I currently have this Zeiss binoculars from the 80s (therefore the emphasis on “west germany”). They work good enough and are ok-ish sharp, but i think contrast and color rendering are not very good.
I would be interested what others use and what experiences you have with it.
You get what you pay for with optics, so you really have to find out how sensitive you are to optical quality (sharpness, contrast, color, etc.). Durability is also highly variable between brands, and so is customer service. I recommend looking at Vortex binoculars. They have models at different price points so you can look for something that fits your needs/wants and budget. I think their optical quality, ergonomics, and durability are comparable to the best of what’s out there. They also have a lifetime unconditional warranty and great customer service.
It is exceedingly rare to read that any company provides an unconditional warranty.
Agreed. It’s part of what you’re paying for, but Vortex clearly understands that they’re also investing in brand loyalty and reputation.