I would like to gather some opinions on this subject. Can a Non-fluorite lens binocular compare optically with a Fluorite lens binocular. Does the arrival of the new Zeiss FL (Fluorite Lens) binoculars signal a change in the binocular market? Will all the other manufacturers follow suite to compete with the new Zeiss or do you think it is just a marketing gimmick to put the word "Fluorite" in your binocular description.
Dennis
Just my opinion (i.e., no insider info): I suspect we may see some other brands offering FL, HD or ED glass. If it's helping Zeiss, then at least some of the others will follow suit. OTOH, it's my guess that it won't be Leica or Swarovski that do this, at least not right away (I don't think we'll see an Ultravid APO or EL HD very soon), but rather wannabe brands like Bushnell and Swift.
[QUOTE=denco@comcast.n]I would like to gather some opinions on this subject. Can a Non-fluorite lens binocular compare optically with a Fluorite lens binocular. Does the arrival of the new Zeiss FL (Fluorite Lens) binoculars signal a change in the binocular market? Will all the other manufacturers follow suite to compete with the new Zeiss or do you think it is just a marketing gimmick to put the word "Fluorite" in your binocular description.
Dennis[/QUOTE]
Hello Dennis,
I'm sure it is not just a marketing gimmick. May be it is the future, but the present success of the FLs is not really overwhelming (main reason is the use of prisms, which also easily damage the optical performance of a real APO). Leica, Swarovsky and Nikon models proof, that they can stand up against the FLs without using fluorite with no problems. There are no hints, that they will find the use of fluorite being necessary in low power binoculars.
Zeiss has made a new approach to some optical problems, but I wonder if we will see FLs with bigger objective lenses in near future. It seems to be doubtful, if customers are ready to pay the big price for a little less colour.
Walter