Retrovid 7X35 a viable birding binocular? (1 Viewer)

[Canip]

I like the marketing lyrics used by that dealer:

„ ... The precise, powerful premium optics give you an impressive overview, while intuitive operation ensures that you can comfortably observe even the smallest details. ...“

So, holding the bino in front of your eyes, adjusting IPD and turning the focus knob is now called „intuitive operation“

 

[jan van daalen]

I'd be very intrested in getting a pair of 7x35; is there any hope of getting a pair right now, or is availability severily limited? Should I try an online merchant or is the semi-local Leica place the best option?

Every Leica dealer in the USA can, if they don't have one in stock, order one for you.

Jan

 

[Troubador]

I like the marketing lyrics used by that dealer:

„ ... The precise, powerful premium optics give you an impressive overview, while intuitive operation ensures that you can comfortably observe even the smallest details. ...“

So, holding the bino in front of your eyes, adjusting IPD and turning the focus knob is now called „intuitive operation“

I 'instinctively' understood what this means but was disappointed by the lack of 'plasticity' :-O

Lee

 

[Mike F]

I 'instinctively' understood what this means but was disappointed by the lack of 'plasticity' :-O

Lee

Now now....

 

[chill6x6]

I'd be very intrested in getting a pair of 7x35; is there any hope of getting a pair right now, or is availability severily limited? Should I try an online merchant or is the semi-local Leica place the best option?

I don't know but I would think Leica of San Francisco aka Camera West could tell you the availability situation:

Sean Cranor
www.leicastoresf.com
www.madeinwetzlar.com
www.camerawest.com
463 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94108
v 415-801-5066

 

[PhilR.]

I'd be very intrested in getting a pair of 7x35; is there any hope of getting a pair right now, or is availability severily limited? Should I try an online merchant or is the semi-local Leica place the best option?

The Leica store in FL has been open for mail order business. Since they are not owned by Leica, they did not close up shop like the rest of the Leica stores in the US. They handled my transaction with them quite well, so I can recommend them. Give them a call!

 

[NDhunter]

See here, you'll need to contact them first but they do ship overseas.

Hope this helps!

I thought that this model was only being sold through Leica boutique
company owned stores.
If I was in the US, buy in the US, don't pay too much from Europe, and then
the wty. could be a question also.
Prices will soon come down on these, just mostly a fad, collectors thing at
the start of sales.
Jerry

 

[Troubador]

I thought that this model was only being sold through Leica boutique
company owned stores.

Jerry

This was the position originally but Leica have since reversed this decision and will make this model available through dealers.

Lee

 

[jan van daalen]

I thought that this model was only being sold through Leica boutique
company owned stores.
If I was in the US, buy in the US, don't pay too much from Europe, and then
the wty. could be a question also.
Prices will soon come down on these, just mostly a fad, collectors thing at
the start of sales.
Jerry

Jerry,

Are you now telling me you didn't read my post
So disappointing.....

Jan

 

[NDhunter]

Jerry,

Are you now telling me you didn't read my post
So disappointing.....

Jan

Jan: I did read that, but forgot, sorry.

Jerry

 

[eronald]

I tried the 7x35 today. Very nice view, substantially easier to look through than my Zeiss 8x25 but not as pleasant as my UV HD 7x42. Good color.

Too expensive and heavy though. Per German sources this instrument was originally supposed to come in at 950E and now it is at 1400, which is actually a lot of money for that class in my opinion.

I think anyone who looks at the Retrovid might as well get the 8x32 Conquest at 1/2 the price and buy his wife dinner and a nice pair of shoes or fund a weekend away birding with the difference.

Leica have hit the spot with the view, stuttered a bit on the weight and misread the times on the price, which appears to have been a last minute decision. Zeiss will sell a lot of Pockets and Conquests to those who can live without the red label. Those who feel like paying will get good optics and build if not value for money.

 

[BirdDog3151]

I'm very interested in the 7x35 model. I called a local store here (about 10 miles away from me) and they have them in stock. One interesting note though, he said that the 7x35 model has an 'eyecup' recall. This issue doesn't affect the other models. Does anyone have any information on this recall?

 

[Loddar]

Hello,
this is my first post at BF.
Please sorry for my bad english.
I have my Retrovid 7*35 a couple of weeks now and first i was skeptical cause of the less field of view and missing uppendahl prism.
But now the more often i use it the more i am impressed by the quality.
On the one hand it is really sharp and bright and on the other hand the retrovid has a good contrast and impressive control of stray light.
Ist is my first Leica with an almost neutral colour.
Focus is for me a tad too slow especially you are a birder.
For me ist is not a problem.
Focuswheel works for that very smooth. Best focuswheel of any Leica i used before.
Not quite as smooth as an EDG or an HGL but really smooth.
I like 7 times binoculars and for me the retrovid has the ideal size and weight to hold it stable.
What i do not like.
It has some ca out of axis. I am sensitive about ca. But it is not a dealbreaker for me.
For this i like this bin too much.
The binobag looks good. But it is not very practicable for transporting it.
I exchanged the harness for one made of leather.
At the end i have to say that the retrovid is a really pretty bino.
Greetings Loddar

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Loddar and welcome to BirdForum. Good to have your input.

Rich

 

[Loddar]

Hi Loddar and welcome to BirdForum. Good to have your input.

Rich
__________________
Hallo Rich,
Thanks for your warm welcome.
Greetings Loddar

 

[eronald]

Hello,
this is my first post at BF.
Please sorry for my bad english.
I have my Retrovid 7*35 a couple of weeks now and first i was skeptical cause of the less field of view and missing uppendahl prism.
But now the more often i use it the more i am impressed by the quality.
On the one hand it is really sharp and bright and on the other hand the retrovid has a good contrast and impressive control of stray light.
Ist is my first Leica with an almost neutral colour.
Focus is for me a tad too slow especially you are a birder.
For me ist is not a problem.
Focuswheel works for that very smooth. Best focuswheel of any Leica i used before.
Not quite as smooth as an EDG or an HGL but really smooth.
I like 7 times binoculars and for me the retrovid has the ideal size and weight to hold it stable.
What i do not like.
It has some ca out of axis. I am sensitive about ca. But it is not a dealbreaker for me.
For this i like this bin too much.
The binobag looks good. But it is not very practicable for transporting it.
I exchanged the harness for one made of leather.
At the end i have to say that the retrovid is a really pretty bino.
Greetings Loddar

Loddar,

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for your review of the 7x35 with which I agree 100%.

When the product came out it was presented like a ‘toy’ reedition of a classic, it turns out to be good new optical design, new wine in a traditional-shaped bottle.

Edmund

 

[Loddar]

Hello Edmund,
Thank you.
I thought a long time before buying.
I am friend of rather small bins. Especially 32 diameter or smaller for hiking.
The retrovid is a bit expensive but it is the only good 7*35 bino to buy.
Greetings Loddar

 

[NDhunter]

Hello Edmund,
Thank you.
I thought a long time before buying.
I am friend of rather small bins. Especially 32 diameter or smaller for hiking.
The retrovid is a bit expensive but it is the only good 7*35 bino to buy.
Greetings Loddar

Loddar:

Welcome to Birdforum, I like your review of the Leica, it seems similar to many that really like this new binocular.

Keep posting, and let us know your thoughts on binoculars. I also like the size of this Leica, it is a classic, I have one of the original Leitz 10x40 models, it fits my hands perfectly.

Jerry

 

[Loddar]

Loddar:

Welcome to Birdforum, I like your review of the Leica, it seems similar to many that really like this new binocular.

Keep posting, and let us know your thoughts on binoculars. I also like the size of this Leica, it is a classic, I have one of the original Leitz 10x40 models, it fits my hands perfectly.

Jerry

Thanks for your welcome Jerry,
i also like the original Leitz binoculars.
They are very nice and especially lightweight.
I think the 10*40 weights less than 600g.
Very impressive.
Greetings Loddar

 

[Patudo]

Moving to the SV 8X32 it's easy for me to decide which I prefer but that ultimate difference between the two is small. While the Retrovid feels almost like a compact in the hand, the SV feels more substantial. I pick up the SV and everything falls into place. Once I convince myself the Retrovid is the SVs equal I realize it's not, quite. Although the Retrovid's FOV is wide flatish, the SV is equally wide and FLAT! Focus is FAST and precise. To me the SV 32mm is the best handling binocular, EVER. I believe I could absolutely be satisfied with the Retrovid 7X35 as my primary birding binocular if the SV 8X32 wasn't in the picture. But I could probably say the same thing about the Conquest HD 8X32, the Noctivid 8X42, et al.

A really enjoyable read Chill6x6 - from a user with significant field experience of both the Retrovid and binoculars in general!

I had roughly similar impressions to the section in your post above when trying the 7x35 and comparing it to the 8x32 FL I own. The FL is a little sharper, picks out more detail (in part due to slightly greater magnification). It is better optically, not by a lot, but by enough to be noticed - but at its price point, it ought to be. It's a better birding binocular. But the 7x35 can do a good job birding wise, and is smaller.

That was an interesting comparison you made between the 8x30 CL and the Retrovid. The CL may be the most comparable of the "big three" offerings to the Retrovid 7x35 in terms of intended users and function.