http://www.holgermerlitz.de/seven8x30.html
Many thanks for the link.
Marked with IF or CF.
Carl Zeiss Jena Deltrentis 8x30 (IF)
Soviet(?) 8x30 military B8x30 (IF)
Chinese 8x30 military 62-8WYJ (current production copy) (IF)
Zeiss Oberkochen 8x30 (CF)
Leitz 8x30 Binuxit (CF)
Hensoldt DF (IF)
Hensoldt Fero-D (IF)
There is a some useful bino history mixed in e.g.
quote:
No doubt the Zeiss engineers were eager to set new standards of modern Porro binocular design, and when presenting this new line (which also included an 8x50 and 10x50 model), they did not only send a message to Jena but also to its arch rival, Ernst Leitz. Leitz did not attempt to answer with another improved line of Porro binoculars, but exclusively focused on the development of their roof-prism line.
quote:
The Leitz Binuxit was introduced as early as 1927 and remained in production until 1962, when it was replaced with the 8x32 Trinovid roof prism.
The review listed here is very nice. There were some improved versions of a few of these binoculars that were likely unavailable for this discussion. If we leave off the mil-spec comparison in the last category, then the Zeiss Oberkochen is clearly the better of the bunch. I use the ZO 8x30B as my standard of comparison for CF 8x30s. It is spectacular, although mine are "warmer-imaging" than this review might lead one to believe, and fully multicoated as well and so are likely from the last production.
The Kern/Leica 8x30 was a super multicoated version of the Leitz Binuxit and its performance was excellent or better. This binocular was available in a CF version for civilian use and an IF version for the Swiss military. This binocular is 98% as good as the ZO 8x30 (IMO) and the IF version offers the kind of mil-spec water and shock resistance you would expect in a bin used by the Swiss military in the most extreme conditions.
As well the Zeiss Jena Deltrintem went through a variety of improvements including full multicoating (including prisms) throughout it lifetime. It had redesigned eyepieces and a much wider field by the time the transition to Docter Optics came along. The current 8x30 Jenoptik IF is very similar, using the last version of the Deltrintem's eyepieces and multicoatings but with full mil-spec shock and waterproofing. Even the later Jenoptem 8x30W was excellent. In all the cases of Deltrintems or Jenoptems be sure to buy only the 1Q models for maximum performance.
It is peculiar that the 8x30 CF Baigish Russian binocular is not mentioned in this group as it is vastly superior to the "oldie-but-goody" 8x30 Russian binocular used for this test. The Baigish 8x30 is fully multicoated and is one of the sharpest binoculars ever made and is perhaps sharper than the ZO 8x30B, which could make it the sharpest CF bin ever. In fact the Russians developed their own military Xx30, the KOMZ 7x30 IF. Holger does in fact rate this bin as likely the sharpest binocular of any type that he has ever seen. The Baigish might only be the tiniest bit less sharp than the KOMZ 7x30, and the color balance of the Baigish is much better than the KOMZ.
Comments about color-neutral images
In many cases this class of binoculars is described as having a "warm" or even "yellowish" cast to the view, and while under perfect skies and light this is a possible disadvantage, in light haze (low contrast), or when blue caste light abounds (over snow or water or under very overcast skies), this "warmth" is an advantage. Some versions of marine binoculars use the "warm-view" to ease eye strain caused by excessive blue glare. The bins I've mentioned here with a slightly warm color balance include the Kerns, the Deltrintems/Jenoptems and both modern Russian models.
In only 2 cases have I ever seen a binocular with a purposeful blue caste and both binoculars were made for use in extreme desert conditions (the Pentax 7x50D CF and the Hensoldt 8x30 French/Algerian military porro CF binoculars). When everything is yellow and yellow dust and grit are constantly being blown around, these 2 binoculars seem to cut through the yellow haze to produce a slightly better balanced view. The Pentax models had objectives coated with pure gold to reduce IR, and the Hensoldt Algerians have a set of ND 2W warm neutral density filters to allow users to look up into the brilliant blue sky without the worst effects of the extra-blue view. Some other military people I've spoken to have commented that a blue tilted color balance is also excellent for viewing movement in the desert under full moonlight.
Finally, while this is an unfair comparison, I think the Nikon CF 8x30 E is better than any of the binoculars listed above although not water resistant.