HighNorth
Well-known member
Hi everyone!
I picked up my SF 8x42 from the post office today, as it arrived as expected! :t:
Unfortunately, the weather gods have cursed us with overcast and frosty haze today, and now it's way after dark, so I will be commenting more on the optical quality tomorrow.
Let's just say I think the optical quality is really superb so far! B
And then on to the most important issues:
Field of view: Just amazingly large and comfy! :-O Although I find it needs a bit of careful eye placement to avoid minor kidney-beaning, your mileage may wary... Other than that: 10/10!
Rolling ball: Could not see any, but I have only been panning inside my (admittedly not too expansive) living room so far. More on this tomorrow!
Edge sharpness: Seems plenty sharp to me, but more on this tomorrow!
Focusing: No real problems with the focuser; it focuses accurately, smoothly and quickly! I like to put both my index finger and middle finger from one hand on the focuser for maximum control and speed, as it may take a bit of effort to turn the wheel with just one finger. There is a slight friction noise when turning the focusing wheel, and although it is a bit annoying, it does not seem to impair the focusing in any way. 9/10
Ergonomics: Just wonderful! They fit my hands perfectly, and are very well balanced. The armouring gives a solid, good grip! The bins are smaller, shorter and lighter than I expected! 10/10
"SF rattle": There is a slight rattle when the bin is held up to the ear and shaken. The gremlin inside seems to do his work like expected! 10/10 :t:
Eyecups: The eyecups turn smootly, and stay down when turned all the way down. They also also stay up when turned all the way up. I haven't been able to locate any click stops though, but I read somewhere that there is a technique to this? As I always keep the eyecups either fully up or fully down, they are satisfactory to me. 10/10
Rainguard: It's made of soft rubber, and fits better than I expected. I don't normally use a rainguard on my other bins though, and probably won't on the SF either. 5/10
Objective covers: They seem to be the right size, and fit perfectly! :t: I would much prefer the individual tethered objective covers found on many other binoculars, including the Swarovski SLC and the Nikon Monarch 7, but the "string fastened" one-piece objective covers on the SF seem to do the job. I attached the string on the front bridge for convenience. 8/10
Carrying case: This is a big dud! Large, over-engineered and bulky. I had trouble fitting the binoculars inside, even when the "convenient" pockets inside the case were empty. I much prefer soft cordura cases, and I found that the SF just about fits in the cordura case of my M7 when the rainguard is removed and the eyecups are turned all the way down. I don't want to bother with the SF carrying case, and think I will hardly ever use it... 0/10
Overall, I give the bins 9/10 so far, because they are really, really good, but nothing is ever perfect! :t:
I picked up my SF 8x42 from the post office today, as it arrived as expected! :t:
Unfortunately, the weather gods have cursed us with overcast and frosty haze today, and now it's way after dark, so I will be commenting more on the optical quality tomorrow.
Let's just say I think the optical quality is really superb so far! B
And then on to the most important issues:
Field of view: Just amazingly large and comfy! :-O Although I find it needs a bit of careful eye placement to avoid minor kidney-beaning, your mileage may wary... Other than that: 10/10!
Rolling ball: Could not see any, but I have only been panning inside my (admittedly not too expansive) living room so far. More on this tomorrow!
Edge sharpness: Seems plenty sharp to me, but more on this tomorrow!
Focusing: No real problems with the focuser; it focuses accurately, smoothly and quickly! I like to put both my index finger and middle finger from one hand on the focuser for maximum control and speed, as it may take a bit of effort to turn the wheel with just one finger. There is a slight friction noise when turning the focusing wheel, and although it is a bit annoying, it does not seem to impair the focusing in any way. 9/10
Ergonomics: Just wonderful! They fit my hands perfectly, and are very well balanced. The armouring gives a solid, good grip! The bins are smaller, shorter and lighter than I expected! 10/10
"SF rattle": There is a slight rattle when the bin is held up to the ear and shaken. The gremlin inside seems to do his work like expected! 10/10 :t:
Eyecups: The eyecups turn smootly, and stay down when turned all the way down. They also also stay up when turned all the way up. I haven't been able to locate any click stops though, but I read somewhere that there is a technique to this? As I always keep the eyecups either fully up or fully down, they are satisfactory to me. 10/10
Rainguard: It's made of soft rubber, and fits better than I expected. I don't normally use a rainguard on my other bins though, and probably won't on the SF either. 5/10
Objective covers: They seem to be the right size, and fit perfectly! :t: I would much prefer the individual tethered objective covers found on many other binoculars, including the Swarovski SLC and the Nikon Monarch 7, but the "string fastened" one-piece objective covers on the SF seem to do the job. I attached the string on the front bridge for convenience. 8/10
Carrying case: This is a big dud! Large, over-engineered and bulky. I had trouble fitting the binoculars inside, even when the "convenient" pockets inside the case were empty. I much prefer soft cordura cases, and I found that the SF just about fits in the cordura case of my M7 when the rainguard is removed and the eyecups are turned all the way down. I don't want to bother with the SF carrying case, and think I will hardly ever use it... 0/10
Overall, I give the bins 9/10 so far, because they are really, really good, but nothing is ever perfect! :t:
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