First off, I’d like to thank every Bird Forum member for the wealth of fascinating and insightful commentary. It is an honor to be a part of such a wonderful group…Bravo!
I’d like to share my initial thoughts regarding a Leica 7x42 Ultravid that I received not more than two hours ago. Bear in mind that the following is merely subjective, not at all scientific, and that I do not represent any optics company. I have been fortunate to own optics from a number of manufacturers, including “the Big Four” - Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss.
I compared the 7x42 Ultravid with a new Zeiss 7x42 BGAT Classic and a one year-old Nikon 8x32 Venturer (HG). I realize that some might consider a comparison between 7x42s and 8x32s a bit unfair, but the little Nikon's image, in my opinion, is certainly good enough for inclusion within the realm of upper echelon glass. Thirty minutes of viewing birds at my feeding station under overcast skies with the Ultravid, Zeiss and Nikon confirmed what I already had suspected (hoped?): the Ultravid is the brightest and sharpest of the three. Not overwhelmingly so, but brighter and sharper nonetheless. The Ultravid is noticeably brighter than the Nikon 8x32 Venturer - no real surprise - with slightly more contrast. Chromatic aberration wasn’t detected, but I suspect that my eyes have trouble detecting this phenomenon in low-power optics. The Leica doesn’t hold sharpness to the edge of the field quite as well as the 8x32 Nikon Venturer, but the “sweet spot” of the Ultravid 7x42 is so amazing that I’m willing to compromise any apparent decrease in edge sharpness.
Comparing the Ultravid with the Zeiss 7x42 Classic was a bit more of a challenge. The Zeiss 7x42 Classic has a reputation of being one of the best birding binoculars ever designed and rightly so. It is one fine instrument, and despite its size and somewhat outdated design, it is light and easy to hold. The Leica is only very slightly brighter than the venerable Zeiss - again, no real surprise. However, the Ultravid is noticeably sharper and snappier. I understand what is noticeable to one isn’t to another, therefore, I want to emphasize the subjectivity of this “review.” The Ultravid does not blow the Zeiss Classic away, but alas, the Ultravid is sharper, a smidge brighter and shows more contrast.
The Ultravid is a sheer pleasure to hold and a testament to fine engineering and design – a marked improvement over the Trinovid line. They are light, very well balanced and relatively compact. In fact, they aren’t much larger than the diminutive Nikon 8x32 Venturer and certainly much more compact than the Zeiss Classic. The armor and eyecups are softer than what we’ve been used to from the Trinovids and as such, the Ultravids are much more user friendly. Additionally, the Ultravid appears to have the same legendary durability as its predecessors, but time will tell.
Some have held concern that focus control in the Ultravid line is somewhat sub-par, but the binocular I received focuses beautifully. Smooth, effortless, fast…~1.25 turns from close focus to infinity.
I’m sure a better comparison would be with a 7x42 Zeiss FL, and although I haven't had an opportunity to view an FL, based upon what folks are writing about them, they are a glass to be reckoned with. On paper, the Ultravid and Zeiss FL seem evenly matched, with the nod going to the Ultravid in compactness (the Ultravid 7x42 is 5.6 in. x 4.8 in.; FL 7x42 is 6.45 in. x 5.4 in.) while the FL appears to win the close focus award (Ultravid is advertised as 10.8 ft.; FL as 7 ft.). As with all optics in this price range, the decision tends to be based more on issues of handling and ergonomics than of any apparent optical superiority.
In summary, the Ultravid 7x42 is one fine effort from Leica. Simply put, the Ultravid 7x42 is the brightest, sharpest, most comfortable binocular I've had the pleasure of holding to my eyes – the view is celestial and highly addictive, indeed. Are they $350 better than the Zeiss Classics? Only you can decide, but I would say yes, especially when one considers that the Ultravids are nitrogen purged, focus internally and are more compact. A more exhaustive review will be forthcoming.
Your pocketbooks have been duly warned…
I’d like to share my initial thoughts regarding a Leica 7x42 Ultravid that I received not more than two hours ago. Bear in mind that the following is merely subjective, not at all scientific, and that I do not represent any optics company. I have been fortunate to own optics from a number of manufacturers, including “the Big Four” - Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss.
I compared the 7x42 Ultravid with a new Zeiss 7x42 BGAT Classic and a one year-old Nikon 8x32 Venturer (HG). I realize that some might consider a comparison between 7x42s and 8x32s a bit unfair, but the little Nikon's image, in my opinion, is certainly good enough for inclusion within the realm of upper echelon glass. Thirty minutes of viewing birds at my feeding station under overcast skies with the Ultravid, Zeiss and Nikon confirmed what I already had suspected (hoped?): the Ultravid is the brightest and sharpest of the three. Not overwhelmingly so, but brighter and sharper nonetheless. The Ultravid is noticeably brighter than the Nikon 8x32 Venturer - no real surprise - with slightly more contrast. Chromatic aberration wasn’t detected, but I suspect that my eyes have trouble detecting this phenomenon in low-power optics. The Leica doesn’t hold sharpness to the edge of the field quite as well as the 8x32 Nikon Venturer, but the “sweet spot” of the Ultravid 7x42 is so amazing that I’m willing to compromise any apparent decrease in edge sharpness.
Comparing the Ultravid with the Zeiss 7x42 Classic was a bit more of a challenge. The Zeiss 7x42 Classic has a reputation of being one of the best birding binoculars ever designed and rightly so. It is one fine instrument, and despite its size and somewhat outdated design, it is light and easy to hold. The Leica is only very slightly brighter than the venerable Zeiss - again, no real surprise. However, the Ultravid is noticeably sharper and snappier. I understand what is noticeable to one isn’t to another, therefore, I want to emphasize the subjectivity of this “review.” The Ultravid does not blow the Zeiss Classic away, but alas, the Ultravid is sharper, a smidge brighter and shows more contrast.
The Ultravid is a sheer pleasure to hold and a testament to fine engineering and design – a marked improvement over the Trinovid line. They are light, very well balanced and relatively compact. In fact, they aren’t much larger than the diminutive Nikon 8x32 Venturer and certainly much more compact than the Zeiss Classic. The armor and eyecups are softer than what we’ve been used to from the Trinovids and as such, the Ultravids are much more user friendly. Additionally, the Ultravid appears to have the same legendary durability as its predecessors, but time will tell.
Some have held concern that focus control in the Ultravid line is somewhat sub-par, but the binocular I received focuses beautifully. Smooth, effortless, fast…~1.25 turns from close focus to infinity.
I’m sure a better comparison would be with a 7x42 Zeiss FL, and although I haven't had an opportunity to view an FL, based upon what folks are writing about them, they are a glass to be reckoned with. On paper, the Ultravid and Zeiss FL seem evenly matched, with the nod going to the Ultravid in compactness (the Ultravid 7x42 is 5.6 in. x 4.8 in.; FL 7x42 is 6.45 in. x 5.4 in.) while the FL appears to win the close focus award (Ultravid is advertised as 10.8 ft.; FL as 7 ft.). As with all optics in this price range, the decision tends to be based more on issues of handling and ergonomics than of any apparent optical superiority.
In summary, the Ultravid 7x42 is one fine effort from Leica. Simply put, the Ultravid 7x42 is the brightest, sharpest, most comfortable binocular I've had the pleasure of holding to my eyes – the view is celestial and highly addictive, indeed. Are they $350 better than the Zeiss Classics? Only you can decide, but I would say yes, especially when one considers that the Ultravids are nitrogen purged, focus internally and are more compact. A more exhaustive review will be forthcoming.
Your pocketbooks have been duly warned…