joejeweler
Well-known member
The other day I was thinking about how much I might be giving up when using my Leitz 7x35B Trinovid (Portugal made version with "regular" strap lugs), rather than the much bulkier and heavier Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P*.
Turns out not much in a practicle sense, as "size" is more important to me as I've grown older than it might have been in my younger days. Size DOES Matter! :t:
Optically,....the much newer (but not actually "recent" either) Zeiss is brighter, with edges sharper further out. But even the Zeiss doesn't have perfectly sharp outermost edges! Every glass is a compromise, and the features most important to you on any given outing should be the criterion to help you decide which glass to bring along. As long as the center to about 70% of the field is sharp, with a gradual degredation to the edges,......I barely notice it anyway unless I'm "looking" for it. The eyes naturally concentrate on the sharpest areas of view,....much like when I'm using my progressive lense eyeglasses. (but I flip up or take them off while viewing) If absolutely "best" (sharpest to the edges say) view is required,.....we'd all be using Alpha PORROS anyway!
Of course, sometimes traveling with more than one glass is a practical option,.....but that does raise the chances of theft occuring if one bino is left in the trunk, or lost when accidently put down and forgotten and left behind. If i'm vacationing and moving around a lot on foot, I'm going to be traveling as light as practicle when carrying any glass. The 7x35B Trinovid is enough, thank you.
I can live with softer outer edges, and the centers are plenty sharp and contrasty on most days. Add steady rain into the forcast, and I have other choices to deal with that and the Leitz stays home. (especially since it hasn't needed a servicing for optical reasons, but the seals are still decades old and I won't chance it!)
Anyway, I found that on nicer days, with partly cloudy to sunny conditions and a lot of walking to do, that I don't give up anything in a practical way by choosing the much more carry friendly Leitz 7x35B Trinovid.
The old Trinovid is perfectly capable of satisfying my wants and needs on most days, and i've found myself using it more and more. Unless I'm out viewing very near sundown, I don't miss the extra brightness afforded by the bigger glassed Zeiss.
The 7x (either Leitz or Zeiss) has grown to being a bit of a favorite of mine, as the wider FOV's and extra steadiness afforded while viewing is a blessing at aged 57. The other day I was out feeding the ducks in 29 degree and windy weather, and I became chilled after about 20 minutes and started to shake a bit more. I still was able to use my Leitz 7x35B Trinovids, as the "dancing" image was less so than it would have been using my 8x or higher power glasses.
However,.....if the outing involves traveling by car to a specific spot where I would be stationary for a great deal of the time, then the bulkier and heavier Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* on cloudy days or near sundown times would be the more practical choice.
In some ways, using the slightly dimmer Leitz Trinovid helps "subdue" the overly-brite full sun at noon time periods,.....at least as i've grown older. The extra light transfer of the Zeiss can at times be a bit much, when the conditions are overly bright to begin with.
One other thing to keep in mind is it's not only the size of the binoculars to consider, but also the bulk and weight of the carry case! I love the "Red Oxx" padded in all directions case I picked up for the long-ish Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* Classic, but it is bulky! (case pic below, but the strap is off a piece of my luggage)
FWIW,....I'd recommend the "Red Oxx Prism" padded case to anyone!
In my view it's worth evey penny ($50 plus shipping), as it's well made in the USA of quality materials with loads of padded shock & ding protection, and on every side including the top! This IS the case Zeiss should have outsourced for their larger glass! It's also adjustable as to length with the outer 2 straps, so fits a variety of larger length binos. Comes in 12 colors with black straps and trim, but I liked the "Raven" (all black) as it was in stock with no wait with straps the same color. Some of the other 12 colors were also in stock (but all come with black straps), as I think they try to have one of each ready for immediate sale. Once I ordered the all black one, the site showed a 30 day wait for that color to be worked into the system.
I have NO relationship with the company, but here's the link for your convenience: http://www.redoxx.com/91051/Product
I had never heard of them until I saw the ebay listing for another mint Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* ClassiC that included a Red Oxx Case. However, THAT buyer paid a whopping $1,600.00 for the combo! OUCH!
You can see how much more bulk you are carrying when you go with the Zeiss, when both the glass and case are considered. For me worthwhile at times,...... but not most times! The brown leather case I'm using for the Leitz 7x35B is actually one of two Zeiss Jena 8x30 cases I picked up on ebay recently. It fits well........
Unless I'm going to be spending several hours in one or two spots, and can get me and my binos to those few spots by vehicle with little walking involved,.....I grab the Leitz 7x.
There are a few pictures below to show just how these two compare in "bulk", and I can assure you the weights follow similarly.
BTW,......It is NICE to have a choice! :t:
Turns out not much in a practicle sense, as "size" is more important to me as I've grown older than it might have been in my younger days. Size DOES Matter! :t:
Optically,....the much newer (but not actually "recent" either) Zeiss is brighter, with edges sharper further out. But even the Zeiss doesn't have perfectly sharp outermost edges! Every glass is a compromise, and the features most important to you on any given outing should be the criterion to help you decide which glass to bring along. As long as the center to about 70% of the field is sharp, with a gradual degredation to the edges,......I barely notice it anyway unless I'm "looking" for it. The eyes naturally concentrate on the sharpest areas of view,....much like when I'm using my progressive lense eyeglasses. (but I flip up or take them off while viewing) If absolutely "best" (sharpest to the edges say) view is required,.....we'd all be using Alpha PORROS anyway!
Of course, sometimes traveling with more than one glass is a practical option,.....but that does raise the chances of theft occuring if one bino is left in the trunk, or lost when accidently put down and forgotten and left behind. If i'm vacationing and moving around a lot on foot, I'm going to be traveling as light as practicle when carrying any glass. The 7x35B Trinovid is enough, thank you.
I can live with softer outer edges, and the centers are plenty sharp and contrasty on most days. Add steady rain into the forcast, and I have other choices to deal with that and the Leitz stays home. (especially since it hasn't needed a servicing for optical reasons, but the seals are still decades old and I won't chance it!)
Anyway, I found that on nicer days, with partly cloudy to sunny conditions and a lot of walking to do, that I don't give up anything in a practical way by choosing the much more carry friendly Leitz 7x35B Trinovid.
The old Trinovid is perfectly capable of satisfying my wants and needs on most days, and i've found myself using it more and more. Unless I'm out viewing very near sundown, I don't miss the extra brightness afforded by the bigger glassed Zeiss.
The 7x (either Leitz or Zeiss) has grown to being a bit of a favorite of mine, as the wider FOV's and extra steadiness afforded while viewing is a blessing at aged 57. The other day I was out feeding the ducks in 29 degree and windy weather, and I became chilled after about 20 minutes and started to shake a bit more. I still was able to use my Leitz 7x35B Trinovids, as the "dancing" image was less so than it would have been using my 8x or higher power glasses.
However,.....if the outing involves traveling by car to a specific spot where I would be stationary for a great deal of the time, then the bulkier and heavier Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* on cloudy days or near sundown times would be the more practical choice.
In some ways, using the slightly dimmer Leitz Trinovid helps "subdue" the overly-brite full sun at noon time periods,.....at least as i've grown older. The extra light transfer of the Zeiss can at times be a bit much, when the conditions are overly bright to begin with.
One other thing to keep in mind is it's not only the size of the binoculars to consider, but also the bulk and weight of the carry case! I love the "Red Oxx" padded in all directions case I picked up for the long-ish Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* Classic, but it is bulky! (case pic below, but the strap is off a piece of my luggage)
FWIW,....I'd recommend the "Red Oxx Prism" padded case to anyone!
In my view it's worth evey penny ($50 plus shipping), as it's well made in the USA of quality materials with loads of padded shock & ding protection, and on every side including the top! This IS the case Zeiss should have outsourced for their larger glass! It's also adjustable as to length with the outer 2 straps, so fits a variety of larger length binos. Comes in 12 colors with black straps and trim, but I liked the "Raven" (all black) as it was in stock with no wait with straps the same color. Some of the other 12 colors were also in stock (but all come with black straps), as I think they try to have one of each ready for immediate sale. Once I ordered the all black one, the site showed a 30 day wait for that color to be worked into the system.
I have NO relationship with the company, but here's the link for your convenience: http://www.redoxx.com/91051/Product
I had never heard of them until I saw the ebay listing for another mint Zeiss 7x42B/GAT*P* ClassiC that included a Red Oxx Case. However, THAT buyer paid a whopping $1,600.00 for the combo! OUCH!
You can see how much more bulk you are carrying when you go with the Zeiss, when both the glass and case are considered. For me worthwhile at times,...... but not most times! The brown leather case I'm using for the Leitz 7x35B is actually one of two Zeiss Jena 8x30 cases I picked up on ebay recently. It fits well........
Unless I'm going to be spending several hours in one or two spots, and can get me and my binos to those few spots by vehicle with little walking involved,.....I grab the Leitz 7x.
There are a few pictures below to show just how these two compare in "bulk", and I can assure you the weights follow similarly.
BTW,......It is NICE to have a choice! :t:
Attachments
Last edited:
