My current favourites (1 Viewer)

[dries1]

After a year, I take it he is still bottom feeding with the same bait, hoping to get a bite.

 

[Rg548]

I low balled him at $850, and he got all pissed off! He either doesn't want to sell them that bad or he figures if he leaves them on eBay for a couple of years, he will eventually find somebody stupid enough to buy them.

Send him that picture above, and go for him again..... you never know

 

[Thotmosis]

The range I've seen lately is $500-700 for excellent condition, maybe a bit more for 50mm, depending on accessories etc. And recently serviced would be good since the Leica warranty is not transferable. $1799 is of course ridiculous. They are absolute classics though; we still love ours and have enjoyed seeing several others locally.

Having said that (Rg548 might want to look away now) I have to confess that the FL 32 we recently acquired is a strong competitor, with brighter dielectric mirrors and the legendary Zeiss center sharpness which was never Leica's strong point. It's a very interesting comparison that helps me sort out what I value most today.

Here in The Netherlands they go from 300 - 1000 euro. In general the Zeiss FL are more rare to find than the Leica Trinovid‘s and they are higher priced for some reason. I’m looking for ages to find a FL 10x32.

Does anybody know if Leica can replace the black armor for a green one when you send them for service?

 

[dries1]

Here in The Netherlands they go from 300 - 1000 euro. In general the Zeiss FL are more rare to find than the Leica Trinovid‘s and they are higher priced for some reason. I’m looking for ages to find a FL 10x32.

Does anybody know if Leica can replace the black armor for a green one when you send them for service?

No they will not, and if you send in a green one that needs an armor replacement, it will be replaced with black armor.

 

[Thotmosis]

No they will not, and if you send in a green one that needs an armor replacement, it will be replaced with black armor.

Thanks. Too bad, i love the green armor on these.

 

[Pinewood]

Hello RG548,

I have an 8x32 BN in red. Just as Tenex wrote, I like the 8x32FL a bit more. If I wanted more field of view I would have kept my 8x32 Nikon EII, but I certainly favoured the Leica over the Nikon 8x32SE.



I wonder if my BN would fetch more than US$1000 or €1000.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[Rg548]

Wow.. not seen red ones.... they should have made the 'Leica Dot' black.... would have been a nice touch.
They look in great condition

 

[Rg548]

I would expect the FL to be a tad better, but I wouldn't love it as much.
I've had many top end binos, all great optically, but some are just 'nice' to own. I loved my 10x42 Nikon SE's and for some bizarre reason, sold them.... Idiot😖
Also, an 8x32FL in new condition is a pricey purchase indeed.
I was tempted by the ones recently in the classifieds, but I had seen these BN's and had my heart set

 

[Thotmosis]

They are great in red. It’s more easy to find the red ones when you loose them I think i read somewhere that the red ones where “loaners”, if you wanted to try them out the shop would loan you the red ones. But maybe I’m wrong, there are also blue “marine“ ones in 7x42 format.

 

[Pinewood]

They are great in red. It’s more easy to find the red ones when you loose them I think i read somewhere that the red ones where “loaners”, if you wanted to try them out the shop would loan you the red ones. But maybe I’m wrong, there are also blue “marine“ ones in 7x42 format.

Hello Thotmosis,
Yes, they were loaners but a pro forma invoice was made against a credit card. If the prospective purchaser did not return the red Leica, the invoice was activated. The blue ones were a special line made for marine users or just something for Leica collectors.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[Pinewood]

I would expect the FL to be a tad better, but I wouldn't love it as much.
I've had many top end binos, all great optically, but some are just 'nice' to own. I loved my 10x42 Nikon SE's and for some bizarre reason, sold them.... Idiot😖
Also, an 8x32FL in new condition is a pricey purchase indeed.
I was tempted by the ones recently in the classifieds, but I had seen these BN's and had my heart set

Hello,

I completely understand fulfilling the desires of one's youth.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[Torview]

My ones could do with a service, I was thinking of asking Gary at East coast binocular repair rather than sending them to Leica, not sure of best option.

 

[Rg548]

My ones could do with a service, I was thinking of asking Gary at East coast binocular repair rather than sending them to Leica, not sure of best option.

Check with Leica first.
I was under the impression that they will service the old Trinovids under the 30yr warranty program.
Failing that, Gary is great as is Richard, The Bino Repair Man.

 

[Elpha8888]

I tried a Leica once, think it was the Noctivid, then the assistant handed me the NL Pure 12x and I chucked the Leica over my shoulder, they just can't compete with the big boys. Good for watching ducks I suppose!

 

[Binocollector]

they just can't compete with the big boys.

Others tend to disagree.
Like my favourite optics channel on YouTube "Optica Exotica" who kept the Noctivid as his favourite personal bino of all the ones he tested, including every alpha there is.

Not that I looked through any of these, just saying there are other opinions out there.

 

[Richard D]

No worries, there are plenty of good optics out there.... this is a blast from the past for me, a touch of nostalgia..... but i've always had a thing for BN's.
I do happen to like a nice FL tho

Nothing wrong with a touch of nostalgia - if you enjoy using them that's the main thing.

 

[chill6x6]

Hello RG548,

I have an 8x32 BN in red. Just as Tenex wrote, I like the 8x32FL a bit more. If I wanted more field of view I would have kept my 8x32 Nikon EII, but I certainly favoured the Leica over the Nikon 8x32SE.

View attachment 1487991

I wonder if my BN would fetch more than US$1000 or €1000.

Stay safe,
Arthur

Beautiful binocular! If I see those OR the blue ones for sale...I'm afraid I'm going to have to snag 'em!

 

[Rg548]

I tried a Leica once, think it was the Noctivid, then the assistant handed me the NL Pure 12x and I chucked the Leica over my shoulder, they just can't compete with the big boys. Good for watching ducks I suppose!

Mmmm
Yes it's well known the world over that Leica are crap. Terrible reputation in the optics and lens world.😏

Hey, we're all different, I tried Pures, and wouldn't take them over my Meostars..... honestly!!
In addition, the BN's are an optics classic design. A widely regarded beautiful binocular.
The Pures will never hit that status.... The EL's might.... but not those pures.

 

[Torview]

I tried a Leica once, think it was the Noctivid, then the assistant handed me the NL Pure 12x and I chucked the Leica over my shoulder, they just can't compete with the big boys. Good for watching ducks I suppose!

Maybe more than once as you`ve previously listed 3 Leicas for sale in the classifieds.

 

[Will K]

In my very limited experience, I’ve tended to like the Leica view somewhat less than the physical objects themselves. They’re gorgeous things to hold and look at, but, looking through them, I always feel like I’m missing something, and that it’s down to my - I’m not sure - lack of a more ‘refined optical palate’? If there even is such a thing!

Swarovski has a more ‘obvious’ kind of quality, which hits right between the eyes, like champagne. I think of Leica as being like a fine whisky, for more cultivated tastes.

Basically, I want to like the Leica view as much as the binos themselves. But it’s not happened yet. I still take every opportunity I can to look through them.

All very subjective, of course 🙂