The Best of Digital Birding

"I have to say that they are going to cause a big splash in the 'birding optics pond'...."

Review by Brian J Small (brian At surfbirds.com)

For a long time it has generally been felt amongst the birding public that Zeiss had fallen a little way behind Leica, Swarovski and Nikon in the quality of their binoculars. Not since the old Dialyts had they challenged for the top position. However, as those that own the Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL telescope (arguably the best there is) they were still capable of producing really high quality birding optics. So when the word began to spread that the new range of binoculars were excellent, I was interested. Zeiss UK have kindly allowed me to field test a pair of the 10x42 T* FLs for the past month and I have to say that they are going to cause a big splash in the 'birding optics pond'.

In size, they are a little larger than the equivalent Swarovski 10x42 ELs and the Leica 10x42 BRS, weighing c.770gms (without a strap), but in the hand they are very comfortable to hold - I find that sometimes binoculars can be too small and light and a bit of weight helps to settle them in a breeze. The focusing wheel is very smooth and it takes slightly less than a single 360 degree turn from close focus to infinity, which is very good, but so to is the close focus, which is absolutely excellent - on the test pair down to 2 metres. The focusing wheel is extremely smooth, and whilst my own pair of Nikons stiffened up in very cold weather, the Zeiss remained easy - it also pops out in order to adjust the individual eye diopters. I am not sure if they are supplied with a case, but assume so. They feel really nice in the hand, but perhaps do not exude the quality of the Leicas, but are still very good. As with all modern binoculars they are waterproof and nitrogen filled.

The eye-pieces twist out and click at three settings, one close and two at more typical settings for use without glasses. The eye-cups fit neatly and comfortably in the eye socket, with no extraneous light creeping in.

Optically they are absolutely excellent. Recently, I tested the Leica 8x42 BRs, which were superb, but I have to say that these possibly have them beaten (though I did not test them side by side). The image through the flourite glass is supreme, with excellent clarity, brightness, and sharpness - I found a slight fall off in quality near the very edge of the image, but this is more than made up for by the image across 99% of the view. Interestingly, the image has a feel very much like that of the 85mm Diascope T* FL, which also has flourite glass: the colour reproduction is very neutral; there is no colour flaring around objects against the light; the image is very crisp and sharp and simply 'feels' right. The old Dialyts suffered with 'barreling', where dark crescents obscured some of the image, but I found that this is no longer a problem.

In summary, I would say that these are an extremely desirable pair of binoculars, and perhaps the best that I have had the chance to test recently. I liked the sharpness and neutrality of the image, the comfortable and well-balanced feeling in the hand. I thought it hard for the Leica 8x42 BRs to be bettered, but these to my eyes are perhaps slightly better; whilst briefly comparing them with a pair of Swarovski 10x42 ELs, I found the resolution to be identical - perhaps slightly better in the Zeiss - but prefered the crispness of colours of the Zeiss.

These are excellent binoculars, if you are looking for a new pair you must try them - and the 8x42 T* FLs are also said to be quite superb also.

Rating 10/10

Brian Small

See Brian's Review of the Leica 8x42 Ultravid BR Binoculars

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