Review: ZEISS Victory SF 8x32 binoculars

21 June 2021 
By James Hamilton

​It was an extremely wet Friday morning when we took the ZEISS Victory SF 8x32's down the Lea Valley for a long awaited review - but this gave us a rare opportunity to put a few manufacturer claims to the test...

I guess the big question I have with so many 32mm binoculars is are they a squished down version of the 42mm older siblings? Or do you get an inferior pair of binoculars in compact form - but albeit, a lighter and generally less expensive pair of binoculars. (Not that less expensive in the SF 32's case).

Well, I liked just about everything from these binoculars. From the unique shape, lightness and handling, through to their beautifully bright and crisp wide view. I even liked the designer box they came in!

The view...

The SF 32's gave a very wide field of view with a large, well-corrected sweet-spot - which is bright and detailed.
In the pouring rain, it wasn't the easiest time to run a review but luckily for me, ZEISS developed LotuTec® which simply put - is a pioneering coating for the lenses of binoculars and scopes that enables a clear and unhindered view in all weather conditions. This coating I believe, provided a strong beading effect from the lashings of wet stuff that significantly simplified cleaning while it was chucking it down. So a thumbs up without question.

Focus, images and handling...

The focusing wheel is very responsive, sharp and easy to use. Handling is great also, I liked the long barrels for secure and steady grip and appreciated the rear balance point. Finding birds that were not sheltering from the rain was tricky but these binoculars were easily adept to allow clear identification, colouring and other details in the dense reeds, bushes and woodland of the Lea Valley. 

Perhaps this is to do with ZEISS T* coatings which the brand say is a "guarantee of the brilliant, high-contrast images­­ which you will experience above all in adverse light conditions and in the twilight". Optical quality was very high, giving some of the cleanest images, even in a borderline monsoon!
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What's in the box?
  • ZEISS 8x32 Binoculars
  • Soft Case
  • Rain Guard
  • Air Cell Comfort Carrying Strap
  • Rubber Objective Lens Covers
  • Microfibre Cloth
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Verdict
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In tough weather conditions, the Victory SF 32's were not fazed and stood out with excellent performance levels. There’s no question that the SF 32's are the best binoculars I’ve ever tested at this size with nearly all the fun of the fair from the 42's. The price tag is a little punchy, but hey - that becomes a personal choice when choosing what to pay for your tools and excellent tools for the job are not usually cheap.
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★★★★★★★★ 8/10

Testing scores
  • Design: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
  • Performance: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
  • Weight: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
  • Value: ★★★★★★★ 7/10

​📞 Contact: zeiss.co.uk/consumer-products/nature-observation/binoculars/victory-sf/victory-sf-8x32.html
🏷 Price: £1,899.00

The Victory SF 32's are available to test for yourself at TryZeiss.com ​now.
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