8.5x42 EL field pro buyers remorse! (1 Viewer)

[matt green]

Just to set the scene, a short while ago I decided to purchase the above because the last pair I owned were reluctantly sold to pay for something else…at the time I was having issues with a much cheaper and inferior budget binocular so as soon as I found myself at a Swarovski stockist the deal was done without much thought for considering any other options. At the time of trying out the Swarovski the counter staff handed me a zeiss sfl 8x40 for comparison, optically they seemed very similar and was very impressed by the ergonomics of the zeiss especially the feel of the focus wheel and close focus..however my heart was set on the Swarovski so the deal was done and off I went!

Having lived with the Swarovski a short while I’m wondering wether I should have opted for the zeiss, the contrast and colours don’t seem so rich as I remember, also the feel and slow speed of the focus, coupled with the limited close focus range glassing from insects etc to distant birds can be an issue.

The other main issue is that I don’t seem to be able to hold them as steady as I’d like…even before multiple hits of caffeine to start the day! Even though I’m not in a great hurry to make the switch I am wondering wether to pass on the swarovskis while they are still mint and in excellent condition and jump to zeiss?

I don’t have a nearby zeiss stockist for a more considered comparison but wondering if any others had made a comparison of the two and what were your thoughts?

Matt

 

[claves_10]

Matt Green, you are making a VERY VERY difficult question since you are the only one with the answer. (IT is like YODA from Starwars)
Both Excellent binos, you wont regret any. That is the beauty of having the option of different binos and this forum too that we all praise different brands, make you start wanting more and more in your hands.
My experience with the ALL binos I tried is ....that It takes some time to get used to them.
-When I first got EL 10x42 disliked the focus wheel, Was missing birds since I could not focus quickly. After a WHOLE year started to love them. I placed to resell on a site due to that frustration, then gave them a second chance and now I would NOT sell them, LOVE THEM.
-SF 10x42 few black outs at the beginning, Focus is a joy to use. The to the front balance nonsense, makes sense, they cheat to seem lighter.
-Got NL pure, every one praise them etc.... NL10X32 since smaller exit pupil had trouble placing the bino and accommodating them quickly for the view. Beginning many black outs. Glare I have to admit, a little, in specifics situacions. NOW I love them too. Clear image just a touch better than ELs. Now no blackouts whatsoever.
-Got SFL10x30, very compact and the same goes, some time to get used to them.

Matt really EL as well as Zeiss are EXCELLENT binos. From the 4 I got none is 100% perfect

 

[Scott98]

It was the focuser of the 42mm EL's that pushed me to buy an 8x42 SF instead. The SFL have a similar, very smooth focuser. However, for me, the lighter weight and small form of the SFL's make them a little shaky in my hands compared to full size 42's. Just something to consider. Optically and mechanically I do like the 42mm SFL's. Having the 8x42 SF I'll probably never get a pair of SFL though.

 

[GrampaTom]

Matt Green, you are making a VERY VERY difficult question since you are the only one with the answer. (IT is like YODA from Starwars)
Both Excellent binos, you wont regret any. That is the beauty of having the option of different binos and this forum too that we all praise different brands, make you start wanting more and more in your hands.
My experience with the ALL binos I tried is ....that It takes some time to get used to them.
-When I first got EL 10x42 disliked the focus wheel, Was missing birds since I could not focus quickly. After a WHOLE year started to love them. I placed to resell on a site due to that frustration, then gave them a second chance and now I would NOT sell them, LOVE THEM.
-SF 10x42 few black outs at the beginning, Focus is a joy to use. The to the front balance nonsense, makes sense, they cheat to seem lighter.
-Got NL pure, every one praise them etc.... NL10X32 since smaller exit pupil had trouble placing the bino and accommodating them quickly for the view. Beginning many black outs. Glare I have to admit, a little, in specifics situacions. NOW I love them too. Clear image just a touch better than ELs. Now no blackouts whatsoever.
-Got SFL10x30, very compact and the same goes, some time to get used to them.

Matt really EL as well as Zeiss are EXCELLENT binos. From the 4 I got none is 100% perfect

All over this sentiment, especially the red highlighted. My process starts with the published data, comparisons, spreadsheets, all fun stuff. Then I wonder how the differences that emerge translate to the real thing. Next I schlepp to try and find a shop that sells so I can try. Thanks to the internet these places are not so easily found. The few that do, offer a very limited experience. Minutes in a shop with whatever seeing venue exists is always limited, mostly frustrating. Getting to know a bino takes time.

I like Matt's use of the term "buyers remorse." It is what happens for me often enough, when the shine of the new thing I just bought, eventually wears off. Relative to binoculars I dubbed this in an earlier post or 2, the NBE (New Bino Effect). Knowing its the way of the thing, been through it often enough, its helpful to relax, sit back, go bird in whatever light, weather, terrain presents itself over time to come to truly know if this one does what you hoped, provides functionality of value or maybe even an experience you did not expect but come to like.

Its a process.

 

[tenex]

Having lived with the Swarovski a short while I’m wondering wether I should have opted for the zeiss, the contrast and colours don’t seem so rich as I remember, also the feel and slow speed of the focus, coupled with the limited close focus range glassing from insects etc to distant birds can be an issue.

The interesting thing here is that you have previous experience with this EL, but this one isn't measuring up. Obviously the close focus is now poorer (I hope your dealer pointed that out), and the overall focus will also seem slower because the same travel now covers a smaller range, at least that's how they did it on the SLC. As for contrast/colors, when was your original EL made? Coatings do change, and one person's improvement isn't always another's.

 

[Paultricounty]

All excellent advice. I would a couple of thoughts. Buy the SFL and use them both together for a week or so under all different conditions. Then keep the one you like better and return the other. Or you could be like me when I purchase a binocular then buy another to compare it too, and wind up keeping them both.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Try the Zeiss Conquest HDX 8x42 and Nikon HG 8x42 before you make your final decision. They both have a closer focus than the new EL 8.5x42 at about 6 feet. The Zeiss and Nikon have a much faster focuser than the EL and the Nikon has a much bigger FOV at 8.3 degrees than either the EL or the SFL which has a puny 8.0 degree FOV. You get the most for your money at the $1000 price point because it is very competitive.

 

[matt green]

The interesting thing here is that you have previous experience with this EL, but this one isn't measuring up.

Hi, you make an interesting point

In truth I’ve lost count how many variations of the EL model I’ve owned over the years, I tend to chop and change regularly sometimes buying new or secondhand as and when I can afford them, being a sole trader and income being very erratic things come and go!

I would add that a couple of years ago i owned a used Leica 8x42 noctovid, these had amazing colours and contrast much more so than the swarovskis, almost like each objective had a circular polarising lens attached! I think ever since owning those I’ve been mindful of how the Swarovski colours seem a little washed out and almost too bright in comparison, to buy a new pair of these are a little out of budget though I was very tempted recently by a used pair which have now sold!

Matt

 

[hopster]

I would add that a couple of years ago i owned a used Leica 8x42 noctovid, these had amazing colours and contrast much more so than the swarovskis, almost like each objective had a circular polarising lens attached! I think ever since owning those I’ve been mindful of how the Swarovski colours seem a little washed out and almost too bright in comparison, to buy a new pair of these are a little out of budget though I was very tempted recently by a used pair which have now sold!

Matt

You'll struggle to find anything with those saturated and contrasty colours that the 8x NV provided for you. I know what you mean about a polarising filter.

 

[Patudo]

In truth I’ve lost count how many variations of the EL model I’ve owned over the years, I tend to chop and change regularly sometimes buying new or secondhand as and when I can afford them, being a sole trader and income being very erratic things come and go!

Each to his own, and it's your money; but in all honesty if my personal finances fluctuated to that extent, I'd not feel comfortable splurging on alpha class binoculars. I'd rather a Monarch or Conquest, or even an old porro "to have and to hold", that I could become fully familiar with, rather than having to buy and sell, and be constantly chopping and changing. But that's just me.

I like Matt's use of the term "buyers remorse." It is what happens for me often enough, when the shine of the new thing I just bought, eventually wears off. Relative to binoculars I dubbed this in an earlier post or 2, the NBE (New Bino Effect).

I have perhaps been fortunate in that - although there have been one or two purchases (Minolta 7x35 11° - ebay purchase) that I quite quickly realized I did not get along with, and soon moved on - I have changed my mind about the ones that gave me the most buyers' remorse at the time. I used to think the 12x50B Nobilem was too large and its field of view too narrow, but now find the extra magnification very helpful when scanning for targets at great distance. I thought immediately after handing over the cash for it that the Docter 10x50 was a bit ridiculous - large and heavy and clunky - but it really shines in difficult conditions (like the dingy grey overcast on Sunday), is very bright, has an excellent sweet spot and field of view almost equalling that of the SF. The Nikon 10x42 SE I didn't regret buying, but thought was fiddly; I always respected its qualities but have come to like it better now. For me the shine of those binoculars has not worn off, but has deepened with familiarity and time.

 

[Yarkho]

For me the shine of those binoculars has not worn off, but has deepened with familiarity and time.

Indeed. I do buy binoculars mostly after I had a chance to at least test them. For some, there are variations in samples; for others, the feel in hand is important. But it is the prolonged use, the familiarity and the satisfaction that it performs well that brings out joy sometimes unexpected. For example, when you are ready to give up on your birding session, but decide to give the horizon one last scan and you notice the purple heron you didn't see before.

Discussing "buyer's remorse", while we all acknowledge it exists at least every now and then, instead of selling the high-end binocular in question... is such a first-world problem, if you pardon my saying it out loud.