but also, puzzlingly, in the two 45mm models too, despite the fact that the earlier Design Selection 7x45 had AKs.
Sixthly, this range has been the only full range of models made by the Zeiss factory at Mátészalka in Hungary (the Diafuns and Victory Compacts produced there hardly constituted ranges, both numbering only two models), which currently produces Zeiss Vision spectacle lenses, and optical components for Zeiss Sports Optics at Wetzlar. BTW Mátészalka is pronounced Mat-salka.
Summary of the Ranges
Design Selection, 1994-2000.
4x12, 6x18, 8x20, 10x25, 7x45, 8x56, 10x56
Victory Mk 1s, 2000-2005.
8x40, 10x40, 8x56, 10x56, 12x56
Victory FL, 2004-2013.
8x32, 10x32, 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x56,10x56
Conquest Mk 1, 2003-2015
8x20, 10x25, 8x30, 10x30, 8x40, 10x40, 8x50, 10x50, 12x45, 15x45, 8x56, 10x56
Conquest HD 2012-to date
8x32, 10x32, 8x42, 10x42, 8x56, 10x56, 15x56
The more recent HTs only consisted of 8x42, 10x42, 8x54 and 10x54 until the 42s were discontinued, and of course the current SF range’s 8x42 and 10x42 have only recently been joined by 8x32 and 10x32.
If any member finds an error in the above I would be grateful for this to be pointed out. Thanks to Gijs for the information that several 50mm roof prism binoculars were marketed by Zeiss under the Hensoldt brand name upto the 1960's. Thanks for Joachim for pointing out the two Conquest pocket models.
Pics below are Conquest 10x50 (left) and 12x45 (right)
Lee
Technically the Conquest Mk1s of course lagged behind the FLs, lacking the FL glass and also, taking the Conquest 8x40 and FL 8x42 as typical models, the Conquests had a lesser field of view of 120m (360ft) compared with the FL’s 135m (405ft).
Taking a broader view of Zeiss’s post-Dialyt roof-prism binocular output, and comparing it with the Conquest Mk1s, is where we uncover some quite remarkable (remarkable to Zeiss-followers that is) facts.
I will list the models of the various ranges after listing the following points:
Firstly, the Conquest Mk1 range is the biggest range that Zeiss has ever offered, consisting of no less than 12 different models, including 2 pocket models. The FL range had 7 models (there were no pocket models), the Design Selection range was also 7 strong 4 of whichwere pockets. The Victory Mk1 range consisted only of 5 models and no pockets. The current Conquest HD range is 7 models and of course the HTs and SFs have had 4 models each.
Secondly, the Conquest Mk1 8x50 and 10x50 are the only 50mm roof prism binoculars Zeiss has ever offered under the Zeiss brand name. Several 50mm roof models were sold under the Hensoldt brand name but this again makes it all the more remarkable that while Zeiss adopted and continued to develop and sell the Dialyt 7x42, 10x40 and of course the famously long-lived 8x56, which started their lives as Hensoldts, Zeiss did not do this with the 50mm models.
Thirdly, the Conquest 12x45 is the only 12x model Zeiss has offered other than the rather rare Victory Mk 1 12x56.
Fourthly, the 12x45 and 15x45 are the only 45mm binoculars Zeiss has ever offered for normal nature observation purposes apart from the earlier Design Selection 7x45.
Fifthly, Abbe-Koenig prisms were fitted to the 40mm, 50mm and 56mm models but SP prisms featured in not only the 30mm models, as one might expect, but also, puzzlingly, in the two 45mm models too, despite the fact that the earlier Design Selection 7x45 had AKs.
Sixthly, this range has been the only full range of models made by the Zeiss factory at Mátészalka in Hungary (the Diafuns and Victory Compacts produced there hardly constituted ranges, both numbering only two models), which currently produces Zeiss Vision spectacle lenses, and optical components for Zeiss Sports Optics at Wetzlar. BTW Mátészalka is pronounced Mat-salka.
Summary of the Ranges
Design Selection, 1994-2000.
4x12, 6x18, 8x20, 10x25, 7x45, 8x56, 10x56
Victory Mk 1s, 2000-2005.
8x40, 10x40, 8x56, 10x56, 12x56
Victory FL, 2004-2013.
8x32, 10x32, 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x56,10x56
Conquest Mk 1, 2003-2015
8x20, 10x25, 8x30, 10x30, 8x40, 10x40, 8x50, 10x50, 12x45, 15x45, 8x56, 10x56
Conquest HD 2012-to date
8x32, 10x32, 8x42, 10x42, 8x56, 10x56, 15x56
The more recent HTs only consisted of 8x42, 10x42, 8x54 and 10x54 until the 42s were discontinued, and of course the current SF range’s 8x42 and 10x42 have only recently been joined by 8x32 and 10x32.
If any member finds an error in the above I would be grateful for this to be pointed out. Thanks to Gijs for the information that several 50mm roof prism binoculars were marketed by Zeiss under the Hensoldt brand name upto the 1960's. Thanks for Joachim for pointing out the two Conquest pocket models.
Pics below are Conquest 10x50 (left) and 12x45 (right)
Lee
Last edited:
