Zeiss Victory 8x42

[whitingja]

Thinking about buying these. Does anyone own any, and your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[David in NC]

If you are talking about the latest model, the Victory HT, then I say "Heck Yeah!" I was pretty set on going with Leica already, but finally got to compare them side by side a few weeks ago for several hours. I did go with Leica for my 8x42s, but the Zeiss HT really made this a hard call. I VERY NEARLY went with them, and I STILL may go with the HTs when I pick up another (10x?) pair of binocs.

The HTs large focus wheel was awesome for me. It was clearly the fastest focusing bin for me of the ones I tried (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, Kowa) It felt good in the hands, and was of course "Zeiss-flagship-model" clear. The focus speed was what set it apart from the others which were also great views.

 

[whitingja]

Why did you go with the Leica 8x42 over Zeiss? I am wanting to get the 8x42 zeiss. Curious what you noticed to make you go that way. I have also been considering Swar EL 8x42.

 

[David in NC]

Why did you go with the Leica 8x42 over Zeiss? I am wanting to get the 8x42 zeiss. Curious what you noticed to make you go that way. I have also been considering Swar EL 8x42.

The only thing I dislike about the Zeiss is the color bias. Zeiss tends to lean it's presented image a BIT into the "cool" or "blue". Bear in mind that many people will NOT see this, and others, once they see it, say it doesn't bother them. I *think* it may enhance low light contrast somehow which Zeiss is legendary for.

I have noticed this with several Zeiss models I tried. A year or two ago I found a STEAL on a pair of 8x32 FLs and snagged them. They too had this "cool" or "blue" color bias. I returned them for this and also because I could not bring them up quickly and get a perfect image (blackouts). I had to fiddle with them on eye placement. The only Zeiss I have owned that DID NOT have the blue bias was the Diafun, and many people felt these were junk (I liked mine for the price I paid for them, and ironically sold them just yesterday to a buddy who is bedridden for several weeks and needed a better pair for watching birds out his window.)

I prefer the Leica image which is more "neutral" or even EVER SO SLIGHTLY "warm". In other words reds are just a SLIGHT bit "redder" and so forth.

With everything else I like about the HT, I am tempted to try to get used to the SLIGHT cool bias I seen. Again, many would never see this anyway, but for some reason I am prone to notice it. I DO NOT SEE chromatic aberrations, or "rolling ball" that others claim to see though in some bins... Go figure!

BTW-the Swarovskis are awesome in about every way. SOME claim the focusers are a little "notchy" or "gritty"-try before you buy. I love the Swaro images also!