This is my first posting to this forum. Let me preface my comments on the Ultravid by saying that I favor 7x or 8x binoculars over 10x. For whatever reason--be it improved steadiness of the image or not--I get more information out of good 7x or 8x binoculars than comparable 10x binos. More than three years ago, after trying all of the high-end binoculars, I purchased my first “serious” birding binoculars--Nikon Superior E 8x32. I have used them heavily since then. I also often use Leica 8x20, especially when my purpose is hiking/walking rather than birding, and these are truly little miracles. And I own Swarovski Classic (porro-prism) 10x40 WM, which I enjoy but do not favor over the others. Since buying the SE I have been looking for a world-class, waterproof and fogproof, roof-prism bino with pop-up or twist-up eyecups that weighs less than 30 ounces and has great ergonomics. This was obviously a difficult assignment.
While traveling on business, I have visited retailers all over the US to handle binoculars and have also had opportunities to try them in the field while birding with other folks. When I finally purchased the SE, I had the opportunity in the store to compare it side-by-side with almost all of the other leading binoculars, and after two hours my last two choices were the SE and the Nikon Venturer LX (known to many of you as the HG). I have since had other opportunities to use the Venturer LX. In the end I did not consider Zeiss ClassiC 7x42, for reasons stated below. More recently I dismissed the Zeiss Victory, because the original model was disappointing on a number of fronts. I admit that I have not handled the improved Zeiss Victory II.
The Venturer LX has superb ergonomics, but I find them heavy and their field of view a bit narrow. Although few people believe it from their appearance, the Nikon SE also has great ergonomics. Importantly though, the Venturer 8x42 is obviously brighter than the SE 8x32. Imagine my surprise when I compared the SE side-by-side for an extended period to the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL, only to conclude that the Swarovski was barely brighter than the little Nikon, if at all. I thought it was my imagination until Stephen Ingraham (Better View Desired) drew the same conclusion. The SE also seemed to be sharper than the EL, though they were very close. Lastly, I could not stand the focusing mechanism in the EL.
I recently had the opportunity to handle the Leica Ultravid 8x42 BL, 8x42 BR, and 7x42 BR, and to compare them to my 8x32 Nikon Superior E. In comparing brightness I held one barrel of my SE to my right eye and one barrel of another glass to my left eye, with both binoculars focused on the same object. I was able to view objects from ten feet to infinity in open sunlight, and objects from ten feet to about forty feet in open shadow under a tent. This is not a scientific method, but it approximates use in the field and I have used it many times over the years.
I handled the 8x42 BL only briefly. The leather covering is attractive, but I found the ergonomics disappointing. I would not buy it, though I am sure it will have its fans. The 8x42 and 7x42 BR models represent serious advances over the older Trinovid line. I hate the feel of the Trinovids, but the Ultravids fit my hands perfectly--the ergonomics are vastly improved. The lighter weight and the balance are wonderful, and the focusing mechanism is silky smooth and precise. I like the focusing mechanism as much as that on the Venturer LX, which is superb, and which until now has had no equal. Even the SE has an excellent focusing mechanism, though it is stiffer than the Ultravid or Venturer.
The color fidelity of the Ultravids is exceptional. Chromatic aberration is minimal to nearly undetectable. I focused repeatedly on extremely high-contrast subjects, including highly reflective metal in open sunlight, and only got a hint of CA. This is not my experience with the Venturer LX, which on several occasions has exhibited significant magenta fringing on contrasty subjects, whereas the SE shows little or none. For those who are interested, the Swarovski porro-prism has outstanding color fidelity, but shows strong reddish fringing on contrasty subjects.
The Ultravid has excellent baffling and barely flares at all when pointed near the sun. This is also the case with the SE, though the Leica 8x20 flares terribly when viewing toward the sun. The field of view in the Ultravids is very flat. Although Leica says the Ultravids are sharp “to the edge of the field,” they have drop-off of sharpness toward the edges that is similar to that in the older Trinovid line. This is also present in the Nikon SE, though the Nikon drops off closer to the edge of the field than the Ultravid does. This does not bother me in the Ultravids or in other glasses that exhibit this trait, because in use, I move the binoculars rather than look toward the margin of the image.
The Ultravid 8x42 did not outperform the Nikon SE 8x32, though this may be attributable to the fact that the example I handled was pre-production. The SE was just as bright and was obviously sharper than the 8x42 Ultravid I handled.
The 7x42 was an entirely different matter. I have formerly used both the Zeiss and Swarovski 7x42s in the field and like them both. As many optics reviewers have pointed out, Zeiss by now should have done something to make their 7x42 ClassiC fogproof, given it pop-up or twist-up eyecups, and improved the armor. The ClassiC is optically great, but for me its eyecups are uncomfortable, and on top of other issues the focusing mechanism exhibits backlash, making a slight tactile “clunk” every time the direction of the focusing wheel is reversed. The Swarovski 7x42 is optically very fine, but it is heavy, the close focus is more than thirteen feet, and the focusing mechanism feels rough.
The Ultravid 7x42 is superb. It is as sharp as the Nikon SE and is obviously brighter. The handling, at least for me, is outstanding. The only feature which I consider outclassed by another bino is the eyecups. They are excellent, but not quite as comfortable as those on the Swarovski EL, which fit my face perfectly.
A 7x42 binocular is not for everybody, but I think the 7x42 Ultravid is clearly one of the ultimate binoculars. I purchased a pair and received them today. They are even better than their first impression. These are truly a great achievement for Leica.