Best Retro Leitz? (1 Viewer)

[ridgebackpilot]

Howdy! I'm new to the forum but a longtime birder. I'm currently carrying a pair of Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 that I was given by Zeiss when I worked for the National Audubon Society. When traveling light, I carry a pair of Zeiss TL 10x25.

I'm now in the market for a pair of midsize retro bins and am focusing on the older Leitz/Leicas from the 1960s-1980s. My current choices are the Leitz 7x35B, Leitz 8x40B, and Zeiss Dialyt 10x40.

Which of these would you choose? Please feel free and suggest alternatives as well, keeping in mind that my budget is between US$300-$700. eBay, craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are my usual shopping places for optics!

Thanks in advance for your advice and counsel.

 

[NDhunter]

First off, welcome to the forum. I do not have any experience with those Leitz models. I do have experience with both the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42, and have compared it directly to the Dialyt 10x40 BTP. I have both in my collection.
I really like the Conquest 10x42, it is very bright and offers a very nice view. The Dialyt 10x40 does quite well in comparison. I really respect this binocular, its slim handling is very pleasing, and I find it a great choice if wanting a retro model.
I am thinking you like the Conquest, and if so, the Dialyt would be a very good companion.
Jerry

 

[SBay]

I recently got a Leitz Trinovid 7x35B. Probably made 1968-69. Beautiful design, IMO, and very nice to hold and use. Compared directly to Ultravid HD+ 7x42 the Trinovid looks a bit hazy. It can't match the 'clarity' of its 50 years younger brother, but used on its own it's still a fine binocular with surprisingly good sharpness and contrast, despite a bit of dust inside and the lack of multi coating and phase coating (Maybe phase coating isn't so important with the Uppendahl prism used in the old Trinovids?).

 

[tenex]

Phase coating matters with all roof prisms, so look for a model made after 1988, which may be hard to find in classic Trinovids since new lines like Ultras appeared in the 90s. You might even consider an Ultra (BA/BN) since they're practically "retro" by now, and an excellent choice just within your budget. Be aware that the smaller Dialyts focused with moving objectives which I found to induce slop in the focuser that even a service attempt couldn't fix.

 

[ridgebackpilot]

Phase coating matters with all roof prisms, so look for a model made after 1988, which may be hard to find in classic Trinovids since new lines like Ultras appeared in the 90s. You might even consider an Ultra (BA/BN) since they're practically "retro" by now, and an excellent choice just within your budget. Be aware that the smaller Dialyts focused with moving objectives which I found to induce slop in the focuser that even a service attempt couldn't fix.

Good advice, thanks. I would consider a Trinovid-3 series "Ultra" BA/BN if they weren't so damned ugly! I just love the form factor of the Trinovid-2 series, mostly because of their superior aesthetics but also because they pack a lot of performance into a small package. I guess that's why Leica brought them back with the Retrovid a couple of years ago.

I'm trying to decide whether to spring for the Retrovid and spend 3-4 times as much for modern optics, or give in to nostalgia and acquire one of the original BA's from the 1970s or 1980s. Who knows, maybe I'd chance upon one of those that received the experimental phase-coating that Leica is rumored to have applied during the 1980s!

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there ridgebackpilot and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum

We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like.

 

[Pinewood]

Phase coating matters with all roof prisms, so look for a model made after 1988, which may be hard to find in classic Trinovids since new lines like Ultras appeared in the 90s. You might even consider an Ultra (BA/BN) since they're practically "retro" by now, and an excellent choice just within your budget. Be aware that the smaller Dialyts focused with moving objectives which I found to induce slop in the focuser that even a service attempt couldn't fix.

Hello,

There is a lot of goodwill shown the Leica BA/BN but note that the two models did not have dielectric coatings, although they did have phase coating. The difference is that the BN can focus a little more closely. I have a variant in an unusual colour but I preferred the Zeiss 8x32FL binocular to this 8x32BN.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[ridgebackpilot]

Thanks again for your advice and counsel, which was very useful.

When confronted with an abundance of choices, the solution is often to acquire one of each! And yes, I'll admit I suffer from GAB Syndrome (Get Another Binocular)...

After trying to decide between the venerable Leitz Trinovid and Zeiss Dialyt models, I bought an example of each in pristine condition:

• 1986 Leitz Trinovid 7x35 BA
• 1993 Zeiss Dialyt 10x40 BG/AT*P

Both are rubber armored in black. Interestingly, each was sold by a member of the forum!

I'll be very interested in compare the operation of the Uppendahl and Schmidt-Pechan prisms. The Leitz probably doesn't have phase-compensating coatings, while the Zeiss does. I'll do the optical test to verify that.

I bought these binoculars to replace a Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 that I decided to give to a close friend. While I realize the optics in the older bins won't match the Conquests, I'm sure they'll be more than sufficient for my birding. And I do love the retro look!