Rifle Scopes Eye Box Illusion: Answered by Zeiss CS and Tech

[BobD]

So, this is something I've noticed for a long time and have just assumed that it represents superior glass from its craft and polish or some sort of coating.

Let me try to explain what I'm referring to...
When looking through a lineup a different scopes I've noticed that when checking for eye relief and forgiveness that some do not immediately go to black the mm you are off center... Instead I see what looks like a polished outer ring, a swirl, that as you continue to move off center fades to black. When I say 'outer' I mean a very thin, narrow ring, but still quite noticeable. The only reasoning I could come up with myself is that possibly this is from a lens that is polished or slightly rounded near its outer edge...? Maybe that would cause this somewhat prism like effect? Honestly I really don't know but would like to hear if someone knows why this happens?

**** Edit: Answered, scroll down to hear explanation from Zeiss' Customer service.

 

[BobD]

Re: Swirled Image at Eye Box's Edge: What Does This?

Regardless of having an answer...
Has anyone else noticed this?
I've found it most apparent on Zeiss' glass, trijicon fairly obvious as well.

 

[BobD]

Re: Swirled Image at Eye Box's Edge: What Does This?

Ok, so here are a few examples...
These are through a Zeiss Conquest.
The appearance of the ring is more noticeable when there is a stronger light source and is easier for the camera to pick up. That's why the scope is positioned the way it is. You can also see it move as I turn it off axis. Eye box is pretty incredible ...
Anyone think they can explain this? Again, it looks prismatic in some way but only on the outer edges.. Im sure the florescent light is effecting the color...

 

[BobD]

Re: Eye Box Illusion: Answered by Zeiss CS and Tech

So after feeling a little crazy trying to figure this out out I contacted Zeiss directly this am and tried to explain what I was seeing. The CS rep was very helpful but unable to answer by my description. I then preceded to send them an email containing the pics that were on here and she forwarded them to tech support who were able to explain to her what was going on. For dealing with a very small question they were extremely courteous to deal with and worked very quickly; 1 phone call and 3 emails start to finish in 1 hour. Also after hearing this I believe it explains alot about why Zeiss' eye box is so forgiving and why you are able to still see so far of axis... compared to some others.

This was their response to me:

Zeiss always tries to offer as much field of view and eye relief as possible. Same as with the spotting scopes. The extreme edges may look a little "soft" or fuzzy on a spotting scope because we do not artificially blacken them out. This offers the user move opportunity to visually pick up movement etc.

While comparing competitor riflescopes in the field (especially with high magnification) the benefit becomes very apparent. Zeiss Conquest for example and the image is just "there" with a full field of view.

The curvature of the outer lens surface combined with intense light is most likely causing the fringing of color at the extreme edge.

 

[bhoges]

Re: Eye Box Illusion: Answered by Zeiss CS and Tech

Interesting. I have two Zeiss scopes and they are some of the clearest scopes to look though.

 

[BobD]

Re: Eye Box Illusion: Answered by Zeiss CS and Tech

I agree, the $399 Conquest I'm holding in these looked incredible, as did the higher mag model. Cameras never do glass justice and again, this off axis angle was done on purpose (like an off angle torture test). When testing this on several other scopes they blacked out way before the Conquest, on both the 3-9 and higher mag. I felt it to be optically superior to the signifigantly more expensive Leupold VX3 and VXR that were sitting next to it.

I appreciate their simplicity but feel if they offered different options on their Conquest line (even for some extra $$... Before moving up a series) they could really absorb some of mid market. I actually believe it would be a great idea, think about it...

Conquest glass is already more than adequate for most magnifications-
Zeiss owns Hensoldt (may stand corrected if changed) and at least posesses the know how to apply features for a 'tactical' market-

Imagine the possibilities. All the same glass with just a few extra features, turrets options, 30mm maybe etc... A few small additions without adding another 1k+
I dont know, I'm sure their development team has already decided that this would not be worth it and they've been doing it right for so long they don't really need to change a system that has been so successful.
Sounds good to me though