I never met a 7x I liked until I met the Zeiss FL 7x42. (1 Viewer)

[Dennis Mau]

I have tried about every 7x42 including the EDG, Trinovid BN, and UVHD+, but I never liked them much because their 8 degree FOV was too small. I know, I know you can hold 7x steadier, they have better DOF, they are brighter and they have easier eye placement. A big easy relaxed view, but the view for me has always been too narrow until I tried the Zeiss FL 7x42. It has all the advantages of a 7x42 BUT finally has a nice big 8.6 degree FOV. Why can't any of the other manufacturers make one like this, including Swarovski?

The Zeiss FL 7x42 is very light with it's glass-reinforced composite body that is warm in the winter and comfortable to hold, and the optics are exceptional. I believe the transmission is about 93 to 94% with the AK prisms because it seems almost as bright as the Habicht 7x42 porro except without the very narrow 6.5 degree FOV and too tight focuser. This is one fantastic low light binocular. You can see why the FL is ranked near the top of all binoculars for CA control because CA is almost non-existent in the center and on the edge, probably due to its high content fluoride lenses. Glare is almost non-existent in these also, unlike some of the other highly touted newer SWA alphas from Absam.

The focuser is butter smooth on the one I purchased off of eBay, and the eye cups work very well and lock into position without moving. The IPD tension is about perfect and the diopter setting is under the focuser like a lot of higher end alpha binoculars. It is without a doubt the first 7x42 binocular to wow me, and it makes me wonder why the 7x42 format has pretty much vanished in the marketplace. It makes me want to try the Nikon WX 7x50 to really see what a 7x can do in the right binocular. I really feel like the manufacturers are missing the boat, not producing a good SWA 7x42 binocular anymore.

 

[Rg548]

I really feel like the manufacturers are missing the boat

They won't sell.
To the un-informed, magnification is EVERYTHING in binoculars.
You have to be fully into optics, which takes some time, to understand the virtues of lower magnifications. And there's not enough of us optics nerds to warrant the investment in 7's.... which is why they don't make 'em.
The vast majority of folk buying optics don'y even try them out, they just hit the 'BUY' button.
Most people don't even know about dioptre adjustments, let alone eye relief!!
And 10x sounds so much better than 7x💁‍♂️

 

[Rg548]

and the optics are exceptional

You normally moan about FL's being to soft towards the edges!
Are these sharp to the edge??

 

[quincy88]

Thanks for the write up and photo Denco.
The FLs are really cool. It is also a shame that Zeiss themselves don't make 7s anymore.
I don't find the additional FOV over the UVs to be all that noticeable, but I also don't find 8.0 degrees restrictive. Maybe the 8.6 degrees feels a little roomier, but it's not a big deal for me.
Otherwise, I could say all of the same things about the FLs. The brightness is really crazy; they're the brightest binoculars I have used and it is immediately noticeable. I really like the composite; I didn't think I would, but it's nice. Great ergonomics and build quality.
They are a real gem. The FLs are binoculars that make me say "they don't make them the way that they used to." That's not to discount the more modern options, there are some extremely good binoculars on the market today, but the FLs are classic.
I'd love to try some other configurations. I'm pretty sure that the 7s are the only binoculars that I have used in the FL line. The 32s also look pretty cool.
Did they ever make 50s or 56s? Those would be so bright they would burn your eyes out.

 

[Ignatius]

There were no 50s but they did make 8x56 and 10x56. The 7x42 is the only I have (ever tried). I thought about the 8x32 for a bit, but decided to be happy with my SFL 8x40. When it came to a 10x56 I went for the Conquest HD without attempting to source a FL for comparison. No regrets with that choice either.

 

[quincy88]

There were no 50s but they did make 8x56 and 10x56. The 7x42 is the only I have (ever tried). I thought about the 8x32 for a bit, but decided to be happy with my SFL 8x40. When it came to a 10x56 I went for the Conquest HD without attempting to source a FL for comparison. No regrets with that choice either.

Oh cool. I could have googled that, but I like it when the community responds. So thanks for the info Ignatius. Are you Ignatius Reilly?
I've done the same with the FL 32s - checked them out and thought about it, but went in a different direction. One of these days I'll get a pair. I don't use 32s much, so it may be a while.
The 56 Conquests are also very nice. Good choice. I don't believe I have ever tried the 10x56s, but I owned the 15s briefly. Great binoculars.
How are you liking your SFLs? Have you been able to compare your SFL 8s to a pair of FL 7s? That would be a fun comparison to do.

 

[Boogieshrew]

The brightness is really crazy; they're the brightest binoculars I have used and it is immediately noticeable.

Before I owned some I tried a pair at Cleyspy. The chap showing me them told me that some people had returned them because they are too bright for them.
Now I own a pair I only use them on winter days. They are too bright for summer sunshine.

The brightest I've seen but I've never got into 50s or 56s.

 

[alan kennedy]

Thanks for the write up and photo Denco.
The FLs are really cool. It is also a shame that Zeiss themselves don't make 7s anymore.
I don't find the additional FOV over the UVs to be all that noticeable, but I also don't find 8.0 degrees restrictive. Maybe the 8.6 degrees feels a little roomier, but it's not a big deal for me.
Otherwise, I could say all of the same things about the FLs. The brightness is really crazy; they're the brightest binoculars I have used and it is immediately noticeable. I really like the composite; I didn't think I would, but it's nice. Great ergonomics and build quality.
They are a real gem. The FLs are binoculars that make me say "they don't make them the way that they used to." That's not to discount the more modern options, there are some extremely good binoculars on the market today, but the FLs are classic.
I'd love to try some other configurations. I'm pretty sure that the 7s are the only binoculars that I have used in the FL line. The 32s also look pretty cool.
Did they ever make 50s or 56s? Those would be so bright they would burn your eyes out.

Another thumbs up for composite. The armour on all my HT, SF and SFL has lifted/blistered. Not that this affects performance but is a bit disappointing. No such problems with my FLs😊

 

[quincy88]

Another thumbs up for composite. The armour on all my HT, SF and SFL has lifted/blistered. Not that this affects performance but is a bit disappointing. No such problems with my FLs😊

Oh my gosh. Even your SFLs? Those must be pretty new still... Bummer
It's cool over here on the Zeiss forum. I'm such a Leica guy, and Swarovski is so dominant, I kind of forgot that there must be Zeiss enthusiasts too. That sounds like a cool collection you have, other than the armor issues of course.
What configurations? Are your FLs 7s?

 

[alan kennedy]

Oh my gosh. Even your SFLs? Those must be pretty new still... Bummer
It's cool over here on the Zeiss forum. I'm such a Leica guy, and Swarovski is so dominant, I kind of forgot that there must be Zeiss enthusiasts too. That sounds like a cool collection you have, other than the armor issues of course.
What configurations? Are your FLs 7s?

7x42 and 8x32. I used to have 8x42 but traded them for the same model in HT. With hindsight, probably a mistake, since the uplift in price wasn't worth it in terms of optical improvements and the HT is heavier then the FL.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Another thumbs up for composite. The armour on all my HT, SF and SFL has lifted/blistered. Not that this affects performance but is a bit disappointing. No such problems with my FLs😊

Honestly, there must be something unusual in your use, if all those bin’s armor is failing.

 

[alan kennedy]

Honestly, there must be something unusual in your use, if all those bin’s armor is failing.

Hard to say for sure but I wouldn't have thought so. They've all had a lot of use in the UK and abroad. It takes a while for it to start to move. Since getting the SFL in January last year it's been my main optic and I've only started to notice the movement in the last few weeks. As noted above, it's not a show stopper for me, just a bit annoying aesthetically. Tbh, I'm pretty relaxed about it. I just thought it might be useful for others to know.

 

[Dennis Mau]

You normally moan about FL's being to soft towards the edges!
Are these sharp to the edge??

Surprisingly, they are pretty sharp to the edge. They are sharper at the edge than my Nikon HG 8x42, and that is part of the wow factor along with the brightness. The AFOV seems bigger than 60 degrees for some reason. It could be that the large 8.6 degree FOV just compensates for it in some way. They almost wow me as much as an NL, except they don't have veiling glare.

 

[Rg548]

Surprisingly, they are pretty sharp to the edge. They are sharper at the edge than my Nikon HG 8x42, and that is part of the wow factor along with the brightness. They almost wow me as much as an NL, except they don't have veiling glare.

I've heard great things about them, but never had the pleasure of a look through
FL's are a real classic, one of Zeiss best IMO

 

[Dennis Mau]

They won't sell.
To the un-informed, magnification is EVERYTHING in binoculars.
You have to be fully into optics, which takes some time, to understand the virtues of lower magnifications. And there's not enough of us optics nerds to warrant the investment in 7's.... which is why they don't make 'em.
The vast majority of folk buying optics don'y even try them out, they just hit the 'BUY' button.
Most people don't even know about dioptre adjustments, let alone eye relief!!
And 10x sounds so much better than 7x💁‍♂️

10x has its place in big open country, but 7x is also wonderful for close fast birding in forested areas.

There used to be a lot more 7x binoculars years ago, and It makes me wonder if the older birders were more informed and bought more of them, realizing their advantages.

The Zeiss Dialyt 7x42 was very popular years ago, as were the Leica BN 7x42's. I don't think the new binocular buyer realizes the advantages of lower magnification.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Thanks for the write up and photo Denco.
The FLs are really cool. It is also a shame that Zeiss themselves don't make 7s anymore.
I don't find the additional FOV over the UVs to be all that noticeable, but I also don't find 8.0 degrees restrictive. Maybe the 8.6 degrees feels a little roomier, but it's not a big deal for me.
Otherwise, I could say all of the same things about the FLs. The brightness is really crazy; they're the brightest binoculars I have used and it is immediately noticeable. I really like the composite; I didn't think I would, but it's nice. Great ergonomics and build quality.
They are a real gem. The FLs are binoculars that make me say "they don't make them the way that they used to." That's not to discount the more modern options, there are some extremely good binoculars on the market today, but the FLs are classic.
I'd love to try some other configurations. I'm pretty sure that the 7s are the only binoculars that I have used in the FL line. The 32s also look pretty cool.
Did they ever make 50s or 56s? Those would be so bright they would burn your eyes out.

I also really like the composite. It is so comfortable to hold, and it is even warmer on a cool summer morning when observing waterfowl. I have tried most of the FL's, and they are all great binoculars, but I think the FL 7x42 is my favorite.

You're correct that they are very bright, and it must be partly due to the high transmission, big EP and the AK prism in the 7x 42.

Zeiss does make an FL 10x56 and 8x56, and they are famous for their low light performance, glare resistance and lack of aberrations in the daytime. The FL 8x56 is Henry Link's favorite binocular because of those reasons, and we all know he knows his binoculars!

 

[Dennis Mau]

There were no 50s but they did make 8x56 and 10x56. The 7x42 is the only I have (ever tried). I thought about the 8x32 for a bit, but decided to be happy with my SFL 8x40. When it came to a 10x56 I went for the Conquest HD without attempting to source a FL for comparison. No regrets with that choice either.

The Conquest HD 10x56 is a very good big eye binocular. I have compared it to the FL 10x56 and the FL is only slightly better and probably not worth the difference in price, and besides they are hard to find.

The biggest difference between the FL 10x56 and the Conquest HD 10x56 is the FL controls CA a little better because of it's higher fluoride content glass.

Your SFL 8x40 will outperform the little FL 8x32 in low light, but I think the FL 8x32 has a little more rugged build quality, so it depends on how you use your binoculars. The SFL is certainly the more modern binocular.

Binoculars rankings - 8x56 - AllBinos.com

The best binocular tests on the net. The comprehensive database of binoculars with their parameters and users opinions. Interesting articles and comparisons.

www.allbinos.com

 

[Ignatius]

... Are you Ignatius Reilly?

No, I am not although at times I am quite happy to be a dunce (in the eyes of others). I'm Ignatius Wrobel.

...
How are you liking your SFLs? Have you been able to compare your SFL 8s to a pair of FL 7s? That would be a fun comparison to do.

I really like them. I have not compared my SFL 8x40 to my FL 7x42 as such. They are both excellent and get used in different contexts. The SFLs are my travel binos, the FLs get to go in the forest/fields when I'm out and about with the hound.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Before I owned some I tried a pair at Cleyspy. The chap showing me them told me that some people had returned them because they are too bright for them.
Now I own a pair I only use them on winter days. They are too bright for summer sunshine.

The brightest I've seen but I've never got into 50s or 56s.

They are the brightest I have seen also outside of maybe a Habicht! Especially the Habicht 7x42. With it's 96% transmission, it is a BRIGHT binocular!

 

[Dennis Mau]

Another thumbs up for composite. The armour on all my HT, SF and SFL has lifted/blistered. Not that this affects performance but is a bit disappointing. No such problems with my FLs😊

You see OLDER FL's and the composite armor looks like new. It is not even worn! Zeiss should have stayed with the composite, despite people thinking it was cheap compared to magnesium. The composite in reality is stronger and more durable than magnesium with rubber on it. It will never lift off or crack like rubber will.