SFL 8x40 or 10x40? (1 Viewer)

[BogBean]

That is what this forum is about, not birding but binoculars and their deficiencies.

Even if that was true, repeating the same "flaw" that only you have seen, 7 times in a thread of 40 posts is probably not what the forum is about.

We read it once, we check our binoculars, or consider it when trying a pair, we move on.

 

[gweller]

That is what this forum is about, not birding but binoculars and their deficiencies.

I think that there are broadly two types of visitors to this part of Birdforum, namely those interested in binoculars mainly for their technical/optical properties, and those who see binoculars as more as a means to an end, i.e. observing nature etc. I myself fall into the second category and am therefore less obsessive than some here who seem always to be striving for that perfect (but of course never obtainable!!) view. Striving for that perfect view seems to lead to a great deal of dissatisfaction and constant swapping/purchasing of instruments in the continual chase for nirvana! Me, I just go out and use them!

 

[Paultricounty]

I think that there are broadly two types of visitors to this part of Birdforum, namely those interested in binoculars mainly for their technical/optical properties, and those who see binoculars as more as a means to an end, i.e. observing nature etc. I myself fall into the second category and am therefore less obsessive than some here who seem always to be striving for that perfect (but of course never obtainable!!) view. Striving for that perfect view seems to lead to a great deal of dissatisfaction and constant swapping/purchasing of instruments in the continual chase for nirvana! Me, I just go out and use them!

Woah woah woah there, I’m in that second group like many people I know , and I think your taking a broad brush to us nature lovers and our optics 😉. There are few people here that are obsessive with binoculars and dissatisfied while always looking for the unattainable , these people may also be that way in other areas of their lives as well. From my experience many who enjoy quality optics (or other items) take joy in the intricate characteristics differences pro and con of the equipment. It’s kind of like combining two hobbies (if we’re calling nature observing a hobby) , the equipment and the nature observing. Observing nature through different optics brings subtle differences in the landscape and objects, and that makes it more fun and enjoyable. But I can see other peoples perspectives that the equipment is just a tool, and for them (my wife included) it’s all about the view and being outdoors. To some degree (and possibly just in my mind) I feel their missing out on something very interesting in our material world 😂✌.

 

[[email protected]]

Woah woah woah there, I’m in that second group like many people I know , and I think your taking a broad brush to us nature lovers and our optics 😉. There are few people here that are obsessive with binoculars and dissatisfied while always looking for the unattainable , these people may also be that way in other areas of their lives as well. From my experience many who enjoy quality optics (or other items) take joy in the intricate characteristics differences pro and con of the equipment. It’s kind of like combining two hobbies (if we’re calling nature observing a hobby) , the equipment and the nature observing. Observing nature through different optics brings subtle differences in the landscape and objects, and that makes it more fun and enjoyable. But I can see other peoples perspectives that the equipment is just a tool, and for them (my wife included) it’s all about the view and being outdoors. To some degree (and possibly just in my mind) I feel their missing out on something very interesting in our material world 😂✌.

Exactly. That is how I feel. I like birding, but I also like trying different binoculars and comparing them. That is part of the fun. I enjoy trying different binoculars to see how they perform and to see if I can find any binocular that is better than what I have. So far, I haven't found anything, yet that beats the NL 8x32 for me.

 

[Paultricounty]

Exactly. That is how I feel. I like birding, but I also like trying different binoculars and comparing them. That is part of the fun. I enjoy trying different binoculars to see how they perform and to see if I can find any binocular that is better than what I have. So far, I haven't found anything, yet that beats the NL 8x32 for me.

I think he was referring to you in his post 🤪. But I don’t think, peace brother. 👊🏻

 

[Maljunulo]

I think that there are broadly two types of visitors to this part of Birdforum, namely those interested in binoculars mainly for their technical/optical properties, and those who see binoculars as more as a means to an end, i.e. observing nature etc. I myself fall into the second category and am therefore less obsessive than some here who seem always to be striving for that perfect (but of course never obtainable!!) view. Striving for that perfect view seems to lead to a great deal of dissatisfaction and constant swapping/purchasing of instruments in the continual chase for nirvana! Me, I just go out and use them!

Please put me firmly in the second type.

As marvelous as the human eye is, it is really not very good compared to what it sees when used to look through a world-class binocular.

 

[gweller]

Woah woah woah there, I’m in that second group like many people I know , and I think your taking a broad brush to us nature lovers and our optics 😉. There are few people here that are obsessive with binoculars and dissatisfied while always looking for the unattainable , these people may also be that way in other areas of their lives as well. From my experience many who enjoy quality optics (or other items) take joy in the intricate characteristics differences pro and con of the equipment. It’s kind of like combining two hobbies (if we’re calling nature observing a hobby) , the equipment and the nature observing. Observing nature through different optics brings subtle differences in the landscape and objects, and that makes it more fun and enjoyable. But I can see other peoples perspectives that the equipment is just a tool, and for them (my wife included) it’s all about the view and being outdoors. To some degree (and possibly just in my mind) I feel their missing out on something very interesting in our material world 😂✌.

Just between you and me I think I have my feet in both camps otherwise I would not have also ended up with a 7x21 Curio or the 7x35 Retrovid. It's just that I've never felt the need (yet!) to get an NL

 

[[email protected]]

I think he was referring to you in his post 🤪. But I don’t think, peace brother. 👊🏻

What binocular do you like better, the Geco Gold 8x42 or the Nikon MHG 8x42? I was thinking of trying a Geco for $500.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Maybe start a new thread? OP was re 8 vs 10 SFL's and this is after all, the Zeiss forum ;-)

What binocular do you like better, the Geco Gold 8x42 or the Nikon MHG 8x42? I was thinking of trying a Geco for $500.

 

[Paultricounty]

Just between you and me I think I have my feet in both camps otherwise I would not have also ended up with a 7x21 Curio or the 7x35 Retrovid. It's just that I've never felt the need (yet!) to get an NL

Ill take your secret to the grave. I think you might be at the early stages of binocular obsession. NL or Noctivid.

Btw , the retro is so sweet. 👍🏻👊🏻

 

[gweller]

Ill take your secret to the grave. I think you might be at the early stages of binocular obsession. NL or Noctivid.

Btw , the retro is so sweet. 👍🏻👊🏻

I trying to fight it off, but well, you know how it is!!! Quite like the look of that new little scope from Kowa......

 

[tenex]

Maybe start a new thread? OP was re 8 vs 10 SFL's and this is after all, the Zeiss forum ;-)

The original question (like many) was adequately addressed in the first dozen posts, as one can go back and check. But even such an apparently simple one is an invitation to anyone with an axe to grind: what magnification can I hold steady, are SFLs worth their price, what else really is, what's better than what and how, isn't any bin good enough, that's what I've always thought, I've changed my mind, I somehow need to say I don't care, what are you implying by that, I've been considering something else entirely, etc. One could think twice...

 

[Paultricounty]

What binocular do you like better, the Geco Gold 8x42 or the Nikon MHG 8x42? I was thinking of trying a Geco for $500.

I never tried that specific Geco gold, but I do know for certain that it is the GPO Passion HD which was branded for the European market early on when GPO stated. Imo the GPO HD is top of the mountain in the $1000 upper mid level genre, right there next to the MHG ,except with a better build and a better focuser. Optically the GPO HD’s are very similar to a Zeiss Conquest, slightly better on CA al least on the few I tried when I had the 8 and 10x42’s together. For $500, these are a steal.

 

[BogBean]

Exactly. That is how I feel. I like birding, but I also like trying different binoculars and comparing them. That is part of the fun. I enjoy trying different binoculars to see how they perform and to see if I can find any binocular that is better than what I have. So far, I haven't found anything, yet that beats the NL 8x32 for me.

I think we have a case of Schrödinger's binoculars here. Those which are the best you have ever used, yet only being out of their box twice prior to selling them after a month

 

[BertL]

I had both the Zeiss SFL 8x40 and 10x40 and I saw the 'Blue Ring of Death' with both of them, which is a kind of CA which forms a thin blue ring around the edge of the FOV. You may not see it because not all see this type of glare, but I certainly did, so I would not recommend either one. Buyer beware!

Time to go to an eyedoctor. Bleu ring of death???

 

[gweller]

Ill take your secret to the grave. I think you might be at the early stages of binocular obsession. NL or Noctivid.

Btw , the retro is so sweet. 👍🏻👊🏻

Had it with me all day to day, and yes it is a real pleasure to use!

 

[Micealh]

Well, I’m delighted to report that I turned off notifications for this thread a few days ago; otherwise I might have taken this nonsense seriously. Many thanks to those who sincerely tried to help me.

 

[Maljunulo]

I think we have a case of Schrödinger's binoculars here. Those which are the best you have ever used, yet only being out of their box twice prior to selling them after a month

Some things never change.

 

[BogBean]

10x is overhyped. With 8x you can see just as much detail because you are steadier just like an IS binocular. Most people shake 30% more with 10x.

The resolution you gain with 10x because of a larger image you lose because of shaking. You probably lose 30% resolution because you are shaking more with 10x.

Also, 8x has a bigger FOV, better DOF, and it is brighter most of the time. 8x is by in large the best birding magnification unless you do all open country birding.

This article from Tract Optics will open your eyes to the advantages of 8x versus 10x.

"Here’s a little test you can take to compare 8x versus 10x binoculars. Tack a dollar bill on the wall about 20 feet away and try to read the serial number. Start with a 10x binocular. Oftentimes, you’ll shake so much that the task is nearly impossible. Next, take up a 8x. And while you’ll still notice some shake, you’ll notice that the movement in the 10x is exponentially greater.

It’s important to understand that just because the image is bigger doesn’t mean you can verify detail. So the truth is, if you can’t hold a 10x binocular steady, you will actually get better results in the field with a 8x. The advantages of a larger image are sometimes not practical because your every movement is also magnified."

https://tractoptics.com/blog/8x-versus-10x-binoculars/

"And the next thing, he sold a pair of 8x32s for a pair of 10x"

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Quite agree. When actually looking through the bins at birds etc, the edge sharpness for me does not really come into play. Sometimes I think certain users here are more obsessed with picking up on the smallest deficiency than with actually using the binocular for what they are intended for. I for one am very happy using the 2 SFL bins I have for birding.

All eyes are different or have become different over the years. The eyes of some people hardly move, like mine, the result of a few decades of wearing contact lenses. Others have eyes that go from left to right, up and down constantly. They see the edges of binoculars immediately, I don't care about about some of loss of sharpness there. Admittedly, everyone has something he can't cope with. In my case a flat field, a bird somewhere in lots of branches. That I notice in all binos and that's one of the reasons for having a Leica UItravid HD. Never the NL Pure for me although these are fantastic binoculars.