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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Review: Zeiss Victory SF 10x32 (1 Viewer)

Troubador

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Introduction
Well it’s a few months since I reviewed SF 8x32 so it is about time I had a look at the 10x32, and one has been obtained on loan for a few weeks. SF 32 has been around for a while now, but I sense that it is not widely understood how much of a development from SF 42 that it represents.

In my interview with Thomas Steinich of Zeiss ( https://www.birdforum.net/threads/interview-with-zeiss-senior-optical-scientist.394994/ ) you can find hints at how developing a 32mm unit is not as simple as making the lenses a little smaller in diameter. If you look at the images of the internals of SF 32 on the Zeiss website, and of sectioned SF 42s on the internet, you would be struck by the following differences. SF 42 has an eyepiece consisting of 3 doublets and a singlet, whereas SF 32 appears to have 5 doublets and 1 singlet. At the objective, SF 42 has a fixed doublet and a moving singlet focusing lens, but SF 32 has a fixed singlet objective and a doublet focuser. In other words SF 32 is significantly different from the 42. The 10x32 has a field of view 8.3% wider than the 10x42 (yielding an area of view 17.4% bigger) and eye relief has increased from 18mm to 19mm. It is not easy to pull off both of these at the same time, so I guess that explains some of the complexity of the eyepiece.

The 10x32 format is the least popular of the 32s and 42s, and usually this is explained by reference to the small exit pupil of 3.2mm. Certainly, for years I didn’t bother trying out 10x32s but when I reviewed a MeoStar and an Opticron Traveller I was surprised at how friendly and usable I found them. I wear spectacles, and without the help of eye-sockets to guide the eyecups into alignment with my eyes, you might have thought I would find this difficult, due to the eyecups failing to arrive on my spectacles at precisely the right position, and then skidding on the glass even further out of position, but this never happened. I am not saying that everyone will find a 10x32 so easy to live with, but consider this: Zeiss’s Victory Pocket 8x25 has been receiving a lot of love on Birdforum over the past two years or so (the thread about the Pocket has amassed over 95,000 visits!) and that has an exit pupil of only 3.125mm.

SF and the Competition, Specifications and Prices
Looking at the competition, SF 10x32 weighs pretty much the same as Swarovski’s EL (590g vs 595g) and is 12mm or about ½” longer. It has a field of view of 130m at 1km or 390ft at 1,000yds compared with the Swarovski’s 120m and 360ft. Do the maths, and the SF’s area of view is over 17% larger, while they both have a close focus a little under 2.0m. Price-wise it is fairly close in the USA with the SF offered around $2300 and the EL at $2100 whereas in the UK and Euro zone the EL is significantly cheaper. Here the SF is priced around £1900 vs £1420 and €2150 vs €1730.

The lower price makes the EL seem a more attractive purchase than the SF at first sight but in bino-world it is not quite as simple as that. The EL has been criticised by some due to a problem with glare but the remarks about this vary from folks who just don’t see it, to those who damn the EL as unusable. In addition some who otherwise admire the EL’s view say that it lacks contrast. The Zeiss has been criticised for its eyecups and then there are reports of Zeiss binos having a green colour cast, although in the case of SF32, experts Holger Merlitz and Gijs van Ginkel say that it has none. As usual, the only way to determine if the SFs or ELs suit you is to try them out, and this is what I will report on next, so let’s pick up the SFs and see what makes them tick.

Just now I noticed that the SF’s field of view of is very similar to that of Swaro’s NL 10x42, the SF’s 130m at 1km playing against the NL’s 133m. Of course the SF is not a 42, but if you only do your birding in normal daylight, your own pupils will be smaller than the SF’s exit pupil of a 3.2mm. Weighing 590g the SF is way below the NL’s 850g (that’s 9.17 ozs lighter) and it’s usefully cheaper too, the difference in the UK being around £500. Anyway if you are attracted by a 10x with a super-wide field of view, it might be worthwhile auditioning the SF as well as the NL,

SF10x32 in the Hand
Now, about the eyecups. It is true that if you screw the eyecups up and down with the same ferocity that you use to open a bottle of cough medicine with one of those child-proof caps, you will think that the eyecup positions do not feel robust and reliable. This was my first impression too, when encountering them on the SF 8x32, and I am quite used to opening those child-proof caps! However having chosen an intermediate setting and used it for several weeks last November I found it absolutely reliable, despite the rainguard being removed and replaced many times on some days, as you might expect of weather in November. Even crawling along the ground to stalk Otters did not shift the eyecup setting. Our good friend Chuck (Chill 6x6) has even fine-tuned his eyecups position by setting them on top of one of the official ‘click-stops’ rather than actually in it, and has found this reliable. I have tried this and it worked for me too, so I can confidently say, don’t be too hard on the eyecups, they work just fine. Having said that I could wish that Zeiss had equipped them with 5 positions instead of 4 but I am nit-picking now.

Talking of nit-picking. I don’t use objective covers when birding but as you may notice from the photos I used one during the photo session due to the surfaces on which I had to rest the binos. The cover itself snaps into place to shield each objective lens and seems very secure, but as an additional security Zeiss has supplied a tether to be attached to one of the strap lugs. This tether incorporates a snap connector so the cover can be detached when required but I guess that it is envisaged that the cover will simply be pulled off the objectives and be allowed to dangle from the binos. Now, if I use a rainguard that only attaches to the strap at one side, no matter what I do, the thing just twists the strap round and round so it can’t be slid up or down the strap until the twist is sorted out. How this happens is more mysterious than the role of dark matter and dark energy in the universe. What would happen with a freely dangling objective cover, especially if I was carrying a DSLR on a neck-strap as well, is too annoying to contemplate. So this objective cover is not for me but appears to do the job well.

The hand grip offered by SF32 fits me like a favourite glove, see the photo. Sliding my middle/ring/little fingers around the tube under the middle bridge, my first finger arrives automatically on the focus wheel. By the way, measuring my hands shows they are considered medium sized for men, with my fingers just a touch longer than average.

The focus action is just exquisite, being smooth and back-lash / free-play free. The speed of focus is about the same as SF42 so is nicely judged for birding and general nature observation.

Accessories
The clam-shell cases supplied with the SF 42s were not universally loved so the Cordura case that comes with SF 32 will be appreciated by many. I like it but if one thing is true in bino-world it is that for everyone who wants the bino case to be as small as possible there is someone else who wants it big enough to take not only the binos but a notebook, field guide and probably a packed lunch and bottle of Scotch too.The neck strap is tailored so it fits around the base of your neck, lying on your shoulders rather than sticking up and hanging from the back of your neck. I find this very comfortable and I also like the rainguard because it can be fitted to the neck strap on the right or on the left or indeed (as I have it) on both sides.

The View & Sightings
Taking the SFs outside to check for chromatic aberration using the usual black pole and the black overhead cables as usual, against the sky, I couldn’t find any CA at all, whether in the centre of the field of view or at the edge. Checking the sweet spot against stone walls it is big, and sharp out to 90% of the fov and even the edges are quite sharp enough for your peripheral vision to recognise anything happening out there. Checking for glare I panned the SFs much closer to the sun than I would normally dare in normal viewing and noted a thin golden crescent at the bottom of the fov. It didn’t cloud the image and was so thin it didn’t obscure anything. However In my experience the most rigorous test is that of a low sun reflecting off water, such as we regularly experience in Scotland’s Hebrides and Western Isles. Sadly we do not have any bodies of water such as the Atlantic within Covid-restriction’s walking distance from our home so I was unable to perform this most rigorous of tests, but I recall SF 8x32 passed it comfortably.

Being restricted to our neighbourhood has meant being closer to the observed birds, and testing a 10x bino has given me the opportunity to see more detail than usual. I will report further sightings over the next couple of weeks in separate threads so I hope you will keep a watch for subsequent reports.

We have been so lucky to have a small flock of Siskins Carduelis spinus locally and they have been regularly visiting our feeders. Many years ago sketching the face patterns of visiting Coal Tits Periparus ater revealed that instead of what we thought were 4 individuals, there was actually at least 12, so I shouldn’t have been surprised to find the Siskins are just as variable in their plumage.The black cap of the males, which look so densely black with the naked eye, turned out to be not at all dense viewed through the SFs. Tufts of black crown feathers were separated by thin lines of bright yellow or cream. These lines could look random, but on other individuals looked like a scaly pattern. On two males it appeared that the dense black was confined to the feather tips and underneath was a lush bright yellow. I need more views to confirm this but it was fascinating to discover that the uniform appearance of the black caps was totally misleading.

On the sides of the face, behind the eye is a smudgy patch down its ‘cheek’. The top of this is well delineated and forms the underside of the supercilium. This feature was present in all the observed males but in some the bottom of the smudgy cheek patch curved around to almost join the black patch under the beak, whereas in most birds the patch faded out before it even reached a point below the eye. What my clumsy description means is that through the SFs I was able to see sufficient detail to realise that these males simply looked different from each other. No, this is not an earth-shakingly original discovery, but just the delightful beginning of recognising these birds as individuals instead of merely members of an engagingly attractive species.

Two of these males decided to visit our pool for refreshment and landed with their backs to me and having checked the surroundings for danger they both relaxed, drooped their wings loosely and bent forward to drink. As their wings drooped their rumps were exposed and were such an intense yellow that it was as if two spotlights had been turned on. No exaggeration.

Despite their diminutive size (they only weigh half as much as a Greenfinch Carduelis chloris) they are feisty little birds and when challenged by the bigger finches they do not normally give way. We have a huge admiration for these dashing little birds.

More sightings on a new thread in a few days.

Lee
IMG_4684.JPGIMG_4670.JPGSF32 Grip.JPG
 
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Hello, Troubadour. Thank you for your excellent review. I, and I think many forum members, are interested in how SF10x32 compares to FL10x32. I would be grateful if you would write your thoughts on this.
 
Hello, Troubadour. Thank you for your excellent review. I, and I think many forum members, are interested in how SF10x32 compares to FL10x32. I would be grateful if you would write your thoughts on this.
You are welcome Grial. Unfortunately I never tried an FL 10x32 so I can't make a comparison other than to comment that the SF's fov of 130m is a substantial improvement over the FL's 120m giving it an area of view 17% larger.

Lee
 
Thanks. Increasing the viewing area is really a major improvement. But, in fact, the FL 10x32 with its 120m by 1000 makes a great impression. I never thought I would miss the viewing area using this binoculars. How would you characterize the color rendering and center-of-field resolution in SF10x32? Using FL and 8x and 10x, I always notice the light warm hue of the picture and enjoy the amazing resolution of these binoculars. And how is SF doing with this?
 
Thanks. Increasing the viewing area is really a major improvement. But, in fact, the FL 10x32 with its 120m by 1000 makes a great impression. I never thought I would miss the viewing area using this binoculars. How would you characterize the color rendering and center-of-field resolution in SF10x32? Using FL and 8x and 10x, I always notice the light warm hue of the picture and enjoy the amazing resolution of these binoculars. And how is SF doing with this?
I have looked at quite a range of birds through the SF 10x32s from a Jay (this morning) through Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Redwing, Magpie, Robin, Dunnock, Wren and Woodpigeon. To my eyes the Zeiss is perfectly neutral and the perceived sharpness of the fine detail of the plumage is outstanding. Please see the review and subsequent reports of more sightings for more examples.

Lee
 
Thank you. I'll try to find these binoculars from dealers. I need to try it myself. Apparently, the guys from Zeiss did a great job and released an outstanding instrument.
 
Nice review. I'm still on the fence about switching to the 8x32/10x32 SF at this stage, due to Covid I didn't have the chance to actually try one in the field yet. I thought it would be the SF 8x32 up to now, after your review I'll certainly also look at the 10x32 as soon as I have the chance.

Still, I'd prefer a good stabilised binocular if there were one ... :cool: But there aren't any that fit my requirements yet.

Hermann
 
Hello, Troubadour. Thank you for your excellent review. I, and I think many forum members, are interested in how SF10x32 compares to FL10x32. I would be grateful if you would write your thoughts on this.
Thanks Trubador for that in-depth review of the new Zeiss SF 32s - very informative and helpful.

Thought I might be able to add some observations on comparisons to the Zeiss FLs that Grail asked about as I just recently did a lot of direct comparison in my personal search for a set of 8x32s. Since size/weight were a strong personal consideration I ended up with a used Zeiss FL 8x32 T*, but in that search had a chance to compare them to both 8x & 10x Victory SFs. A few personal takeaways (my subjective impressions) in comparing the two:
  • FLs are smaller and lighter, but SFs feel just as light and well balanced
  • Both very bright/sharp/natural toned center field, but FLs softer field edge
  • Both have wide-FOV, SFs wider overall
  • SFs may be a smidge sharper and flat-field to almost very edge of view
  • SFs have noticeably greater depth of field, both have snappy focus
  • Neither have any noticeable CA (to my eyes)
  • FLs have fewer blackouts and eyecups seem more robust (I don’t wear glasses, so no ER help here)
  • SFs well constructed and more aesthetic; FLs are composite, more utilitarian in appearance and are susceptible to surface scratches
  • May seem counterintuitive, but I prefer the tactile feel of the FLs
  • Both have excellent focus wheel, FLs diopter adjustment vastly superior - SFs is far too course (could not set precisely correct for my eyes)
  • FL lens covers fit and work much better
  • SF32s are mainstream; FL32s increasingly difficult to find in new or like-new condition.
 
Thank you for the great review, Lee.

As I've been using a pair of Victory SF 8x32s for going on a couple of months now, I remain very impressed with these. The feather-light weight, ocular balance, super-fast and exceptionally smooth focuser, color balance, alpha grade sharpness, wide field of view, and great handling (barrels are just long enough to allow a very-steadying hand-hold) are all very much appreciated qualities in fine binoculars.

Speaking of hand hold, it certainly appears that with the SF, Zeiss prioritized light-weight, ocular balance, and excellent handling, over and above small size. After all, if small size is perhaps the most important criterion to a buyer, many would choose truly-compact 8x25/10x25 bins. The SF 32s were kept very light and designed for excellent handling - if not for the smallest size possible (where UVHD+ 8x32 bins reign).

All of this to say that my joy with the SF 8x32s leads me to seriously consider adding a pair of SF 10x32s to the squad. The vast majority of my use (daylight pupils) finds the latest alpha 32s to be just as bright -to the eyes- as 42s. Even on today's heavily overcast, monsoon dripping day... I find the SF 8x32 wonderfully bright and crisp to use through the rain.

Of course, how can I not appreciate my 42s (SF 10x42, Conquest HD 10x42, and especially my UVHD+ 7x42), they're great bins...

...but I'm coming around to the realization that alpha and near-alpha 32s can easily be the sweet spot for the vast majority of my use. (SF 8x32 and Conquest HD 8x32, at present).

As an aside, I was exceptionally impressed with the pair of UVHD+ 8x32s that I had for a week or so. Gorgeous, super sharp view with that Leica look to the image, and stunning build quality. I loved everything about them except they were a bit small for good, steady handling and the focuser was a little stiffer in resistance than I prefer. Focuser feel and speed is everything in quickly zeroing in on a subject. Aside from that - the UVHD+ 8x32 are awesome bins if one prioritizes super small size.

The SF 32s are incredibly handy, light-weight, nimble and quick (like Jack and the candlestick!) They would be easy companions on a long, steep hike.

And... the focuser!!! THE focuser. So fast, quick, accurate, and light. The focuser itself is not to be lightly considered - the focuser is the primary, constantly manipulated user-interface of the tool! A superb focuser is truly a BIG deal, a major factor in my opinion.

So, where's the hole in my squad of bins? 10x32! :cool:
 
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Thank you for the great review, Lee.

As I've been using a pair of Victory SF 8x32s for going on a couple of months now, I remain very impressed with these. The feather-light weight, ocular balance, super-fast and exceptionally smooth focuser, color balance, alpha grade sharpness, wide field of view, and great handling (barrels are just long enough to allow a very-steadying hand-hold) are all very much appreciated qualities in fine binoculars.

Speaking of hand hold, it certainly appears that with the SF, Zeiss prioritized light-weight, ocular balance, and excellent handling, over and above small size. After all, if small size is perhaps the most important criterion to a buyer, many would choose truly-compact 8x25/10x25 bins. The SF 32s were kept very light and designed for excellent handling - if not for the smallest size possible (where UVHD+ 8x32 bins reign).

All of this to say that my joy with the SF 8x32s leads me to seriously consider adding a pair of SF 10x32s to the squad. The vast majority of my use (daylight pupils) finds the latest alpha 32s to be just as bright -to the eyes- as 42s. Even on today's heavily overcast, monsoon dripping day... I find the SF 8x32 wonderfully bright and crisp to use through the rain.

Of course, how can I not appreciate my 42s (SF 10x42, Conquest HD 10x42, and especially my UVHD+ 7x42), they're great bins...

...but I'm coming around to the realization that alpha and near-alpha 32s can easily be the sweet spot for the vast majority of my use. (SF 8x32 and Conquest HD 8x32, at present).

As an aside, I was exceptionally impressed with the pair of UVHD+ 8x32s that I had for a week or so. Gorgeous, super sharp view with that Leica look to the image, and stunning build quality. I loved everything about them except they were a bit small for good, steady handling and the focuser was a little stiffer in resistance than I prefer. Focuser feel and speed is everything in quickly zeroing in on a subject. Aside from that - the UVHD+ 8x32 are awesome bins if one prioritizes super small size.

The SF 32s are incredibly handy, light-weight, nimble and quick (like Jack and the candlestick!) They would be easy companions on a long, steep hike.

And... the focuser!!! THE focuser. So fast, quick, accurate, and light. The focuser itself is not to be lightly considered - the focuser is the primary, constantly manipulated user-interface of the tool! A superb focuser is truly a BIG deal, a major factor in my opinion.

So, where's the hole in my squad of bins? 10x32! :cool:
I tried the SF 10x32s and they didn’t work for me. The kidney beaning drove me crazy. They were fine when my eyes were still, but the moment I looked around the image, the beans kept appearing. I’m interested in getting the SF 8x32s, but I have and love the SF 8x42s and feel it may be too redundant.
 
I tried the SF 10x32s and they didn’t work for me. The kidney beaning drove me crazy. They were fine when my eyes were still, but the moment I looked around the image, the beans kept appearing. I’m interested in getting the SF 8x32s, but I have and love the SF 8x42s and feel it may be too redundant.
I've experienced some kidney beans with the 8x32. Not enough for me to dislike the bins. You do need to adjust your eye position to minimize kidney beans!

Thus, of course, they're not "perfect" bins. Are any? NL Pures, perhaps?
 
I tried the SF 10x32s and they didn’t work for me. The kidney beaning drove me crazy. They were fine when my eyes were still, but the moment I looked around the image, the beans kept appearing. I’m interested in getting the SF 8x32s, but I have and love the SF 8x42s and feel it may be too redundant.
I had the same trouble but after tweaking them over and over and ultimately putting the eyecups further in than I normally would, I have no trouble with them at all.
 
I've experienced some kidney beans with the 8x32. Not enough for me to dislike the bins. You do need to adjust your eye position to minimize kidney beans!

Thus, of course, they're not "perfect" bins. Are any? NL Pures, perhaps?
So true. Maybe I need to give the 10x32s another chance bc I really like the ergonomics and I want a semi lightweight 10 power. I reread Roger Vine’s excellent review and it makes me want them to work for me. I love the ergonomics and views of the SF line.
 
So true. Maybe I need to give the 10x32s another chance bc I really like the ergonomics and I want a semi lightweight 10 power. I reread Roger Vine’s excellent review and it makes me want them to work for me. I love the ergonomics and views of the SF line.
If the optical quality, the focuser, and the handling (somewhat longer barrels) are all superb, AND the weight is super-light... that's a really sweet combination. Top shelf 32s are there, my friend!

If any of those first three are lacking, at all... that's a no-go (for me) when competing with the big boys.

Good review:
 
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It being a couple of weeks, or so, since receiving a pair of 10x32 SF, to go with my 8x32 SF, I must say that I could not be happier with these binoculars. Zeiss has done a superb job with these.

I won't begin to do any kind of an evaluation on these - plenty of that has been done and is available to study. I'll simply state that the 8x32 SF and 10x32 SF are pure pleasure to view with! I could not be happier using these stellar binoculars.

If you're considering adding one of these to your looking glasses, I encourage you to check them out. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
 
I just compared a bunch of binos: Zeiss 10x42 SF and 10x32 SF, and Leica 10x32 UVHD+. The 10x42SF win in terms of image, but I find that the 10x32 SF are very, very close. The main differences are in the handling: size, weight, and eye positioning. The 10x32 are more tricky WRT eye position to avoid blackouts. I think it's in the "I can work with this" category for me, but I can see how it might fall on the other side of the line for others. My wife is going to get the 10x42SF and I think I will get the 10x32SF 'cause I have the privilege of lugging the scope...

The comparison between the Zeiss 10x32SF and the Leica 10x32 UVHD+ was interesting for me. There's a lot I like about the Leicas, in particular the compactness. The focusing wheel is definitely a notch below the zeiss one, I didn't know what people were talking about until I held those two binocs... The huge, huge difference between the two binocs, however, is the view with eyeglasses. I primarily bird in California and it's typically bright and I wear sunglasses. With the SF there is no degradation in any sense (except for the obvious darkening due to the sunglasses), in fact, I can move my eyes more before seeing blackouts than without eyeglasses! In contrast, with the UVHD+ the FoV is significantly narrowed: it's back to looking through a tunnel. Too bad, I somehow liked the form factor of the Leicas.
 
I just compared a bunch of binos: Zeiss 10x42 SF and 10x32 SF, and Leica 10x32 UVHD+. The 10x42SF win in terms of image, but I find that the 10x32 SF are very, very close. The main differences are in the handling: size, weight, and eye positioning. The 10x32 are more tricky WRT eye position to avoid blackouts. I think it's in the "I can work with this" category for me, but I can see how it might fall on the other side of the line for others. My wife is going to get the 10x42SF and I think I will get the 10x32SF 'cause I have the privilege of lugging the scope...

The comparison between the Zeiss 10x32SF and the Leica 10x32 UVHD+ was interesting for me. There's a lot I like about the Leicas, in particular the compactness. The focusing wheel is definitely a notch below the zeiss one, I didn't know what people were talking about until I held those two binocs... The huge, huge difference between the two binocs, however, is the view with eyeglasses. I primarily bird in California and it's typically bright and I wear sunglasses. With the SF there is no degradation in any sense (except for the obvious darkening due to the sunglasses), in fact, I can move my eyes more before seeing blackouts than without eyeglasses! In contrast, with the UVHD+ the FoV is significantly narrowed: it's back to looking through a tunnel. Too bad, I somehow liked the form factor of the Leicas.
Let me preface my comments by saying that wearing glasses when using binoculars is not a factor for me.

I do enjoy the 10x42 SF very much, though they are fairly large and heavy. Great to have beside the recliners, at the rear windows! Perhaps not quite as great if having to schlep them on a long hike.

In truth, I could be perfectly happy with the 10x32 SF, instead of the 10x42s. They are that close in performance to the 10x42 SF, in normal daylight! But so light-weight, nicely balanced, nimble, and handy. Large enough for an excellent hand hold. Once I adjusted them to my face and used them a little bit, I had no issues with blackouts, at all. Very easy to use and enjoy. I think the only time I might find a benefit to the 42s would be in very dimly lit conditions and if I don't need to carry them for any lengthy period of time.

As for the 10x32 UVHD+, yes, they are a totally different binocular than the 10x32 SF. Incredibly compact, very dense feeling, and solid as a rock. And, as with the SFs, once adjusted to my face and with a little familiarity - no problems at all with blackouts. The focuser requires a bit more finger force to adjust than the SF (I LOVE Zeiss SF focusers), but the view is spectacularly wonderful. Razor sharp, crisp clarity, beautiful colors. It's that great Leica "view". If compact size is an important factor - these are a superb choice.

So... I do have four tens in the household! I have 10x42 SF, 10x32 SF, and 10x32 UVHD+. And, the wife has Conquest HD 10x42. I wouldn't want to give any of them up, but if I was restricted to having only one pair of binoculars, and they were to be 10x.... the nod would go to the 10x32 SF.

If I were only permitted to have TWO pair of binoculars, I'd have to go with 8x32 SF and 10x42 SF.
 
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I just compared a bunch of binos: Zeiss 10x42 SF and 10x32 SF, and Leica 10x32 UVHD+. The 10x42SF win in terms of image, but I find that the 10x32 SF are very, very close. The main differences are in the handling: size, weight, and eye positioning. The 10x32 are more tricky WRT eye position to avoid blackouts. I think it's in the "I can work with this" category for me, but I can see how it might fall on the other side of the line for others. My wife is going to get the 10x42SF and I think I will get the 10x32SF 'cause I have the privilege of lugging the scope...

The comparison between the Zeiss 10x32SF and the Leica 10x32 UVHD+ was interesting for me. There's a lot I like about the Leicas, in particular the compactness. The focusing wheel is definitely a notch below the zeiss one, I didn't know what people were talking about until I held those two binocs... The huge, huge difference between the two binocs, however, is the view with eyeglasses. I primarily bird in California and it's typically bright and I wear sunglasses. With the SF there is no degradation in any sense (except for the obvious darkening due to the sunglasses), in fact, I can move my eyes more before seeing blackouts than without eyeglasses! In contrast, with the UVHD+ the FoV is significantly narrowed: it's back to looking through a tunnel. Too bad, I somehow liked the form factor of the Leicas.
Hi, you get blackouts when your eyes are too close to the binoculars and if your eyes are too far away from them, you can't see the full field of view. Think about your experiences with the sunglasses which position your eyes further away from the binos' eyepieces. You get fewer blackouts with the SFs and with the Leicas you lose fov so your experience confirms this. To reduce blackouts with the SFs when not using sunglasses unscrew the eyecups one position and see how that works.

Lee
 
I'm very close to taking a punt on a pair of these, but I'm wavering due to the well documented blackout/kidney bean issues which are so prevalent if you don't get positioning and eye relief absolutely spot on.
They are probably the most sensitive bins I've ever tested, but the optical and ergonomic rewards when you hit that sweet spot with positioning/eye relief are simply outstanding, yet after several days of testing/experimenting through the TryZeiss programme, I'm still finding things a little bit hit and miss. Just when I think I've mastered them, those kidney beans suddenly start popping up again, regardless of where I position them (or raise the eyecups a notch, or set them on top of a notch).
I use binoculars with glasses, so wondering how owners/users of these bins who wear glasses have managed to tame the kidney beans?
I've got a few hours left with them tomorrow morning before they are picked up and returned to the lovely people at TryZeiss, so any advice would be much appreciated, so I can try any suggestions while they're still in my possession.

Many thanks,
James
 
I bought the 10x32 because I use glasses :). But there's a caveat: it depends on the glasses. The glasses for which they have to work are my sunglasses, which are a bit wrap-around aviator style glasses that end up sitting fairly close to the eye. The 10x32 work awesome with those. I also have some "fashion" sunglasses with flatter lenses that end up sitting further away from the eye and I perhaps wouldn't have gotten the 10x32 if they were the ones I use for birding. (I haven't done much testing, just the few times I grabbed the bins with those glasses on I quickly took the glasses off...) My indoor glasses also work fine, but if I'm birding where I don't need sunglasses I simply use the bins without glasses. All this to say YMMV...
 

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