Have you seen this review:
http://holgermerlitz.de/8x32/test8x32.html
You have the Kowa 8x33 and the Nikon 8x30 E2 so you can afford to wait for the Leica Noctivid 8x32
I have a Kowa 8x33 and FL 8x32 and they are very close in performance. The Zeiss might be a bit brighter but this aspect is hard to judge. They feel very different in the hand though with the Zeiss having a curvy body with chunky armour while the Kowa has smooth armour (not slippy) and cylindrical tubes. They really feel dramatically different to handle and I like them both. It would not be surprising to find different people have definite views about which they prefer because binos are not solely about the optics, and these two are close enough optically that choosing might well come down to how they feel. The Kowa's metal focus wheel is a neat touch and the Zeiss's chunky bars of rubber on the armour are reassuring in wet or cold weather.
If you have a Kowa Genesis 33 then you don't need a Zeiss FL, on the other hand if you try an FL you might like it more.
Lee
It would be difficult to translate this concept undiminished into a 32mm if only because there would need to be a reduction in the room for the fingers to give a decent size reduction and this would impact the balance. But if Zeiss make compromises they should be able to deliver SF performance in a more compact package.
Lee
...If I do buy anything now it will be the SV first. That is decided.
I don't know that you'll see anything that you couldn't with other good bins that you have, but it's a calming pleasure to have an instrument that just always does what you expect it should (good in the hands, beautiful easy view, good "hang", well built, nice design). With the best bins, every time I pick them up, I think "Hey, that's nice!" and just go on to enjoy their use without the distraction of assembly flaws or planned compromise design deficiencies. I hope you find the 8x32 SV to be such a bin.
--AP
.................................... The other 8 binos I have sort of lay around. Most are very good, but they don't get used much.
That's what it's all about, I think. I've used 32 and 42 SV's for many years. I just grab and go. The other 8 binos I have sort of lay around. Most are very good, but they don't get used much.
Why don't you thin the troops out and just keep the two SV's?That's what it's all about, I think. I've used 32 and 42 SV's for many years. I just grab and go. The other 8 binos I have sort of lay around. Most are very good, but they don't get used much.
Curious where you purchased? Let us know how you like it. I am sure it will WOW you.OK friends I just ordered the Swaro EL 8x32. I know I said I was going to wait but special circumstances made me jump at the purchase.
OK friends I just ordered the Swaro EL 8x32. I know I said I was going to wait but special circumstances made me jump at the purchase.
Why don't you thin the troops out and just keep the two SV's?