Why are Zeiss so sharp on-axis compared to other binoculars? (1 Viewer)

[hopster]

View attachment 1597895
the pop of the abbe prism mostly comes from additional length between objective lenses which occurred by shape of prism.

same as porro prism gain the 3D effect but much less.
I love AK Prism style 3D because 3D of porro prism get me easily tired especially at close distance observation.

but nothing more specific then bit of 3D effect and higer transmission.

maybe can enhance contrast a bit which can be additional advantage in resolution.

still, Swarovski NL, EL which using SP prism is sharper then AK ones above.

Oooh, HT, NV and EDG together. Some of my favourites all in one place.

 

[jackjack]

I also prefer 30/32 as the smallest to use... the diminutive UV+ 10x32 is my daily carry(not for birding though).
Steiner built-in-winged folding eyecups are great, I have the Discovery models though they mostly sit on window sills. Why other top brands don't imitate them is a mystery.

Very interesting that your tests have the EL models sharper than NL. Is that because if the latter's wide FOV, or are they actually sharper middle to edge?

Andy

FOV doesn't matters.
EL is sharper then NL in every sizes comparison in the market.
but NL has significantly better color satuation (in almost every color except blue) that shines even more on dull day so, apparant resolution seems better in NL

 

[jackjack]

Oooh, HT, NV and EDG together. Some of my favourites all in one place.

my favorites too.
HT for massive brightness (and personally favorite design)
NV for top end build and color satuation
EDG for ease and comfort of the view

 

[Dennis Mau]

my favorites too.
HT for massive brightness (and personally favorite design)
NV for top end build and color satuation
EDG for ease and comfort of the view

I agree. Where would you put the Zeiss FL? Or do you consider that an older design. Thanks!

 

[Dennis Mau]

FOV doesn't matters.
EL is sharper then NL in every sizes comparison in the market.
but NL has significantly better color satuation (in almost every color except blue) that shines even more on dull day so, apparant resolution seems better in NL

Interesting. Even though the EL is sharper, resolution seems better in the NL because of color saturation. Thanks, jackjack.

 

[jackjack]

I agree. Where would you put the Zeiss FL? Or do you consider that an older design. Thanks!

I personally prefer slim looking design like nikon MHG / zeiss HT, SFL
Design like TFL, BN feels but bulky to me

 

[jackjack]

So you think resolution can be improved by increased color saturation. The Noctivid has a lot of color saturation, why do you think it is not as sharp as the other alphas? Thanks!

color is one of the many sources but resolution mainly depends on magnification and sharpness.

as for a same magnification, NV 10x42's sharpness seems to fall behind 10 power HT / SF / EL / NL enough for it's additional color satuation can't overcome it.
comparison with HT 10x42 is closer then other 3 because HT 10x42 has the least sharpness and color satuation between 4 I listed above.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I personally prefer slim looking design like nikon MHG / zeiss HT, SFL
Design like TFL, BN feels but bulky to me

The FL 7x42 is a little bulkier, probably because of the AK prism. The FL 8x32 on the other hand has the SP prism and is one of the smallest 8x32's around.

 

[Dennis Mau]

color is one of the many sources but resolution mainly depends on magnification and sharpness.

as for a same magnification, NV 10x42's sharpness seems to fall behind 10 power HT / SF / EL / NL enough for it's additional color satuation can't overcome it.
comparison with HT 10x42 is closer then other 3 because HT 10x42 has the least sharpness and color satuation between 4 I listed above.

So you think the Noctivid and the Zeiss HT are the least sharp of all the alphas?

 

[jackjack]

The FL 7x42 is a little bulkier, probably because of the AK prism. The FL 8x32 on the other hand has the SP prism and is one of the smallest 8x32's around.

I mean bulkier at width because of the design of the rubber coating
feel bit fat for my personall design perferance

 

[jackjack]

So you think the Noctivid and the Zeiss HT are the least sharp of all

So you think the Noctivid and the Zeiss HT are the least sharp of all the alphas?

between 10x42 NV, HT, SF, EL, NL
yes
and best is EL

 

[Boogieshrew]

This thread has made me get my FL 7x42s out of the cupboard. I haven't looked through them in a few years.

I must say that they really do seem the sharpest, brightest bins I've ever looked through. That's entirely subjective on my part, nothing measured or tested but I have or have had a lot of 7x42s over the years and the FLs are something a bit different.

Thanks for making me get them out of the cupboard Dennis 👍😄

 

[Dennis Mau]

I mean bulkier at width because of the design of the rubber coating
feel bit fat for my personall design perferance

The composite structure does make them a bit fat, but it is warm when it is cold outside. I understand.

 

[Dennis Mau]

This thread has made me get my FL 7x42s out of the cupboard. I haven't looked through them in a few years.

I must say that they really do seem the sharpest, brightest bins I've ever looked through. That's entirely subjective on my part, nothing measured or tested but I have or have had a lot of 7x42s over the years and the FLs are something a bit different.

Thanks for making me get them out of the cupboard Dennis 👍😄

Haha! No problem. There are a lot of people that say the Zeiss FL 7x42's are the best binoculars they have ever looked through. There is just something about the view with the 7x and AK prisms. They are bright, easy to hold steady, have easy eye placement, great DOF, 3D, and they are very sharp in the center.

 

[Robert Moore]

The 7x42 FL is excellent except for the reds looking weird. I have said this before I know but when compared side by side with the 7x42 Leica HD I prefer the color in the Leica. Everything else about this Zeiss though is awesome.

 

[Boogieshrew]

The 7x42 FL is excellent except for the reds looking weird. I have said this before I know but when compared side by side with the 7x42 Leica HD I prefer the color in the Leica. Everything else about this Zeiss though is awesome.

I never noticed reds looking weird. One of my favourite tests for bins is to look at traffic speed signs. Black, white and red, gives a good sense for contrast. I'll try it tomorrow.
I wish I had Leicas to compare but I don't.

 

[jackjack]

The 7x42 FL is excellent except for the reds looking weird. I have said this before I know but when compared side by side with the 7x42 Leica HD I prefer the color in the Leica. Everything else about this Zeiss though is awesome.

red is looking weird because of TFL has distictive greenish coloring.
on the other hand, bino with reddish coloring auch as shuntu panorama, kenko ultraview tends to make green color less vibrant.
I think it does it because green and red are complementary colors

LEFT : Zeiss victory HT 10x42 (bit greenish - bluish coloring. But much less green bias then TFL
RIGHT : Shuntu Panorama 10x42 (Distictive red coloring)

 

[CharleyBird]

Is that greenish tint found on the 7x42FL produced later with lototec (and distinguished by having an underscore on their 7x42?
Denco which do you have?

 

[NDhunter]

many.
hand held + tripod,
under 100m / 50m / 25m / 10m

if with booster 6 ~ 8 power, under 200 ~ 50m

mainly objects with straight lines. such as resoultion chart, handrail, telephone pole, brick wall, QR code...extra


10x42

NV < HT < SF < NL < EL

8x42

EDG < SF < NV < HT < NL < EL (8.5)

8x30 ~ 32mm

CL Companion = MHG < UV HD, HD+ < Conquest HD < SFL < T*FL < NL < ELSV (fieldpro) < ELSV (pre fieldpro)

jack:
I am a bit confused, tell us how you have presented your lists and rankings.
I see for example NV first, and the less than symbol. That means the NV was poorest ?
My keyboard does not have that symbol.
So, then how are the rankings in your tests, least to best, or the other way around.
The EL looks very good all the way around it seems.
Jerry

 

[MiddleRiver]

Jerry, I think you have a less-than-sign to right of 'M' (shift-apostrophe).

"EDG < SF < NV < HT < NL < EL (8.5)"
I assume this means EDG is less-than SF which is less-than NV, etc. Less-than meaning less sharp or whatever.