Note I did say "immediately" sharp - I was purposeful - I think the SFL pops more vs the early FLs, a little less than later FLs....sort of the connection between sharpness and contrast.
So let's narrow this down further. Mine (8x32) with reddish-orange coating has # 463489x. That suggests a change between 4634...600 and ....890.
That is definitely correct. I placed my three purple x42 models into the sun, upside down for the sun to shine on to the objectives. And the views behind a three-layered window glass provided interesting results. I concentrated on the bright small spot of the sun itself. Two models (8x & 10x) had a purple spot of different intensity, and the 7x had three spots (see attachment), one intensive purple, then a whitish one and finally a intensively bluish one. I tried to photograph them but the pictures don't quite satisfy. Nevertheless one can still get an idea of the differences. The non-lotutec 8x model seemed to be the most neutral one in its purple spot. The first attachment shows the 7x FL with the three different spots. The second picture shows all three FL models with the "three-spot" 7x on the left.
My first x42 FL (8x) dates from 2005. The other ones were much later bought used. They were both in top condition and came with Lotutec. So they are obviously much more recent.
Interesting observation on the "very old glass" FL 8x32. Arthur, did you read this?My wife (Swissboy's Doris) and I had a chance today to evaluate all four versions of the new Zeiss SFL, and comparing them with our older models we want to replace. That is my wife's Victory I 10x40 dating from 2001, as well as my own FL 8x32 (with Lotutec) that I bought just a short time before Zeiss stopped producing it. Today was a somewhat dreary overcast day. So maybe the observed differences were particularly pronounced. When I tried a 8x30 SFL, I simply did not believe what I saw at first. The picture was so bright! Same with the 10x30 model. The x40 versions were about the same, not particulary brighter. Over all, if anything, the SFLs make colors seem too bright, the views were as if someone had turned on the light. I wonder how they fare in full sun. But here now, it was absolutely mindblowing to me. My FL 8x32 gave an impression as if it were a very old glass, I was truly shocked. This 8x32 FL is very well kept and not all that much used, certainly no signs of dirt or dust.
Also, the new SFLs feel extremely comfortable in the hands, and the relatively low or forward position of the focuser was never an issue. I had been a bit concerned at first. The focus was also butter-smooth, unlike on a small Swaro model the dealer had on display as well. (I don't recall the model as I was not interested anyway.) The wide FOV was also very nice, definitely less tunnel impression than in the 8x32 FL. And that model is not known for a particularly narrow FOV. It may be the extra brightness that hightens the impression.
In a way, I expexted my wife to go for the x40 models, with just a question whether she would stick to the 10x version as on her old Victory I she had been happy with for close to 22 years. But while the 10x magnification still suited her better, she quickly decided to order the x30 model as the weight difference is quite noticeable. There is no need for me to already make a decision, so it is still open whether I'll take a 10x30 or a 8x30 one. At the moment, it looks like the x30 models will become available in spring, hopefully March or April according to the dealer. If nothing else, I can already foresee a highly increased use of this x30 glass for me. The convenient close focus does the rest for this.
To be more precise, between 4634680 and 4634890. Presumably 2017 (according to Andy) or possibly 2018, so just a couple of years' production with new coatings on the very last FL 32s made. I wonder why they even bothered.
@POST #30: Definitely striking size difference. Looks even more extreme than what I recall. But explains why my wife quickly decided the x30 one was her favorite size. As for me, I had focussed my attention to the smaller size from the beginning.As a long term user of the FL8x32 as well as the FL10x32 I am happy to say the SFL8x30 does not disappoint.
I have one on order now, it only took a brief stint with the demo unit to seal the deal - to me it is the successor to the FL8x32.
The SFL 8x30 works better for me with glasses than the FL 8x32 did and the imaging is top notch.
Before getting glasses the FL 8x32 was the perfect format and performance package for me over the years.
I think the 8x30 is about as much smaller than my SFL 8x40 as I would want it. Not as stylish as the Leica Ultravid or the Swaros but I have always been a sucker for plain jane Zeiss.
So I was glad the dealer's display was available for two days. Thus I delayed my decision to order for 24 hours.
Bill,
I noticed from the review of the 10x40 SFL on scopeviews.com that the reflections off the SFL objectives are not the typical red T* coatings like the SFs and FLs but rather green and pink, more like the EDG and of lower intensity like the EDG than the T* coatings, which seem to shine red.As a long term user of the FL8x32 as well as the FL10x32 I am happy to say the SFL8x30 does not disappoint.
I have one on order now, it only took a brief stint with the demo unit to seal the deal - to me it is the successor to the FL8x32.
The SFL 8x30 works better for me with glasses than the FL 8x32 did and the imaging is top notch.
Before getting glasses the FL 8x32 was the perfect format and performance package for me over the years.
I think the 8x30 is about as much smaller than my SFL 8x40 as I would want it. Not as stylish as the Leica Ultravid or the Swaros but I have always been a sucker for plain jane Zeiss.
