Carl Zeiss 10x25 Victory Compact Binoculars

swiftproposal said:
OwenM: What is the difference between the DCF ED 8x32 and the SP one?
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Copy/paste from the birdforum thread about them.
"I know there's some additional ED element/s over the SP somewhere in there, and a difference in the coatings. I hope to see a little more color saturation, and the elimination of what little off-axis CA there is. That seems realistic. Based on some of the reviews it might be a tad brighter?"
btw:
ED=extra low dispersion glass(for eliminating CA)
CA=chromatic aberration, basically color fringing on high contrast objects

There don't seem to be many online reviews of the EDs, and I've never seen one in person, so I won't actually know firsthand 'til later this week.

Cheapest price on Amazon is $669 right now for the ED:
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-8x32-DCF-ED-Binocular/dp/B000MIISFO
The SP is $341 shipped:
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-DCF-SP-8x32-Binocular/dp/B000093TVO
You can always return them if you don't like them. Also, these prices/dealers will continually fluctuate.

I'm still new to this stuff, but it's as addicting as any other hobby I've had:)
Lots of info and more knowledgable people here: http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=284
 
ulgah said:
Swift, I am not familiar with the Pentax ED line, but ED means "Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements." Usually much more expensive. Finer quality of glass, less distortion, better color, etc. A few makers have been going to that in recent years in their top of the line stuff.
If you must have a compact binocular, I highly recommend the Bushnell Binocular Elite E2 7X26 Custom Compact Binoculars. Probably the most comfortable of all compacts to use.
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Thanks for the info ulgah. You seem to know your stuff.
 
Thanks for the information and tips OwenM. You say they are addictive? O dear as if I need another addiction to add to my knife and flash light addiction. :)

If you can, please let me know what you think when you get you ED.
 
I suppose it boils down to where and how you are going to use them. The Compact Zeiss are very nice and are great for carrying along on a hike. However, I wouldn't want them as my only pair of binos because they are a compact.

I think the Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine is a great "general purpose" bino and they run around $200. They are 18oz, obviously more than the compacts but not a huge amount of weight.
 
mete said:
Can somebody explain why close focus is an important consideration ??
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It's important to me because of my specific use of my compacts. I use them for butterfly and insect observation. You have to be able to focus on a specimen on the ground at your feet or you have to keep backing up to focus. Closer focusing is even better.
 
swiftproposal said:
Do you guys prefer 8x32 or 8x40?
I cant decide on this one. My main use is hunting and bird watching.
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My main birding glasses are Ricoh Gold Series 7x50 - great optics, good feel, very bright image - a bit hefty but I'm a big guy so I don't get fatigued from them.
 
swiftproposal said:
Do you guys prefer 8x32 or 8x40?
I cant decide on this one. My main use is hunting and bird watching.
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Swift, if you like waterproof, check out these two 8x40:

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product....pc&utm_campaign=NKMON8X42ATB&sku=NKMON8X42ATB

http://www.adorama.com/PX843SP.html?sid=1221262059830890

Or the best 8x32 on the market, not waterproof:

http://www.adorama.com/NK832E.html?sid=12212621241111004

I would normally go with the 8x40 bins, but 8x32 is not bad.

HTH.:D
 
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