Looking for comparisons between 8x32 SF and 8x40 SFL. (1 Viewer)

[henry link]

I wasn't able to measure the resolution of the 8x40 SFL I tested, but I could see that the image was unusually clean when boosted to 24x indicating above average resolving power even by "alpha" standards. I also found the color transmission to be quite neutral and photographed the difference between it and the transmission of of a Conquest 8x42 here:

Zeiss 8x40 SFL: A Few Tests

I recently had the opportunity to do a few quick tests of a local dealer's newly arrived Zeiss 8x40 SFL. Here are the results. Distortion: I brought along my usual target of small circles to test for angular magnification distortion as well as a grid pattern I view backwards through the...

www.birdforum.net

 

[Paultricounty]

I wasn't able to measure the resolution of the 8x40 SFL I tested, but I could see that the image was unusually clean when boosted to 24x indicating above average resolving power even by "alpha" standards. I also found the color transmission to be quite neutral and photographed the difference between it and the transmission of of a Conquest 8x42 here:

Zeiss 8x40 SFL: A Few Tests

I recently had the opportunity to do a few quick tests of a local dealer's newly arrived Zeiss 8x40 SFL. Here are the results. Distortion: I brought along my usual target of small circles to test for angular magnification distortion as well as a grid pattern I view backwards through the...

www.birdforum.net

Henry I have a question, why is it sometimes better when binoculars have a more neutral color perception and other times it’s better when they have a less neutral color perception? So an Ultravid which has more color is better than an Noctivid because the Nocs are more neutral (Tobias), but a Zeiss SF is better than an EL because its not as neutral? But an SFL is better than an SF because it’s more neutral in color, did I get that right 🤔.

 

[GrampaTom]

did I get that right 🤔.

Yes you did.

Harry Belafonte from "Man Piaba"

"It was clear as mud but it covered the ground
And the confusion made the brain go 'round
I went and ask a good friend of mine
Known to the world as Albert Einstein.

He said, "Son, from the beginning of time and creativity"
There existed the force of relativity
Pi r square and a minus ten is a rooted only when
Hey, the solar system in one light year
Make the Hayden planetarium disappear
So if Mount Everest doesn't move
I am positive that it will prove"

 

[Troubador]

Henry I have a question, why is it sometimes better when binoculars have a more neutral color perception and other times it’s better when they have a less neutral color perception? So an Ultravid which has more color is better than an Noctivid because the Nocs are more neutral (Tobias), but a Zeiss SF is better than an EL because its not as neutral? But an SFL is better than an SF because it’s more neutral in color, did I get that right 🤔.

LOL, now explain what 'better' means.............

Lee

 

[Paultricounty]

LOL, now explain what 'better' means.............

Lee

I’m going to ask Tobias and report back 😂

Happy New Year.

Paul

 

[Troubador]

I’m going to ask Tobias and report back 😂

Happy New Year.

Paul

Happy New Year to you too, and everyone who visits Birdforum.

Lee

 

[henry link]

Henry I have a question, why is it sometimes better when binoculars have a more neutral color perception and other times it’s better when they have a less neutral color perception? So an Ultravid which has more color is better than an Noctivid because the Nocs are more neutral (Tobias), but a Zeiss SF is better than an EL because its not as neutral? But an SFL is better than an SF because it’s more neutral in color, did I get that right 🤔.

Neutral color transmission (not perception, which binoculars don't have) is IMO always better than biased color transmission. Why wouldn't we always want to see the same colors through our binoculars that we see without them? A color bias in a binocular's transmission of any sort is a distortion whether it's attractive or unattractive to the observer. Of course, if the choice comes down to two equally biased binoculars, one bleak and frosty like in the photoshopped Zeiss ad and one golden hour/ honey warm, then like everyone else I'll take the warm sweet one.

 

[b-lilja]

The search function works well here: Yet another review of the 8x40 SFL
Here's my review that includes comparisons to other bins including the SF.

I prefer the SFL based on greater light gathering vs the 8x32 SF, truer colors, and a non-detented diopter. The SF does have more optical bling and pop however. The more I use the SFL, the more I like it. As I've said elsewhere, it is my favorite all around bin, bar none - and I mean none.

 

[Paultricounty]

I wasn't able to measure the resolution of the 8x40 SFL I tested, but I could see that the image was unusually clean when boosted to 24x indicating above average resolving power even by "alpha" standards. I also found the color transmission to be quite neutral and photographed the difference between it and the transmission of of a Conquest 8x42 here:

Zeiss 8x40 SFL: A Few Tests

I recently had the opportunity to do a few quick tests of a local dealer's newly arrived Zeiss 8x40 SFL. Here are the results. Distortion: I brought along my usual target of small circles to test for angular magnification distortion as well as a grid pattern I view backwards through the...

www.birdforum.net

Henry do you allow PM? I tried to PM you.

Paul

 

[Zedster]

The search function works well here: Yet another review of the 8x40 SFL
Here's my review that includes comparisons to other bins including the SF.

I prefer the SFL based on greater light gathering vs the 8x32 SF, truer colors, and a non-detented diopter. The SF does have more optical bling and pop however. The more I use the SFL, the more I like it. As I've said elsewhere, it is my favorite all around bin, bar none - and I mean none.

thanks for that comparison

 

[ariban]

I have handled the 8x32 SF ( my colleague’s and it is with me as I type) and the 10x40 SFL.
Two very nice binoculars. The SF has a better focuser, better control of CA and better ergonomics. The SFL is one fine lightweight bin in its own right. I did not notice any colour cast. I do notice a faint blue ring at the bottom of the field stop of the SF.

From a practical birding perspective the SFL will do well. Very well. The SF has a better dioptre adjustment , but the SFL dioptre adjustment system is something that has been tried and tested and found to work. Why complain?
The SFL is less expensive. It still lives up to the Zeiss name.
The question is how does it compare to the Swarovski CL Companion B 😂

 

[GrampaTom]

The question is how does it compare to the Swarovski CL Companion B 😂

a 30 vs a 40?

Why not as well an NL 832. If we're going to compare to SF 832.......

 

[ariban]

a 30 vs a 40?

Why not as well an NL 832. If we're going to compare to SF 832.......

So the NL is far more expensive, as is the EL.
The SFL is being touted a s lightweight and small. That is in the CLB league. And their price points are similar.

 

[GrampaTom]

So the NL is far more expensive, as is the EL.
The SFL is being touted a s lightweight and small. That is in the CLB league. And their price points are similar.

Whats $ got to do with it? This is BF. Kidding.

The SFL compares favorably with the SF32 and NL32 size and weight wise... Plus its a 40 and a bit less expensive than those two.

Its Ok that you want to see CL vs SFL. Just not how I think of these. FYI Ive already reported twice here NL32 vs SFL....

 

[pm42]

The SFL is being touted a s lightweight and small. That is in the CLB league. And their price points are similar.

Lightweight and small for a 40mm. We compare it to the NL 8x32 and SF 8x32 because they are big for 32mm and top of their class optically.
We do not compare the SFL with the Ultravid 8x32 for instance.

So going down to the CLB is indeed strange. Especially because the SFL 8x30 should appear on the market this year.

 

[Zedster]

I have handled the 8x32 SF ( my colleague’s and it is with me as I type) and the 10x40 SFL.
Two very nice binoculars. The SF has a better focuser, better control of CA and better ergonomics. The SFL is one fine lightweight bin in its own right. I did not notice any colour cast. I do notice a faint blue ring at the bottom of the field stop of the SF.

From a practical birding perspective the SFL will do well. Very well. The SF has a better dioptre adjustment , but the SFL dioptre adjustment system is something that has been tried and tested and found to work. Why complain?
The SFL is less expensive. It still lives up to the Zeiss name.
The question is how does it compare to the Swarovski CL Companion B 😂

The problem with the CL is the abysmal close focus. OK, maybe I'm being too harsh but 10' is nearly as bad as my old SLC Mark IIs. This is one of the primary reasons I am looking to get new bins.

 

[Maljunulo]

One would think that a large part of the population here spends an inordinate amount of time looking at its own feet.

 

[Zedster]

One would think that a large part of the population here spends an inordinate amount of time looking at its own feet.

Or birds in riparian habitats. My SLC have let me down multiple times

 

[Robert Moore]

Close focus is important to me and one of the reasons I don’t get along to well with the ultravid and SLC.

 

[ariban]

The problem with the CL is the abysmal close focus. OK, maybe I'm being too harsh but 10' is nearly as bad as my old SLC Mark IIs. This is one of the primary reasons I am looking to get new bins.

In that case the new Z SFL8x30/ 10x30 should suit you.