Out of the scopes you have mentioned I would pick the 2.5x8x36 first and the Zeiss second only because of its weight and dimensions although it is a brighter scope and i like its windage and elevation adjustments. I have owned a few of these 2.5x8x36 in my life and never ever had a problem with any of them and they were mounted on everything from 308's to 300 whtbys-to 338's in fact I have one that was mounted on 7 different rifles. I have owned 2 Nikon scopes one a 4x and the other a new 3x9x40 monarch(recently purchased) that was a fine clear glass(brighter than a leupold) but the finish(gloss) on the scope tube flaked off where it was attached to the rings, and no the rings weren't misaligned. Yhis has since been returned to BAssproshops and swapped for you guessed it another Leupold.