Good! Looking forward to it!
I guess if it's anything other than a Nikon, folks across the Atlantic always seem to get things before we do!
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
New Zeiss binos 8x40 SFL and 10x40 SFL (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter batho66
- Start date
I guess if it's anything other than a Nikon, folks across the Atlantic always seem to get things before we do!
Don't let us wait for all this time. Some more detailed impressions than simply a "WOW" will hopefully be possible within the next few days!
Hi Chuck, it was originally anticipated that the review unit could be supplied no later than mid-April but it took until 10th June and then a 240 mile round-trip drive to collect it in time to take to the Western Isles next week.......
Lee
How about: Bright, Neutral Colour Balance, Crisp and Sharp?
Not saying any more than that just now because I need proper field-use time with it.
Lee
I am sure there have always been people who do not want binoculars to weigh too much and I am sure there still are those people. I can imagine hikers and campers who carry a lot of other equipment would be concerned to ensure the total weight they carry does get too heavy. On the other hand I am also sure there are people who do not care how much their binoculars weigh.
I have a lung disease and have needed to reduce the weight I carry so I have moved to 32mm models. As my illness progresses I expect I will need at some point to select the lightest 32mm binos I have, rather than the best.
Lee
Absolutely...
My birding group...we are all getting older. There can be as many as 18-20 that show up with as few as 3-4. Nothing more than a 42mm ever and I see a trend going to lighter weight binoculars. One guy has back issues(join the crowd) and has gone from a 8X42 HT to a VP 8X25. And you know, one doesn't have to compromise very much if any to have a lighter weight binocular and still have excellent optics and a quality birding experience.
Please spread your comments to all of us, not just to Lee.
This will be our 29th visit to the Western Isles and I am looking forward to seeing how the SFL performs.
Lee
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
As I ponder the wide-field appeal of the Victory's, one comparison I'd like to see is the SFL compared to SF ;-)
I would rather see a comparison between SFL and Swaro's EL since these two are in a similar price bracket.
Lee
I would predict: wider field and less CA for the SF, more neutral colors and very close sharpness for the SFL.
I don't think the price bracket is what is always decisive. In this particular case, it's more a question of weight and size overall. Thus for me, the SF is simply too large for a x32 type. But with the x40 option of the SFL, a new model might become a most attractive option as it seems to combine the best of two kinds - weight and objective diameter. That is not to say comparisons with other brands should not be highlighted as well.
Last edited:
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Agree. My interest is because I find the 7x35 retros superb and I'm convinced it's largely because of the 'open' view which is a natural result of being 7's. Also the SFL weight is in the same range. I've been tempted by the 8x32 Victory's but concerned about ER and EP ratio...
7x35 Retro 422'/1000yd 590g
8x32 Victory 467 600g
8x42 Victory 444 780g
8x40 SFL 460 640
The SFL's look like a pretty attractive alternative to the Victory's, as long as IQ and build quality are not compromised.
Does anyone know mfg origin?
FOV on the 8x40 is 420’
No price is not always decisive but when folks are considering how much they are willing or able to spend on a pair of binoculars, if they are considering an EL42 at £1600 they might be attracted by SFL's £1550 given its compact size, light weight and 1.5m close focus, and £50 saving.
Lee
james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
I have the 10x32 SF and, with all the talk, expected some colour bias. In all my use I’ve found none, I even got a chance to test white rendering with a late snowfall and found them perfectly white, although lacking the luminous quality of my HT.
FYI
