Zeiss SFL 8x30? (2 Viewers)

[Vespobuteo]

Can this be a 'joke'/prank ?
It is possible to develop new binoculars in a series as a surprise, without marketing preparation?

The photos look legit to me. Quality, filenames, exif-dates and the "german" eciRGB color profile indicates it.

I suspect the launch is quite close in time (next week perhaps), and the press-material (and even the first units) are already under distribution.

I recall that the 40mm SFL were sold in some stores before they even were officially available...

 

[A2GG]

That was quick, why?

a few reasons:

1. The SFL is expensive I’m looking in and around the 1k price range.
2. I don’t like the focus position on such a short bino. I don’t want to focus with middle fingers and it sure looks like this is how it needs to be held.
3. Been looking for 8x32 for my second pair: Already have Nikon MHG 8x30 which I really enjoy. Saw some nice birds with it this morning.

 

[Swissboy]

a few reasons:

1. The SFL is expensive I’m looking in and around the 1k price range.
2. I don’t like the focus position on such a short bino. I don’t want to focus with middle fingers and it sure looks like this is how it needs to be held.
3. Been looking for 8x32 for my second pair: Already have Nikon MHG 8x30 which I really enjoy. Saw some nice birds with it this morning.

At the very least, it's clear one ought to have a chance to handle these first. To me, they are kind of what I would want. So I need to be careful not trying to be the first one.

 

[Vespobuteo]

a few reasons:

1. The SFL is expensive I’m looking in and around the 1k price range.
2. I don’t like the focus position on such a short bino. I don’t want to focus with middle fingers and it sure looks like this is how it needs to be held.
3. Been looking for 8x32 for my second pair: Already have Nikon MHG 8x30 which I really enjoy. Saw some nice birds with it this morning.

Ok, I think the ergo can work, with some adaption, but I see what you mean.
If you already have a good 8x30 MHG it might not be much in it with another 8x30...

A used UVHD 8x32 perhaps? Should be around 1k...

 

[A2GG]

Ok, I think the ergo can work, with some adaption, but I see what you mean.
If you already have a good 8x30 MHG it might not be much in it with another 8x30...

A used UVHD 8x32 perhaps? Should be around 1k...

Tried Uvid 8x32 a couple times ... ER is too short unfortunately. I may try Trinovid HD 8x32 (17mm ER). Kind of heavy for 32mm though (23 ounces), but I love Leica.

 

[b-lilja]

Just making pretend with my 8x40 SFLs, looks like index finger focus, with pointer either on the focuser also or resting on the front bridge, will be how these work. And I have small hands.

I think this was a pretty brilliant stroke by Zeiss - going "between" typical sizes - but delivering at a higher level (ie 8x42 performance at an 8x32 size, and then ground shifting performance in a smaller bin (8x30) with full size performance. I wonder what these will weigh?

The more I use my 8x40 SFLs, the more I like - guileless performance, very resolved and balanced views. Also I am somehow able to get them stable like no other -- giving me more like a 7x stability. They are great!

 

[b-lilja]

One other note - I just realized that I have been actually often gripping the 8x40s the way I was describing for the 8x30 above...

Another pre-drop frenzy begins!!!

 

[Vespobuteo]

Tried Uvid 8x32 a couple times ... ER is too short unfortunately. I may try Trinovid HD 8x32 (17mm ER). Kind of heavy for 32mm though (23 ounces), but I love Leica.

Yep, it's on the short side, but it's a nice sized binocular.
Maybe the SFL30:s have a bit more ER.
Usable ER on the SFL8x40 is 15.5mm (spec. 18mm) so most likely not more than that.

 

[Aquaplas]

Also 90% Transmission? Or more. Like the NLs The 42 Nl 91 the 32NL 92… will see.

 

[Ratal]

The ONLY way to make this news more attractive? Was to have it as a 7x30 bino.*

The birding world would be on a stampede to Zeiss' front door!


*Still having an 8x30. The Victory Pocket 8x25 I adore will have a sibling!

 

[Hermann]

The ONLY way to make this news more attractive? Was to have it as a 7x30 bino.*

The birding world would be on a stampede to Zeiss' front door!

No. Remember all those posts many years ago that 7x binoculars were the best thing since sliced bread? That was just before Zeiss and Swarovski stopped making 7x binoculars. They simply didn't sell.

There's no reason to believe a 7x30 would fare any better.

Hermann

 

[Vespobuteo]

The ONLY way to make this news more attractive? Was to have it as a 7x30 bino.*

The birding world would be on a stampede to Zeiss' front door!


*Still having an 8x30. The Victory Pocket 8x25 I adore will have a sibling!

At least Leica see that there's still niche for wide FOV 7x bins, with the Leica 7x35 Trinovid

 

[Ratal]

At least Leica see that there's still niche for wide FOV 7x bins, with the Leica 7x35 Trinovid

Would love it if it were a robust binocular. But 'splash resistant' ain't my thing at all. 7x35 though is a dream I keep on pining for!

 

[Paultricounty]

At least Leica see that there's still niche for wide FOV 7x bins, with the Leica 7x35 Trinovid

And the Leica 7x42, great binoculars.

 

[Thotmosis]

Im in the market for a compact 10x30 and i wonder if this Zippon will be better than a used Leica UVHD 10x32 or Zeiss FL 10x32?

 

[Troubador]

No. Remember all those posts many years ago that 7x binoculars were the best thing since sliced bread? That was just before Zeiss and Swarovski stopped making 7x binoculars. They simply didn't sell.

There's no reason to believe a 7x30 would fare any better.

Hermann

Several years ago I asked about 7x binos at Bird Fair and every brand I spoke to said they lose money on 7x binos because they simply do not sell enough.

Lee

 

[Vespobuteo]

Several years ago I asked about 7x binos at Bird Fair and every brand I spoke to said they lose money on 7x binos because they simply do not sell enough.

Lee

7x binoculars are like very fine wine, it's niche market.

You need to have a well developed taste and be educated to appreciate them,
most people drink bag-in-box...

No wonder Leica still sell them.

 

[Troubador]

7x binoculars are like very fine wine, it's niche market.

You need to have a well developed taste and be educated to appreciate them,
most people drink bag-in-box...

No wonder Leica still sell them.

The only 42mm bino I have kept is a 7x, so I have to agree with you.
Nothing beats a good Chablis

Lee

 

[PeterPS]

Im in the market for a compact 10x30 and i wonder if this Zippon will be better than a used Leica UVHD 10x32 or Zeiss FL 10x32?

Buy the FL 10x32 and be done (my opinion, of course).

 

[mwhogue]

Several years ago I asked about 7x binos at Bird Fair and every brand I spoke to said they lose money on 7x binos because they simply do not sell enough.

Lee

7x binoculars are like very fine wine, it's niche market.

You need to have a well developed taste and be educated to appreciate them,
most people drink bag-in-box...

No wonder Leica still sell them.

Lee,

Makes perfect sense. The manufactures are after all in business to sell their wares.

In light of Vespobuteo's observations, I wonder whether Leica soldiered on with the 7x42 UV line in spite of a diminishing market because the UV were at least outselling Zeiss T FL and EDG versions (?). The 7x35 Trinovid/"Retrovid" makes sense from a marketing standpoint based on its beautiful vintage styling and reportedly compact, handy size. The SW Curio makes sense as well in that it is a true "shirt pocket" model with 3 mm EP and wide FOV. But these three seem to have swept the field at 7x, at least for the present.

Mike