Carl Zeiss Spotting Scopes

Zeiss Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL

The story of Zeiss Optics goes back to the 1840's when Carl Zeiss started producing lenses and ever since then Zeiss has been creating some of the finest microscopes, binoculars, camera lenses, rifle scopes and spotting scopes available anywhere in the world.

Whilst they still have their headquarters in northeastern Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Zeiss also have offices in over 30 countries including centers all over Europe as well as in North America, Central America, and Asia.

The Zeiss Spotting Scope Range

Zeiss Optics currently produce scopes in two sizes with either 65mm (Victory DiaScope 65 T* FL) or 85mm (Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL) objective lens diameters. Both sizes come in either angled and straight through body designs for a total of 4 different models.

Whilst they may not have the largest range, you can be assured that all Zeiss scopes are manufactured to the highest quality as they don't manufacture cheap or even middle of the range scopes, rather focusing on the top end of the market. This is evident in that every Zeiss DiaScope model comes with their FL Concept optical system that uses the fluoride glass as well as their excellent LotuTec protective coating and their T* multi-coating for unmatched light transmission. Without question, ZEISS spotting scopes are amongst the very best that money can buy. All Zeiss Victory DiaScopes are sold as "body only" and eyepieces are purchased separately. 

Zeiss PhotoScope 85 T* FL
The Zeiss PhotoScope is similar in a way to the Minox Digital Camera Module in that it attempts to make digiscoping that much easier to set up. Zeiss have however gone one step further with the PhotoScope because a 7 megapixel digital camera has been fully integrated into a 85mm spotting scope meaning that you can combine long-range observation and photography into one seamless, high-performance unit.

In all there are 5 Carl Zeiss scope models if you take into account the straight and angled body variations and their PhotoScope:


Zeiss Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL Spotting ScopeZeiss Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL

The flagship series of the Zeiss DiaScope range are their large 85mm diameter, high performance 85 T* FL spotting scopes. These offer an optical performance that is second to none thanks to the use of a whole host of quality elements.

FL = As with all Zeiss scopes, these use their FL Concept optical system that includes thinner Fluoride glass lenses to correct color aberration.

T* = An anti-reflective multi-layer coatings have been applied to all air-to-glass surfaces for brighter, high-contrast images.

The objective lenses on these scopes are also covered with Zeiss's LotuTec coating that helps to repel water as well as dirt. This has the benefit keeping your lenses cleaner, meaning that you have to clean them less often. It also helps when you do clean them as you do not have to be as vigorous as you would on a lens without the coating. This makes it far easier to keep the lens free from scratches.

Body Design
Available in both angled and straight through body designs, the light metal housing of the Victory DiaScope models is particularly robust and light. (the whole scope excluding the eyepieces weigh 52oz / 1.450g) This is then covered with a high-quality rubber armoring, that not only protects the scope, but feels great and helps reduce noise. The eyepiece lock ensures that the eyepieces stay reliably in place and can be quickly changed at the push of a button (Please note that older Zeiss eyepieces will not work with the new DiaScope models).

Focusing is achieved with their new Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system, that enables you to focus faster and achieve a far more accurate fine focus all with one wheel. It does take a little getting used to, but once you do it works really well. For more information as well as a demonstration video: Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system.

Eyepieces
Zeiss Scopes usually come as body only and you purchase your required eyepiece separately but are also sometimes sold as a package. The range compatible with all Victory DiaScope models consists of two variable eyepieces and an eyepiece with fixed magnification. The new Vario eyepiece has greatly extended the field of application of ZEISS spotting scopes. Moreover, there is a choice between the compact Vario eyepiece D 15 – 45 x / 20 – 60 x and the eyepiece D 30 x / 40 x with a fixed magnification. All eyepieces by Carl Zeiss are equipped with a bayonet catch as well as comfortable eye cups and therefore also perfectly suitable for eyeglass wearers. For more information: Zeiss Eyepieces

Zeiss 85 DiaScope

  • Objective Diameter: 85mm
  • Focal Length: 502mm
  • Close Focus: 16.3ft / 5m
  • Length (without eyepiece): approx 13.6 in / 34.5cm
  • Height: approx 4.1 in / 10.5 cm
  • Width: approx 3.82 in / 9.7cm
  • Weight (without eyepiece): 52oz / 1.45 kg
  • Tripod Thread: 1/4" and 3/8"
  • Front Filter Thread: M 86 x 1
  • Thread for adapting photo/astro adapter: M 45 x 0.5

Zeiss Digiscoping
Zeiss produce a number of adapters specifically designed to fit to their scopes for digiscoping with a video camera, digital stills camera and an SLR or DSLR camera.

Price Range & Where to Buy

Zeiss Victory DiaScope 65 T* FL Spotting ScopesZeiss Victory DiaScope 65 T* FL

The Zeiss 65 mm DiaScope has pretty much all the same quality features as the 85mm version above, but comes packed in a more compact and lightweight body. The Victory Spotting Scope 65 T* FL has been designed for rugged use and on trips where small pack sizes and low equipment weight are required.

The scope is 100% Waterproof, and like the bigger version incorporate their LotuTec lens coating on all exterior lens surfaces which sheds water and reduces dirt and oil build up.

Fluoride FL Glass is used in their lenses which forms part of what they call their FL Concept which produces true to life color reproduction and surely one of, if not the best razor-sharp definition edge-to-edge in its class. Also featured is the world-renowned proprietary T* multi-layer/anti-reflective coating on the superachromat objective system, eliminating color fringing and providing superior image contrast.

Their new Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system is also included within a single knob that automatically adapts the precision and fast focus to your needs. This enables you to focus faster and achieve a far more accurate fine focus all with one wheel. For more information as well as a demonstration video: Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system.

Important to note that this and all their scopes come with the Zeiss limited lifetime transferable warranty that helps you to retain your purchase's value better than anything else on the market. As long as the paperwork for your Zeiss Dia Scope is retained, the lifetime warranty can be transferable from one owner to another!

Zeiss Digiscoping
Zeiss produce a number of adapters specifically designed to fit to their scopes for digiscoping with a video camera, digital stills camera and an SLR or DSLR camera.

Zeiss 85 DiaScope

  • Objective Diameter: 65mm
  • Focal Length: 384mm
  • Close Focus: 13.1ft / 4m
  • Length (without eyepiece): approx 11.1in / 28.2cm
  • Height: approx 4.1 in / 10.5 cm
  • Width: approx 3.1 in / 7.9cm
  • Weight (without eyepiece): 39oz / 1.1 kg
  • Tripod Thread: 1/4" and 3/8"
  • Front Filter Thread: M 67 x 0.75
  • Thread for adapting photo/astro adapter: M 45 x 0.5

Victory DiaScope Eyepieces
Zeiss Scopes including the 65mm ones usually come as body only and you purchase your required eyepiece separately. Occasionally they are also sold as a package. The Eyepieces for the 65 and 85mm scopes are the same and interchangeable and consists of two variable eyepieces and an eyepiece with fixed magnification. All Carl Zeiss eyepieces are equipped with a bayonet catch as well as comfortable eye cups and therefore also perfectly suitable for eyeglass wearers. For more information: Zeiss Eyepieces

Price Range & Where to Buy

Zeiss PhotoScope 85 T* FL

Zeiss PhotoScope 85 T* FLWhilst you can use all Zeiss Spotting Scopes for digiscoping as they provide adapters to enable you to attach most digital or video cameras as well as SLR or DSLR cameras to them, there is also another option:

Zeiss Victory PhotoScope
This is the first spotting scope to combine long-range observation and photography into one seamless, high-performance unit. It basically combines a 7 megapixel digital camera with a super telephoto lens. The PhotoScope is therefore the ideal spotting scope for birders who want to capture what they are observing or for aspiring wildlife photographers, guides and outdoor enthusiasts who want to be able to digitally capture as well as observe animals and objects in the field at the same time.

As a Scope
Just like Zeiss's conventional Spotting Scopes, this PhotoScope 85 T* FL uses their top of the range FL Concept optical system and anti-reflective multi-layer coatings to ensure that you still get incredibly crystal clear images. What is different is the 3x objective zoom on the PhotoScope, that combined with the panoramic eyepiece, provides a very wide field of view from 15x to 45x magnification. With an apparent angle of view of 68° at 15x (that is a field of view of 240 ft @ 1000 yds), it is up to 40% wider than a conventional spotting scope. And, because of its unique optical design, the PhotoScope maintains a wider field of view through its full magnification range, and it does so without losing image brightness as you zoom.

As a Camera
As a photographer, the Zeiss PhotoScope enables you to take high quality (7mp) photographs of birds and wildlife from far enough away that you should not have to disturb them when you are photographing. You will also be able to see what you are photographing in crystal clear detail, unlike the dimmer images you would normally see through a DSLR with long telephoto lens.

The PhotoScope has a fold-out OLED monitor with a 2.8 inch screen on which the image can be seen and camera settings can be adjusted with the remote control. Settings include full auto, programmed auto with quick on-screen access to the most used settings without opening the menu system, or any variety of custom or manual settings (white balance, metering patterns, sharpness, contrast, bracketing, etc.) via an extensive menu system.

The camera take 7mp images (3052x2284 pixels) in your choice of JPEG compressions, DNG Raw. You can also take motion video in AVI unfortunately this is only at 320x240 resolution and not in HD.

1800mm Super Telephoto Lens
The PhotoScope provides a truly incredible telephoto lens, with the equivalent on a on a 35mm camera of 600mm @ f4.0 right up to an incredible 1800mm @ f5.6

PhotoScope vs Digiscoping
The advantages of this over digiscoping are mainly ease of use and the ability to be able to capture images and really be able to see and enjoy what you are photographing at the same time.

Another advantage is that there is no "mirror-slap" to cause noise or vibration, which you often get on SLR and DSLR cameras with a hinged mirror. Also because the camera is triggered by an electronic remote-control, you avoid much of the blur caused by camera shake which is always a problem with such extreme focal lengths.

The PhotoScope also weighs less (up to one half) in comparison to a DSLR and long lens combination and will also be lighter than using a DSLR to digiscope with.

Disadvantages include the fact that the camera is not upgradeable and unlike digiscoping you can't take the camera off to use elsewhere.

Basic PhotoScope Introduction

Price Range & Where to Buy




Where to Buy Zeiss Scopes:

 

Zeiss Scopes on Amazon:

 

 

Zeiss Eyepieces

Zeiss currently manufacture 3 eyepieces that will fit both their DiaScope 65mm and 85mm spotting scopes. There are two variable eyepieces (Vario) and an eyepiece with fixed magnification. All eyepieces by Carl Zeiss are equipped with a bayonet catch as well as comfortable eye cups and therefore also perfectly suitable for eyeglass wearers.

Zeiss 30/40x Fixed EyepieceZeiss 30/40x Fixed Eyepiece
The 30x or 40x fixed power eyepiece (30x on the DiaScope 65 and 40x on the DiaScope 85) offers you a wide field of view (40m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 65 and 30m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 85) and plenty of eye relief. It has an adjustable Eyecup that twists up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses. The Zeiss 30X Wide Angle Ocular 62304 is both waterproof and fogproof.

  • Magnification (Diascope 65): 30x
  • Field of View: 120 feet/1000 yards / 40m @ 1000m
  • Magnification (Diascope 85): 40x
  • Field of View: 90 feet/1000 yards / 30m @ 1000m

Zeiss Vario D 15-56x / 20-75x EyepieceZeiss Vario D 15-56x / 20-75x Eyepiece
According to the company, the Zeiss Vario D 15-56x / 20-75x Eyepiece is the first truly long-range, wide-field zoom eyepiece for any spotting scope. It features adjustable magnification (15-56x on the DiaScope 65 and 26-75x on the DiaScope 85) and expansive fields of view (52-21m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 65 and 40-16m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 85) to ensure that even the smallest detail is seen in fascinating clarity. The eyepiece bayonet mount allows it to be quickly attached to any Zeiss DiaScope.

  • Magnification (Diascope 65): 15-56x
  • Field of View: 156-63 feet/1000 yards
  • Magnification (Diascope 85): 20-75x
  • Field of View: 120-48 feet/1000 yards

Zeiss 15-45/20-60x Vario Eyepiece Zeiss 15-45/20-60x Vario Eyepiece
With an adjustable magnification and expansive fields of view these Vario eyepieces ensure that even the smallest detail is seen in fascinating clarity and therefore are ideal for most uses including birdwatching. The Zeiss Vario D 15-45x / 20-60x Eyepiece magnification can be adjusted from 15-45x on the DiaScope 65 and 20-60x on the DiaScope 85. As you change the magnification, the field of view also obviously changes and ranges from 56-26m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 65 and 43-20m @ 1000m on the DiaScope 85.

  • Magnification (Diascope 65): 15-45x
  • Field of View: 168-78 feet/1000 yards / 56-26m @ 1000m
  • Magnification (Diascope 85): 20-60x
  • Field of View: 129-60 feet/1000 yards / 43-20m @ 1000m

Buy & Compare Prices for Zeiss Eyepieces


Zeiss FL ConceptZeiss FL Concept

Zeiss's top of the range Victory FL binoculars, selected Victory riflescopes and all their Victory Diascope's feature what they call their FL Concept.

So what is it? Well, rather than being just one element it is an integration of many ZEISS innovations including the use of fluoride glass. The use of glass that contains fluoride with abnormal partial dispersion in the achromatic lenses comprising up to five lens elements, enables all new Zeiss DiaScope models to produce maximum contrast images even in difficult light. Zeiss also go on to say that they are able to achieve the "highest level of performance", producing "images that are brighter and sharper, colors that are more vivid and highly saturated, and extended twilight and low light performance, even in the most unforgiving weather." Again according to Zeiss this optical system significantly minimizes chromatic aberrations, almost completely eliminates annoying stray light interference, image fuzziness and low contrast.

Zeiss FL Concept

FL Concept Main Features:

  • FL glass with fluoride ions in the objective lens for superior color correction.
  • Thin lens design, employing multiple air-spaced elements for reduced weight, improved resolution and minimal distortions.
  • Highly sophisticated eyepiece design for a wide field of view and long eye relief performance.
  • Exceptional internal baffling against stray light for improved contrast.
  • T* anti-reflective multi-layer coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces for brighter, high-contrast images.
  • P* phase correction prism coatings for improved resolution. (Mainly used on their binoculars)
  • High efficiency prisms for improved light transmission and higher resolution.


Zeiss LotuTech®Zeiss LotuTec® coating

LotuTec® Coating was developed by Zeiss and uses a principal from nature, that they call the Lotus flower effect. Basically it copies the water repelling characteristic of surfaces as found on some flowers petals and leaves that simply let water drops pearl off. So even in the heaviest downpours your lenses will remain free from water and dirt, and the view through the scope will be as good as ever.

Honored by the prestigious Gray’s Best award, Zeiss maintain that their water repellant coating is the only optical process that allows lenses to shed water completely. I am not totally convinced that it is still the ONLY one as other manufacturers have their own, but what is for sure is that it does work really well.

Zeiss LotuTech® Coating ExampleThe LotuTec® coating found on all Carl Zeiss scopes acts as protective coating against water and dirt and has the added benefit of making cleaning the glass that much simpler, less and easier cleaning means that this helps you to ensure that your lenses remain free from any scratches.

LotuTec® coating advantages:

  • Dirt, grease and water repelling pearl-off effect.
  • Simplified, streak-free and gentle cleaning.
  • Contrast-rich and brilliant image.


Dual Speed Focus (DSF)

All new Zeiss Victory Spotting Scopes use their new Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system that enables faster and easier focusing. This has a number of benefits because your "rough" and fine focus is controlled with one focusing wheel and without the need to alter your grip.

How you rotate the focusing wheel changes the mechanism from the fast, "rough focus" to the precise fine focus. To move from a close-up to a faraway object, Dual Speed Focus automatically switches to the fast, rough focus after a quick rotation: the faraway object gradually comes into focus. By rotating the wheel in the opposite direction, the fine focus is automatically activated and the user can precisely focus the image.

Video demonstrating how the Duel Speed Focusing system works:


Zeiss Binoculars

Like their scopes, Zeiss only produce binoculars of the highest quality, mostly aimed at serious birders, hunters and for general nature observation. All Carl Zeiss binoculars feature a multi layer coating on all air to glass surfaces and most also use their LotuTec coatings and their FL Concept fluoride glass. The currently available models and sizes are listed below:

Zeiss Victory Binoculars Zeiss Conquest Binoculars
  • Victory FL 8x32 T*
  • Victory FL 10x32 T*
  • Victory FL 7x42 T*
  • Victory FL 8x42 T*
  • Victory FL 10x42 T*
  • Victory FL 8x56 T*
  • Victory FL 10x56 T*
  • Victory Compact 8x20 T*
  • Victory Compact 10x25 T*
  • Conquest 8x30 T*
  • Conquest 10x30 T*
  • Conquest 8x40 T*
  • Conquest 10x40 T*
  • Conquest 12x45 T*
  • Conquest 15x45 T*
  • Conquest 8x50 T*
  • Conquest 10x50 T*
  • Conquest 8x56 T*
  • Conquest 10x56 T*
  • Conquest Compact 8x20 T*
  • Conquest Compact 10x25 T*

 

For more details on their full range as well as reviews, take a look at the Ziess Binoculars page on BBR.

Zeiss Contact Details

Zeiss USA
Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service Department
13005 North Kingston Avenue
Chester, VA 23836-8333