As far as optics, and I have had them both, and I don't think there is a lot of difference, or at least not enough to upgrade. You may prefer the ergonomics of the UVHD, but I personally liked the BA better ergonomically. Allbinos says, and many other people have said Leica hasn't made a lot of changes optically in their binoculars.Hello! Please tell me, did someone compare the optics and the picture of Leica Ultravid 7x42 (HD/BR) vs Leica Trinovid 7x42 BA/BN?
Does it make sense to change the old Leica Trinovid 7x42 BA to Ultravid 7x42 (HD/BR)?
Thanks!
The trouble with all 7x power binoculars is they have too small of an AFOV. The Leica Trinovid 7x42, Leica UVHD+ 7x42, Leica Retrovid 7x35, and even the Nikon EDG 7x42 have an 8 degree FOV which is fine with a 8x magnification because it gives you a 64 degree AFOV but with a 7x it is only a puny 56 degree AFOV. I am not sure why that is that way, but it is. The only 7x binoculars I know of that have bigger than an 8 degree FOV is the Zeiss FL 7x42 which has an 8.6 degree FOV which works out to a 60.2 degree AFOV and the Nikon WX 7x50 which has a 10.7 degree FOV which works out to a 74.9 AFOV.Hello! Please tell me, did someone compare the optics and the picture of Leica Ultravid 7x42 (HD/BR) vs Leica Trinovid 7x42 BA/BN?
Does it make sense to change the old Leica Trinovid 7x42 BA to Ultravid 7x42 (HD/BR)?
Thanks!
Thank you for your opinion! Do you think that FL 7x42 is better than Ultravid 7x42?Zeiss FL 7x42
Yes, because the Ultravid 7x42 only has an 8 degree FOV and the FL 7x42 has 8.6 degree FOV which makes a big difference, the Zeiss controls CA better because it has higher fluorite content glass, the Zeiss FL is lighter because of the composite body and the Zeiss has AK prisms which increase light transmission by about 2% and gives you a little more 3D effect because the objectives are spaced further apart. Leica's in general will have edge CA, and the Zeiss FL doesn't. The FL 7x42 is the best 7x42 you can buy if you can find one. This one on eBay looks nice, but the seller is a little high. I would offer him about $1700 maybe $1600. He has had it listed for a long time, he will be itching to sell it. He is an honest seller though. I have bought from him before. I have had all the 7x42's so my opinion is coming from actual experience with all of them. I never liked a 7x42 until I found the Zeiss FL 7x42.Thank you for your opinion! Do you think that FL 7x42 is better than Ultravid 7x42?
Thank you for your opinion!Yes, because the Ultravid 7x42
Dennis, I understand that the FL 7x42 may seem to be better to you now that you own a pairYes, because the Ultravid 7x42 only has an 8 degree FOV and the FL 7x42 has 8.6 degree FOV which makes a big difference, the Zeiss controls CA better because it has higher fluorite content glass, the Zeiss FL is lighter because of the composite body and the Zeiss has AK prisms which increase light transmission by about 2% and gives you a little more 3D effect because the objectives are spaced further apart. Leica's in general will have edge CA, and the Zeiss FL doesn't. The FL 7x42 is the best 7x42 you can buy if you can find one. This one on eBay looks nice, but the seller is a little high. I would offer him about $1700 maybe $1600. He has had it listed for a long time, he will be itching to sell it. He is an honest seller though. I have bought from him before.
FOV of Various 7x Binoculars
1) Zeiss FL 7x42 8.6 degree
2) Leica UVHD+ 7x42 8.0 degree
3) Leica Retrovid 7x42 8.0 degree
4) Pentax UD 7x32 HD 7.8 degree
5) Curio 7x21 7.7 degree
6) Maven C2 7x28 6.5 degree
7) Habicht 7x42 6.4 degree
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The big win for the Zeiss FL 7x42 is the 8.6 degree FOV compared to the 8.0 degree FOV of the UV, which only gives you a 56 degree AFOV. A 56 degree AFOV is small, especially for a 7x, when a lot of the newer alpha 8x binoculars have an AFOV approaching 70 degrees.Dennis, I understand that the FL 7x42 may seem to be better to you now that you own a pair
(also I'm surprised you're not selling them and buying that ebay version which is pre lotutec and won't have, if my memory serves, the greenish tint that yours have 😉).
You are incorrect that the FL is lighter than the UV+. It isn't, it's heavier by a few grams. Not that I notice the difference. (you might want to do your usual edit of your post above).
But let's not get carried away. Let me not be too pernickety or obsessed with any one minor negligible aspect of a complex instrument with many facets.
The Leica UV is noticeably & undeniably more compact.
It will fit into a large jacket pocket. It seems easier to carry.
Haptically the UV wins against the FL in my opinion because of the tactile armour, though both are easy on the eyes, both have large easy focus.
The Leica UV also 'wins' in that it's available brand new, it's not a 10-20 years old & used FL.
As for their views, both work well and have their plusses; there are days, overcast days for example, when the slightly richer Leica colours are preferable. On other days the very slightly washed out view of the FL is preferable.
Which minor edge imperfections annoy you? Both can be examined and found to have CA & distortion; but the bird in the centre of either image is (for me) not affected, other than by colour.
(to understand 'slightly richer' and 'slightly washed out', compare them side by side with the latest NL, or SF)
Brighter? I've tried them side by side in low lighting to trees lit by street lights at midnight. Nothing in it.
My 2c (and then some!) for the day.
Good points very accurate, and almost exactly my experience. I rarely ever give much wait to any reviews or opinions when the optics are not compared side by side, unless of course there are objective measurements.Dennis, I understand that the FL 7x42 may seem to be better to you now that you own a pair
(also I'm surprised you're not selling them and buying that ebay version which is pre lotutec and won't have, if my memory serves, the greenish tint that yours have 😉).
You are incorrect that the FL is lighter than the UV+. It isn't, it's heavier by a few grams. Not that I notice the difference. (you might want to do your usual edit of your post above).
But let's not get carried away. Let me not be too pernickety or obsessed with any one minor negligible aspect of a complex instrument with many facets.
The Leica UV is noticeably & undeniably more compact.
It will fit into a large jacket pocket. It seems easier to carry.
Haptically the UV wins against the FL in my opinion because of the tactile armour, though both are easy on the eyes, both have large easy focus.
The Leica UV also 'wins' in that it's available brand new, it's not a 10-20 years old & used FL.
As for their views, both work well and have their plusses; there are days, overcast days for example, when the slightly richer Leica colours are preferable. On other days the very slightly washed out view of the FL is preferable.
Which minor edge imperfections annoy you? Both can be examined and found to have CA & distortion; but the bird in the centre of either image is (for me) not affected, other than by colour.
(to understand 'slightly richer' and 'slightly washed out', compare them side by side with the latest NL, or SF)
Brighter? I've tried them side by side in low lighting to trees lit by street lights at midnight. Nothing in it.
My 2c (and then some!) for the day.
I have both an 8x32 BN in addition to 8x32 Ultravid HD+ and initially thought I would sell one or the other, but after doing more comparisons started to see the stronger color saturation and contrast in the newer binocular.Does it make sense to change the old Leica Trinovid 7x42 BA to Ultravid 7x42 (HD/BR)?
Were you expecting accurate
You can't compare a binocular's weight with different straps, rain guards and objective covers! Zeiss accessories are always heavier and better made than Leica's, especially the rain guard. Look at that flimsy rain guard on the Leica. Take all the accessories off and weigh them again. The Zeiss FL will be lighter. Use your head!
Dennis, are we really going to debate Post after Post over an ounce or two so you could be right on your point? Now I remember you arguing with someone else not long ago, when they said an optic was lighter, and you know what your reaction was? You had said, we have to go by the weight of the binocular with its accessories, like how we would use them in the field. Use you memory 😜lYou can't compare a binocular's weight with different straps, rain guards and objective covers! Zeiss accessories are always heavier and better made than Leica's, especially the rain guard. Look at that flimsy rain guard on the Leica. Take all the accessories off and weigh them again. The Zeiss FL will be lighter. Use your head!
Utterly irrelevant to most reasonable people but my UV+ 7x42 weighs in at 749g with no caps and strap.