After many months of being in the market for a pair of bins, I have finally purchased the Zeiss 8x42 FLs.
I can't give you a "technical review" of them, being a layman and all that - besides, the original Zeiss FL thread is full of "technical stuff"
I can comment on a couple of features though, that I find particularly satisfying:
1. The brightness. It really is superb, I almost need a pair of sunglasses to look through them. I have been out with them today - a very sunny day - watching red kites. I have no idea what the technical term is, but I didn't notice any apparant "colours or fringing" around the edges of the bird, which I have noticed with other bins. It was very clear and the image was very sharp indeed. From an open sunny spot I went for a walk in the woods where I watched a spotted flycatcher perching then catching insects. Again, I was very pleased with the brightness and sharpness.
2. The weight. Or lack of. Weighing in at 755g - not too heavy, but they still feel as though I'm holding something substantial!
3. Focusing. The focus wheel is very smooth indeed.
4. The body. I particularly like the "ribbing" on the body, enabling a firm grip. Very comfortable to hold, and gives me the security of knowing they aren't about to slip out of my hands!
5. The design. I think they are pretty classy! Solid, lightweight, with a small "Made in Germany" label on the underpart of the bridge (or whatever it's called). "Less is more", as they say.
Err, that's it. As I said, the above points are what particularly pleased me.
Overall, a very nice binocular indeed. I'm glad I waited so long before rushing in. If anyone is thinking of purchasing a top quality pair of bins, I would thoroughly recommend these.
Oh, and by the way, if you do go down the Zeiss road, have a word with Admin here at Birdforum.net before rushing out to purchase elsewhere.
I did. :t:
I can't give you a "technical review" of them, being a layman and all that - besides, the original Zeiss FL thread is full of "technical stuff"
I can comment on a couple of features though, that I find particularly satisfying:
1. The brightness. It really is superb, I almost need a pair of sunglasses to look through them. I have been out with them today - a very sunny day - watching red kites. I have no idea what the technical term is, but I didn't notice any apparant "colours or fringing" around the edges of the bird, which I have noticed with other bins. It was very clear and the image was very sharp indeed. From an open sunny spot I went for a walk in the woods where I watched a spotted flycatcher perching then catching insects. Again, I was very pleased with the brightness and sharpness.
2. The weight. Or lack of. Weighing in at 755g - not too heavy, but they still feel as though I'm holding something substantial!
3. Focusing. The focus wheel is very smooth indeed.
4. The body. I particularly like the "ribbing" on the body, enabling a firm grip. Very comfortable to hold, and gives me the security of knowing they aren't about to slip out of my hands!
5. The design. I think they are pretty classy! Solid, lightweight, with a small "Made in Germany" label on the underpart of the bridge (or whatever it's called). "Less is more", as they say.
Err, that's it. As I said, the above points are what particularly pleased me.
Overall, a very nice binocular indeed. I'm glad I waited so long before rushing in. If anyone is thinking of purchasing a top quality pair of bins, I would thoroughly recommend these.
Oh, and by the way, if you do go down the Zeiss road, have a word with Admin here at Birdforum.net before rushing out to purchase elsewhere.
I did. :t:
