Zeiss 15x45 Conquest... Has anyone used them?

[DesertDweller]

A friend of mine just bought a pair of Zeiss 15x45 binos. I told him I was worried that the smaller 45mm objective lens would limit thier usefullness in early morning or late evening glassing. Have any of you compaired them to say a 15x56 or 15x60 side by side in actual glassing conditions? He says the smaller size and weight are what sold him... What are your experiences with this binocular? Just wondering... D.D.

[CouesWhitetail]

Well, just as you would suspect, they do not have the light gathering ability due to the smaller objective lens, but they are light and a pleasure to carry. There is always a trade-off and to some the loss of light gathering is a fine trade-off for lighter binos. The 15x56's are much better, but much heavier....so it's personal preference.

 

Amanda

 

[DesertDweller]

Thanks for your reply... Have you tried them side by side other 15x binoculars in the early morning or late evening? l am going to test them against my Minox 15x58 as soon as my buddy comes to visit. D.D.

[CouesWhitetail]

No, I haven't had them side by side, but if you have spent enough time behind 15x56's you can immediately tell the lower light available in the 15x45s just by looking through them.

 

Amanda

 

[DesertDweller]

Thanks for the input Amanda... my buddy is coming down for Thanksgiving and we are going to put his 15x45 and my 15x58's on tripods side by side and compair. Can't wait to "scope it out"! D.D.

[Red Rabbit]

Here is a pdf file you can print of an ISO resolution test chart. Don't forget to test with the centers AND edges of the binos.

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~westin/mi...33-reschart.pdf

[coueshunter]

I have used both and in my opinion, you are comparing apples to oranges. The Zeiss is a great bino used for around the neck like a 10x42 but it gives you 5 more in power. It is not the same as using 15x56 on a tripod, there is no comparison. Your 15x58 will blow the 15x45 out of the water on a tripod. I personally really really like the 15x45 as a replacement to my 10x42 SLC's around my neck, but the 15x45 cannot replace my 15x56 SLC's on a tripod. I am getting my son a pair of the 15x45 so he quits using my 10x42's, but I will let him save up for the 15x56 Tripod bino's............Allen.........