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I currently have this Zeiss binoculars from the 80s (therefore the emphasis on "west germany"). They work good enough and are ok-ish sharp, but i think contrast and color rendering are not very good.
I would be interested what others use and what experiences you have with it.
My dad used to have a nice pair back in the 80s, but everything I've seen since then has been cheap garbage. The good ones are probably outside my price range.
Like another person mentioned here, I use the Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 8x42. I purchased them because the Audubon Society recommended it. Even on 20 mile hikes, I don't find them to be heavy or a problem. They're comfortable for long periods of use.
When I first started to test binoculars, I went to a local retail store and tried a few but didn't really know what I was looking for. A couple articles from that organization helped me settle on something.
I occasionally put my phone up to an eye piece for photos, which works fair.
I've also seen the four brightest moons of Jupiter with these binoculars! I was ridiculously elated by that.
They get the job done. Perhaps I'll upgrade in the future once I figure out what that would actually improve. Getting anything that can focus further would mean a lot more movement. That could be beneficial for seeing birds a little further, but probably less useful for sky objects like the recent comet which passed Earth. I observed that one with these binoculars as well! 💜
I'll own it. I'm wildly ignorant. If there's something less than an amateur bider, then I'm that person. But these binoculars have been kind to me. They recently helped me see my first indigo bunting and eastern phoebes!
Hmm. Now I'm wanting to look up this topic again and see about an upgrade. 🥰
Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars. They're pricey at ~$700, but I've had a pair for several years, and they're so nice to use. When you press the button to activate the IS, it makes everything clear and sharp. It's like looking at a pair of binoculars on a tripod, but handheld. Very convenient to quickly whip out the binos to look at something and have a clear image.
I do wish the button could be a toggle, though. You have to press and hold it down to keep the IS active, at least on the version 3 model. It isn't too hard to do, but still, a bit annoying to have to tell each person who uses it to push and hold the button or else they aren't correctly taking advantage of the main feature of these binoculars.
You get what you pay for with optics, so you really have to find out how sensitive you are to optical quality (sharpness, contrast, color, etc.). Durability is also highly variable between brands, and so is customer service. I recommend looking at Vortex binoculars. They have models at different price points so you can look for something that fits your needs/wants and budget. I think their optical quality, ergonomics, and durability are comparable to the best of what’s out there. They also have a lifetime unconditional warranty and great customer service.
It is exceedingly rare to read that any company provides an unconditional warranty.
Agreed. It’s part of what you’re paying for, but Vortex clearly understands that they’re also investing in brand loyalty and reputation.
My partner got me a pair of Steiner 8x22 for my birthday a couple months ago. I haven’t had a chance to really use them yet. But it’s just for looking around or property and birds.
I’d pulled out an old cheap pair to show the kids a few months ago and it was in 5 broken pieces. I think that’s why she got them for me.
One of my girls asked for some so I ordered her a pair of Bresser 6x21 kids binoculars for her birthday in October. She also asked for a bird watching book.
Opticron Verano 8x40.
The focus dial is buttery smooth, better than any other I’ve tried, that’s a game changer. I couldn’t tell the difference in dispersion and brightness between these and the comparable Zeiss when I tried several brands at my local bird store.
We were looking for lightweight, inexpensive, and reliable binocs and went with these. They've been really good value for money without accidentally launching us into a market for increasingly better binoculars.
I have a Vortex Razor HD 10x50 which does the job.
Anyone can suggest compact binoculars to take on the hikes?
I was using this: https://www.clasohlson.com/se/Kompaktkikare-8x21/p/31-5484
So anything will be an upgrade for me.
I was considering 10x25 Nikon Aculon A30 But they are slightly bigger, and size and weight is a consideration too, but relatively flexible.
I have Bushnell 10x50’s. Excellent clarity and field of view.
I have the Nikon Prostaff 3S though admittedly I need to upgrade.
Upgrade why?
Its not as clear as other binoculars in its price range and sometimes I can see that. There's also a purple green hue around the edges.
Small things but would be nice to upgrade.
Huh. I thought Zeiss only made CT scanners and X Ray machines like the Metrotom. Kinda neat they do optics as well.
When Sony launched the e-mount a lot of their top tier glass was co-branded with Sony and Zeiss logos. Example. They've been making optics since the 1840s
Also a one of the biggest western optical lens manufacturer
They were an optics company long before they did other things too as far as i know.
