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

The Westinghouse and Bausch and Lomb 6x30 porro army binoculars were waterproof as I found out by immersing them in a bucket filled with water.
Gijs van Ginkel
 
.... well, there were probably a lot of annoyed birders standing on a rainy, misty trail in Costa Rica with fogged up optics and internal condensation ;)

People "managed", but that doesn't mean it wasn't a real problem, or else this would not have become a feature that is heavily marketed :)

... there were probably more binocular repair shops back then, too. There must still be a couple of folks who can probably take apart the commonly used porros of that era (Jenoptems, Swifts etc) in their sleep. Easy to see why those guys love porros...
 
Thinking about some of the content in the the above Ultravid 8x50 UVHD+ discussion (page 4), I have a question that seems more appropriate here. How would those of you with experience of both, compare the 7x35 Retrovid and the 7x42 UVHD+?
 
Greetings all, just wanted to check with any of you who may have hands on experience with the 7X35 Retrovid. What are your thoughts on eye relief for glasses users. I've been eyeing this binocular for quite some time and from the various reviews this sounds like an outstanding format that ticks a lot of boxes. With Spring migration right around the corner would love to add this gem to my collection, but wanted to know what the collective thoughts were on day to day usability---understanding that it is a fair weather bin. Thanks!
 
Hi Bear,

FWIW, the listed eye relief (for all 3 models) is 16 mm
And in his review of the 7x35, Roger Vine indicated that’s the approximate usable ER
See posts #134 and 139 earlier in this thread

In contrast, Canip/Pinac gives the useable ER as:
13.5 mm for the 7x35, and
14 mm for the 10x40
See: https://binocular.ch/leica-trinovid-7x35-2019-retrovid/
and: https://binocular.ch/leica-trinovid-10x40-2019-retrovid/

And also see Chuck’s comments in the original post comparing the ER of the 7x35 to that of the 7x42 Ultravid


John
 
Hi Bear,

FWIW, the listed eye relief (for all 3 models) is 16 mm
And in his review of the 7x35, Roger Vine indicated that’s the approximate usable ER
See posts #134 and 139 earlier in this thread

In contrast, Canip/Pinac gives the useable ER as:
13.5 mm for the 7x35, and
14 mm for the 10x40
See: https://binocular.ch/leica-trinovid-7x35-2019-retrovid/
and: https://binocular.ch/leica-trinovid-10x40-2019-retrovid/

And also see Chuck’s comments in the original post comparing the ER of the 7x35 to that of the 7x42 Ultravid


John
I believe the 16 mm figure; with my thin-frame eyeglasses I generally need 14-15 mm of eye relief to see the entire field of view of a bino, and with the Leica 7x35 and the eye-cups down I can get blackouts if my eye-placement isn't perfect. I put a 1.6 mm o-ring under each eye-cup to lift them up a bit, and that reduced the eye relief to a distance that's perfect for me. A really sweet bino, in my opinion; light, compact, and a beautiful view.
 
Just an aside but as I was when registering my 7x35 I has a choice between two models - the leather covered version and a BA Green armoured version. I wonder if that means they are bringing a new version out, or does it refer to the original one from way back???
 
Just an aside but as I was when registering my 7x35 I has a choice between two models - the leather covered version and a BA Green armoured version. I wonder if that means they are bringing a new version out, or does it refer to the original one from way back???
Oh wow, that old green armored 7x35 goes back a long ways.
I owned one, it was a very handy glass, but a dud optically. I doubt it was phase coated or even multi coated.
 
Eitan: You have quite an imagination, and I am wondering if you have ever tried this binocular.

Jerry
 
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It's interesting to see here (and in other discussions) the divide between those who prefer narrow and those who prefer wide eyecups. I definitely prefer narrow eyecups but I can understand that others may not. I wonder why manufacturers don't provide different eyecups with their bins, in the same way hi-end in-ear IEM/earphones come with a whole range of tips to suit different sized/shaped ears? Or would that optically be problematic?? It also seems to me as the top end binoculars are optically so close to each, that ergonomics is now a very important factor when choosing between models.
 
Thinking about some of the content in the the above Ultravid 8x50 UVHD+ discussion (page 4), I have a question that seems more appropriate here. How would those of you with experience of both, compare the 7x35 Retrovid and the 7x42 UVHD+?
Sorry to quote myself, I went back and scanned the 170 conversations here, to make sure I hadn't missed this comparison. If one were looking for a 7X experience, (not something I ever imagined I would, but you all have me curious), and wanting to find the best choice, which of these? Why? Thanks

GTom
 
It's interesting to see here (and in other discussions) the divide between those who prefer narrow and those who prefer wide eyecups. I definitely prefer narrow eyecups but I can understand that others may not. I wonder why manufacturers don't provide different eyecups with their bins, in the same way hi-end in-ear IEM/earphones come with a whole range of tips to suit different sized/shaped ears? Or would that optically be problematic?? It also seems to me as the top end binoculars are optically so close to each, that ergonomics is now a very important factor when choosing between models.
This 100%. I’ve made the exact same comparison to providing multiple tips with IEM’s.

People have different sized anatomy. Especially for binoculars with removable eyecups, it seems trivial to offer fatter / slimmer options, even if they sell it for $ as an added accessory. It can’t cost more than a few bucks for the mfgr since it’s literally just different sizes/shapes/thicknesses of rubber on the same chassis.

There’s probably a dozen people on this forum (myself included) who would own the Meostar 32mm if it had fatter eyecups. And plenty of others which need skinnier eyecups.

Since this is the Leica zone though, a big hat tip since they in general have the very best eyecups of any brand IMO. Soft rubber, nicely tapered, with a simple but excellent mechanism for locking at various positions and removing for cleaning.
 
Sorry to quote myself, I went back and scanned the 170 conversations here, to make sure I hadn't missed this comparison. If one were looking for a 7X experience, (not something I ever imagined I would, but you all have me curious), and wanting to find the best choice, which of these? Why? Thanks
I don't recall a dedicated thread on this, though it's an appropriate question: same magnification, same FOV. If you search "retrovid" and "7x42" on this site you'll find some scattered comments. I think I recall Eitan saying that if it weren't for the narrow eyecups he would trade his 7x42 for the 7x35, but others might differ. The Retrovid is less obviously a birder's model (slow focus, not waterproof) and I think has been said to have more CA; it might be more difficult to resell (except perhaps here?) but I imagine either one would satisfy curiosity about that 7x magic (a notion that strikes me as obsolete after seeing the 8x NL).
 
Note that my comments were speculative, as I’ve never actually tried the 7x35. But since I love my 7x42, and don’t really like carrying big binoculars, the hypothetical proposition of a slimmer lighter version with the same optical quality sounds fabulous.

Regardless, I would suspect that the physical / ergonomic differences by FAR exceed the optical differences. These are both 7x Leicas with 8 deg FOV. Both get rave reviews for optical quality. I would make the decision on the other stuff, not the optics.
 
Sorry to quote myself, I went back and scanned the 170 conversations here, to make sure I hadn't missed this comparison. If one were looking for a 7X experience, (not something I ever imagined I would, but you all have me curious), and wanting to find the best choice, which of these? Why? Thanks

GTom
I'm going to always recommend the sure thing....and that's the Ultravid HD+. Long history with few issues. Fully armored. Fully waterproof. Closer close-focus(matters to some). Larger focus wheel especially useful with gloves.
 
Thanks tenex, eitanaltman and Chuck. Was sorta guessing the whole modern magilla is the safer bet. Confess have been drawn to that classic 70s Trinovid look, (an unrequited thing for me), and the size, but pragmatism usually wins.

GTom
 
These Leicas are not waterproof. Does it mean they are overtly susceptible to fungus on lens/ prism surface? How well protected are they against dust?

Arijit
 
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