Zeiss SFL 8x30? (6 Viewers)

[tenex]

One of the best performing binoculars I own cost me $309.95 brand new.

What was this gem? (Or others, for that matter.)

 

[Canip]

I think it is time to call around and round up the old gang: the FL 8x32, the Pure NL 8x32

The „natural“ comparison with the SFL from the point of view of weight and size would be the 8x32 UV HD+, for me still the best small 8x32, it often gets forgotten (I even prefer it even over the FL).

 

[gweller]

The „natural“ comparison with the SFL from the point of view of weight and size would be the 8x32 UV HD+, for me still the best small 8x32, it often gets forgotten (I even prefer it even over the FL).

Surely from the point of view of weight and size, wouldn't the Swaro 8x30 CL offer a more natural comparison??

 

[Scott98]

So you have no need for closer focus at all? 10 ft or 3 meters is a bit outdated I think, even when looking only at birds.

I didn't even realize that, you're right, my 8x42 SF are better, with 1.5 meter close focus. It hasn't been a problem yet with the EDG 7x42, but maybe it will be at some point.

3-4 meters is close enough for the observing I do around my house, maybe I'll get into a situation in the field where I wish for closer focus. I guess I'll have to remember to use the SF's for walking around shrubbery or for insect work.

 

[Canip]

Surely from the point of view of weight and size, wouldn't the Swaro 8x30 CL offer a more natural comparison??

Well, then you would also include the Nikon MHG, wouldn‘t you (although I currently believe - still waiting for my SFL - that both the CL and MHG would not be as rounded a package as the SFL - to be confirmed).

 

[Conndomat]

I presume the tight eye relief is no problem in your case?

Why tight eye relief?
The UV has 17mm. EP position?

Andreas

 

[Dennis Mau]

Well, then you would also include the Nikon MHG, wouldn‘t you (although I currently believe - still waiting for my SFL - that both the CL and MHG would not be as rounded a package as the SFL - to he confirmed).

I will bet, optically, the HG 8x30 will give the SFL 8x30 a run for the money. It has a bigger FOV, and it is a nice little binocular, although the edges are a little soft. I always wondered if Allbinos had tested the Zeiss SFL 10x40, where it would be ranked. I don't think it would beat the Nikon HG 10x42, but it probably would surpass the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42, so it would be 8th place in between them.

Binoculars rankings - 10x42 - AllBinos.com

The best binocular tests on the net. The comprehensive database of binoculars with their parameters and users opinions. Interesting articles and comparisons.

www.allbinos.com

 

[Paultricounty]

Thinking of binoculars as falling into "tiers" based on nothing but brand prestige and cost has a pernicious effect on trustworthy evaluations. I tested the optics of 8x40 SFL and couldn't find serious fault with it. It's easily good enough to fit into the so called "alpha" class unless membership in that club has nothing to do with merit. One of the best performing binoculars I own cost me $309.95 brand new. One of the most disappointing mediocrities I bought and quickly returned cost over $2500.00.

Hi Henry,

I wasn’t the one that coined the word Tier , I just went along with it as a description. So you’ve felt a disappointing mediocrity in a $2500 Binocular. Was that $2500 binocular an alpha in your opinion? My feelings if not verbalized as well as I might’ve, is very similar to your observation. I felt that the SFL40 were very mediocrity Disappointing binocular at $1800 , and if I would’ve bought them, I would’ve returned them just like you returned those $2500 binoculars. And I’m with you when it comes to certain very inexpensive Binoculars and how well some of them perform. Some of these old vintage Bushnell‘s, Kowa’s and swifts will embarrass the likes of most thousand dollar binoculars today.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Hi Henry,

I wasn’t the one that coined the word Tier , I just went along with it as a description. So you’ve felt a disappointing mediocrity in a $2500 Binocular. Was that $2500 binocular an alpha in your opinion? My feelings if not verbalized as well as I might’ve, is very similar to your observation. I felt that the SFL40 were very mediocrity Disappointing binocular at $1800 , and if I would’ve bought them, I would’ve returned them just like you returned those $2500 binoculars. And I’m with you when it comes to certain very inexpensive Binoculars and how well some of them perform. Some of these old vintage Bushnell‘s, Kowa’s and swifts will embarrass the likes of most thousand dollar binoculars today.

I know you are a Leica fan, so I'll admit to being puzzled at your dismissal of the SFL's. I've been constantly comparing them to Retro, UVHD, and now NV, and they always come up very very close in IQ, haptics, build quality,... I prefer the Leikkers' but I was just thinking today, how I could save $500-1000 by just having stuck to the 8x40's!
It really is such a personal 'thang ;-)

 

[Conndomat]

I have never understood the love of the UVHD 7x42 + but I am not a fan of 7x. I guess that is part of the problem. Most 7x binoculars have a smaller AFOV except maybe the Zeiss FL 7x42 and that is always where the big WOW factor comes for me.

You're always looking for the big spectacle, if binoculars don't "impact" right away, they'll sell them off immediately.
Most of the time, the joy of the new attraction is only short-lived.

I just try to give myself and the binoculars time, sometimes a deep love only develops with familiarity.
I also try to avoid praising binoculars to the skies or beating them down completely, a factual approach is more important to me.

Andreas

 

[Zedster]

This thread is going on 33 pages. I might post a few pictures doing the weekend, together with some initial impressions. Perhaps a new thread is warranted since it is now out on the market?

I will preface the thread with saying that it will not meet everyones criteria for a technical review but I will try to be sober and to the point about the subjective findings.

I think it is time to call around and round up the old gang: the FL 8x32, the Pure NL 8x32 and take them out on Sunday with the pair of SFL's. The FL 8x32 might not be available this weekend but the Pure NL 8x32 is with a guy who makes great coffee and would love to look through the SFL 8x30.

It would really be much more entertaining if the review was not done sober.

I look forward to reading it. I've been waiting for them to come out and be reviewed.

 

[b-lilja]

The last few pages have been mostly Paultricounty and denco saying they think the SFLs aren't that great, and others saying that at least the 8x40 SFLs are rather special. Time to move on perhaps? There's this saying...."agree to disagree".

As I've said elsewhere, the Zeiss 8x40SFLs are my favorite all round bins, for my own purposes, knowing others alphas well. I frankly don't really care that much about differing opinions.

 

[Dennis Mau]

The last few pages have been mostly Paultricounty and denco saying they think the SFLs aren't that great, and others saying that at least the 8x40 SFLs are rather special. Time to move on perhaps? There's this saying...."agree to disagree".

As I've said elsewhere, the Zeiss 8x40SFLs are my favorite all round bins, for my own purposes, knowing others alphas well. I frankly don't really care that much about differing opinions.

I didn't say they weren't that great. I just said I think the SF and NL are better overall because they check more boxes, and they should at 2x the price. Just because a binocular is the best in a manufacturer's line and is the most expensive doesn't mean it is the best choice for you and the way you use your binoculars. If you really value compact size and lighter weight, and you don't need the bigger FOV of the NL or SF, and maybe you don't want to spend $3000 either, I can see why you would choose the SFL. That is why Zeiss designed it to be a high performing binocular that is a little bigger than the 8x25 but still compact and light enough to hike all day with, and probably give you 90% of the view of the SF. For you, it is the best.

 

[pm42]

As I've said elsewhere, the Zeiss 8x40SFLs are my favorite all round bins, for my own purposes, knowing others alphas well. I frankly don't really care that much about differing opinions.

Opinions are one thing when they are based on facts and real personal experience. For instance, I prefer the 8x40 SFL to the 8x32 SF and Troudabour does not. I respect that.
But when they are based on bias, "tests" done in less time than a meaningful sexual encounter, they have another name and should not be presented as significant.

Anyhow, I've ordered mine and if I'm lucky (not talking about sex this time), I should receive them next week. If so, I may report what my experience is but I would bet on "smaller 8x40" and "a good intermediate size between the Curio and my 8x40 or 8x42".

 

[Thotmosis]

This thread is going on 33 pages. I might post a few pictures doing the weekend, together with some initial impressions. Perhaps a new thread is warranted since it is now out on the market?

I will preface the thread with saying that it will not meet everyones criteria for a technical review but I will try to be sober and to the point about the subjective findings.

I think it is time to call around and round up the old gang: the FL 8x32, the Pure NL 8x32 and take them out on Sunday with the pair of SFL's. The FL 8x32 might not be available this weekend but the Pure NL 8x32 is with a guy who makes great coffee and would love to look through the SFL 8x30.

I’m really looking forward to your review HenRun as i like your posts and pictures! I also make good coffee people tell me….

Cheers,

T.

 

[Thotmosis]

Unfortunately, the focusers sometimes turn out differently, which is no different with other brands.

A few more incentives for you! Why is the UV so good?

First of all, 7x is very easy to hold, no big wobbling and the depth of field is supported.

The UV has a slightly reduced AFOV, a problem for many, but for me it contributes to the calmness of the image, I have the habit of circling my eyes with very large AFOVs, which makes the image a bit nervous.
With the UV, you only concentrate on the essentials.

The UV doesn't excel in any discipline, curiously enough that makes it very good because at the same time it doesn't have any real weak points, it's very balanced and good in all disciplines, that's what makes it so harmonious.

In poor light conditions, it has sufficient reserves.

It's barely larger than a 8x32, the ergonomics of the 7x42 are incredibly comfortable for me, the binoculars just fit.

There are no other binoculars with which I can observe for so long and relaxed, if I didn't already have the UV 7x42 I would buy it new right away.

A small homage to the UV 7x42 HD Plus.❤️

Andreas

Hi Andreas, I couldn’t agree more with everything you write. I have three 7’s, Trinovid BN (which is on a Spa holiday in Portugal at the moment), FL and an UVHD (not plus), which is in front of me together with my Habicht 10x40. I’m drinking my first coffee before breakfast and watching boats and birds from my bed. Reading the news -boring-, birdforum and looking occasional out of the window with this two binoculars. This Leica 7x is soo wonderfully relaxed and easy to use in the first hour that I’m (half) awake, it’s the perfect waking up binocular. Now I’m deciding which of my binoculars I’m gonna take with me today for my weekly 3 hour walk. If its windy and im not able to walk on the shore and only walking in the forest i will take a 7 but if I’m gonna walk on the shore i will take the Habicht 10x or the Duovid. Nive to have choices, life is good!

A small homage to the UV 7x42 HD not Plus.❤️

 

[Thotmosis]

I agree that it is often the case that it is possible to get an accurate feel of a binoculars overall performance within a few minutes, providing the circustances are right e.g. decent weather and the right habitat. Having said that, it is also true that sometimes the opinion I formed within a few minutes of using a binocular has changed when using it over a longer period of time. For example a binocular with a fast focus speed and an easy to move focuser can feel rather twitchy and lacking control at first, but with some familiarisation and practice can become a favourite. So I think it is impossible to generalise about this.

I agree and i need even a much longer period. I’m a slow learner, i always was, for me it takes years to form a comprehensive opinion about a specific binocular. I need to use them in different countries (different light) and seasons. And even then, your eyes changes during the years and maybe the weight of a binocular starts too get to heavy etc. And as you said also the binocular changes, like a focusser gets better (Habicht) or worse. For me it’s a never ending proces.

 

[Troubador]

Hi Henry,

My feelings if not verbalized as well as I might’ve, is very similar to your observation. I felt that the SFL40 were very mediocrity Disappointing binocular at $1800

Hard to see how Henry's conclusions can be called similar to yours given that you felt SFL40 are mediocre whereas Henry's opinion was: "I tested the optics of 8x40 SFL and couldn't find serious fault with it. It's easily good enough to fit into the so called "alpha" class".

 

[HenRun]

Canip and Gweller: I agree, the Ultravid HD+ 8x32 would make for an excellent comparison since the Ultravid is a close match in size and has stellar optics.

Unfortunately I don’t have access to one at the moment but I will try to get a little side by side viewing next time I visit the shop. They have both in stock.

Since I have some experience with the Ultravid I would say that the main difference between the two would be that it would be hard to tell them apart by performance. The Ultravid feels better built, has a good but not great focuser - subjectively so, of course. The field of view and the image is smaller in the Ultravid and the SFL 8x30 is more generous. One of the things that kept me off the Ultravid was that the image felt smaller which was quite obvious when comparing to the ”big guns” like the Pure NL. Apart from that there is no faulting the Ultravid for performance.

As for price comparison the SFL 8x30 gives very similar performance to the Leica at a better price.

I do think the CL 8x30 is a little behind both the SFL and Ultravid but that is from memory only, a friend bought and returned one a few years back - before settling on the Ultravid 8x32, then eventually the Swaro Pure NL 8x32.
The CL had a very nice view with glasses but optically the Ultravid was better. And since I find more similarities initially between the SFL and the Ultravid I would put the CL behind the two.

I have owned a CL 8x25 alongside a VP 8x25 for some time and had a hard time deciding but the VP 8x25 was optically superior. The CL 8x25 was very nice and better suited for me with glasses but the VP 8x25 was the one that stayed with me. I have had an on/off relationship with the VP 8x25.

I think this thread has run its course for me so I will post a new thread with the SFL 8x30. I am off for work for some ”damage control” haha but I will bring the bino with me, possibly both. It rains at the moment but with some luck I get some coffee and a Pure NL in my hands as well.

 

[gweller]

........I do think the CL 8x30 is a little behind both the SFL and Ultravid but that is from memory only,

That is probably so, but the CL 8x30 is cheaper than the SFL will be, and a lot, lot cheaper than the Ultravid 8x32!