Greetings BF readers!
Today I feel pretty comfortable in presenting some info and thoughts on the actual use of my SF 8X32. Eight weeks isn't really a lot time. It usually takes me a little while to sort out a new binocular as was the case here. More time will be needed for a complete opinion but I feel pretty safe in my thoughts here today. I was a little apprehensive in actually purchasing this binocular or ANY of the new offerings such as the Swarovski NL basically asking myself really how much better IS "better." My prediction was "not much" at the time. We shall see...
I kicked around "pre-ordering" the SF. I could have gotten a "free" Terra ED if I had done so. I purchased my SF after this promotion and purchased at a price better than what was being listed as the promo price. I all ready have a couple of Terra EDs so this was the best option for me.
The SF arrived at work two days after purchase. Opening the box the first thing one notices is the binocular case. I like it much better than the SF 42mm case. It's easier to use and is more roomy. I have no problem wrapping the Rick Young ULH around it and placing the SF in it's case. The case has proven to be issue free in the time I've had it. The actual binocular looked to be blemish free and without any issues upon examination. It sure didn't "squeak" the way my new, early production SF 8X42 did.
I thought about statistical comparisons for quite a while. What should one compare the Zeiss SF 8X32 to? This binocular is somewhat of an oddity in that it compares to 42mm binoculars in stature but has the FOV and objective of 32mm binoculars. So to solve that issue, I did a little of both picking a few binoculars I thought would good comparisons.
Field of View(feet@1000yds)
Zeiss SF 8X32..............- 465
Nikon Monarch HG 8X42- 435
Nikon Monarch HG 8X30- 435
Swarovski SV 8X32.......- 423
Nikon EDG II 8X32........- 409(same as the EDG 8X42 BTW)
Leica UVHD+ 8X42........- 389
Weight(ounces, actual)
Leica UVHD+ 8X42........- 27.1
Nikon Monarch HG 8X42- 23.5
Nikon EDG II 8X32...... .- 23.1
Zeiss SF 8X32...............- 21.3
Swarovski SV 8X32.......- 20.6
Nikon Monarch HG 8X30.-16.7
Close Focus
HOPEFULLY the picture below will be self explanatory. All the binoculars except for the Leica which was about 9 feet were all within about 1.5 feet of each other.
(continued)
Today I feel pretty comfortable in presenting some info and thoughts on the actual use of my SF 8X32. Eight weeks isn't really a lot time. It usually takes me a little while to sort out a new binocular as was the case here. More time will be needed for a complete opinion but I feel pretty safe in my thoughts here today. I was a little apprehensive in actually purchasing this binocular or ANY of the new offerings such as the Swarovski NL basically asking myself really how much better IS "better." My prediction was "not much" at the time. We shall see...
I kicked around "pre-ordering" the SF. I could have gotten a "free" Terra ED if I had done so. I purchased my SF after this promotion and purchased at a price better than what was being listed as the promo price. I all ready have a couple of Terra EDs so this was the best option for me.
The SF arrived at work two days after purchase. Opening the box the first thing one notices is the binocular case. I like it much better than the SF 42mm case. It's easier to use and is more roomy. I have no problem wrapping the Rick Young ULH around it and placing the SF in it's case. The case has proven to be issue free in the time I've had it. The actual binocular looked to be blemish free and without any issues upon examination. It sure didn't "squeak" the way my new, early production SF 8X42 did.
I thought about statistical comparisons for quite a while. What should one compare the Zeiss SF 8X32 to? This binocular is somewhat of an oddity in that it compares to 42mm binoculars in stature but has the FOV and objective of 32mm binoculars. So to solve that issue, I did a little of both picking a few binoculars I thought would good comparisons.
Field of View(feet@1000yds)
Zeiss SF 8X32..............- 465
Nikon Monarch HG 8X42- 435
Nikon Monarch HG 8X30- 435
Swarovski SV 8X32.......- 423
Nikon EDG II 8X32........- 409(same as the EDG 8X42 BTW)
Leica UVHD+ 8X42........- 389
Weight(ounces, actual)
Leica UVHD+ 8X42........- 27.1
Nikon Monarch HG 8X42- 23.5
Nikon EDG II 8X32...... .- 23.1
Zeiss SF 8X32...............- 21.3
Swarovski SV 8X32.......- 20.6
Nikon Monarch HG 8X30.-16.7
Close Focus
HOPEFULLY the picture below will be self explanatory. All the binoculars except for the Leica which was about 9 feet were all within about 1.5 feet of each other.
(continued)