SFL 10X30 (1 Viewer)

[Swissboy]

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

Sounds like a fine collection to compare the 10x30 with. Also, if January is the starting date it would be very nice! Hopefully with the 8x30 coming at that time as well.

 

[Maljunulo]

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

I will be interested in your report, and look forward to it.

 

[crinklystarfish]

Will share my more detailed observations . . . from a very, very practical birding POV, as early as I can.

Arguably the most useful POV by far, given the forum. I too look forward to your impressions.

 

[garymh]

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.

Hi,

The eyecups should be repaceable.

If yours is the Conquest 10x25 with two hinges the eyecups will just unscrew.

Gary

 

[Swissboy]

Hi,

The eyecups should be repaceable.

If yours is the Conquest 10x25 with two hinges the eyecups will just unscrew.

Gary

Wrong thread, I think.

 

[garymh]

Wrong thread, I think.

I was replying to post #57 in this thread.

 

[sminti]

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

Arijit, do you have some news for us? THX

 

[fazalmajid]

I used to have the UVHD 8x32, and replaced them with the VP 8x25. I think Leica reused the titanium hinge pin and focuser/diopter from the UV x42 on the x32 and as a result it is comically large, almost as much as the barrels, and makes the binoculars ungainly. Similarly the single hinge on the VP 8x25 is disproportionately large and adds unnecessary bulk.

The SFL 8x30 certainly looks attractive.

 

[pbjosh]

I agree the 8x32 UVHD is a wonderful little bin but add me to the list of people that don’t get on with it. It might be “better” than the MHG but in my experience and as I bird, the smaller FOV, heavier weight, and short eye relief all add up to make it not as good a tool.

It very much looks like the SFL 30mm will basically be an upgraded MHG - alpha or near alpha level optics in the same easy to use package. Kind of a dream come true for me but at the same time I almost have to ask if I really need anything better than the MHG. For any “serious” birding (ie, the last 3 months in Asia) I have an SF. I wouldn’t dream of taking the MHG’s on a “real trip” and I’m not sure I would take the SFLs either. Then for local / casual birding, travel in EU, hiking, cycling, etc, where I always use the 30mm MHG… I am not sure the SFL is necessary. Still so appealing though, I cannot wait to see an 8x30 and I suspect I’ll be highly tempted.

 

[Paultricounty]

I used to have the UVHD 8x32, and replaced them with the VP 8x25. I think Leica reused the titanium hinge pin and focuser/diopter from the UV x42 on the x32 and as a result it is comically large, almost as much as the barrels, and makes the binoculars ungainly. Similarly the single hinge on the VP 8x25 is disproportionately large and adds unnecessary bulk.

The SFL 8x30 certainly looks attractive.

Lol. I’ve never heard the UVHD 32 called ungainly 🤣. If that’s ungainly what do you call the Zeiss FL’s and all the Meopta’s.

Happy holidays

 

[fazalmajid]

Lol. I’ve never heard the UVHD 32 called ungainly 🤣.

They look like trinoculars

Compare with the x42

 

[Paultricounty]

They look like trinoculars

Compare with the x42

You shouldn’t look at bad generic pictures, you should actually hold one of these beauties.

 

[Swissboy]

You shouldn’t look at bad generic pictures, you should actually hold one of these beauties.

My actual problem with these is the lousy eye relief. So holding them does not help. But the posted pictures are not "bad generic" ones.

Seems we are far OT here now, however.

 

[Paultricounty]

My actual problem with these is the lousy eye relief. So holding them does not help. But the posted pictures are not "bad generic" ones.

Seems we are far OT here now, however.

One more 🤪.
Holding them will only allow you to see their beauty, not that they fit you adequately.

 

[pm42]

My actual problem with these is the lousy eye relief.

Same with me because if I could use them with glasses, they would probably very near the top of my list.

 

[Maljunulo]

I spend a lot more time looking through my binoculars than I spend looking at them.

 

[MiddleRiver]

I am (was) a designer by trade. So I'll admit that the things I like have to meld form and function. Of course the ergos have to work, but there is in fact for me an aesthetic component where the physical design has to appeal. Sometimes that is visual, sometimes tactile. It's all one package and of course the optics have to work, but ugly gets eliminated pretty quick in my usage.

 

[fazalmajid]

You shouldn’t look at bad generic pictures, you should actually hold one of these beauties.

I owned them and resold them. The picture is from a Leica Store, so people with a vested interest in presenting them in the best light.

 

[Swissboy]

Same with me because if I could use them with glasses, they would probably very near the top of my list.

Same here, I like the way they look, and the size! Also, I like the Leica "flavor" of the view. I used to thave a predecessor for decades, the "tank" model Trinovid B. Had to give it up due to increasing problems with eye relief.

 

[Swissboy]

................... the things I like have to meld form and function. Of course the ergos have to work, but there is in fact for me an aesthetic component where the physical design has to appeal. Sometimes that is visual, sometimes tactile. ....................

I agree. This combination has the optimal appeal for me as well. It's the reason why I am very fond of the tiny Leica Ultravid 10x25, presently my only Leica optics. (Getting into OT again. ) And I think the Zeiss SFL models fit in here very nicely! (So made it back to the correct topic. 👍😂 )