Zeiss, Birding and the Best Bino's - South West Optics

September 16, 2024 Anabel Astle

Exclusive Interview with Toby Carter from Zeiss: Lightweight Designs, Comfort Solutions, and Expert Birding Optics

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Toby Carter from Zeiss on the South West Optics YouTube channel. In this blog, we delve into Toby’s incredible knowledge about everything binoculars, spotting scopes and Zeiss innovation.

In our video interview, Toby covered a variety of topics and answered a wide range of questions, including: What is the best way to relieve weight from the neck when using binoculars? Which models would you recommend for children and young people? What advice would you give to those choosing new optics for birdwatching and nature observation? This blog takes a closer look at Toby’s expert advice and shows how his insights can help you make informed decisions about your optics. For all the essential information, frequently asked questions, and written interview extracts, be sure to check the end of the blog, along with a list of useful links.

Watch Russell chat with Toby Carter, Zeiss Business Development Executive for the UK, here:

Toby’s Top Insights: Summary of Expert Advice

Comfort Solutions for Binoculars

One of the biggest issues our customer face is having too much weight around their necks, causing discomfort on those long days spent outdoor. Toby’s top recommendation for you is to invest in the Zeiss Air Cell Extra Comfort Strap to dispel some of the pressure, or if you are looking to remove weight from around your neck completely, then a harness that goes around your chest would be more suitable for you, they are designed to distribute weight evenly across your chest and reduce bounce, offering you more comfort when out and about wildlife spotting.

Best Optics for Young Users

When asked what is the best binocular for young birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, Ziess optics expert Toby recommends the Zeiss T erra range, which are not only lightweight and robust, but also offer a choice of objective lens sizes from 25mm, 32mm and 42 mm, as well as a choice of magnification of either 8x or 10x.

Why choose Zeiss?

Zeiss understands the importance of being able to reduce the weight of your optics without compromising the optical quality. The Zeiss Gavia or Harpia spotting scopes are the perfect example of this, having been designed with you, the customer, in mind. Whilst the Gavia is more compact and perfect for day to day use, the Harpia offers a wider field of view and higher magnification whilst allowing you to maintain that high image quality we all want.

F.A.Qs

What is the best way to reduce weight around the neck and increase comfort?

One way to reduce neck strain is to invest in the Zeiss Air Cell Extra Comfort Strap. Alternatively, if you want to remove the weight from around your neck completely, consider investing in a chest harness.

What is the best recommendations for children or young adults?

If you are looking at the Zeiss brand, the Terra range is a great choice. Both lightweight and robust, they also offer a choice of objective lens sizes (25mm, 32mm and 42mm), as well as two choice of magnification ( 8x, 10x)

How to go about purchasing your optics?

Here at South West Optics, we offer a wider range of optics for your wildlife need. However, it can be minefield which is why you can book an appointment with us, and come in, for expert advice.

Who are Zeiss?

Zeiss has been developing new optics for the last 176 years, with innovation being at the forefront of everything they do. Split into various divisions including microscopes, camera lenses, microchips, cinematography and planetariums, Zeiss technology is used everyday from mobile phone chips, eye wear and medical equipment.

What are the benefits of using a chest harness for your Binoculars?

Not only does it remove any discomfort from around your neck, but a chest harness reduces any bounce whilst moving, meaning you barely notice you are wearing binoculars at all. Chest harnesses also allow to adjust where they sit, either high in the chest or low in the belly for maximum comfort.

Why choose the Harpia of Gavia spotting scopes?

Both have their benefits, the Harpia has a geared focus wheel allows for general and fine focusing in one wheel, whilst also offering a wide field of view at both minimum and maximum magnification without barrelling. The Gavia is more compact, making it ideal for everyday, with a zoom in the eye piece for all-round use.

Interview Extracts

Russell Welton (R.W.): Hello and welcome again to another episode of Binocular Insights with myself, Russell from Southwest Optics. Today, we have a very special guest, Toby Carter from Zeiss. Toby, hello.

Toby Carter (T.C.): Hi, Russell. Great to be here.

R.W.: Great to have you with us. Can you start by telling us about your role at Zeiss?

T.C.: Sure. I work for Zeiss as their Business Development Executive for the UK on the nature side of the business. I've been in this role for almost two years now. Before that, I was a Brand Ambassador for Zeiss for almost three years around the COVID times, so I've gotten to know their products very well over the years. I've been a birder all my life and love my binoculars and telescopes.

R.W.: And you've recently seen some spectacular views and nightjars?

T.C.: Yes, it's been pretty good, pretty tasty. Some wonderful pictures. Maybe we can share some of those.

R.W.: Definitely, that would be great. So, Toby, can I ask you a little bit about how you would describe Zeiss's general design ethos or their approach to optics?

T.C.: Their approach to optics is all about innovation. But I think more importantly, as we discussed earlier behind the camera, the heritage of Zeiss is a massive thing. It's a 176-year-old company split into various divisions like microscopes, camera lenses, microchips, cinematography, and planetariums. Zeiss technology is used in many everyday items, from mobile phone microchips to eyeglasses and medical equipment. The ethos is constant innovation, aiming to bring everything to the next level and be at the top of the game.

R.W.: Very interesting, thank you. Thinking about some of our customers and the different age ranges we support, what would you suggest as a good approach for helping people take the weight off their necks when using binoculars?

T.C.: People generally want lighter binoculars, but to get the weight off their necks, we have an air cell extra comfort strap that provides additional comfort. We also have a binocular harness that goes around your chest, taking the weight off your neck and distributing it across your chest. This reduces any bounce and makes it feel like you're not carrying the binoculars at all.

R.W.: It's surprising how much it spreads the weight across the torso and reduces bounce, isn't it?

T.C.: Absolutely. You can adjust how low the binoculars hang, whether high on the chest or lower on the belly. It makes a big difference, especially on a hike or when traveling abroad.

R.W.: That's a smart approach. And for the other end of the age spectrum, what products would you recommend for youngsters and children?

T.C.: Our Terra range is perfect for young users. We have pocket binoculars with a 25mm objective and larger ones with 32mm and 42mm objectives, all in 8x and 10x magnifications. They are lightweight and robust, making them ideal for youngsters.

R.W.: Great, and they're really quite lightweight, aren't they?

T.C.: Yes, lightweight with ED glass, which reduces flare and provides a good grip, making them more robust.

R.W.: Toby, tell us more about balancing weight and performance when traveling.

T.C.: People want to reduce weight without compromising optical quality. Our SFL (Smart Focus Light) range is designed with this in mind. The SFL 30 and 40 models are lightweight but pack a punch in optical quality. For scopes, we have the Gavia and Harpia models. The Gavia is more compact, while the Harpia offers a wider field of view and higher magnification without losing image quality. Lightweight tripods are also important when traveling.

R.W.: What are your go-to optics?

T.C.: My go-to is the SF 10x42. I prefer the 10x magnification for open areas, and the 42mm objective provides extra light for low-light conditions like watching nightjars. The SF range's ergonomic balance makes it comfortable to use without feeling heavy.

R.W.: With your experience, what products have you enjoyed that have been modified recently?

T.C.: I used to use a DSLR camera but switched to smartphone photography with digiscoping. The availability of phone cases for digiscoping has been a game-changer. I use the Harpia scope with a geared focus system, which works well for digiscoping, especially for night photos like those of nightjars.

R.W.: The Harpia and Gavia scopes have unique qualities. Can you tell us more?

T.C.: The Harpia's geared focus wheel combines general and fine focusing in one wheel. It offers a wide field of view at both minimum and maximum magnification without barrelling. The Gavia is a more compact, everyday scope with a zoom in the eyepiece, making it perfect for all-around use.

R.W.: Any advice for our listeners when choosing new optics?

T.C.: Try the binoculars in person if you can. The SFL range is great for those with a narrower IPD. Everyone's eyes are different, so it's important to find what works for you. Also, invest in a good tripod for stability and longevity. And for cleaning optics, use Zeiss wipes but don't over-clean. Every three months is sufficient unless you're in harsh conditions.

R.W.: Great advice, Toby. Thank you so much for today's interview.

T.C.: Thanks, Russell. It was great to be here.

R.W.: Thanks for watching and come visit us at South West Optics.