BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Apochromat" data-source="post: 3842800" data-attributes="member: 143521">Dear Tom,thanks for the nice words. Of course we know here that it is not possible to have everything in a perfect package and that the makers of such fine instruments make core decisions up front when starting the optical design process. These also have an impact on length (final cosmetical design!), weight distribution and geometrical field correction of a high- end binocular. Regarding the image colour appearance there is more freedom (coating technologies). CA control also is a matter of material choice and willingness to use expensive raw materials. The same is for stray light reduction (baffling, additional stops, stray light reducing black coating inside the instrument).I do not understand though the noticeable differences of the offered outfits regarding the attention to detail (e.g. quality of eyecups, cases, straps, mechanical perfection etc.) and sample variation. Everybody who is willed to spend 2500 EUR on a bin would most probably also spend a bit more if the outfits are as good as possible.But you are perfectly right, the fact that I never saw an optical lemon SV EL 8.5x42 speaks for an extremely strict testing process and quality control. Also I have to agree with you that the customer care of SWAROVSKI has yet to be beaten by LEICA and ZEISS.All the bestMichael</blockquote>