Why is Zeiss SFL discounted for the month of April? Anyone purchasing one since it is a few dollars less than usual? (2 Viewers)

[cycleguy]

Curious as to why Zeiss SFL is on sale for the month?

Now that the new product fanfare is over, maybe one can get a clear view on the product, maybe?

Plenty of reviews saying that optically it isn’t worth the additional money over $1K binoculars … does this discounted price reflect that it may be a little overpriced … maybe demand didn’t live up to expectations and supply needs to be reduced?

Been reading posts for the 8x40.
Strong points seem to be -
*Fast focus
*Very good optics with great color rendition
*Lighter weight and size

Downsides seem to be -
*Price
*Plastic eyecup construction

Consensus seems to be -
*a second-tear binocular at a second-tier price.

Anybody picking up a pair given the discount? I’m considering the 8x40 and 8x30 but still on the fence and time is running out..

CG

 

[Scott98]

There's no consensus, there are no tiers, IMO. All imaginary marketing constructs.

The SFL's often go on sale for $300 off. Buying them on sale is a smart move.

 

[SanderBird82]

Many Zeiss binoculairs have cashback actions now. Not only SFL

 

[Dennis Mau]

I picked up a Zeiss SFL 8x30 for $1200 and no tax at Eurooptics for a lightweight hiking and travel binocular, and I am very impressed with it. It has a very smooth fluid focuser, excellent ergonomics, great colors, and it is very bright. I get no blackouts and eye placement is very comfortable, especially for a 8x30. The only thing I can see that separates it from an SF 8x32 is the smaller FOV, slightly less sharp edges and a little more CA. The SFL 8x30 has the same great contrast and pop that all the alphas seem to have, which for me separate them from second-tier binoculars.

I also picked up a Vortex Razor UHD 8x42 for $800 at Eurooptics, and it is an alpha all the way, outside of the smaller 8.0 degree FOV and slightly softer edges. The UHD has the same great contrast and pop that the SFL 8x30 has, and it is very glare resistant. The build quality on the UHD is excellent, and the AK prism gives it a more 3D view because of the greater objective separation in relation to the oculars. I would put it right up there with the NL and SF for way less money. The UHD is the first binocular that beat the Nikon HG 8x42 at about the same price point, and it beat it on contrast, transparency and resolution. IMO, both the SFL 8x30 and Razor UHD 8x42 are alpha's.

 

[AndrewC1]

Many Zeiss binoculairs have cashback actions now. Not only SFL

Indeed there are £400 cashbacks on the SF 8x32 and 10x32. In the UK, you can get the SF 8x32 for £1599 with the cash back.

Seems like quite a good deal?

 

[ArchStanton]

I’d like to see a comparison between the SFL 8x40’s and CHDX 8x42 and 8x32’s.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I’d like to see a comparison between the SFL 8x40’s and CHDX 8x42 and 8x32’s.

I have compared them. The SFL 8x30 and SFL 8x40 are better than the CHDX 8x32 and CHDX 8x42 in many ways. The SFL's have better contrast, better color fidelity, they are sharper on-axis, they have better glare control, they have sharper edges, and they control CA better. The SFL 8x30 is also better than the Leica UVHD+ 8x32 because it has better center sharpness, better edge sharpness, better color fidelity, it controls CA better and it has less distortion. The SFL 8x30 and SFL 8x40 are definitely alpha glass.

Brief Review of Zeiss SFL 8x30 (in comparison with CHD and ELSV 8x32)

so... it's Zeiss product again, every time I wrote something about this particular renowned brand, I received so much attention both positive or not. It is much more then Other brands even compared to other renowned companies such as Leica and Swarovski... hope I managed to get through it...

www.birdforum.net

 

[ArchStanton]

I have compared them. The SFL 8x30 and SFL 8x40 are better than the CHDX 8x32 and CHDX 8x42 in many ways. The SFL's have better contrast, better color fidelity, they are sharper on-axis, they have better glare control, they have sharper edges, and they control CA better. The SFL 8x30 is also better than the Leica UVHD+ 8x32 because it has better center sharpness, better edge sharpness, better color fidelity, it controls CA better and it has less distortion. The SFL 8x30 and SFL 8x40 are definitely alpha glass.

Brief Review of Zeiss SFL 8x30 (in comparison with CHD and ELSV 8x32)

so... it's Zeiss product again, every time I wrote something about this particular renowned brand, I received so much attention both positive or not. It is much more then Other brands even compared to other renowned companies such as Leica and Swarovski... hope I managed to get through it...

www.birdforum.net

Sounds like the SFL are much better binoculars. Thanks for sharing your experience with them and the CHDX.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Sounds like the SFL are much better binoculars. Thanks for sharing your experience with them and the CHDX.

The SFL's are a definite step-up IMO even over the MHG's and now that the price is coming down they are getting more attractive. The focuser is really smooth and nice on the SFL's and is almost like an EDG.

 

[ArchStanton]

The SFL's are a definite step-up IMO even over the MHG's and now that the price is coming down they are getting more attractive. The focuser is really smooth and nice on the SFL's and is almost like an EDG.

Sounds like a winner, especially if you find a great deal

 

[cycleguy]

Is there a Swaro CL 8x40 to compete with the SFL? In the works??

CG

 

[greekgeek]

The 8x30 SFL is downright tiny, and the focuser is excellent. About $960 at CampSaver in the US.

 

[Scott98]

Interesting....Campsaver already has the 50mm SFL's on their website - so does Cabela's.

 

[Vespobuteo]

Modern marketing strategy, same with photographic gear, put a higher list price and lure people with regular discounts seems to be the way to roll these days.

Can't remember there were any discounts on optics ever, 20 years ago.

 

[greekgeek]

Interesting....Campsaver already has the 50mm SFL's on their website - so does Cabela's.

No discount on their 50's, they seem to be excluded. Birdwatching has a note that SFL is discounted $300 through April 30th. However, they do not have the 50mm on their site yet.

 

[tenex]

Perhaps SFLs must go on sale periodically because they're overpriced. All part of the calculation.

 

[Scott98]

Perhaps SFLs must go on sale periodically because they're overpriced. All part of the calculation.

It's a "sliding scale". Bino-fanatics like us know the sale price and wait for it. People that walk into the store to buy a new bino every 10 years won't know about the sale Works for me!