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

[temmie]

Can somebody who has his/her hands on the SF open a new thread as soon as he/she can share some user experiences? Thanks!

 

[Chosun Juan]

What is odd is that Zeiss announced in the press release back in
May, the body of the new Victory SF is made of metal.

The fiberglass construction from the retailers site is interesting.
Both sources say 780 grams, and so they maybe could not reach
that low of weight with metal.

Jerry

Jerry,

Zeiss did indeed say the body was made of metal, and seemed to go to some lengths to do so. Even manufacturer sites sometimes contain information errors, and Retailer sites even more so. I don't think we can infer too much from this one retail site, although they do seem to have gone to some lengths themselves in describing that body. I certainly don't think it would be impossible to achieve that weight with a magnesium construction - it's not that much below the Nikon EDG, and still more than the Zeiss FL.

The truth will either pan out to be metal as Zeiss has said, Fiberglass as BH has said, or maybe the chassis and body is a hybrid of the two. It would be nice if someone who has had hands on the bin, such as Jan could chime in. Even nicer if Zeiss themselves would clarify ......


Chosun :gh:

 

[MKinHK]

I have been wondering why there has not been more discussion of comparative weight among the alphas - the Ultravid HD are listed at 750g and made of magnesium - so is there any reason reason why the SFs shouldn't be metal too? My guess is a cock-up by the retailer.

Cheers
Mike

 

[Troubador]

Bird Fair is only a few days away folks so clarification will be sought on this question and much else.

In the meantime, patience!

Lee

 

[Sagittarius]

From an aesthetics point of view, the use of plastic in the SF body would be a deal killer for me. :-C
Especially, after Zeiss already announced they would be made of magnesium.
Yes, fiberglass is tough and lightweight but it's not what I want my $2,700.00 binocular to be made of !!! |<|
I have a feeling the information posted on the BH site is a mistake and hope that's the case.

 

[jan van daalen]

The SF has a magnesium body, as I am told by Zeiss reps when they showed me the models.

Jan

 

[Troubador]

VB

Have you been at the Absolut again ? :eek!:

Lee

 

[BruceH]

So, after 700+ posts, has anyone actually used the new Zeiss SF? The more I read from other sources the more interested I am.

Yes, I recall at least two members posting to this thread as having their hands on an SF.

Here is the first post from Jan Van Daalen ...

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3012790&postcount=337

Here is the first post from Chickadee Whisperer ....

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3025918&postcount=406

They each had follow-up comments in this thread which you can find by doing a user name thread search.

Troubabor will have his hands on an SF tomorrow.

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3037721&postcount=612

Zeiss will have the SF at the Bird Fair and the Tucson, AZ Nature Expo for examination this coming weekend.

 

[james holdsworth]

From an aesthetics point of view, the use of plastic in the SF body would be a deal killer for me. :-C
Especially, after Zeiss already announced they would be made of magnesium.
Yes, fiberglass is tough and lightweight but it's not what I want my $2,700.00 binocular to be made of !!! |<|
I have a feeling the information posted on the BH site is a mistake and hope that's the case.

Zeiss's best of the best [in their day], the Design Selection series, had a poly-type body and no one seemed to have cared much then.

I like the metal body of the HT but still really enjoy the texture and hand-feel of my FL.

 

[Ruger270]

...

 

[Waxwingz]

Fellows, At NDHunter's invitation....magnesium.

I will have an 8x and a 10 at the Tucson Adudubon Event this week.

Keep Well,

Rich

 

[NDhunter]

Fellows, At NDHunter's invitation....magnesium.

I will have an 8x and a 10 at the Tucson Adudubon Event this week.

Keep Well,

Rich

Rich:

Thanks, that clears that one up. Looks to be a good place to go
if some here are able to attend.

Jerry

 

[Chosun Juan]

From an aesthetics point of view, the use of plastic in the SF body would be a deal killer for me. :-C
Especially, after Zeiss already announced they would be made of magnesium.
Yes, fiberglass is tough and lightweight but it's not what I want my $2,700.00 binocular to be made of !!! |<|
I have a feeling the information posted on the BH site is a mistake and hope that's the case.

From a wallet point of view $2700 may be a deal killer too! |8.|

I understand the point that fiberglass /plastic is not commensurate with the exhorbitant price tag ...... but in a way that's the point too! :cat:

If a "carbon fiber reinforced plastic" chassis /body was made (with or without some form of magnesium, or titanium honeycomb /mesh reinforcing) that was lighter, stronger AND cheaper, then all the other goodies like hollow titanium shafts etc could be included, and still be brought in below Swarovski SLC cost, especially with a 'normal' fast focusing system.

I don't think you'll have to worry though - it looks like that BH info was just a retailer site error?

Hope that plenty of our Arizonite and nearby buddies can get to hands-on at Tuscon and give us a report back on their impressions and all the SF stuff we've been discussing to fill the void in the meantime ..... :t:



Chosun :gh:

 

[Chosun Juan]

And .....

... If a "carbon fiber reinforced plastic" chassis /body was made (with or without some form of magnesium, or titanium honeycomb /mesh reinforcing) that was lighter, stronger AND cheaper, then all the other goodies like hollow titanium shafts etc could be included, and still be brought in below Swarovski SLC cost, especially with a 'normal' fast focusing system ..... :t:

While the 780grams (27.5Oz) is nice, and welcome ..... a CFRP body and hollow Ti shafts etc could have seen a real step improvement to sub ~ 700grams ( <25Oz) ...... now that really would be welcome! :t:
:cat:



Chosun :gh:

 

[MKinHK]

Amen to that!

 

[Vespobuteo]

From a wallet point of view $2700 may be a deal killer too! |8.|

I understand the point that fiberglass /plastic is not commensurate with the exhorbitant price tag ...... but in a way that's the point too! :cat:

If a "carbon fiber reinforced plastic" chassis /body was made (with or without some form of magnesium, or titanium honeycomb /mesh reinforcing) that was lighter, stronger AND cheaper, then all the other goodies like hollow titanium shafts etc could be included, and still be brought in below Swarovski SLC cost, especially with a 'normal' fast focusing system.

I don't think you'll have to worry though - it looks like that BH info was just a retailer site error?

Hope that plenty of our Arizonite and nearby buddies can get to hands-on at Tuscon and give us a report back on their impressions and all the SF stuff we've been discussing to fill the void in the meantime ..... :t:



Chosun :gh:

Using "magnesium" (or magnesium alloy really) is probably the easiest way to go.
And not exotic in any way.

Carbon fiber/reinforced polymer would probably be more expensive due to more complicated manufacturing?

That said it would be very interesting to see a Victory FL sawed into pieces…
(not mine though..)

How much polymer is it in the construction and where is it?

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/attachments/1848824-Zeiss Victory FL spaccato 1.jpg

 

[Chosun Juan]

Using "magnesium" (or magnesium alloy really) is probably the easiest way to go.
And not exotic in any way.

Not really. No longer exotic, but it is a mature technology, the material has some advantages, but mostly it's just the huge amount of capital, resources and knowledge already invested in it.

Carbon fiber/reinforced polymer would probably be more expensive due to more complicated manufacturing?

No more complicated than chopping up some bacon to put in your omlette! :eat:
It really is quite easy AND cheap - the amounts of high modulus carbon fiber are comparitively small, and plastic is well .... cheaper than dirt ..... :cat:

How much polymer is it in the construction and where is it?
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/attachments/1848824-Zeiss Victory FL spaccato 1.jpg

Good question ...... where is that hacksaw again?! :eek!:


Chosun :gh:

 

[BruceH]

......

I will have an 8x and a 10 at the Tucson Adudubon Event this week.

Keep Well,

Rich

Hope to see you and the SF on Friday. Looks like it should be about 6 degrees (F) cooler than last year!

From a wallet point of view $2700 may be a deal killer too! |8.|
........................

Hope that plenty of our Arizonite and nearby buddies can get to hands-on at Tuscon and give us a report back on their impressions............ :t:

Chosun :gh:

Our Bird Fair members will have about a 7 hour head start on it and a much better viewing environment. If like last year, the Tucson expo is in a hotel conference room with no windows, but I do hope to get a general impression of the SF.

 

[ticl2184]

Sadly I hear no SF's are going be on sale at Birdfair. Only demo's for testing.

Sorry if someones already posted this.

See you all at the fair



Cheers Tim

 

[ticl2184]

Sadly I hear no SF's are going be on sale at Birdfair. Only demo's for testing.

Sorry if someones already posted this.

See you all at the fair



Cheers Tim