Ultravid 12x50?

[Pitter]

Has anyone used this binocular? If so did you note a problem keepng steady or is the high power managable? Any other comments about it? I'm thinking of treating myself.

[xenophobe]

I don't have any experience with the 12x Ultravid, but I do have the 12x50 Trinovid. Due to the shape of the Trinovid, it's a really comfortable hold and lends itself to being easily steadied for short periods of time. For any duration though, keeping them steady does get a bit tiring.

That being said, I have mine mounted on a free-standing monopod, which gives it a good degree of mobility and some needed stability, IMO. I typically use this for observing the night's sky, because without it, the shakiness is much more pronounced when gazing at a starfield than some distant scenery. This especially applies when viewing for longer periods.

I have it pretty much set up as a tactical spotter. It can be set up and used while prone or standing, and does have retractable tripod feet so I can set it up and leave it for an observation post if I so choose.

It's a bit much for a primary birding or hunting binocular, IMO. A 10x42 is lighter, smaller and isn't daunting to carry around your neck all day. I think the 12x50 is a bit big for general duty. The magnification and field of view are really impressive though, and if you have a 7x/8x/10x42, then a 12x50 is a perfect 2nd choice.

[Pitter]

Thank you. Well that sounds positive. I've had a 10x40 Zeiss for many years and would like to get a tad closer. Sounds like the 12x50 is managable for birding.

[Al Downie]

Don't buy anything until you've tried Nikon's 12x50 SEs! I compared Ultravids, Douvids and Trinovids and ended up buying the cheaper porroprism Nikons. Fantastic, bright super-stereo image, light and easy to hold without any vibration problems.

[xenophobe]

Well, I picked up my 12x50 Trinovids in dead mint condition for $866 off ebay. I don't know if they were a demo pair or original new purchase, but at this price I didn't mind. I don't think I'd pay $1500+ for a new pair of Trinovids though, since I don't use them all that often.

[Gramayr]

Minolta Activa 12 x 50 aren't bad and cheap

[Pitter]

I see the Ultravid 12x50 isn't too popular since no one here owns one.

[xenophobe]

The price alone makes it a tall order for anyone to buy one. $2000?

[John Finnan]

I see the Ultravid 12x50 isn't too popular since no one here owns one.
Not true. See my 11/23/04 post in the "Leica 12x50 Ultravid - Old Arguments Still Valid" thread.

If you just want to try using a fine 12x binocular and waterproofness is not a must-have requirement, then I think you will be very happy with the Nikon 12x50 SEs. I like the 12x50 Ultravids a little better but given the huge price difference, the Nikons make more sense. Also, when I purchased my 12x50s I got them for $1319 (I got one of the first pairs that was sold in the US back in late 1993). If I had to pay $1995 for them (their current US selling price) I probably would have passed on them or searched for a used Leica 12x50 BA or BN. However, I do prefer the ergonomics of the Ultravid model and it weighs 5-6 ounces less than the older 12x50 BA/BN models.

The Nikon 12x50 SEs on the other hand even weight 5 ounces less than the 12x50 Ultravids and they also have very good ergonomics for a binocular in general and outstanding ergonomics for a porro prism type. However, no matter how light the weight or excellent the ergonomics, at 12x, you're only going to be able to hand hold them for brief periods before the jitteriness becomes bothersome. At the suggestion of another Bird Forum member, I tried a Bogen Carbon One monopod with my Leica 12x50s and that helps a lot and it is also very portable. That monopod would also work with the Nikon 12x50 SEs.

[Pitter]

I've come accross a vender selling the Leica for about $1800 and I see the Nikon SE is about $850 so yes there is quite a big price difference..

[Renze de Vries]

For a cheap and dedicated monopod, see the FISMO reviewed by elkcub in the review section. There's a subsequent thread on this pod also.

Renze

[Glod]

Thought these Ultravid's deserves a bit more attention.

I am really just a beginning birder and I started out with a military 6x30B, went on to a CZJ Jenoptem 10x50W. After that my son had dropped it, and that I was only partially able to get the collimation OK again, I started to consider a serious investment. I think one of the major interest injections was when I spotted a Great Egret here nearby. And here is my main motivation for a 12x50 and the Ultrivid in particular.

That bird was about 800m away in a restricted nature reserve, I could hardly tell it really was the Great and not the Cattle Egret. For half a year, I hardy dared telling anybody that I was very sure of having seen the Great. |8.|I later learned that not far from here several had been spotted...Now, I don't feel dedicated enough to get a telescope, why the bino's need to be a compromise.

I first tested the 10x42's from Zeiss Victory FL, Swarovski SLC and Leica (Ultravid & Trinovid's), but I found them all too dark for my taste. Not only did I appreciate power, but also a bright image I learned. Then I tried the Swarovski 15x56 SLC (old?) but I found them to have a too narrow FoV, besides being too dark as well. The Zeiss 12x56 Victory was a very impressive roof-prism bin. Very bright and with a nice crisp contrast, but ultimately a bit "boring", both picture wise and in the ergonomics IMO. Also, it was very heavy and big, even for me. The thing is namely, that weight doesn't bother me too much once I have found the technique, but I noticed even in the store that those 1300g were probably going to get noticed by the shoulders and arms in the end of a birding day...

Right, during all testing, I soon noticed that I couldn't stay off the Ultravid's. Firstly, they had fine ergonomics and even better balance than the Swarovski SLC's. Secondly, they had a cool (as in cold) touch to them which I found very appealing. The rubber armoured Zeiss' didn't have that slick grip-friendly touch either. The Zeiss' grabbed your hands instead, while when your hands embraced the Ultravid's it felt like wearing the favourite leather gloves. Sorry, I can't explain it better than that. :D

So, eventually I got to be the happy owner of a second hand Ultravid 12x50 BR a couple of days ago! The condition was like new and the price fair I think. Obviously, I couldn't wait to get out in the field to try them out. Today I went to look for the White-tailed Eagles, which have been breeding not too far from here. Of course, I didn't see them...But on the way home I stopped at a field to see if I at least could spot a Buzzard or something. Well, I didn't see a Buzzard but I could just about identify a Black Kite, flying low. The distance must have been 1200m+. And that experience concludes my search for binocular!

To me the Ultravid's 12x50 BR are the very fine combination of high magnification, relatively low weight, very pleasant ergonomics and a lovely image quality. I am pretty sure I would have had a hard time to id that Kite on that distance with my old Jenoptem, which by no means are bad bins IMHO. But in this situation, they would have had too low power and due to their less good balance it would have been difficult to hold them sufficiently still. Actually, I find it easier to get a steady picture with the Ultravids than the Jenoptems, and I am not even used to them yet! |:d|