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SFL 10X30 (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ariban
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Beside the Opticron, there is currently a number of 8x30 / 8x32 binos that are about the same small size as the MHG, for example
(left to right) UV HD+8x32, Blaser Globetrotter 8x30, MHG, Monarch 7 8x30, Kite Lynx HD 8x30
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Paultricounty
Well-known member
Leica 8x32UVHD+ and superior to the MHG.
What is the minimum focus for these? To me, aside from the size, it's the close focus that makes the SFL models particularly intriguing. Though I have no direct experience with them so far.
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
Paultricountry post #43,
Look carefully at canip's pictures and you will notice the extremely small diameter of Leica UVHD eyepieces lenses. This small 13.3mm eye relief ruins this wonderful binocular. It's like a work of art smeared with ketchup! I would understand 8X32 UVHD small eye relief if at least it had a larger visual field of view than the competition (HG or others!). And even worse, with this small eyerelief was affected one of the most important aspects of binoculars, the ease of looking through these binoculars. Unfortunately these are sacrificed only for size's sake, and yet this UVHD is fatter and more voluminous than HG (ok I know it is a 32mm vs 30mm ). It is a binocular with superb colors and contrast...but very demanding and a niche binocular, very good only for those who are prepared to glue their eyes deeply to the eyepiece lenses to see the edges of the FOV.
On the other hand, the Monarch HG 8x30 is a little more compact and more friendlier binocular than Leica 8x32 UVHD. The eye relief is generous (16.2mm) but at the same time with an extremely large visual field of view (8.3deg. vs 7.7deg.), with at least the same widespread sweet spot in the FOV. This Nikon is plenty sharp and bright with a color signature almost similar to Leica.
So, to say that UVHD is "superior to the MHG" is very subjective, even at the limit. Not everything that is almost twice more expensive means that it is clearly better and without major weaknesses!
Look carefully at canip's pictures and you will notice the extremely small diameter of Leica UVHD eyepieces lenses. This small 13.3mm eye relief ruins this wonderful binocular. It's like a work of art smeared with ketchup! I would understand 8X32 UVHD small eye relief if at least it had a larger visual field of view than the competition (HG or others!). And even worse, with this small eyerelief was affected one of the most important aspects of binoculars, the ease of looking through these binoculars. Unfortunately these are sacrificed only for size's sake, and yet this UVHD is fatter and more voluminous than HG (ok I know it is a 32mm vs 30mm ). It is a binocular with superb colors and contrast...but very demanding and a niche binocular, very good only for those who are prepared to glue their eyes deeply to the eyepiece lenses to see the edges of the FOV.
On the other hand, the Monarch HG 8x30 is a little more compact and more friendlier binocular than Leica 8x32 UVHD. The eye relief is generous (16.2mm) but at the same time with an extremely large visual field of view (8.3deg. vs 7.7deg.), with at least the same widespread sweet spot in the FOV. This Nikon is plenty sharp and bright with a color signature almost similar to Leica.
So, to say that UVHD is "superior to the MHG" is very subjective, even at the limit. Not everything that is almost twice more expensive means that it is clearly better and without major weaknesses!
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Blaser 1.7m, MHG 1.65m, Monarch 7 1.85m, Kite 1.7m, so only Leica has really a bit more (2.1m) than SFL (specs such as these can often be found here: The PINACOLLECTION – Binoculars Today)
I think that you are grossly overstating the UVHD‘s „ flaws“, don‘t you agree?😊
Paultricounty
Well-known member
The lenses are smaller and I noticed this as soon as I received them. I can’t argue with the eye relief stats, but I don’t wear glasses so I have no issues there. A work of art I agree, but not with ketchup. The field of view is adequate and in no way restricting. The MHG with its so called Field flattener is not flat, and as far as ease of view , I found the black out unacceptable on the 8 x 30. The Ultravid was far superior in eye box comfort. I always found myself having to move my eye around to find the sweet spot in the MHG every time I put it up to my eye. Of course it’s an opinion like yours , I don’t find this a niche Binocular at all. My subjective opinion is the MHG feels a little cheap where as the Ultravid while only weighing 3oz more feels more dense with a quality to them the MHG lacks.
For me and a few others who have tested these two side by side, is that FOV sweet spot is not so much larger than the ultravid when you consider the edge fall off. Optically color saturation and brightness is clearly better in the Leica, and MHG lacks the sparkle and pop of the more refined
image in the Leica. I really don’t like to get into the cost and value debate , some would say the same thing about the cost quality value of the M7 and MHG, the value equation is a rabbit hole.
I’ll stand by my opinion, the Leica Ultravid is a superior binocular and a clear step up opticaly from a monarch HG. 🙏🏼✌🏼
Paul
1.5 meters I believe.
Yes, with some reporting even 1.4 meters. So for insects and flowers, the SFL offers clearly a specially attractive option. I know, the Papilio goes even closer. But it's not waterproof and feels more like a 22/25mm model which it actually is. So not the same league as the 30/32 models.
A2GG
Beth
agree and I'm a big Ultravid fan. 13mm ER is no good for most people who have to use a binocular with eyeglasses. I really wanted the Ultravid 8x32 to work for me. I compared it directly to the MHG 8x30 which I have been using the past 2 years as my only binocular.
The MHG works much better for me with eyeglasses, but I do prefer the image, design and overall quality of the Ultravid HD+.
The Papilio-II is actually different. It is meant to be used from close and at that 1/2 metre distance, things look absolute engrossingly different. Spotting a white crab spider on a small white Clematis flower is something out of this world.
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
Canip
Yes, it's very subjective, and I don't expect that we all have the same expectations from binoculars. We each weigh the advantages and compromise of binos according to personal preferences on their use in reality. 😊
Paultricounty
I agree, and even said, that the Leica UVHD 8x32 has a superb image, and more attractive than the Monarch HG, but I can't use it. Such binoculars with small eye relief are much more pretentious, being much more dependent on everyone's physiognomy than those with generous eye relief. A good pair of binoculars does not only mean pure image, mechanics, or design, it also means ergonomics. The bino is a kind of sum of these four! Therefore, when some of these prevails at the expense of the other, binoculars become more like a niche tool...
The more balanced these four are, the better the binoculars and more to the taste of many...
This does not mean that I do not admire the "niche" binoculars as well as the well "balanced" ones. For exemple, I have, and I like Habicht 7x42, a very niche binocular.
Peace🙏
Yes, it's very subjective, and I don't expect that we all have the same expectations from binoculars. We each weigh the advantages and compromise of binos according to personal preferences on their use in reality. 😊
Paultricounty
I agree, and even said, that the Leica UVHD 8x32 has a superb image, and more attractive than the Monarch HG, but I can't use it. Such binoculars with small eye relief are much more pretentious, being much more dependent on everyone's physiognomy than those with generous eye relief. A good pair of binoculars does not only mean pure image, mechanics, or design, it also means ergonomics. The bino is a kind of sum of these four! Therefore, when some of these prevails at the expense of the other, binoculars become more like a niche tool...
The more balanced these four are, the better the binoculars and more to the taste of many...
This does not mean that I do not admire the "niche" binoculars as well as the well "balanced" ones. For exemple, I have, and I like Habicht 7x42, a very niche binocular.
Peace🙏
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Troubador
Moderator
We enjoy using our Leica Trinovid HD 8x32s for the same purposes. The 1.0m close focus allows access to a different view of the world.
Lee
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Very well said. Im just not agreeing that UVHD 32 are niche market binoculars. If it covers three of your criteria pure image , mechanics and/or design and the ergonomics are good, which the 32 Ultravids are as good as any other small 32 , then the only thing left out is eye relief. Is every good or excellent pair of binoculars a niche market if the eye relief doesn’t accommodate eye glass wearers? Hmmm, that would lead to the question how many binocular users need to wear glasses? If the majority don’t wear glasses then not a niche market. That might be an interesting discussion, how many people need to wear glasses when observing with binoculars?
I think the Habicht’s are another conversation as well. Are we saying all Porros are a niche market or only the ones that have short eye releif. There are a lot of people who wear glasses but don’t when using binoculars. ✌🏼
Paul
snapshot2022
Well-known member
I have a Zeiss 10x25 and have had good luck with it's size and is perfect for me to carry.
The rubber cups around the eyelets played out, i just cut them off i do wish they had been replacable but their attached solid and not able to be just quickly removed.
The rubber cups around the eyelets played out, i just cut them off i do wish they had been replacable but their attached solid and not able to be just quickly removed.
You have a point there. Medium and small hands won’t have a problem. That’s for sure.
😁
Your friend have any impressions of the 10x30s to share?
Bill, I will be frank. The same set has made its way to me. Came home from work to find that it has arrived. Took it out.
It is nice. Period. Won’t suit everyone, that too is true.
Will share my more detailed observations ( I am neither a physicist not am I Lee) from a very, very practical birding POV, as early as I can. I have been told by Zeiss rep that this piece is for demo, the line is to be launched in January, etc. Bear with me.
First impressions- it is nice as a bin. A small bin admittedly, but nice. It was already dark when I reached home. Let me check it tomorrow morning.
I have requested a colleague to lend me his SF 8x32. I have my FL 10x42 and a VP 8x25 to compare with. I might lay my hands on a Swaro CLB 8x30 too. Will see how it goes.
Arijit
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