So, having had good binoculars for 30 years or so, I decided to get some new alpha glass and finally treat myself to the best.
I've had, Trinovids, Ultravids, Swaros, and nikon over the years, but never owned Zeiss. The Ultravids and Swaros were both pocket bins.
I also recently purchased Swaro 8x25 CL as my pocket set, very impressive!
Anyway, off to Ace optics to look at my favourites, mainly the Ultravid 8x42HD+, and also some EL's as I've always loved them, whenever I looked through them.
Now.... they also had some lovely second hand stuff, but me having a touch of OCD, and being a particular sort of chap, I have never entertained the idea of second hand.
They showed me what can only be described as MINT, AS NEW condition Zeiss 8x56 T*FL which I immediately thought.... 'way too big!!'
Unfortunately I looked through them, and as many on here have said, had that WOW moment.
I put them back, but kept going back to them. Long story short, I bought them, over anything else, after a little bit of haggling!!
The only slight issue for me was the slightly dirty case, a used strap, and one tiny mark on the eyepiece plastic rainguard.
Using the saving I had negotiated, I sourced from Zeiss, a new rainguard, new case and the upgraded detachable cushioned strap. Lovely!
I then sent them to East Coast Optics, for an alignment check, and service.
What I now own is an 'as new' pair of 8x56 bins, and they really are perfect.
But what do I think....
Firstly the size. This has become a complete non issue after a few weeks use, I am totally used to the size now, and don't consider them 'way too big' as in the shop.
The weight has had a dramatic effect on stability, and being 8x, has meant the steadiest image I have ever achieved using bins. I've never experienced large bins before.
The build quality is astonishing, objective covers that squeeze the air out, and stay put, yet flip off in an instant when needed. The general feel of these is utter quality. I feel Zeiss built these with no expense spared, and I am aware how pricey they were even 10 years ago.
The view, with 7mm exits is just a breeze, and whilst being over 50, my eyes probably won't match that, it makes for an incredibly easy, bright experience.
The centre field, probably 70% or so is the best I have ever seen, and although the edges aren't particularly sharp, this is something that has never bothered me, I always centre bins on my target. It's also why I am able to put Ultravid HD+'s up there as one of my all time favourites. Flat field and edge sharpness are not top of my requirements.
Evening use, right past dusk is a revelation, as is looking to the sky on a clear night with these 8x56's.
There is Zero CA even looking for it, I guess due to the AK Prisms. And they are just so bright, sparkling almost.
In short, I am astonished at the view these 10yr old design binoculars produce, and I am starting to see why they get the praise they do. As one guy on here said, he considers them to be the High Water mark of Zeiss design and couldn't bear to part with them, and another reviewer said they were the only bins to hit all of his criteria for optical performance.
I am starting to see why.
My ONLY issue is that my wife will never use them at 1200g, she looked through them, had the WOW moment, gave them back and has not touched them since!!
This weight had me thinking of selling, but I simply wouldn't know what to buy, and I won't find another pair in this condition. I also can no longer justify the Ultravid HD+ bins I always wanted, and still do lol!!
My viewing is mainly across the fields from my house, so I will up the gym work, and live with it.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts on these 'old' bins.
I would also like to mention, that the service given by East Coast Optics was superb, and more to the point, even though these were 2nd hand, it was all covered by ZEISS, including the postage. Astonishing warranty, and customer service. Thank you ZEISS. It has Instilled confidence in a new Zeiss customer!!
They occasionally seem to get bad press on here, so I thought it worth mentioning.
Best regards
I've had, Trinovids, Ultravids, Swaros, and nikon over the years, but never owned Zeiss. The Ultravids and Swaros were both pocket bins.
I also recently purchased Swaro 8x25 CL as my pocket set, very impressive!
Anyway, off to Ace optics to look at my favourites, mainly the Ultravid 8x42HD+, and also some EL's as I've always loved them, whenever I looked through them.
Now.... they also had some lovely second hand stuff, but me having a touch of OCD, and being a particular sort of chap, I have never entertained the idea of second hand.
They showed me what can only be described as MINT, AS NEW condition Zeiss 8x56 T*FL which I immediately thought.... 'way too big!!'
Unfortunately I looked through them, and as many on here have said, had that WOW moment.
I put them back, but kept going back to them. Long story short, I bought them, over anything else, after a little bit of haggling!!
The only slight issue for me was the slightly dirty case, a used strap, and one tiny mark on the eyepiece plastic rainguard.
Using the saving I had negotiated, I sourced from Zeiss, a new rainguard, new case and the upgraded detachable cushioned strap. Lovely!
I then sent them to East Coast Optics, for an alignment check, and service.
What I now own is an 'as new' pair of 8x56 bins, and they really are perfect.
But what do I think....
Firstly the size. This has become a complete non issue after a few weeks use, I am totally used to the size now, and don't consider them 'way too big' as in the shop.
The weight has had a dramatic effect on stability, and being 8x, has meant the steadiest image I have ever achieved using bins. I've never experienced large bins before.
The build quality is astonishing, objective covers that squeeze the air out, and stay put, yet flip off in an instant when needed. The general feel of these is utter quality. I feel Zeiss built these with no expense spared, and I am aware how pricey they were even 10 years ago.
The view, with 7mm exits is just a breeze, and whilst being over 50, my eyes probably won't match that, it makes for an incredibly easy, bright experience.
The centre field, probably 70% or so is the best I have ever seen, and although the edges aren't particularly sharp, this is something that has never bothered me, I always centre bins on my target. It's also why I am able to put Ultravid HD+'s up there as one of my all time favourites. Flat field and edge sharpness are not top of my requirements.
Evening use, right past dusk is a revelation, as is looking to the sky on a clear night with these 8x56's.
There is Zero CA even looking for it, I guess due to the AK Prisms. And they are just so bright, sparkling almost.
In short, I am astonished at the view these 10yr old design binoculars produce, and I am starting to see why they get the praise they do. As one guy on here said, he considers them to be the High Water mark of Zeiss design and couldn't bear to part with them, and another reviewer said they were the only bins to hit all of his criteria for optical performance.
I am starting to see why.
My ONLY issue is that my wife will never use them at 1200g, she looked through them, had the WOW moment, gave them back and has not touched them since!!
This weight had me thinking of selling, but I simply wouldn't know what to buy, and I won't find another pair in this condition. I also can no longer justify the Ultravid HD+ bins I always wanted, and still do lol!!
My viewing is mainly across the fields from my house, so I will up the gym work, and live with it.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts on these 'old' bins.
I would also like to mention, that the service given by East Coast Optics was superb, and more to the point, even though these were 2nd hand, it was all covered by ZEISS, including the postage. Astonishing warranty, and customer service. Thank you ZEISS. It has Instilled confidence in a new Zeiss customer!!
They occasionally seem to get bad press on here, so I thought it worth mentioning.
Best regards
. They tested thirteen 8x50 and 8x56 binoculars and rated them as recommended, well recommended, particularly recommended and in the sole case of the 8x56 T*FL as exceptionally well recommended.
