So - first post, so please be gentle.
I have acquired a pair of Leitz Binuxit.
I think (if memory serves) they are post war - but will check (I thought I had a pic of the serial number handy, but it turns out I don't).
If memory serves they are quite high up in the range of serial number used for Binuxit - but can't remember the exact number.
Anyway - they seem to be ok - for their age, and they seem to be a very clean example - clearly used - but not neglected, and well cared for - but I have a few issues with them.
1) Stiff-ish focussing wheel. I only just got them, and they have apparently been unused for years - maybe decades. So at first use by me yesterday, the wheel was VERY stiff - pretty much unusable really - but I've rotated the wheel a few times since I received them, and it has freed up slightly. Still very smooth not crunchy - just very stiff.
So stiff they aren't ideal for actual use - pretty much requires a two-handed technique to move the wheel.
The question therefore is, without sending these to Leica (or a local repair shop), what can be done by me to improve this?
2) On one of the objective lenses, it looks like a little bit of fungus has developed - are these easy enough to clean myself, and if so how? I haven't had chance to really closely inspect them, but the fungus is noticeable, without seemingly a huge impact on image quality. (It may have - I'm just not very familiar with these binoculars).
3) Eye relief - I did read up a little on these bins before I bought them, but didn't realise quite how much eye relief can have a bearing on things. (I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to binoculars).
I did read that they may be problematic for people who wear glasses like I do, but assumed I'd be ok to use them without my specs on.
I didn't however account for the astigmatism in my own eyes - obviously the binoculars won't correct any of my astigmatism, even if I manage to get them focussed properly. So, though my astigmatism isn't huge, it's proven to be a real annoyance in the limited amount of use I've had with them so far.
I did remember though that I had a similar issue with a set of Minolta's I also have, until I found that I could fold back the rubber eye cups - and this seemed to solve the problem - so I opted to remove the eye cups on the Binuxit, for a similar effect. It works to a certain extent - but I dont like the lack of protection round the ocular lenses. No good.
So - are there any alternatives I might try with these binoculars? a 3rd party eye cup or some alternative which will work better?
4) Caps - did Binuxit come with lens caps? My example doesn't have any - and I'm wondering if it should, and if so, where can I get replacements?
5) Is there anything I should know about these binoculars that may improve them? I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I bought them - I guess they are quite old - but the Leitz/Leica name is good in optics - and like I said them seem to be quite a clean example considering their age - and bar the stiffness in focussing wheel (and the diopter adjustment is stiff too).
I have read rave reviews on them from various places - but I have also used my dad's Swarovski Habicht which blew me away (though his Habicht I assume are much newer than my Binuxit).
In theory, should his Habicht astound me, when in use when compared directly to the Binuxit? I haven't A/B tested them yet with his Habicht - but hopefully will get a chance tomorrow when I see him...
Any help on the above issues would be hugely appreciated...
I have acquired a pair of Leitz Binuxit.
I think (if memory serves) they are post war - but will check (I thought I had a pic of the serial number handy, but it turns out I don't).
If memory serves they are quite high up in the range of serial number used for Binuxit - but can't remember the exact number.
Anyway - they seem to be ok - for their age, and they seem to be a very clean example - clearly used - but not neglected, and well cared for - but I have a few issues with them.
1) Stiff-ish focussing wheel. I only just got them, and they have apparently been unused for years - maybe decades. So at first use by me yesterday, the wheel was VERY stiff - pretty much unusable really - but I've rotated the wheel a few times since I received them, and it has freed up slightly. Still very smooth not crunchy - just very stiff.
So stiff they aren't ideal for actual use - pretty much requires a two-handed technique to move the wheel.
The question therefore is, without sending these to Leica (or a local repair shop), what can be done by me to improve this?
2) On one of the objective lenses, it looks like a little bit of fungus has developed - are these easy enough to clean myself, and if so how? I haven't had chance to really closely inspect them, but the fungus is noticeable, without seemingly a huge impact on image quality. (It may have - I'm just not very familiar with these binoculars).
3) Eye relief - I did read up a little on these bins before I bought them, but didn't realise quite how much eye relief can have a bearing on things. (I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to binoculars).
I did read that they may be problematic for people who wear glasses like I do, but assumed I'd be ok to use them without my specs on.
I didn't however account for the astigmatism in my own eyes - obviously the binoculars won't correct any of my astigmatism, even if I manage to get them focussed properly. So, though my astigmatism isn't huge, it's proven to be a real annoyance in the limited amount of use I've had with them so far.
I did remember though that I had a similar issue with a set of Minolta's I also have, until I found that I could fold back the rubber eye cups - and this seemed to solve the problem - so I opted to remove the eye cups on the Binuxit, for a similar effect. It works to a certain extent - but I dont like the lack of protection round the ocular lenses. No good.
So - are there any alternatives I might try with these binoculars? a 3rd party eye cup or some alternative which will work better?
4) Caps - did Binuxit come with lens caps? My example doesn't have any - and I'm wondering if it should, and if so, where can I get replacements?
5) Is there anything I should know about these binoculars that may improve them? I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I bought them - I guess they are quite old - but the Leitz/Leica name is good in optics - and like I said them seem to be quite a clean example considering their age - and bar the stiffness in focussing wheel (and the diopter adjustment is stiff too).
I have read rave reviews on them from various places - but I have also used my dad's Swarovski Habicht which blew me away (though his Habicht I assume are much newer than my Binuxit).
In theory, should his Habicht astound me, when in use when compared directly to the Binuxit? I haven't A/B tested them yet with his Habicht - but hopefully will get a chance tomorrow when I see him...
Any help on the above issues would be hugely appreciated...
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