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Zeiss 42FL Binoculars |
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Rusty
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/12/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 147 |
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Posted: May/27/2004 at 12:03 |
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Has anyone tried or heard about these new Fluorite glass binoculars? Fluorite glass can be expensive to use in binoculars, but it should reduce color fringing. |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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I am not familiar with these particular binos. But, binos equipped with this glass will typically outperform standard binos of equal quality in pretty much every category. The only downside that I am aware of is that if everything else is equal, the glass adds a fair amount of weight compared to a standard set of binos. Probably not enough that it will ever be an issue to the average person. Incidentally, the best deal that I know of for such equipped binos are the relatively new offerings from Pentax (a lot of bang for the buck).
ranburr |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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It is the first and only binocular to ever use fluorite lenses as far as I know. This technology has been used in spotting scopes for some time. It will be a big benefit to bird watchers but not worth the money and weight for hunters (IMO). |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Chris, maybe I am mistaken but isn't florite and ED glass the same thing? If they are I know that Pentax and Minox both offer binos with ED glass. Please educate me on this matter. And where can I get a look at these Zeiss binos? I did not see them on the Zeiss website. Thanks.
ranburr |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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Fluorite, ED, achromatic and apochromatic were all designed to correct a major defect in refractor telescopes: chromatic aberration*. In early years making the telescope longer or increasing its focal length would help, but through the years technology got better and so did optics. First was achromatic or Dollond doublet named after the inventor and the fact that it used two lenses sandwiched together, but it only fixed two parts of the color spectrum. Apochromatic came next and by using three different densities of glass together in one element it could produce an image almost free of lateral color. Early apochromatic units had light loss and internal reflection so magnesium fluoride coatings were developed and all but corrected the problems. A major discovery was made while developing the magnesium fluoride coating. A crystal named calcium fluoride was found to have unbelievable optical qualities and if lenses could be made from this crystal not only would they produce a better image but apochromatic systems could be made using less elements making them lighter, less complicated and a little less expensive to make. Problem was getting pure fluorite crystals in sizes large enough to do anything with and for years only pieces large enough to make microscope objective were found. It was not until the 1990’s that crystal large enough was discovered to make some astronomical telescopes. ED glass or Extra Low Dispersion glass was developed during this *chromatic aberration – caused by lens not focusing different wavelengths of light onto the exact |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Thanks for the info. Is the true floride glass any heavier than ED glass? Do you guys stock these binos? If so, how much? Are there any specs and pictures posted on the net? Thanks.
ranburr |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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Not sure on the actual weight difference of the glass alone. The new Zeiss AOS glass is lighter because it does not use lead but not sure about this glass. We will stock them when they are available later this year. No prices are specs have been made available to us yet. |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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These look like they just might put Zeiss back on top!
Zeiss Binoculars 10x42 T* FL
How Much and when will you have them?
ranburr |
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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Ranburr, I saw a short take in the in the July issue issue of Shooting Times where Zeiss stated that the FL series will be available in 7x42, 8x42 and 10x42. Retail prices slated to be $1449.99,1499.99 and 1549.99. Due to what Zeiss states as the use of a " thin lens objective design" they will weigh between 26.3-27.3 ounces! According to Zeiss, they will be available in June of this year. Just thought you would like to know. Take care Ranburr.
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Rusty
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/12/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 147 |
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In some ways Zeiss is still on top for binoculars (I really like their scopes too). The birders state that the Zeiss Victory II is the brightest binocular on the market now (betterview.com). I have read statements that the Zeiss is brighter than the Swarovski EL, Leica Trinovid, and Nikon LX. However the birders like the Nikon and Swarovski due to better color reproduction. The Nikons really are just too heavy and not as "ergonomic" as the Swarovski. Zeiss is also very popular for African hunters (binoculars and rifle scopes), or at least the ones I have talked to.
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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I see more professional hunters and guides using 10x40 Classic Zeiss over any other brand or model. That particular model has got to be the most widely used and revered binocular ever made.
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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524520 7x42 FL T* 26.6 oz. $1349.00
524521 8x42 FL T* 27.3 oz. $1399.00
524522 10x42 FL T* 27.0 oz. $1449.00
Zeiss is shipping them this month in limited numbers and will have a steady supply by September. |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Thanks to Roy and Chris for the info. I am really anxious to get a look at these things.
ranburr |
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SAKO 75 SS
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/31/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 37 |
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Has any one seen any info when Zeiss might be introducing a 56mm objective Victory FL? I own a pair of the Zeiss Victory 8X56 T* P* and I am pondering if the 56mm Victory FL's would serve me any better for hunting if Zeiss were to introduce them? I use these binoculars for hunting and they are pretty important to me because we have a strict managment program for 8 point bucks or better and 16 inch antler spread. The fine for a mistaken kill is $300 per buck. Thanks for the infor on the Zeiss Victorys and FL's!
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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No mention yet. The normal M.O. is to launch new products in the most popular configuration....then if it is successful the line gets expanded. So if we all buy at least four pair each then they should be announcing the 56's at S.H.O.T. next year.
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