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Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 vs. 8x42 for birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sope0018
- Start date
The 8x42's will be brighter especially in low light and have easier eye placement than the 8x32's but the 8x32's will have a noticeably bigger FOV. Of course, ergonomically, the big advantage of the 8x32 is the smaller size and weight.
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Any news?
Any news?
I will give a report later today!
I received Conquest HD 8x32 yesterday. My impression from the try in the store was the same when it comes to size and weight compared to the 8x42. It's a clear advantage to 8x32.
I see the entire FOV with eyeglasses.
Compared to 5+mm exit pupil there is a certain difference when it comes to eye placement, but not big.
But now I will come to the ease of view. As I already knew eye relief is shorter than the 8x42 and Vortex Viper HD 6x32. And while I clearly see the entire FOV I found my self constantly pushing the binocular to my eyeglasses in order to come closer.
I compared to the 8x42 and 6x32. The difference of ease of view is significant. I cannot get rid of the feeling of not easy being able to "climb into" the image like with the 6x32 and 8x42(NL Pure 8x42 as well). When I first look through the 8x32 and directly after through Viper 6x32 I find the view with 6x32 more relaxed in comparison.
What on the first short glanze in the store seemed to be good enough now with a careful test showed up to not being as good as I first thought.
Optics: while Viper HD is a great binocular, Conquest HD is at least a small step up.
On axis the 8x32 is super sharp, actually sharper than Conquest HD 8x42. But I perceive the 8x42 to have a bit larger sweet spot.
Conquest HD 8x32 is an excellent binocular.
I really like it, but I am a bit doubtful about the issue I described. To really get that perfect open even illuminated image(which I describe as "climbing into" the image) I need to push the binocular on the eyeglasses so they come some millimeter closer to the eyes. It works but is not comfortable. Or will I be used to it?...
I definitely recommend Conquest HD 8x32 for the hold comfortability and optical quality. I doubt there is better for the price.
But try before buy, or get it on an "open purchase" like I did (don't know if that's the right term in english) so you can send it back if it will not be to your satisfaction.
I will wait some day more until I make the decision whether I keep it or not. I am careful not to regret that I sent it back.
I see the entire FOV with eyeglasses.
Compared to 5+mm exit pupil there is a certain difference when it comes to eye placement, but not big.
But now I will come to the ease of view. As I already knew eye relief is shorter than the 8x42 and Vortex Viper HD 6x32. And while I clearly see the entire FOV I found my self constantly pushing the binocular to my eyeglasses in order to come closer.
I compared to the 8x42 and 6x32. The difference of ease of view is significant. I cannot get rid of the feeling of not easy being able to "climb into" the image like with the 6x32 and 8x42(NL Pure 8x42 as well). When I first look through the 8x32 and directly after through Viper 6x32 I find the view with 6x32 more relaxed in comparison.
What on the first short glanze in the store seemed to be good enough now with a careful test showed up to not being as good as I first thought.
Optics: while Viper HD is a great binocular, Conquest HD is at least a small step up.
On axis the 8x32 is super sharp, actually sharper than Conquest HD 8x42. But I perceive the 8x42 to have a bit larger sweet spot.
Conquest HD 8x32 is an excellent binocular.
I really like it, but I am a bit doubtful about the issue I described. To really get that perfect open even illuminated image(which I describe as "climbing into" the image) I need to push the binocular on the eyeglasses so they come some millimeter closer to the eyes. It works but is not comfortable. Or will I be used to it?...
I definitely recommend Conquest HD 8x32 for the hold comfortability and optical quality. I doubt there is better for the price.
But try before buy, or get it on an "open purchase" like I did (don't know if that's the right term in english) so you can send it back if it will not be to your satisfaction.
I will wait some day more until I make the decision whether I keep it or not. I am careful not to regret that I sent it back.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Conquest are phenomenal binoculars and are very high quality binos.
There are others that compare very well to the conquest and some slightly better, eyebox, CA control , immersive image. Nikon MHG, Kowa Genesis, Leica Trinovid to name a few. But none of those are in the same league as the NL, EL or even UVHD. If you got the SF or NL in 32 we would not be having this conversation 😜
You’re probably spoiled for life now after having the NL‘s. 😧
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Yes, NL Pure is in another league when it comes to contrast and flat field. Still I have no problem with the smaller sweet spot with Conquests.
The optical "problem" with 8x32 is because of the shorter objective lens focal length, which requires a shorter eyepiece focal length for a certain magnification. And shorter eyepiece focal length means shorter eye relief. That combined with that the manufacturers typically choose wider FOV eyepieces for 8x32 than 8x42, which shortens the eye relief even more. I wish there could be a 8x30/32 with 55-57 deg AFOV to gain eye relief. Still, Conquest HD 8x32 has one of the longest ER of 8x32s with 60+ deg AFOV.
I tried Swaro EL 8x32 a few years ago, and it may be even better than Conquest HD 8x32 in this respect.
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Paultricounty
Well-known member
Eye Releif
Conquest 8x32 16mm.
Options all with wider FOV and premium (alpha) optics.
NL 18
SF 19
EL 20
These numbers look good! Still I am not sure they are comparable in practise. In many cases the stated ER has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
But I want to try out other models in the NL Pure line.
Today I made the decision to make use of the open purchase on Conquest HD 8x32.
A decision that hurts for this is an excellent pair of binoculars. Perfect in the hand. Super sharp on axis, in my eyes rivalling NL Pure 8x42.
But when I get used to and learn to appreciate a relaxed image with long eye relief, I will always have that reference. I may have become spoiled on this, but the ease of view is for me more important for the viewing enjoyment than sharpness and FOV. Conquest HD 8x32 almost meet my requirement here. Very close but not enough.
If you don't wear eyeglasses and don't want to spend 2000+$ it's another thing. BUY THEM. Just contact Zeiss for the extended eyecups, because the included eyecups are way too short.
A decision that hurts for this is an excellent pair of binoculars. Perfect in the hand. Super sharp on axis, in my eyes rivalling NL Pure 8x42.
But when I get used to and learn to appreciate a relaxed image with long eye relief, I will always have that reference. I may have become spoiled on this, but the ease of view is for me more important for the viewing enjoyment than sharpness and FOV. Conquest HD 8x32 almost meet my requirement here. Very close but not enough.
If you don't wear eyeglasses and don't want to spend 2000+$ it's another thing. BUY THEM. Just contact Zeiss for the extended eyecups, because the included eyecups are way too short.
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Switching between my 8x32 EL's and 8x42 SLC's doesn't provide me with a noticeable increase in brightness during normal daytime viewing. But I do sometimes notice that the larger aperture of the SLC's sometimes reveals very fine details that the EL's don't quite show. It's similar to a 6" telescope resolving finer details of lunar craters than a 4" scope will due to its larger aperture.
I thought I would check back in after several weeks of trying a bunch of different binoculars and weighing the pros and cons of each, and trying to dial in exactly what it is I'm looking for in a binocular. In the end, I determined there probably isn't any one binocular that will fully satisfy all use cases, which seems obvious to me now. I also found that, for my eyes, there really was not much of a difference between an 8x42 and 8x32 in the types of low light situations I found myself in (I'm typically not observing until can no longer resolve an object, for instance). This was actually somewhat of a relief, as I really enjoy the lighter weight of the smaller objective formats.
It got me thinking about even smaller objective formats, like 8x20 or 8x25. I tried out the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25 and the Leica Ultravid 8x20 BR. In these smaller formats, I can definitely notice a difference in very low light scenarios. As an example, I was looking through the little Ultravid and a pair of 10x42 Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars I've had for awhile during a very heavy thunderstorm taking place in the middle of the day. Not quite night light, but pretty dark, similar to well-after-sundown conditions. The 10x42 format produced a brighter image, while the 8x20 was darker by comparison. This was expected.
The more I experimented with the compact formats, the more I found myself finding excuses to take binoculars with me! I took them hiking, dog walking, to various outdoor events in the community, on bike rides, long walks exploring the city I live in, and on vacation. Generally they are with me anytime I'm outside. The larger formats weren't as exciting to take with me on these non-dedicated-birding outings, where they were a bit more cumbersome and not as discrete, so they often wouldn't come along.
I ended up purchasing the Leica Ultravid 8x20 BR. It's combination of excellent build quality, ergonomics, image quality, color rendition, slick locking diopter adjustment, ease of view (with a bit of practice, and ability to see the entire field of view) with either sunglasses on or without, ultimate portability, and versatility for daylight use won me over. When I began this post, I was very concerned about field of view, apparent field of view, low light performance, etc., but after actually trying out a bunch of different bins, it's interesting to me how my preferences shifted! Between it and my 10x42s, I think I have my bases well-covered for the time being.
As an aside, there is definitely a subtlety about Leica color rendition that I really enjoy. The red part of the spectrum pops more noticeably with these than any other binocular I tried. The images it produces during twilight hours when the sun is at a low angle on the horizon are especially beautiful to my eyes. I loved the view through the Zeiss optics I tried as well. I appreciate them both.
It got me thinking about even smaller objective formats, like 8x20 or 8x25. I tried out the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25 and the Leica Ultravid 8x20 BR. In these smaller formats, I can definitely notice a difference in very low light scenarios. As an example, I was looking through the little Ultravid and a pair of 10x42 Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars I've had for awhile during a very heavy thunderstorm taking place in the middle of the day. Not quite night light, but pretty dark, similar to well-after-sundown conditions. The 10x42 format produced a brighter image, while the 8x20 was darker by comparison. This was expected.
The more I experimented with the compact formats, the more I found myself finding excuses to take binoculars with me! I took them hiking, dog walking, to various outdoor events in the community, on bike rides, long walks exploring the city I live in, and on vacation. Generally they are with me anytime I'm outside. The larger formats weren't as exciting to take with me on these non-dedicated-birding outings, where they were a bit more cumbersome and not as discrete, so they often wouldn't come along.
I ended up purchasing the Leica Ultravid 8x20 BR. It's combination of excellent build quality, ergonomics, image quality, color rendition, slick locking diopter adjustment, ease of view (with a bit of practice, and ability to see the entire field of view) with either sunglasses on or without, ultimate portability, and versatility for daylight use won me over. When I began this post, I was very concerned about field of view, apparent field of view, low light performance, etc., but after actually trying out a bunch of different bins, it's interesting to me how my preferences shifted! Between it and my 10x42s, I think I have my bases well-covered for the time being.
As an aside, there is definitely a subtlety about Leica color rendition that I really enjoy. The red part of the spectrum pops more noticeably with these than any other binocular I tried. The images it produces during twilight hours when the sun is at a low angle on the horizon are especially beautiful to my eyes. I loved the view through the Zeiss optics I tried as well. I appreciate them both.
What did you think of the Zeiss 8x25? I am curious why you went Leica pockets instead of the Victory.
I really get it, too. The Leica color quality. As I mentioned elsewhere in this forum, quite some time ago... they just give such a "delicious" visual taste to the viewed image.
Is Leica's view the most "neutral" of the possible alternative options? Perhaps not. So what? In my view, I sure don't care. I just love what I see when I view through Leica glass. Leica gives a view that is just fabulous. And that keeps me coming back, reaching for them, again and again.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
I went with the UV 8x20 BRs over the Zeiss 8x25 for their even more compact format that I could easily put in a jeans pocket, the clever locking diopter, and also the build quality, which felt more sturdy to me. The view through the Zeiss was great but the other factors mentioned won me over.
As an update on the 8x20 which I've used for over a year now, I still use them regularly. For me they really shine when you don't want to carry binoculars with you. They are about as big as a wallet and so light that I don't feel them around my neck, perfect for walking around the neighborhood or running errands when you know you'll be traveling past something interesting to view. A few times in my neighborhood I've had them with me when a hawk or an owl will land close by rather unexpectedly and I'll be able to catch a glimpse - sometimes I take my full-size binoculars with me on these types of outings but more often than not I prefer the discretion and light weight of the 8x20s.
One thing that I've learned to work around through practice but which can be annoying at times is how finicky the eye placement can be with the 8x20 format. It is not the easiest binocular to quickly catch glimpses of something in flight or if your heart rate is up or your hands are a bit shaky for instance, especially when compared against something like an 8x42. This makes perfect sense given the much larger exit pupil of the more standard formats. I would say more than any other factor in my usage, the tricky eye placement is the biggest sacrifice I make in exchange for ultimate portability. You can't have it all in one device! Earlier this year I purchased a Leica Ultravid 7x42 HD+, a binocular with very easy eye placement (6mm exit pupil) and a view that you can disappear into, and when you compare the 8x20 to this binocular, that tricky eye placement is much more obvious! BUT, the 8x20 is still the binocular I reach for on casual outings, the 7x42 is what I use for viewing from my house or if I'm doing some dedicated observation. I can see why many folks end up with several pairs of binoculars, especially if you use them all the time, it's very nice to be able to select the right tool for the job, and I do have my eye on the 8x32 format now for those "in-between" occasions.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
To me the small 8x30/32’s are the perfect compromise for the full size 40/42’s and the pockets, for the exact reasons you describe. The 30/32’s give you the best of both worlds, I sometimes forget that I’m carrying my Ultravid 8x32 or Swaro Habicht’s , and both easily fit into the pocket of a light jacket. The high quality pockets are amazing for what they are, but for me seem to be way to finicky for any serious on the move observing.
Paul
