How much for a Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA? (1 Viewer)

[kkokkolis]

Hello.
I like observing in general. I have many optics for Astronomy, birding, seagazing, tourism, stereomicroscopy etc. Never the premium and most expensive stuff, but always of good quality.
Regarding binoculars, my workhorse is the Zeiss Conquest 8x42. I also have a Zeiss Terra 8x42 ED for the kids, a Zeiss Terra 8x25 ED for portability and a Zeiss Mono 6x18 T* for EDC.
Another portable is the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 ED and another one the Pentax Papillo 6.5x21 for close ups. I also have Canon 18x50 ED IS and Canon 12x36 IS II for Astronomy mainly, and some vintage Pentax Porro 8x30, some CCCP monoculars (ΜΠ 2 8x30 and 3T Zenica 8-24x40), a БГШ 2.3x40 Galilean for Opera glass, a Docter 8x21 Porro monocular and my precious Seibert Emoscop.
See, I have more than enough. But I don't have a Leica. Neither a 10x42 (or even 10x50).
I just found a Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA with leather pouch that looks unused (although it should be 26-35 years old). That would make me happy, both as a classic piece and as a 10x roof binocular. I expect it to be behind my more modern Zeiss and Nikon, but equal or better to all the other binoculars I own.
I have 2 questions.
1st, how much should I pay for that (asking price 800€, dropped to 700€ now)
2nd, were these phase coated?
Thank you very much.

 

[Dennis Mau]

The Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA is an iconic, classic binocular, with superb build quality and excellent optics that are highly coveted by birders. It has a relaxed, color saturated natural view that is hard to match even with modern porros. It does have phase coatings, but it doesn't have dielectric prism coatings, instead using silver prism coatings, so the transmission is slightly behind the UVHD, but in a way that adds to the relaxed view. If you get lucky it may have leaded glass which adds even more to the calmness of the view. The build quality is unmatched even by the more modern UVHD IMO. I think if it is as you say looks unused 700€ is a fair price. I would jump on it.

 

[kkokkolis]

The Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA is an iconic, classic binocular, with superb build quality and excellent optics that are highly coveted by birders. It has a relaxed, color saturated natural view that is hard to match even with modern porros. It does have phase coatings, but it doesn't have dielectric prism coatings, instead using silver prism coatings, so the transmission is slightly behind the UVHD, but in a way that adds to the relaxed view. If you get lucky it may have leaded glass which adds even more to the calmness of the view. The build quality is unmatched even by the more modern UVHD IMO. I think if it is as you say looks unused 700€ is a fair price. I would jump on it.

Very encouranging, thank you!

 

[kkokkolis]

I finally bought them for 600€ in unused condition. They were bought sometime between 1990-2000 directly from a German store, together with a Green BA, by a hunter. They were left for 25-35 years in their box, which is weathered, but the binoculars are immaculate. The harness was never attached. His son inherited them and put them on sale.
Looking at the sea casually, they are very close to all three pairs in the picture, with minor differences. I won't compare them since I loved them at first sight, it's obvious that they suit me and they will be my 10x for sure.
Thanks again @Dennis Mau!

 

[Dennis Mau]

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I finally bought them for 600€ in unused condition. They were bought sometime between 1990-2000 directly from a German store, together with a Green BA, by a hunter. They were left for 25-35 years in their box, which is weathered, but the binoculars are immaculate. The harness was never attached. His son inherited them and put them on sale.
Looking at the sea casually, there are very close to all three pairs in the picture, with minor differences. I won't compare them since I loved them at first sight, it's obvious that they suit me and they will be my 10x for sure.
Thanks again @Dennis Mau!

You're welcome!

 

[Slc88c]

650 is the best I can do on these.