ZEISS Victory SF Binocular

Top-notch image quality. Very bright with a wide, flat, field of view. Ultra smooth focusing, locking diopter adjustment, and love the ergonomics. Can recommend them without reservation. Update: Nov 7, 2025: Excellent in low-light. Has worked great in early morning and late evening outings.

They might actually be better than my Kowa scope. Solid, well balanced and exceptionally clear.

There is what looks like a scratch on the inside of the right objective lens. There is a small black dot at the top of the left lens system. Otherwise, the binoculars were excellently.

I had a pair of Leitz Trinovid 8x40BA that I purchased in December of 1988. There were great up until April of 2019. They sadly had a failure in the diopter adjustment system. Tried to get them repaired but the warranty expired in December of 2018 and parts were all long gone. Could have been bitter about it but I got such good service out of them for over 30 years. I can't complain. So I researched everything I could find about high end binoculars. Came down to 3 choices. All about the same price. I chose the Zeiss Victory SF 10x42. They are very, very good. Great feel in the hand. The only possible concern is they are a little longer than I expected from the pictures. They are a little lighter than their competitors however. Very fast and very accurate focusing system. I use then to look through heavy brush. If you focus precisely at something on the otherside of bush you can basically see though it. Very helpful. I like that the diopter adjustment locks once set. The eyecup adjustment is very nice with exact detents that stay put. Wide field of view. Great carrying strap and very handsome case. While waiting for repair on the Leitz I bought a pair of $200 Vortex 8X42. They are not close to the the Zeiss in image quality but are very good for the money. Can't complain if you get 60-75% of the performance for only $200. They are lighter and smaller. Carry them if not carrying the Zeiss. Either pair will save a lot of walking if you want to inspect something without having to walk over there. That extra bit of performance whether it is stereo equipment, cars, boats or watches is gonna cost you plenty everytime.

Binoculars had a small defect in the left ocular tube. Sending it back and will try another vendor.

I already had Zeiss binoculars; they were still good, but at 25 years old not good enough for my "older" eyesight! These new ones, however, are fantastic. I thought I needed binoculars that I could use with my glasses, but turns out they are so crisp and clear, with so much light gathering that I can use them without my glasses. Plus, the focus knob is much better, as well as the eyepieces and the entire design of the body.

Outstanding! Little effort is required to focus on a bird that is moving fast near-to far and far-to-near and through brush. I especially like that my new Zeiss 8x42 Victory SF Binocular with LotuTec Protective Coating are crafted so they can go where I go.

These binoculars are worth every penny spent. Slightly heavier then my vortex but they are easy to hold and adjust. The clarity is remarkable even at dusk and dawn. I had been saving up for awhile and I am not disappointed.

They are the best bins you can get and I’ve tried the lot.

Really good wildlife watching bins. Should suit me til i no longer get out and about. Sit nicely weighted. Happy happy