Photography Equipment
Nikon Premier LX vs. Zeiss Victory FL, 8x32
I am looking at the 8x32 binoculars from Nikon and Zeiss. Is the Zeiss Victory FL version worth $500 over the cost of the Nikon Premier LX? I wear trifocal glasses so eye relief is important. I also prefer close focusing and relatively light weight. Also suggestions for alternatives would be welcome. Thanks,
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
I know nothing of the Nikons, but judging from your eye relief criteria I would have a hard time believing you could do any better than the Zeiss Victories. Superb eye relief and comfort, very light owing to composite construction, phenomenal optics. Perhaps other models would suffice as well, but none would do better.
Dennis,
Two correspondents have provided me with widely differing appreciations of the 8x32 LXL Nikon's chromatic aberration (CA). I don't know if it is sample variation or user differences but suppression of CA is the strongpoint of the FL line.
I suggest that you will have to judge whether the differences in weight, eye relief and optics are worth the price but do so, only after looking at a wide variety of colors, outdoors, especially blues, with both binoculars. The first time I used an FL I looked at spring foliage and was overwhelmed at the color saturation and contrast. However, one correspondent thought that his Nikon was very good in those qualities, as well.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood 