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For many years the 50 mm class of binoculars had been a key part of the Zeiss line-up. In some moment it changed, though, that the top-of-the-range models with this objective diameter stopped to be produced. As a result the Zeiss customers had to make do by buying either more budget models from the first Conquest series or an aged Porro Marine 7x50 B/GA T* instrument. As if it wasn't enough in 2017 this model was also withdrawn from production. The effect was such that in 2018-2024 Zeiss didn't produce any 50 mm models.

Zeiss Conquest 8x50 T* and 10x50 T* binoculars manufactured between 2006 and 2013.

At the beginning of the second decade of 21st century the offer of Zeiss presented itself like this: at the very top was the Victory line, divided into night Victory HT with objectives of 54 mm (at the same time the last specimens of Victory HT 42 mm were disappearing from the shelves) and smaller Victory SF models, offered with 32 and 42 mm objectives. All these binoculars were optically and mechanically excellent but also expensive, big, and heavy.

One level lower was positioned the Conquest HD series. Here you dealt with far more affordable prices of 1000 USD. What's important, for such an amount of money you got very good optical properties and excellent build quality. The weight and physical dimensions were a compromise you had to tolerate, here Zeiss didn't restrain themselves.

The problem was such that anybody interested in good Zeiss optics could choose between two top series that didn't feature any handy, lightweight pair of binoculars. Zeiss decided to deal with such a problem and they came up with the SFL series concept, meaning 'Smart Focus' and 'Lightweight'. When it came to price and quality the new series was supposed to be right in between the Conquests HD/HDX and the Victories SF and HT.

Zeiss SFL 8x40 binoculars announced in March 2022.

In March 2022 they presented the SFL 8x40 and 10x40 with Schmidt-Pechan prisms and excellent parameters. They were small and handy, with weight never exceeding 650 grams so really lightweight for the 40-42 cm class. Add to that a comfortable eye relief distance, amounting to 18 mm and a possibility of focusing from 1.5 meters. There was no compromise when it comes to fields of view because the 8x instrument provided 8 degrees and the 10x – 6.6 degrees.

Zeiss SFL 8x30 and 10x30 binoculars introduced in January 2023.

Another step forward was taken in January 2023 – Zeiss presented even more interesting models, the SFL 8x30 and 10x30. Their fields were even wider, 8.1 deg in the first case and 6.9 in the second, at a slight expense of the eye relief distance which remained on a level of 18 mm. Also the minimum focusing distance remained the same and everything was closed in very stylish, really compact and light casings – both models weigh just 460 grams.

Zeiss SFL 8x50, 10x50 and 12x50 binoculars announced in April 2025.

Still Zeiss waited till April 2025 with their most interesting move. To be honest I thought that the SFL series will end with 30 and 40 mm launches. Zeiss surprised me very nicely by launching 8x50, 10x50 and 12x50 instruments.

Zeiss SFL 8x50, 10x50 and 12x50 binoculars announced in April 2025.

Like in case of smaller models you deal here with the UHD system (UHD standing for Ultra-High-Definition) that means that in the objective lenses are elements made of low dispersion glass, most likely fluorite. It is supposed to ensure proper correction of chromatic aberration. The objective lens design is based on the 2+1 system triplet that is joined to an additional focusing element. Then we get prisms and wide angle eyepieces which construction differs depending on the model but typically features from 5 to 7 elements.

What's more, all air-to-glass surfaces are covered by high quality T* anti-reflective coatings. The outer elements are additionally protected by hydrophobic LotuTec layers. Prisms set in the Schmidt-Pechan system are phase correction coated (P-coating) and the reflective surfaces feature dielectric coatings. The producer declares that the SFL models can get transmission on a level of 90%. The binoculars seem to have exactly the features you expect from a premium optical instrument.

Zeiss SFL 8x50 binoculars.

In case of the SFL series the body is made of magnesium composites and padded with a high quality rubber armour that sticks well to your hands. The construction is waterproof (400 mbar), nitrogen purged, and it can work in a temperature range from -20 to +55°C. The binoculars are produced in Japan and come with a 10-year warranty period of the producer. Buyers get in the box with the instrument: a stylish case, a neck strap, objective caps with hooks, a rainguard, and a cleaning cloth.