Zeiss 7x42 B/GA

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Brand and Model:Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
Price ($USD):1,150
Attributes:un-checked Waterproof un-checked Armored
Objective Lens Size:42 mm
Magnification:7 x
Prism Type:Roof
Coatings:
Field of View:8.6 degrees
Eye Relief: mm
Near Focus: ft
Weight (lbs):28.2 oz.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Eagle Optics' Zeiss Page

Vote Highlights Vote
Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
Outstanding binoculars! I've now owned eight different pairs of binos and settled (for now) on these as my pick for low power. Yes you can pay way more for slightly better binos, but for well under $1000 each these three can't be beat IMHO.

I did a detailed comparison between this pair and the Fujinon FMT-SX 7x50s. I have sold the Fujis which I thought I'd never give up. Here are a couple of the main points of my comparison:

PROS
In daylight, the Zeiss are slightly brighter and more vibrant, with a wonderfully wide 8.6° FOV that's like looking out a window. Focusing on close objects less than 10' away is very comfortable with no eye strain. Superb for birding; in fact, many birders swear by these. Colors are vivid and fine detail is hinted at despite the low power. These binos are light for 42mm aperture especially considering that they're rubber-armored! Also, Zeiss warrants them to be waterproof.

At night, these binos are sharp and the smaller exit pupil reduces spiking off bright objects like Mars, for those of us with astigmatism in our eyes. The Fuji 7x50s were a tad brighter in direct comparison (the stars in M7 seemed a bit brighter and M8 showed a bit more extension), but this is to be expected for over 40% more light gathering. I do find my Nikon Superior E 10x42s sharper than the Zeiss though, but this may be due to the even smaller exit pupil. The huge FOV of the Zeiss won me over, it's so easy to know where you are in the sky with 8.6° at your disposal!


CONS
Some field curvature. Depth perception on distant objects nowhere near as good as Fujis, due no doubt to the roof prism design forcing the objectives closer together and limiting stereo vision. Depth of field (amount of focusing required) good but can't compare to Fujis. Finally, somewhat harder to hold steady than Fujis. The heavier weight of the Fujis and the wide stance helps here.

To be fair, most of the the Cons listed above are simply a fact of life for roof prism binos. I really miss the astounding depth perception of the Fujis. There were two trees about 1/4 mile away, one standing perhaps 50 feet or so behind the other. In the Zeiss it was very difficult to tell which tree was in front, but with the Fujis it seemed like I could slide my hand between the two!

Anyway, I can't fault these binos for inherent shortcomings of the roof prism design. The fact is, that same design lends them great portability and light weight. For only $800 they're simply a steal. Note that out of all the binos I looked into before choosing these, these easily delivered the widest FOV. Don't underestimate the ease of getting your bearings or keeping moving objects in the field with such a wide FOV, it's the best feature of this pair!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41461

Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
I enjoy mainly terrestrial viewing , quite often of moving objects . Over a year ago I promised to buy myself the very best binoculars that I could find and spent 9 months testing out as many of the highly recommended models I could lay my hands on . Having finally admitted to myself ( after 40 years of self - delusion ) that 10 x glasses are simply too HIGH power to hold steady , and having got my shortlist down to 4 models , it was quite difficult in the end to choose between Swarovski 8.5 x 42 , Leica 8 x 50 BN Nikon Venturer 8 x 42 and these comparitively "old -fashioned " Zeiss 7 x 42 BGA T classic . All four offer exceptionally bright clear images that would surprise anyone who has never looked through really world - class binoculars .The extra wide -field and ease and comfort of view just clinched it for me . And yet these are the LEAST expensive of the four models I liked best , and by a considerable margin too. " Pincushion distortion " at the very edges ( as commented on by previous reviewers ) is actually a "pro" when using
Binoculars to scan a landscape or follow a moving object . A truer flat field as found in some Fujinon and Canon IS models is actually a disadvantage in all but astronomy use . For general use the Zeiss 7 x 42 are MUCH better . Trust me !
Take my advice . Before you buy ANY expensive binocular , first try these for yourself .

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=102096

Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
These are the optical standard by which all others are judged, they're amazing. Since their introduction Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica have introduced dozens of new binocular platforms with multiple advances in phase-coating, lens composition, weather-proofing, and ergonomics. But the Zeiss 7x42 still compares favorably to them all... especially where price is concerned.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41460

Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
Lovely to hold and beautiful to look through. Edge not a flat field. Huge field of view. Corvus easily fitted into the field of view. Great for close focus with superb depth of field. Mechanically excellent. Very expensive and not waterproof. Beat my Bak 4 Olympus E.X.P.S 7X50's, three observers agreed. In terms of contrast and image brightness. Quite a lot better in fact. The Zeiss 7x50 B/GA were even better than these great binoculars and even more expensive.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41459

Zeiss 7x42 B/GA
Bright, sharp. Excellent field of view, 450ft @ 1000yds. Well balanced, good eye relief @ 18mm. Good close focus. Light in weight, very confortable to use / user friendly. A lovely glass to say the least. Only shortcoming? Not waterproof / fogproof although I believe Zeiss states they are. Is this really a problem? In cases of extreme uses, maybe.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41458

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