Upgrade to Swarovski EL? (1 Viewer)

[Mikebirding]

Hi there! I have a pair of Leica Ultravid HD Plus binoculars, but I have heard some people say Swarovski EL is better, especially in terms of edge sharpness and chromatic aberration control. Is it worth upgrading to EL? Thanks!

 

[Richard D]

Hi there! I have a pair of Leica Ultravid HD Plus binoculars, but I have heard some people say Swarovski EL is better, especially in terms of edge sharpness and chromatic aberration control. Is it worth upgrading to EL? Thanks!

They're different... Yes edge sharpness and CA control is better on the ELs but not everyone likes the flatter field view and the cooler colour tone. Focusers are different too - ELs don't have the diopter drift Leicas sometimes acquire with age, but there is slight resistance turning the focuser in different directions. It's really down to personal preferences. Try and see if you can.

 

[Maljunulo]

How close are you to a place where you could take your Ultravid with you, and look through an EL of your choice?

That will likely result in a much better outcome.

Oh, and welcome.

 

[NSH]

I can't use Swarovskis as they give me motion sickness! So always try before you buy!
I have Leica Noctovids, no problems whatsoever.
Regards Neil

 

[Mikebirding]

They're different... Yes edge sharpness and CA control is better on the ELs but not everyone likes the flatter field view and the cooler colour tone. Focusers are different too - ELs don't have the diopter drift Leicas sometimes acquire with age, but there is slight resistance turning the focuser in different directions. It's really down to personal preferences. Try and see if you can.

Thanks for sharing

 

[Mikebirding]

How close are you to a place where you could take your Ultravid with you, and look through an EL of your choice?

That will likely result in a much better outcome.

Oh, and welcome.

Thanks. Unfortunately in my area there is no place I can try a pair of EL.

 

[Mikebirding]

I can't use Swarovskis as they give me motion sickness! So always try before you buy!
I have Leica Noctovids, no problems whatsoever.
Regards Neil

It is definitely better to try before buying. Thanks for your sharing.

 

[Zero4]

You don't mention what magnification you've looking at. So hopefully this info might help you...

I've been using binos at the 8x30 and 8x32 end of the market. Over the last 3 years I've previously used Nikon HG and Zeiss SFL and recently took a chance on a mint pair of secondhand Swarovski 8x32 EL Field Pros for a good price from an optics and photography shop in the UK. (Being a deleted model no-one near me had any in stock to try) Completely untested by me before purchase, but made sure I could return them if I didn't like them.

For me the EL's have been a significant step up from both those previous sets of binoculars. Trading off a little heavier weight to carry, but they are far better balanced in the hands and on the face when viewing. The ergonomics, (for me), are much better all round than the SFL's and the sharpness across the whole field of view is truly excellent and much better than the Zeiss and the Nikons. (The SFL's are good step up in quality and sharpness from the HG's) Field Pro EL's are highly recommended in my books if you can get to try or are prepared to take a punt unseen on a minty recent model.

(I've also tried Leica HD+'s in the past and didn't particularly like the view through them vs the HG's and SFL's and felt they would've been great 15 years ago but really need an update to compete in the 2020's marketplace.)

 

[lestat]

Thanks. Unfortunately in my area there is no place I can try a pair of EL.

Best save up a bit and combine it with a little birding trip / other trip to a place where you can. It's an expensive purchase that will likely last you a lifetime (unless you always want the best and the latest). Over here there are only a few stores that carry a substantial range but most of them are easy to reach. That's the upside of living in a smaller country. Alternatively you can wait for an event "bird fair" or something likewise. You can probably test out most brands as well and in the field (always better than inside a store)

Be aware though, having a large choice of different models can lead you down an expensive rabbit hole.

 

[Maljunulo]

Nothing you read is going to tell you what you will see when you look through a particular binocular.

You can read reviews, spec sheets, and bird forum posts until your eyeballs fall out, and you still won’t know, until that first look.

Just my opinion.

(and you won’t know how it compares to any other, until you’ve looked through both)

 

[Mikebirding]

Thanks everybody. I will try to find a shop and take a "look"

 

[yarrellii]

If it's of any help, I think the ELSV and the UVHD+ are simply two different 8x32 that compete with different charms. The UVHD is one of the shortest 8x32, actually size and weight are one of it's strengtht, while the ELSV while not extremely heavy, is quite tall for an 8x32. So let's say the ergonomics are aimed at different audiences. The same could be said about the view. One prioritizes brightness and flat field of view, which may or may not be of your liking (some people find the panning behaviour of the ELSV unpleasant), while the other doesn't put as much emphasis on the edge performance, but on the other hand offers a really rich and contrasty view. I remember trying most compact 8x32 (no particular interest in huge 8x32 like EDG, NL, SF), and the ones that really impressed me where UVHD and ELSV, the view through the FL (for my eyes) didn't have the same "pop" and feeling of "superpower in your eyes" that the Leica or Swaro delivered (again, this is just me). A time came to chose one, and to be honest, in my particular case, choosing between the UVHD and the ELSV 8x32 the view was secondary, odd as it might sound. It all came down to "fit and feel". In fact, I don't particularly care that much for edge performance or a flat field, those are secondary interest. I could say I'm more of a "Leica client". However, I found the handling of the ELSV suited me better. But optically, both were amazing enough, it's a bit like choosing between Ferrari or Lamborghini, Rolls or Bentley, etc. Both do what they do very well, you basically can ask for little more, it's just which one fits your best. The handling of the 8x32 ELSV is the closest to an 8x42 for me, such an easy view, so relaxed and easy, the job Swarovski has done on the optics (brightness, sharpness, etc.) is amazing, but no less amazing is what they've achieved in terms of ease of view. On the other hand, the Swaro does not have the amazing contrast and sweet view the Leica offers, the ELSV seems to deliver a more "prosaic" view, full of detail of the life around, while the Leica, with its emphasis on colours and contrast is really very very pleasant, let's say more "poetic". So, which one is better, Degas or Toulousse-Lautrec? When you get to that level, i'd say it's a pure matter of taste. So I wouldn't say you "upgrade" to an ELSV, but you change to a different flavour. Hope that helps.

 

[Paultricounty]

If it's of any help, I think the ELSV and the UVHD+ are simply two different 8x32 that compete with different charms. The UVHD is one of the shortest 8x32, actually size and weight are one of it's strengtht, while the ELSV while not extremely heavy, is quite tall for an 8x32. So let's say the ergonomics are aimed at different audiences. The same could be said about the view. One prioritizes brightness and flat field of view, which may or may not be of your liking (some people find the panning behaviour of the ELSV unpleasant), while the other doesn't put as much emphasis on the edge performance, but on the other hand offers a really rich and contrasty view. I remember trying most compact 8x32 (no particular interest in huge 8x32 like EDG, NL, SF), and the ones that really impressed me where UVHD and ELSV, the view through the FL (for my eyes) didn't have the same "pop" and feeling of "superpower in your eyes" that the Leica or Swaro delivered (again, this is just me). A time came to chose one, and to be honest, in my particular case, choosing between the UVHD and the ELSV 8x32 the view was secondary, odd as it might sound. It all came down to "fit and feel". In fact, I don't particularly care that much for edge performance or a flat field, those are secondary interest. I could say I'm more of a "Leica client". However, I found the handling of the ELSV suited me better. But optically, both were amazing enough, it's a bit like choosing between Ferrari or Lamborghini, Rolls or Bentley, etc. Both do what they do very well, you basically can ask for little more, it's just which one fits your best. The handling of the 8x32 ELSV is the closest to an 8x42 for me, such an easy view, so relaxed and easy, the job Swarovski has done on the optics (brightness, sharpness, etc.) is amazing, but no less amazing is what they've achieved in terms of ease of view. On the other hand, the Swaro does not have the amazing contrast and sweet view the Leica offers, the ELSV seems to deliver a more "prosaic" view, full of detail of the life around, while the Leica, with its emphasis on colours and contrast is really very very pleasant, let's say more "poetic". So, which one is better, Degas or Toulousse-Lautrec? When you get to that level, i'd say it's a pure matter of taste. So I wouldn't say you "upgrade" to an ELSV, but you change to a different flavour. Hope that helps.

I couldn’t say that better 🙇.

 

[Paultricounty]

I second everything Yarrellii said. It’s not necessarily an upgrade, it’s a lateral movement.

 

[Mikebirding]

If it's of any help, I think the ELSV and the UVHD+ are simply two different 8x32 that compete with different charms. The UVHD is one of the shortest 8x32, actually size and weight are one of it's strengtht, while the ELSV while not extremely heavy, is quite tall for an 8x32. So let's say the ergonomics are aimed at different audiences. The same could be said about the view. One prioritizes brightness and flat field of view, which may or may not be of your liking (some people find the panning behaviour of the ELSV unpleasant), while the other doesn't put as much emphasis on the edge performance, but on the other hand offers a really rich and contrasty view. I remember trying most compact 8x32 (no particular interest in huge 8x32 like EDG, NL, SF), and the ones that really impressed me where UVHD and ELSV, the view through the FL (for my eyes) didn't have the same "pop" and feeling of "superpower in your eyes" that the Leica or Swaro delivered (again, this is just me). A time came to chose one, and to be honest, in my particular case, choosing between the UVHD and the ELSV 8x32 the view was secondary, odd as it might sound. It all came down to "fit and feel". In fact, I don't particularly care that much for edge performance or a flat field, those are secondary interest. I could say I'm more of a "Leica client". However, I found the handling of the ELSV suited me better. But optically, both were amazing enough, it's a bit like choosing between Ferrari or Lamborghini, Rolls or Bentley, etc. Both do what they do very well, you basically can ask for little more, it's just which one fits your best. The handling of the 8x32 ELSV is the closest to an 8x42 for me, such an easy view, so relaxed and easy, the job Swarovski has done on the optics (brightness, sharpness, etc.) is amazing, but no less amazing is what they've achieved in terms of ease of view. On the other hand, the Swaro does not have the amazing contrast and sweet view the Leica offers, the ELSV seems to deliver a more "prosaic" view, full of detail of the life around, while the Leica, with its emphasis on colours and contrast is really very very pleasant, let's say more "poetic". So, which one is better, Degas or Toulousse-Lautrec? When you get to that level, i'd say it's a pure matter of taste. So I wouldn't say you "upgrade" to an ELSV, but you change to a different flavour. Hope that helps.

Yes, you are right. It is a matter of taste. Your experience helps me understand more about them, thanks.

 

[mwhogue]

@Mikebirding

Lots of good input here. Some more (subjective) food for thought:

If the purpose of an outing is birding, I prefer an EL. But for travel and general sight seeing which will include opportunistic birding I prefer an HD+.
That said, I'm not as sensitive to CA as some are and don't insist on a binocular being sharp all the way to the edge. I notice rolling ball in the EL but am not bothered by it.

While it's better to directly compare both in a shop, it's better still to compare at home over a period of several days in differing lighting conditions, purposely for actual birding, scanning and just studying the differing image performance and qualities -- especially if you plan to keep just one or the other. Since you don't have the opportunity to compare them in a shop, the standard advice to order from a vendor with a good return policy applies.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

 

[Paultricounty]

@Mikebirding

Lots of good input here. Some more (subjective) food for thought:

If the purpose of an outing is birding, I prefer an EL. But for travel and general sight seeing which will include opportunistic birding I prefer an HD+.
That said, I'm not as sensitive to CA as some are and don't insist on a binocular being sharp all the way to the edge. I notice rolling ball in the EL but am not bothered by it.

While it's better to directly compare both in a shop, it's better still to compare at home over a period of several days in differing lighting conditions, purposely for actual birding, scanning and just studying the differing image performance and qualities -- especially if you plan to keep just one or the other. Since you don't have the opportunity to compare them in a shop, the standard advice to order from a vendor with a good return policy applies.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

I did exactly that , bought both the 8x32 UV+ and Zeiss SF to compare for a few days to decide which to keep. I couldn’t make up my mind because they’re both so good in their own ways. I wound up keeping them both. The EL came later on.

 

[Mikebirding]

@Mikebirding

Lots of good input here. Some more (subjective) food for thought:

If the purpose of an outing is birding, I prefer an EL. But for travel and general sight seeing which will include opportunistic birding I prefer an HD+.
That said, I'm not as sensitive to CA as some are and don't insist on a binocular being sharp all the way to the edge. I notice rolling ball in the EL but am not bothered by it.

While it's better to directly compare both in a shop, it's better still to compare at home over a period of several days in differing lighting conditions, purposely for actual birding, scanning and just studying the differing image performance and qualities -- especially if you plan to keep just one or the other. Since you don't have the opportunity to compare them in a shop, the standard advice to order from a vendor with a good return policy applies.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

Yes, people are very helpful here, and I really appreciate that. Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[Mikebirding]

I did exactly that , bought both the 8x32 UV+ and Zeiss SF to compare for a few days to decide which to keep. I couldn’t make up my mind because they’re both so good in their own ways. I wound up keeping them both. The EL came later on.

Maybe I will do the same too, because they are very good.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Maybe I will do the same too, because they are very good.

You might have difficulty finding an ELSV these days, a new one anyway.

RB