King Parrot
Member
Over the past 3 months I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of high quality
binoculars primarily for bird watching and nature observation. I’ve been
tossing between 8x42/10x42 vs 8x32; also alpha binocs top-end vs medium
priced models of the same brand (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski). After much deliberation I have become a happy owner of Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Swarovision. I read countless reviews on the Internet which have helped me in making the decision and Iam making this posting hoping it may help someone looking for good pair of binocs like me. I am no expert in binocular optics and my observations are purely based on my personal experience.
SIZE: Swarovski EL 8.5x42 are approx. 50g heavier than its Zeiss SF and
Leica Ultravid counterparts; longer than Ultravid and shorter than Zeiss
SF. In daily use they don’t seem heavier at all, in fact they feel lighter
than they really are. This is the combination of their balance, open bridge
design that allows wrap-around grip and excellent non-slip surface. They
feel so comfortable and secure in my hand that I often carry them in my
right hand while hiking. My wife’s first comment when picking these
binoculars was they feel lighter than her pair of Nikons (which in fact
are lighter than Swarowski). At the same time Swarovski feel solid and that
weight actually helps keep them steady. I considered smaller binoculars
like Ultravid 8x32 and Swarovski EL 10 x 32 but couldn’t hold them
sufficiently steady for long. Leica Ultravids are by far the most compact
models of all - 8x42 at 14cm is very short and 8x32 so tiny and light -
it is almost like holding a toy binoculars. If compactness is the most
important you can’t beat Leica, but that comes at a price in longer min.
focus at 3m and smaller field of view. EL8x32 don’t feel much more
compact than 8.5x42, yes they are 250g lighter but this weight doesn’t
come as a burden in EL8.5x42 - in fact it helps steady the binocs. As
much as I wanted to buy 8x32 in the favour of lightness I found 8.5x42
sitting in my hands more naturally. If you really need compact alpha
binos go for 8x32 ultravid; EL8x32 is light but not really compact - they
are nearly the same length as 8x42 Ultravid.
BUILD and DESIGN: Open bridge design makes EL8.5x42 much easier and more secure to hold and for longer than the Ultravids. I prefer to carry and
feel them in my right hand as I go on trails always ready to spot a bird,
wallaby, or even a Koala I saw last week. EL8.5x42 feels like a high
quality, super-precise analog instrument built and designed for
birdwatchers primarily, which of course can be used for general
observation. I love that feel! The texture and grip of the green, non-slip
surface is just right. Leica Ultravids feel well too, but the rubber seems
more prone to surface scratches, not a big deal as this is cosmetics, but
I don’t like the look. Leica's utilitarian design is bland and they don’t
feel like an object of desire. Zeiss design is too “military” to my liking
with the exception of Victory SF range, but they come in the light grey colour
only, which I don’t find appealing at all. I noticed the Internet posting
of Victory SF front bridge breaking after a short fall on the tiled floor,
and the bridge appears to be made of plastic rather than metal? Victory SF are also too long for my liking.
FOCUS: Leica has the longest close-focus distance at 3m - Swarovski (and
Zeiss) close focus is at 1.5m (if not less). I wondered whether in daily
use I’ll really care about close focus, but it actually does make the
binoculars more versatile and let you observe things close to you in
incredible detail. From close focus to infinity Leica takes 1 1/4 focus
wheel turns, where Swarovski needs 2 and a half turns (almost double!). On
Swarovski the whole 1st turn is to cover the first several meters (close
focus), the second turn will take you almost to infinity. The focus wheel
is low gear allowing you to precisely fine-tune focus. Everytime I look
through EL8.5x42 I instinctively give a light touch to the focus wheel to
make sure I have the view in perfect focus. Even when the subject looks
in good focus it is amazing to discover you can make it even better
focused and sharper. The focus wheel turns lightly and any lighter would be
too light. This is where I keep the point finger all the time. For that
matter it would be better to have the focus wheel 1cm moved forward (like
in Victory SF) which would be more natural finger position. This is the
only improvement in these binoculars I can think of. Diopter Adjustment
is as good as in Leica Ultravid models, in fact I prefer the indicators
position on EL8.5x42 rather than into-the-face position on Ultravids.
OPTICS: Astonishing clarity, definition and contrast. No colour
shift, colour balance neutral (maybe marginally warm). Incredible
resolution makes you notice even the smallest move of the focus wheel - I
couldn’t quite experience that with Leica Ultravids. Put simply it is a
joy to look through EL8.5x42. These binocs have 1 (or 2?)
additional elements in each barrel as compared to Leica ultravids which
accounts for their extra weight. They have remarkable FoV considering 8.5
magnification.
ROLLING BALL: None. Zero. I couldn’t see any RB despite looking for it. I panned the binocs extensively in different environment and haven’t seen any RB. There are mixed reports on the Internet - some say it can be quite distracting; some say that some people can see it some cannot; and some have seen it on the more compact EL models. If this is a point of concern you must try these binocs. From what I see in the EL 8.5x42 version I hold there is no RB whatsoever.
BRIGHTNESS: Very bright and noticeably brighter than EL 8x32 I tested side-by-side in the late afternoon on a cloudy day. A couple of reports on the Internet say 8.5x42 over 8x32 will only give 5 minutes extra glassing time during the first and last light. This may be true on a cloudless day and out in the open, but on a cloudy day and hiking in the forest you need very bright binocs to be able to identify many birds that move fast and hide in the branches. In the less-than-ideal conditions the extra brightness of 8.5x42 will be noticeable over 8x32 throughout the day IMHO.
BLACKOUT: EL8.5x42 were the only binocs I tried that didn’t show any blackout, offering excellent viewing comfort.
VALUE and AVAILABILITY: Leica Ultravid HD Plus was available but had a $500 extra price tag over the non-plus version. For something that is essentially the same binoculars with slightly improved coatings (a slightly updated model) I found such price difference unacceptable. Leica offers the shortest warranty and seems to have questionable reputation in customer service. Zeiss Victory SF are still unavailable in Australia (due to high demand worldwide they say). Ordering from the US reputable retailers would be prohibitively expensive due to low Australian Dollar, import duty and shipping cost. Additionally I had no chance to hold these binocs and try them out and was not willing to wait until Sep.2015 when they are expected in Australian stores. Swarovski EL8.5x42 were available and at a very competitive price at the Brisbane’s most reputable optics retailer. I was not only impressed by the binoculars which are outstanding, but also by the patience and customer service of the sales people as I took more than a half an hour to try a few models and compare them side-by-side. On top of that they offered me a much better price than any of the Australian Internet retailers who didn’t even want to do price-match.
DECISION: At the end after reading so many reviews and opinions and trying a few models the choice was suprisingly easy - Swarovski EL 8.5x42 swarovision. These are absolute top level binoculars delivering on all relevant fronts, with no fault I could identify. It is hard to imagine how this model can possibly be improved, with the only exception of the focus wheel whose ideal position would be slightly more forward. I cannot see how anyone in the market for 8x42 binocs could go wrong with buying these binoculars - this is a sure buy that will make your birding and observing nature in general a lot more enjoyable.
I hope this was useful to anyone looking for a top-level binoculars and may have helped them in making a decision.
binoculars primarily for bird watching and nature observation. I’ve been
tossing between 8x42/10x42 vs 8x32; also alpha binocs top-end vs medium
priced models of the same brand (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski). After much deliberation I have become a happy owner of Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Swarovision. I read countless reviews on the Internet which have helped me in making the decision and Iam making this posting hoping it may help someone looking for good pair of binocs like me. I am no expert in binocular optics and my observations are purely based on my personal experience.
SIZE: Swarovski EL 8.5x42 are approx. 50g heavier than its Zeiss SF and
Leica Ultravid counterparts; longer than Ultravid and shorter than Zeiss
SF. In daily use they don’t seem heavier at all, in fact they feel lighter
than they really are. This is the combination of their balance, open bridge
design that allows wrap-around grip and excellent non-slip surface. They
feel so comfortable and secure in my hand that I often carry them in my
right hand while hiking. My wife’s first comment when picking these
binoculars was they feel lighter than her pair of Nikons (which in fact
are lighter than Swarowski). At the same time Swarovski feel solid and that
weight actually helps keep them steady. I considered smaller binoculars
like Ultravid 8x32 and Swarovski EL 10 x 32 but couldn’t hold them
sufficiently steady for long. Leica Ultravids are by far the most compact
models of all - 8x42 at 14cm is very short and 8x32 so tiny and light -
it is almost like holding a toy binoculars. If compactness is the most
important you can’t beat Leica, but that comes at a price in longer min.
focus at 3m and smaller field of view. EL8x32 don’t feel much more
compact than 8.5x42, yes they are 250g lighter but this weight doesn’t
come as a burden in EL8.5x42 - in fact it helps steady the binocs. As
much as I wanted to buy 8x32 in the favour of lightness I found 8.5x42
sitting in my hands more naturally. If you really need compact alpha
binos go for 8x32 ultravid; EL8x32 is light but not really compact - they
are nearly the same length as 8x42 Ultravid.
BUILD and DESIGN: Open bridge design makes EL8.5x42 much easier and more secure to hold and for longer than the Ultravids. I prefer to carry and
feel them in my right hand as I go on trails always ready to spot a bird,
wallaby, or even a Koala I saw last week. EL8.5x42 feels like a high
quality, super-precise analog instrument built and designed for
birdwatchers primarily, which of course can be used for general
observation. I love that feel! The texture and grip of the green, non-slip
surface is just right. Leica Ultravids feel well too, but the rubber seems
more prone to surface scratches, not a big deal as this is cosmetics, but
I don’t like the look. Leica's utilitarian design is bland and they don’t
feel like an object of desire. Zeiss design is too “military” to my liking
with the exception of Victory SF range, but they come in the light grey colour
only, which I don’t find appealing at all. I noticed the Internet posting
of Victory SF front bridge breaking after a short fall on the tiled floor,
and the bridge appears to be made of plastic rather than metal? Victory SF are also too long for my liking.
FOCUS: Leica has the longest close-focus distance at 3m - Swarovski (and
Zeiss) close focus is at 1.5m (if not less). I wondered whether in daily
use I’ll really care about close focus, but it actually does make the
binoculars more versatile and let you observe things close to you in
incredible detail. From close focus to infinity Leica takes 1 1/4 focus
wheel turns, where Swarovski needs 2 and a half turns (almost double!). On
Swarovski the whole 1st turn is to cover the first several meters (close
focus), the second turn will take you almost to infinity. The focus wheel
is low gear allowing you to precisely fine-tune focus. Everytime I look
through EL8.5x42 I instinctively give a light touch to the focus wheel to
make sure I have the view in perfect focus. Even when the subject looks
in good focus it is amazing to discover you can make it even better
focused and sharper. The focus wheel turns lightly and any lighter would be
too light. This is where I keep the point finger all the time. For that
matter it would be better to have the focus wheel 1cm moved forward (like
in Victory SF) which would be more natural finger position. This is the
only improvement in these binoculars I can think of. Diopter Adjustment
is as good as in Leica Ultravid models, in fact I prefer the indicators
position on EL8.5x42 rather than into-the-face position on Ultravids.
OPTICS: Astonishing clarity, definition and contrast. No colour
shift, colour balance neutral (maybe marginally warm). Incredible
resolution makes you notice even the smallest move of the focus wheel - I
couldn’t quite experience that with Leica Ultravids. Put simply it is a
joy to look through EL8.5x42. These binocs have 1 (or 2?)
additional elements in each barrel as compared to Leica ultravids which
accounts for their extra weight. They have remarkable FoV considering 8.5
magnification.
ROLLING BALL: None. Zero. I couldn’t see any RB despite looking for it. I panned the binocs extensively in different environment and haven’t seen any RB. There are mixed reports on the Internet - some say it can be quite distracting; some say that some people can see it some cannot; and some have seen it on the more compact EL models. If this is a point of concern you must try these binocs. From what I see in the EL 8.5x42 version I hold there is no RB whatsoever.
BRIGHTNESS: Very bright and noticeably brighter than EL 8x32 I tested side-by-side in the late afternoon on a cloudy day. A couple of reports on the Internet say 8.5x42 over 8x32 will only give 5 minutes extra glassing time during the first and last light. This may be true on a cloudless day and out in the open, but on a cloudy day and hiking in the forest you need very bright binocs to be able to identify many birds that move fast and hide in the branches. In the less-than-ideal conditions the extra brightness of 8.5x42 will be noticeable over 8x32 throughout the day IMHO.
BLACKOUT: EL8.5x42 were the only binocs I tried that didn’t show any blackout, offering excellent viewing comfort.
VALUE and AVAILABILITY: Leica Ultravid HD Plus was available but had a $500 extra price tag over the non-plus version. For something that is essentially the same binoculars with slightly improved coatings (a slightly updated model) I found such price difference unacceptable. Leica offers the shortest warranty and seems to have questionable reputation in customer service. Zeiss Victory SF are still unavailable in Australia (due to high demand worldwide they say). Ordering from the US reputable retailers would be prohibitively expensive due to low Australian Dollar, import duty and shipping cost. Additionally I had no chance to hold these binocs and try them out and was not willing to wait until Sep.2015 when they are expected in Australian stores. Swarovski EL8.5x42 were available and at a very competitive price at the Brisbane’s most reputable optics retailer. I was not only impressed by the binoculars which are outstanding, but also by the patience and customer service of the sales people as I took more than a half an hour to try a few models and compare them side-by-side. On top of that they offered me a much better price than any of the Australian Internet retailers who didn’t even want to do price-match.
DECISION: At the end after reading so many reviews and opinions and trying a few models the choice was suprisingly easy - Swarovski EL 8.5x42 swarovision. These are absolute top level binoculars delivering on all relevant fronts, with no fault I could identify. It is hard to imagine how this model can possibly be improved, with the only exception of the focus wheel whose ideal position would be slightly more forward. I cannot see how anyone in the market for 8x42 binocs could go wrong with buying these binoculars - this is a sure buy that will make your birding and observing nature in general a lot more enjoyable.
I hope this was useful to anyone looking for a top-level binoculars and may have helped them in making a decision.
