Sold my 8x32HG's because I really couldn't get totally used to the ergonomics. I always preferred the Leica but the price just keeps going up. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Zeiss ClassiC 8x30B/G T*P?
How about the Kahles 8x32 I found a demo pair of these for $370 usd, I have been told the Kahles is a definite step down from L,Z etc. more like the Pentax SP or Minox (which I am not impressed with) and other mid-top Japaneze (except for the HG). I have also considered the 8x40 Zeiss VII because I have a fellow wanting to trade a pair in on my Zeiss spotter.
Thoughts and help appreciated
Dave
Classic 8 x 30 are great bins
always wondered why more folk never used them - excellent optically and nice and small.
was very impressed with Bausch and Lomb elites 7 x 35 and Nikon 8 x 30 porros - neither really caught on
[QUOTE=DHB]Sold my 8x32HG's because I really couldn't get totally used to the ergonomics. I always preferred the Leica but the price just keeps going up. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Zeiss ClassiC 8x30B/G T*P?
How about the Kahles 8x32 I found a demo pair of these for $370 usd, I have been told the Kahles is a definite step down from L,Z etc. more like the Pentax SP or Minox (which I am not impressed with) and other mid-top Japaneze (except for the HG). I have also considered the 8x40 Zeiss VII because I have a fellow wanting to trade a pair in on my Zeiss spotter.
Thoughts and help appreciated
Dave[/QUOTE]
Optically the Zeiss Classic 8x30 is pretty good. Excellent sharpness and contrast over most of the field, almost no chromatic aberration, but a bit of edge distortion that you might notice when panning, and some flare visible in low light. The flare means that IMO they are not suitable for dawn and dusk use. They are not as bright as the Nikon 8x32 HG, presumably due to the prism coatings not being quite as good. Pretty good ergonomics but with a narrow metal focus wheel and not very nice rubber eye tubes that are hard to fold down. Basically very decent optics in an old fashioned housing.
Out of interest why are you not impressed with the Minox 8x32?