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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Theo98" data-source="post: 3316140" data-attributes="member: 132099">My Direct Observations!I've been searching the past 4 months, awaiting a Zeiss dealership to obtain the SF 10x42. Finally found an optical specialty retailer within an hour drive who had the 10x42 SF's in stock. I brought my EL 10x50 SV's (his were sold-out) to compare and although not actual apples to apples, these are the Best offered by these top tier optical manufactures! Was able to glass in clear bright mid day conditions (not optimum, but what was available), but clearly able to focus on dark shadow areas and very high contrast FOVs.Ergonomics - As mentioned here and with many other reviewers, the 10x42 SF's trump the 10x50 SV's in less weight and a more reward balance that feels great in the hands...Excellent ergonomic performance overall! Barrel textures are smooth but grippy and I personally enjoyed the more forward setting of the smooth, large and precise focus control of the SF...very nice. Yes, this physical design allows me to easily hand hold the SF 10x image. But, I was surprised that my SV, along with its' added body heft, installed ocular and objective caps and full neck strap additional weights (at least +16 ounces total over bare SF) was Also as stable with its 10x image! Guess I'm use to handling the 10x50 SV ergonomics and within the 2 hours of comparative glassing, didn't really feel an advantage for me with the lighter SF (a full day of birding might change that opinion...<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />). I'm sure as a first timer, I'd take note of the extra robust nature of the SV, but could easily prefer the finest feel and handling of the SF! Optically - SF=Very Nice! Extremely clear FOV! *I immediately noticed a relaxed and easy on the eyes FOV that presents the BEST I've ever looked through in any 42mm Zeiss (conquest or HT)! I didn't think the +15ft FOV would make a difference, but in general relaxed glassing, I did sense a somewhat more lateral open presentation with the SF. When I looked hard at the peripheral edges, the SV had the edge in sharpness, with the SF giving me a somewhat slight kidney beaning effect, but it is still excellent. *The SF color bias, to my eyes, were ever so slightly hinting on the cool side, with a blue \ green emphasis...something I noted before with the Victory HT's. Shadow resolution was as good as the 50mm SV, hinting at excellent coatings and great spectrum balance for lower light transmission. Overall, I still see an absolute neutral color balance in the SV, with as accurate color optical renditions as I've ever experienced in comparison to my direct eyesight.*DOF are excellent in both. However, at a 100m sharp focal point, I did notice a deeper foreground\background in-focus FOV with the SV that seemed to enhance the overall immersive and impressive 10X scene. The SF is Superb in this regard, but I seemed to get lost easier with the SV, sort of a slightly better stereopsis...as if the 10X powered image was like looking through a panorama picture window, an "if you were there" effect! The difference wasn't much, but to my eyes, just a slightly better relaxing view of the SV.*CA and Flare are both Well Controlled. I believe the differences might be due to the larger 50mm aperture, but the SF seemed to present better, but very slight, flare control. The SV appears ever so slightly brighter, but certainly not washed out and with the larger EP, definitely contributes to my experience as a superb low light optical instrument. I seem to be insensitive to CA and couldn't induce any on a center focus or edge FOV scenes, even in an open-to-dense forest foreground against an extremely bright blue sky background.*Resolution and Sharpness are Both Superb and Stunning. IF you had my arm behind my back real hard, I might have to state the SV (due to its bigger objectives) was Slightly sharper under certain challenging high contrast situations. I feel Any differences here would never be noticeable without side-by-side viewing   *RB as reported by some users, was non-existent in this SF. I can still see it ever so slightly in my SV, but the more I use it, the less of an effect it appears to have on my glassing enjoyment!Considering the same budget I had and basic knowledge I've obtained, I could easily see myself choosing the SF 10x42's over the SV and being perfectly content. As per Peter above, I might just be verbalizing a confirmation bias for what I already own and use. Thus, as per my real world usages, experiences and exposures to many great optics over the past year (roofs and porros alike), I'll just keep an eye out for maybe a future SF 10x50. Now That could make overall top Alpha glass choices Real Interesting! As Always, YMMV  :t:Ted</blockquote>

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