SeldomPerched
Well-known member
Is it just my love affair with Zeiss's good old Abbe-König glass or would I be close to the truth thinking that the two binoculars in the title beat just about everything in the 7 and 8 42 class for resolution/contrast/all factors that contribute to visible sharpness? At first sight Swarovski ELs seem better (treating 8.5 as an 8 for the purposes of this post) but something lets them down — maybe lower contrast, a bit more glare, something. This is all quite nitpicking but despite my general preference for Leica colour (which doesn't mean I find it more true to life) I find the non-SP Zeisses give me the clearest viewing both in strong lighting and at twilight. And in ideal lighting, which to me is overcast after rain, both these glasses are magical in their definition. Anybody care to explain this, or just agree? I know binocular use and experience are very personal things so it would be interesting to hear what others feel. I know this is a Zeiss forum but also that many here use other makes as well.
I feel the same about the 8x56 FL though I need to support it to appreciate it fully. Another thing it has taken me a while to appreciate is just how good the Zeiss focusers are on these models, even if not quite in the Nikon league. They are very consistent and there is absolutely no stiction — nor sloppiness at direction changes. Same with 8x32 FL also as far as focusing goes (not an AK model and not relevant to the previous paragraph).
All the models mentioned were pre-owned purchases, and I know in at least two cases that they were put to extensive nature watching use by the previous owner in all weathers.
Tom
I should add that I don't have experience of longer than 5 minutes inside a shop with the NL 8x42 which probably gives these Zeiss glasses a good run for their money regarding paragraph no.1.
I feel the same about the 8x56 FL though I need to support it to appreciate it fully. Another thing it has taken me a while to appreciate is just how good the Zeiss focusers are on these models, even if not quite in the Nikon league. They are very consistent and there is absolutely no stiction — nor sloppiness at direction changes. Same with 8x32 FL also as far as focusing goes (not an AK model and not relevant to the previous paragraph).
All the models mentioned were pre-owned purchases, and I know in at least two cases that they were put to extensive nature watching use by the previous owner in all weathers.
Tom
I should add that I don't have experience of longer than 5 minutes inside a shop with the NL 8x42 which probably gives these Zeiss glasses a good run for their money regarding paragraph no.1.
Last edited: