Swarovski SLC 10x 42 or Zeiss SFL 10 x 40 (1 Viewer)

[raptorbfl]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to purchase a new mint condition Swarovski SLC 10 x 42 or a brand new Zeiss SFL 10 x 40. Which is considered the better glass, as far as build quality, ergonomics, feel in hands and optical quality?

Thanks
Michael in NJ (USA)

 

[Dennis Mau]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to purchase a new mint condition Swarovski SLC 10 x 42 or a brand new Zeiss SFL 10 x 40. Which is considered the better glass, as far as build quality, ergonomics, feel in hands and optical quality?

Thanks
Michael in NJ (USA)

I had them both, and I preferred the Swarovski SLC 10x42 because, for me, it was brighter, had sharper edges, had better ergonomics and better build quality. If you can try them both yourself that would be best, but if that is not possible I would take the SLC 10x42 over the SFL 10x40, especially if they are the same price. I consider the SLC to be an alpha binocular and the SFL to be slightly below an alpha. If you do decide on the SLC, ask the seller to check the focuser and confirm it is smooth and has equal tension in both directions. Good luck on your purchase!

 

[raptorbfl]

I had them both, and I preferred the Swarovski SLC 10x42 because, for me, it was brighter, had sharper edges, had better ergonomics and better build quality. If you can try them both yourself that would be best, but if that is not possible I would take the SLC 10x42 over the SFL 10x40, especially if they are the same price. I consider the SLC to be an alpha binocular and the SFL to be slightly below an alpha. If you do decide on the SLC, ask the seller to check the focuser and confirm it is smooth and has equal tension in both directions. Good luck on your purchase!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sethao]

You really need to spend time looking through both. For me personally, the SFL won out. It was clearly brighter than the SLC. It seemed to have less glare, and I had less trouble acquiring a solid view when bringing them up to my eyes immediately. The SLC had better ergonomics though.

Everyone's eyes are different. Reviews are fine to get an idea of what you may be interested in, but you've really got to try them out.

 

[Maljunulo]

Compare them using your own eyes, and determine which is the better one for you.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Compare them using your own eyes, and determine which is the better one for you.

I agree that is the best way to decide on binoculars, but reviews and opinions on different binoculars can be very helpful because many people do not have easy access to the binoculars they are interested in. I live in Greeley, CO. and you can try some models of binoculars at Scheels and Sportmans Warehouse, but nothing near the choices you can find on the internet.

 

[ReinierB]

It is a good question.
At the moment I have the SFL 8x40 and the SLC 8x42 and still deciding which one to keep. I think the ergonomics of the SFL are really nice. A smooth and quick focuser. The position of the focuser is also really nice.
However, I think the optics of the SLC are slightly better. The field is also slightly bigger. I don't know how that is with the 10 power. There is also the 200 g weight difference.

Both really nice. Both has its advantages. I don't really like the focuser of the SLC's. The SFL feels great in the hands and is also useable with one hand. I prefer the optics of the SLC.

 

[Dennis Mau]

It is a good question.
At the moment I have the SFL 8x40 and the SLC 8x42 and still deciding which one to keep. I think the ergonomics of the SFL are really nice. A smooth and quick focuser. The position of the focuser is also really nice.
However, I think the optics of the SLC are slightly better. The field is also slightly bigger. I don't know how that is with the 10 power. There is also the 200 g weight difference.

Both really nice. Both has its advantages. I don't really like the focuser of the SLC's. The SFL feels great in the hands and is also useable with one hand. I prefer the optics of the SLC.

That is the exactly how I felt. The optics of the SLC are better than the SFL, with the SLC having a bigger FOV and sharper edges. When you side by side them, it is obvious the SLC is superior.

 

[ReinierB]

The fov of the SFL 8x40 is slightly larger, but the afov of the SLC 8x42 is larger and that is noticeable. I don't know how that is possible. I also think the SLC is sharper to the edges. If I could take the focuser of the SFL on the SLC, the SLC would be the one I would recommend.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Zeiss focusers in general are usually better than Swarovski's, although the NL is pretty smooth. The SLC 8x42 can have a funky focuser that is sticky and harder to turn in one direction than the other on some samples I have had. Optically I also preferred it over the SFL 8x40 because as you say the FOV seems bigger because of the sharper edges.

 

[dorubird]

The fov of the SFL 8x40 is slightly larger, but the afov of the SLC 8x42 is larger and that is noticeable. I don't know how that is possible.

It is due to the different management of the distortions in the AFOV. SFL probably shrinks the objects on the edges little more, and for that collects more information in a smaller AFOV. While SLC, having a little more linear distortion, the AFOV is little larger but the real field of view (FOV) is a little smaller, because the objects not shrink at the edges and not cramped in AFOV.

...the FOV seems bigger because of the sharper edges.

So it has nothing to do with the sharper SLC edges, but only with the different type of distortion management in these two binoculars.

 

[Dennis Mau]

It is due to the different management of the distortions in the AFOV. SFL probably shrinks the objects on the edges little more, and for that collects more information in a smaller AFOV. While SLC, having a little more linear distortion, the AFOV is little larger but the real field of view (FOV) is a little smaller, because the objects not shrink at the edges and not cramped in AFOV.

So it has nothing to do with the sharper SLC edges, but only with the different type of distortion management in these two binoculars.

Could very well be. It is an interesting phenomenon because the SLC FOV seems much larger than the SFL. I much preferred the view through the SLC 8x42 over the SFL 8x40. Of course, that is just personal preference.

 

[CharleyBird]

I agree that is the best way to decide on binoculars, but reviews and opinions on different binoculars can be very helpful because many people do not have easy access to the binoculars they are interested in. I live in Greeley, CO. and you can try some models of binoculars at Scheels and Sportmans Warehouse, but nothing near the choices you can find on the internet.

I also agree with Maljuluno.

Wondering if the OP came to a decision?

 

[dries1]

It is a good question.
At the moment I have the SFL 8x40 and the SLC 8x42 and still deciding which one to keep. I think the ergonomics of the SFL are really nice. A smooth and quick focuser. The position of the focuser is also really nice.
However, I think the optics of the SLC are slightly better. The field is also slightly bigger. I don't know how that is with the 10 power. There is also the 200 g weight difference.

Both really nice. Both has its advantages. I don't really like the focuser of the SLC's. The SFL feels great in the hands and is also useable with one hand. I prefer the optics of the SLC.

A bit of a dilemma there. I had my SLC focus serviced, and kept the SLC. My thought was the SFL is more fragile, and the weight of the SLC is in line with many 8X42s, weight was not an issue for me. Both have optics that many could live with.

 

[ReinierB]

A bit of a dilemma there. I had my SLC focus serviced, and kept the SLC. My thought was the SFL is more fragile, and the weight of the SLC is in line with many 8X42s, weight was not an issue for me. Both have optics that many could live with.

I kept my SLC 8x42 and sold the SFL 8x40. Both really nice, for sure.
How is your focuser doing now? Smooth in both directions? No friction or squeaking sound when moving the focus wheel? Or is it still "so so", because there is not much space for more improvement? It is a slow focucer for sure, but mine behaves like described above. It is already been at Swaro Absam to make it as smooth as possible (and to remove a tiny grain of sand), and after that is moves easier (not that stiff anymore), but I wouldn't say it is smooth. The EL'sI have tried are smoother and have a better feeling...
So I am curious how yours is doring, because that is my only gripe actually, I don't like the focuser. I like the ergonomics and the optics very much.

 

[Dennis Mau]

A bit of a dilemma there. I had my SLC focus serviced, and kept the SLC. My thought was the SFL is more fragile, and the weight of the SLC is in line with many 8X42s, weight was not an issue for me. Both have optics that many could live with.

I agree, the SFL appears more fragile than the SLC. The build quality on the SFL is not as good as the SLC either. On the last SFL 8x30 I had I noticed the build quality is good but below alpha standards like the SF and NL for sure. Of course, the SFL appears fragile because it was Zeiss's goal to make a lighter binocular, and they reduced the armor on them say compared to the FL. If you are going to subject your binocular to rough use, an FL or SLC is definitely a better choice.

 

[Rg548]

SLC will hold value..... and it's an awesome optic!

 

[dries1]

I kept my SLC 8x42 and sold the SFL 8x40. Both really nice, for sure.
How is your focuser doing now? Smooth in both directions? No friction or squeaking sound when moving the focus wheel? Or is it still "so so", because there is not much space for more improvement? It is a slow focucer for sure, but mine behaves like described above. It is already been at Swaro Absam to make it as smooth as possible (and to remove a tiny grain of sand), and after that is moves easier (not that stiff anymore), but I wouldn't say it is smooth. The EL'sI have tried are smoother and have a better feeling...
So I am curious how yours is doring, because that is my only gripe actually, I don't like the focuser. I like the ergonomics and the optics very much.

The focuser is functioning (yes it is a bit long) excellent.