Sadly I lost my 7 x 42's at the end of my recent Lesvos holiday after using them for 14 years. I am looking for a good replacement and would like to hear of suggested models I should consider buying.
Has anyone recently switched from 7 x 42's and found an good replacement. ?
Mike
Welcome Mike,
I've read so many good reviews of the ClassiCs, it seems to be a hard act to follow, however, as a rule of thumb, "newer is better" in terms of anti-reflective coatings and reflective prism coatings (the latter not being an issue with the Classic since it has Abbe-Konig prisms), and in terms of extra low dispersion glass (ED glass).
Accordingly, the latest alphas should look brighter, have more contrast and more color saturation, and less chromatic aberration.
However, the Zeiss FL's EP design is different than the Classic, which has an ample sweet spot and gradually fading sharpness as field curvature enters the edges.
With the FL, the fall off at the edge is astigmatism and can't be refocused, and from what reviewers have said, the fall off is not gradual but steep. So you might notice it while panning. But the FOV is so wide, you might not. The point being, don't assume because you liked the Classic that you will automatically like the FL, they are different optically and ergonomically.
The other thing to consider is that over those 14 years, your entrance pupils might not open to 6mm anymore. Don't know how old you are, but we recently had this discussion on another thread, and generally, your entrance pupils shrink as you get older, making your eyes unable to take advantage of large exit pupil bins.
Older necks also don't like as much weight. For these reasons, you might find an 8x32 format roof with ED/FL glass is more practical than a full sized roof.
The 8x32 FL is highly rated and less expensive than its competition. Less "fuzz" at the edges than the 7x42 model if that is an issue.
Swarovski has a new 8x32, the SV EL. Some people see "rolling ball" with this series of bins (the image appears to roll over a curved surface), and some people take a week or more to adjust to it, a few never do, so you want a generous return period if you buy an SV EL.
Leica is also highly regarded as having the best color saturation and color contrast whereas the FL is considered to be the brightness.
Nikon has the 8x32 EDG II, which like the SV EL has field flatteners for sharper edges, but like the SV EL and Leica, they cost over $2K. So you're looking at a considerable increase in cost replacing your Classics.
Classics do show up on eBay from time to time, usually for over $1,000, but that's still half the price of today's alphas.
I wanted to give you another POV to think about.
Here's a Website that compares the bins mentioned above (except the new EL and EDG II, they do have reviews of the 8x32 EL WB and the EDG II in the 10x42 format).
It's no substitute for "hands on" time with these bins, but at least you will get to see what the major differences are.
http://www.allbinos.com/binoculars.html
Brock
