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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
With hindsight, I completely agree with you. I came very close to buying the SV8.5x42, largely because of what I'd read about it and because it is so well-regarded and a proven performer, and yet the truth is that it was clearly my least favourite of the three due to its comparatively narrow... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Temmie - I think the 8x32SV has most of the qualities you rightly identified in the SF, except maybe for the faster focus. I completely share your point of view now on the importance of FOV in a birding binocular, and in retrospect I think I would have found the FOV of the SV8.5 too narrow... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Hi all, just a quick update. I made it to the optics store this weekend to try out the two models in question again and hopefully make my choice. It took me 5 hours (a big thumbs up for the sales person, who was fantastic!), but I got there in end! And my choice between the SV8.5 and SF... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Thanks for that, Starre :t:. They are still available in the UK, but unfortunately my preferred optics dealer does not sell them and I'm reluctant to buy binoculars online. -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
The hesitations I expressed in my opening post actually concerned the present rather than the future (I wasn't aware of the corporate changes that Huronbay refers to when I started the thread), but those worries have largely been laid to rest now. Rightly or wrongly, I do still have marginally... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Temmie, you certainly make a compelling case for the SF! Just as I was beginning to sway towards the Swaro, your post has me wavering again :-) -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Ideally, I would have liked to have tried the SLC's, but I think the 3m close focus and slow focus speed would have proved to be a deal breaker for me anyhow. I also quite like open-bridge designs, which is what I'm used to with the Vanguard EDII's. You're right about the SF being instantly... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Oh, thanks - I didn't realise they'd been discontinued. Some retailers do still appear to have them in stock, though, and some (e.g. Cley Spy) are selling them at a significant discount. Many thanks for the link. I've actually looked at those before, but I have a feeling I might be happier... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
The only reason I haven't really considered the HT is that not many optics retailers stock them over here so I haven't been able to try one. The same goes for the Swarovski SLC. I do suspect that the SF would probably suit me better due to the handling and FOV, but I know I should probably... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Yes, I think this is how I felt about them too, and as you say, the optimal colour balance probably varies depending on the environment and light conditions. -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
If I originally had doubts about Zeiss customer service - which have now been dispelled - I have even more doubts about Leica in this respect (although I hear they have been making efforts to improve). Also, as Vespubuteo says, the Noctivid is a less interesting option in two aspects that are... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Thank you all for your very helpful and balanced replies. It's great to hear your first-hand experiences, as over here the vast majority of birders have Swaro's and it's hard to get opinions on Zeiss. Anyway, it sounds as if I really don't need to worry about being let down by the Zeiss build... -
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Reasons not to buy Zeiss SF 8x42?
Hello all, I'll soon be ready to buy my first set of high-end bins (currently using Vanguard Endeavor EDII 8x42). I've narrowed my search down to the Swarovski El 8.5x42 and Zeiss SF 8x42. I've tried both pairs on two occasions now, once in reasonable light, once in low light. I think that...