New Zeiss Victory SF !!!!!! (1 Viewer)

[brocknroller]

It was reported toward the end of last year in one of the threads that there would be a price increase on the SF in the US this January. Ultimately, it is good to know that is not the case. I noticed a couple of sites did increase for a few days but quickly returned to the original advertised pricing. One of the sites first mentioning an upcoming increase removed that comment.

The Optics for Birding web site currently shows the following comment:

We recently announced that on January 1, 2015 Zeiss would have a $350 price increase on the Victory SF binoculars. Zeiss has rescinded that announcement. The price will remain as is until further notice.

http://www.optics4birding.com/zeiss-victory-sf-8x42-binoculars.html

That sounds like good news to me. To paraphrase Ben Franklin, in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and price increases. So get'em now before the price goes up. Sorry Brock, but no three thousand dollar main stream alpha yet.

Oh, it won't be long now.

Here's the original copy I received in advance before it was edited:

We recently announced that on January 1, 2015 Zeiss would have a $350 price increase on the Victory SF binoculars. Zeiss has rescinded that announcement, partly because we realized we were gouging buyers enough already, but mainly because the rumor that Swaro was raising its EL prices by a similar amount was unfounded. Our insider, a janitor at Swaro, was having problems with his Chinese-made hearing aids. Apparently, he heard the German word "Anhörung" (hearing) and thought he had heard "erhöhen" (raise).

The price will remain as is until further notice or until Swaro raises its prices or unless the value of the Euro continues to experience wild swings.

ECB report sparks wild swings in euro’s value

 

[AndyRB]

Don't worry Andy! That reply was for me, not you!

Ahhhhh

My mistake and apologies all round. The posts seem to be getting mixed up with where they're being directed, or maybe it was just my long day at work combined with having to drive 68 miles there in the dark and then the same back again and so far I've been up for 17 hours. Maybe time to relax and watch TV - after I've finished my days' admin.......

 

[[email protected]]

At your service, Lee. :t:

If the SF eyecups are like the FL cups I'd say there's nothing at all wrong with them. The FL eyecups have a lot of friction but they hold intermediate positions very well. Others, including the SV, are silky smooth but I wouldn't count on them holding a position between the stops. Take your pick.

The SV color is as neutral as I've ever seen, not "boosted" so far as I can tell. My FL is a little dull and washed out in direct comparison, not really more "neutral" or accurate. What the SF is like I don't yet know, but if it leans toward the FL, then I'd probably take the SV. I hope to see the SF soon so take that for what it's worth.

The SF edges are, I'm sure, plenty good enough. If Zeiss backed off the SV formula to placate the crazy rollingballers so be it. Makes no nevermind to me, as long as the edges are good enough and better than an FL, which I'm sure they are.

Mark

I agree with everything you said. I had several FL's and the eyecups worked very well but I also think the SV holds position quite well also. Never had a problem in that respect with my SV. Also, you are right in that the FL is dull and washed out in comparison to the SV. Not to say that that is bad the Zeiss are just more neutral. I like Zeiss optics and on-axis they are excellent and ,as far as, RB you are probably exactly right in that they backed off edge sharpness for less RB which might be ok.

 

[[email protected]]

Says someone who has never seen an SF; about statements from those who have seen or own one. :-O

The statements Lee so kindly put together seem correct to me based on the two experiences I had view the 8X and 10X SF. I might differ slightly in degree as some of this is subjective. Sharpness to the edge is interesting. I have read that about some of the Swaro EL SV models, but I have never seen one that was sharp to the edge, just close. Same is true for me in regards to the SF.

We know from other members that there have been returned Zeiss 8x42 SF binoculars and other members have commented that it is not sharp edge to edge so at this point we are getting conflicting opinions. I don't think anybody is lying it is just different opinions. I believe the people when they say it is not sharp to the edge especially when they have an SV to compare it with. That may not be totally bad. It might help with the RB and the edges are probably sharp enough for most people. If the edges are sharper than the EII and it has almost the same FOV I would imagine the view is pretty impressive.

 

[Vespobuteo]

We know from other members that there have been returned Zeiss 8x42 SF binoculars and other members have commented that it is not sharp edge to edge so at this point we are getting conflicting opinions. I don't think anybody is lying it is just different opinions. the view is pretty impressive.

don't forget that you should compare the SV-edge with something in the middle of the SF-view….

 

[Vespobuteo]

Still no 10x SF in stock at my local store, so I have to wait to look at the SF,
since I really want to see both 8x and 10x.
:-C

(the 8x seems to be in stock in several stores here in Sweden)

The good news with the delay is that I don't have to eat my hat.

 

[BruceH]

We know from other members that there have been returned Zeiss 8x42 SF binoculars .................

I thought I had read all of the Zeiss SF posts, but I sure do not recall reading one where a buyer said they were returning it for a refund. Can you provide a link. If not, what were the specific details of the post(s).

The only mention of return that I recall was a member who was going to return one for repair (not refund) because he thought he had the wrong eye cups. After another member explained the workings of the eye cup, all was ok and no repair return was made.


As far as edge sharpness, I thought the Zeiss SF 10X had sharper edges than a 10X Nikon EDG that I compared. I did not have a Swaro SV EL 10X to compare side by side, but based on memory, I suspect they are close.

 

[Binastro]

Hi HighNorth,
Anything that survives 300 miles, hopefully not Norwegian miles, on a Postbus on northern Norway's roads must be tough.
I thought they would fly them in.
Enjoy the binocular when you get it.

 

[[email protected]]

Oh, it won't be long now.

Here's the original copy I received in advance before it was edited:

We recently announced that on January 1, 2015 Zeiss would have a $350 price increase on the Victory SF binoculars. Zeiss has rescinded that announcement, partly because we realized we were gouging buyers enough already, but mainly because the rumor that Swaro was raising its EL prices by a similar amount was unfounded. Our insider, a janitor at Swaro, was having problems with his Chinese-made hearing aids. Apparently, he heard the German word "Anhörung" (hearing) and thought he had heard "erhöhen" (raise).

The price will remain as is until further notice or until Swaro raises its prices or unless the value of the Euro continues to experience wild swings.

ECB report sparks wild swings in euro’s value

HaHa! Brock your humor is appreciated.

 

[[email protected]]

I thought I had read all of the Zeiss SF posts, but I sure do not recall reading one where a buyer said they were returning it for a refund. Can you provide a link. If not, what were the specific details of the post(s).

The only mention of return that I recall was a member who was going to return one for repair (not refund) because he thought he had the wrong eye cups. After another member explained the workings of the eye cup, all was ok and no repair return was made.


As far as edge sharpness, I thought the Zeiss SF 10X had sharper edges than a 10X Nikon EDG that I compared. I did not have a Swaro SV EL 10X to compare side by side, but based on memory, I suspect they are close.

It was post 2132. They said al 6 units were returned. Here it is.

"Has anyone had any problems with the SF focus.???


I was on my way to test the SF at my local supplier, but apparently they had to send all six of their units back due to focus problems.

Cheers Tim"

 

[[email protected]]

Ahhhhh

My mistake and apologies all round. The posts seem to be getting mixed up with where they're being directed, or maybe it was just my long day at work combined with having to drive 68 miles there in the dark and then the same back again and so far I've been up for 17 hours. Maybe time to relax and watch TV - after I've finished my days' admin.......

You commute 68 miles! How long does that take?

 

[[email protected]]

If the Zeiss had sharper edges than the EDG that is pretty sharp indeed. So from a RB standpoint they will be between the EDG and the SV.

 

[BruceH]

I thought I had read all of the Zeiss SF posts, but I sure do not recall reading one where a buyer said they were returning it for a refund. ...........

It was post 2132. They said al 6 units were returned. Here it is.

"Has anyone had any problems with the SF focus.???


I was on my way to test the SF at my local supplier, but apparently they had to send all six of their units back due to focus problems.

Cheers Tim"

I am aware of the second hand report were a vendor sent some back to Zeiss. The discussion is about if any customer (buyer) has returned a unit because they were not satisfied with it. As far I know, none have. This is counter to the gloom and doom tone of your posts. I still have not figured out why you are going to such efforts to besmirch a binocular that you have never seen and others have given good reports from first hand experience.

If the Zeiss had sharper edges than the EDG that is pretty sharp indeed. So from a RB standpoint they will be between the EDG and the SV.

I did not detect any rolling ball in the Zeiss SF 10X and only a very slight amount in the 8X. I also do not detect any rolling ball in the 10X Nikon EDG. The rolling ball in the 8X Zeiss SF was significantly less than what I see in the 8.5X42 Swaro EL SV and also slightly less than what I have seen in a Swaro 8X32 EL SV. Another person I was with did not detect any rolling ball in the Zeiss SF 8X.

 

[perterra]

I am aware of the second hand report were a vendor sent some back to Zeiss. The discussion is about if any customer (buyer) has returned a unit because they were not satisfied with it. As far I know, none have. This is counter to the gloom and doom tone of your posts. I still have not figured out why you are going to such efforts to besmirch a binocular that you have never seen and others have given good reports from first hand experience.

.

Pump and dump. Pumping the Swaro before a sale. He does it all the time.

 

[AndyRB]

You commute 68 miles! How long does that take?

Usually an hour and a half there by setting off early and avoiding traffic, but around two hours getting home depending on traffic. Thankfully only three days a week, as I can do desk work at home other days.

 

[Alexis Powell]

Well, let the famous Scandinavion vision free on Ruffled Feathers.:king::king:

Jan

I wish. I moved my post there, but now even that post has been censored! Even though entirely academic. Seems especially insidious since Birdforum provides no indication of editing when it is done by a censor. Only when editing is done by the original author is it indicated at the bottom of the post.

--AP

 

[Alexis Powell]

...Note the groves along the sides of the barrels of the SF where on the ELs the top and bottom bridges are connected by metal strips... ...Except for the inverted focuser, the SF really does look a lot like the ELs... The secret to innovative design...steal a little here, steal a little there...

It seems implausible to me that those curved lines around the open-hinge between the barrels, or the placement of the focus knob and design of its surrounding hinges, was motivated by an effort to reduce the bin's weight. It seems such a trivial savings. I think the design was motivated by the effort to make the bin look artful and stylish. In fact, there's something about the SF and the SV too for that matter, that reminds me of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. Were she alive today to weigh in on the issue, she might deny it, but I see a certain similarity to some of her flower paintings, such as her famous Black Iris III (1926).

--AP

 

[NDhunter]

It seems implausible to me that those curved lines around the open-hinge between the barrels, or the placement of the focus knob and design of its surrounding hinges, was motivated by an effort to reduce the bin's weight. It seems such a trivial savings. I think the design was motivated by the effort to make the bin look artful and stylish. In fact, there's something about the SF and the SV too for that matter, that reminds me of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. Were she alive today to weigh in on the issue, she might deny it, but I see a certain similarity to some of her flower paintings, such as her famous Black Iris III (1926).

--AP

Alexis:

Those lines may be a natural break in the armor. It is not seamless
all the way through, as that would make it impossible to replace without
a complete disassembly. I have not seen the other side however, so that
may lend a clue.

The Swarovision has a natural curve there also, and you can see how
the armor is attached.

Jerry

 

[Alexis Powell]

Alexis:

Those lines are may be a natural break in the armor. It is not seamless
all the way through, as that would make it impossible to replace without
a complete disassembly. I have not seen the other side however, so that
may lend a clue.

The Swarovision has a natural curve there also, and you can see how
the armor is attached.

Jerry

I don't disagree. The armor has to have a break in it somewhere so it can be applied to the bin, but the designers still have a lot of lee way in the design of that seam, its precise location, and the shape. You're right that the Swarovision looks very similar and seems to partake of the same aesthetic.

--AP

 

[PeterPS]

Weight balance

All commercials about the SF stress the fact that the weight balance has been shifted from the objective area to the ocular area. This indeed should be useful when the bins are held in a horizontal position, as hunters often hold them; but birders often times look at birds up in the trees and so my perhaps naive question: is this shift of weight useful in such cases where the bins are held almost vertically? It looks like they might have a tendency to push onto your ocular orbits.
Peter
(if this question was not raised before, then likely it's not an issue; on the other hand if it was raised then there must an answer to it somewhere in this thread, but Google could not handle its size....)