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Message: <blockquote data-quote="NDhunter" data-source="post: 3316264" data-attributes="member: 74573">Zeiss Victory SF 10x42I will also give my thoughts on the new Victory SF.  I have had one on trial for a couple of weeks and wanted to compare with some other 10X optics as well as the 8.5x42 EL SV.I am not a fanboy of any brand, as I have owned several Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss models.My first experience with flat field binoculars is with the Nikon SE porros and I hold them in high regard, I also have had the LX and LXL models, and the Nikon EDG 10x42 for 6 years.I have had the 8.5x42 EL SV for over 4 years, and the orig. EL before that.I like the open frame construction, I find that a very comfortableway to view.I want to discuss flat field optics in general, now that Zeiss has the SF, I wanted to try these out, and will comment on a few things.   Nikon has designed the EDG with a very nice sweet spot almost to the edge, without any distortions along the way.The SV, has a nice flat field view also, but I do notice the distortion waveout near the edges, the view is not as natural as the others.The SF, is different as it is more similar to the EDG, with the flat field withoutbeing too flat.I will not comment on any color bias or resolution, as I have not tested thoseissues and these binoculars are all very good, and so there are other thingsthat are just as important.As far as handling the SF is just as mentioned in many reviews, the nicewide open frame allows your hand to easily use them, and the focuseris very convenient, and very smooth.  I have used these with gloves, andthey have more room than the SV, and the focuser on the SF is superiorto my SV.  I find I will need to send it in for a service, as it does stick alittle bit, the comparison made that clear.  I find the larger diameter focuserof the EDG and SF easier to use than the smaller Swarovision.  That isone improvement Swaro. needs to work on.The Nikon handling is also good, and the focuser is very smooth.  Onething about both the SV and the EDG is that the eyecups are of metalconstruction, that seems better built than the SF plastic. The SF has only 1 detent from full out, the EDG and SV have morepositions, and I can get all 3 to work just right, as I do no wear glasses.The rearward balance of the SF is very good, as it makes them seem lighter.I do have the Swaro. 10x50 SLC Neu, and this has been my brightest 10Xbinocular, and the 10x50 easy view is very nice. What I have found when comparing to the SF 10x42, is that the widerFOV of this model helps it compare very favorably to the 10x50 SLC.And when testing the SF shows to be similar in brightness.And the SLC is over 40 oz. compared to the SF at 28.Just to summarize, Zeiss has a very nice binocular with the SF, andso when considering a new top end model, I would be sure to checkthis one before buying.  I am very impressed with the Zeiss SF. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />I have a picture of some models I compared with, starting with theZeiss Conquest HD 10x42.  I did this, just to show the size difference.Jerry</blockquote>

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