New binoculars from leica (1 Viewer)

[dwever]

Peatmoss - Good find! I just checked B & H Photo and they are also listing them and currently have a status of more coming soon with a ship time of 7 to 14 business days.

Optics4Birding also has them listed with a status of Due out September 1, 2016.

Prices for both vendors are the same as you mentioned, $2,699 for the 10X and $2,599 for the 8X.

Nothing listed yet for Cameraland or Eagle Optics.

B&H has standard statements like that which are not based on actual ship dates.

Leica's head of Sports Optics has been quoted, "Just got this reply from the head of Sports Optics at Leica. Noctivid will likely start to ship early October."

September would be great, but that does not appear likely.

 

[NDhunter]

My son is coming back after a year in Mexico and Central America this week and I got him a good running Nissan Altima for less money than these binoculars cost!:eek!:

Bob

Bob:

Good one, this makes one think, and keep things in perspective.

I, for one, would be one to wait a while for these to get in the field for
several months or more, sometimes changes are made, etc.

Field evaluations and more reviews would be good to see first.

The Ziess SF, had some teething, and the later ones were better from
what I have gathered on here with the focuser.

Both the SV and Conquest HD had eyecup changes in the first year.

Jerry

 

[cycleguy]

Bob:

Good one, this makes one think, and keep things in perspective.

I, for one, would be one to wait a while for these to get in the field for
several months or more, sometimes changes are made, etc.

Field evaluations and more reviews would be good to see first.

The Ziess SF, had some teething, and the later ones were better from
what I have gathered on here with the focuser.

Both the SV and Conquest HD had eyecup changes in the first year.

Jerry

I want to say that is Zeiss and this is Leica. Time will tell and we shall see.

CG

 

[chill6x6]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."

The Noctivid WILL be the heaviest binocular in it's class, but not by much. If Leica's listed weight of 30.3 gm is correct, it will out weigh a HT by 0.3 oz and a SV by .8 ounces. It will be 3.8 ounces heavier than an UV HD +. That may SOUND like a lot, but that's only about 13.5% heavier. It looks like it will also be the shortest of the dual-bridge binoculars by a small amount.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't really expect the Noctivd to "beat out" my SV or SF optically. Heck, I'm still waiting for the SF to beat my SV! I'm really not sure any of those have "beat out" the "new" FLs I've acquired lately. So I'm certainly not sure a Noctivid is going to "beat out" Leica's own UV HD + which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

 

[NDhunter]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."

The Noctivid WILL be the heaviest binocular in it's class, but not by much. If Leica's listed weight of 30.3 gm is correct, it will out weigh a HT by 0.3 oz and a SV by .8 ounces. It will be 3.8 ounces heavier than an UV HD +. That may SOUND like a lot, but that's only about 13.5% heavier. It looks like it will also be the shortest of the dual-bridge binoculars by a small amount.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't really expect the Noctivd to "beat out" my SV or SF optically. Heck, I'm still waiting for the SF to beat my SV! I'm really not sure any of those have "beat out" the "new" FLs I've acquired lately. So I'm certainly not sure a Noctivid is going to "beat out" Leica's own UV HD + which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

I agree, when comparing the top handful or so, it is up to personal choice.

Jerry

 

[cycleguy]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."

The Noctivid WILL be the heaviest binocular in it's class, but not by much. If Leica's listed weight of 30.3 gm is correct, it will out weigh a HT by 0.3 oz and a SV by .8 ounces. It will be 3.8 ounces heavier than an UV HD +. That may SOUND like a lot, but that's only about 13.5% heavier. It looks like it will also be the shortest of the dual-bridge binoculars by a small amount.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't really expect the Noctivd to "beat out" my SV or SF optically. Heck, I'm still waiting for the SF to beat my SV! I'm really not sure any of those have "beat out" the "new" FLs I've acquired lately. So I'm certainly not sure a Noctivid is going to "beat out" Leica's own UV HD + which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

I think it is testament that the dual hinge design has carved its niche in the industry deserving of alpha level glass and build... Swaro has theirs, Nikon had theirs but that changed, Zeiss now has theirs, and Leica too. Now what to do to set it apart from the others???? Field flatteners, weight, overall size, FOV, brightness, flare control, CA control....hmmmm, just don't seem to get 'em all in one package.

Yes, the belly aches continue on BirdForum..

CG

 

[Holger Merlitz]

Hi Holger! It is very refreshing to see a post from you! I hope all is going well and thank you for clarifying the German term 'Plastik' in regard to binocular vision. I have a question for you: Is there a way to objectively define and measure "depth of field" for an afocal instrument such as binoculars? There are many references to the new Leica binoculars having more depth of field. I wonder how depth of field can be quantified or defined in binoculars (?)

Thank you,
-Omid

Hello Omid,

Thanks, all is fine! Some time ago, I have tried to explain the optical theory behind dof, look here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2739070&postcount=22

It is not easy stuff, but well known since 100 years or so. Unfortunately, almost everything about that seems to be published in German language. Once my book is translated into English, these facts will be available to a broader readership.

Cheers,
Holger

 

[CliveP]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."

The Noctivid WILL be the heaviest binocular in it's class, but not by much. If Leica's listed weight of 30.3 gm is correct, it will out weigh a HT by 0.3 oz and a SV by .8 ounces. It will be 3.8 ounces heavier than an UV HD +. That may SOUND like a lot, but that's only about 13.5% heavier. It looks like it will also be the shortest of the dual-bridge binoculars by a small amount.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't really expect the Noctivd to "beat out" my SV or SF optically. Heck, I'm still waiting for the SF to beat my SV! I'm really not sure any of those have "beat out" the "new" FLs I've acquired lately. So I'm certainly not sure a Noctivid is going to "beat out" Leica's own UV HD + which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

Great post. Sums it all up.

It's a bit of a Lardy Owl 3

Still it would be rash to say that it wouldn't be something I would like to at least experience.

My Carson Scout is probably a more innovative product in that it delivers good performance for pocket change basically and is likely to improve in a greater step in it's next iteration than these high end bins which is just one of those things. The high end or "luxury" end is running out of road unless they just start studding them with crystals or something. Oh wait........8-P

I guess my Hawke Sapphire ED led Leica in open hinge development.

I'm actually a bit peeved that Leica hasn't supplied anyone connected with BF with a demo to do a bit of a write up. Ok supplied me with one. Just kidding, anyone, anyone at all! Perhaps there is a reason for this.

Maybe if you aren't a dealer or biased then they don't want you to see it for what it really is? Maybe one of us might scrutinise it a bit to closely for their Leica-ing.

Since we don't know we can only speculate.

 

[Torview]

Maybe many people are "impressed" with the Leica Noctivid when first looking through one because they have`nt actually looked through any Leica of late.

 

[Troubador]

Gt.

I'm actually a bit peeved that Leica hasn't supplied anyone connected with BF with a demo to do a bit of a write up.
Maybe if you aren't a dealer or biased then they don't want you to see it for what it really is? Maybe one of us might scrutinise it a bit to closely for their Leica-ing.

Since we don't know we can only speculate.

Clive

The units at the Bird Fair were described as close to production standard but not quite there. Leica has been quoted as saying deliveries of production units will start in October and no doubt they will want to satisfy orders from dealers first before they start loaning out units.

Lee

 

[CliveP]

Clive

The units at the Bird Fair were described as close to production standard but not quite there. Leica has been quoted as saying deliveries of production units will start in October and no doubt they will want to satisfy orders from dealers first before they start loaning out units.

Lee

No doubt but I was referring to a demo model when I wrote demo. Did you see that?

Just pick out the best one they have now. Especially for Birdforum. Well I'm in favour but I suppose a bit late now. Might as well wait.

They cold maybe have loaned somebody one at bird fair immediately after? I guess Birdforum isn't a priority sadly even with 34,600 views on the thread so far.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?



?

Not me. I don't have any desire to 'upgrade' to the NVid from my
UVid+.

I wouldn't mind looking through one though, but I doubt I'll even get the chance. There are no places near me that will have them.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."
which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

The NVid will have flaws of its own and will come up short where another bino will be better. It may be better at certain things and worse at others. I think that's what we've all learned here from the more technically advanced people who always remind us that there are trade offs. If depth of field is enhanced somehow then some other attribute may suffer from that effect.

There is a potential, based on initial reports, for the on-axis image of the noctivid to be deemed 'better' than the competition ; not sharp to the edges, not having a super wide fov, perfect CA control , etc. I'm only talking about image produced on-axis. That's my prediction based on what people have said so far about the dof and the image in the center or sweet spot. But it will certainly have its flaws. We shall see when we finally get some real reviews in, but we'll be waiting a couple of months for that.

 

[jgraider]

So does one trade in their Swarovision, UV HD +, FL, HT, SF, ad infinitum for a Noctivid? Is this the binocular of binoculars?

The UV HD Plus is still the smallest, lightest alpha binocular there is, but optically it can be improved upon. The HT is still the BRIGHTEST alpha binocular there is but certainly not a flat field. The SF is still has the most FOV of any alpha(8X/10X) binocular there is but it's a little on the bulky side. The SV has the flattest FOV of all but many experience "rolling ball."

The Noctivid WILL be the heaviest binocular in it's class, but not by much. If Leica's listed weight of 30.3 gm is correct, it will out weigh a HT by 0.3 oz and a SV by .8 ounces. It will be 3.8 ounces heavier than an UV HD +. That may SOUND like a lot, but that's only about 13.5% heavier. It looks like it will also be the shortest of the dual-bridge binoculars by a small amount.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't really expect the Noctivd to "beat out" my SV or SF optically. Heck, I'm still waiting for the SF to beat my SV! I'm really not sure any of those have "beat out" the "new" FLs I've acquired lately. So I'm certainly not sure a Noctivid is going to "beat out" Leica's own UV HD + which offers such a great combination of size/weight/optics.

So is the Noctivid truly revolutionary or just a UV HD ++ in an updated package?

If I had to venture a guess based on what I've seen personally, and what over 100 hunters have brought into camps the past 6-8 years, even if all things are equal with the binocular itself, people will choose Swaro first, Zeiss second, and Leica last. Leica has an uphill battle to remain relevant here IMHO.

 

[Troubador]

If I had to venture a guess based on what I've seen personally, and what over 100 hunters have brought into camps the past 6-8 years, even if all things are equal with the binocular itself, people will choose Swaro first, Zeiss second, and Leica last. Leica has an uphill battle to remain relevant here IMHO.

JG

I think you are right about this and the same situation appears to apply in the UK. However we should not forget that in the UK Zeiss was top dog for many years, then Leica became the must-have and more recently Swaroviski has dominated. At each stage of this process probably most of us would have said it was unlikely to change, but change it did.

Lee

 

[jgraider]

Lee, it is unfortunate, but true. I used a Trinovid BA for 15 years and loved it, but Leica no longer enters the equation anymore for me or anyone else I know. I can only speak for the USA obviously, but the African outfitter I just visited said the same thing...Swaro dominates. I mean, it's a real shame when a $400 chinese clone has a better warranty than a $2500 Leica. I predict Leica sport optics will be the first alpha out of the business if things don't change. They've been close to bankruptcy once already IIRC.

 

[Troubador]

Lee, it is unfortunate, but true. I used a Trinovid BA for 15 years and loved it, but Leica no longer enters the equation anymore for me or anyone else I know. I can only speak for the USA obviously, but the African outfitter I just visited said the same thing...Swaro dominates. I mean, it's a real shame when a $400 chinese clone has a better warranty than a $2500 Leica. I predict Leica sport optics will be the first alpha out of the business if things don't change. They've been close to bankruptcy once already IIRC.

JG

Oddly enough my two closest female nature observer friends both have Leicas and one of them has two and my bro-in-law bought one last year. But most places you go, the bins are Swaros.

Leica has a long way to come back and we will just have to see if the Trinovid / Ultravid / Noctivid trio get people noticing Leica again. I hope so as I think the nature observation world would be a poorer place without Leica in it.

Lee

 

[Omid]

Hello Omid,

Thanks, all is fine! Some time ago, I have tried to explain the optical theory behind dof, look here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2739070&postcount=22

It is not easy stuff, but well known since 100 years or so. Unfortunately, almost everything about that seems to be published in German language. Once my book is translated into English, these facts will be available to a broader readership.

Cheers,
Holger

Hi Holger, I read your original post linked above. Very fascinating! I need to work through the formulas one more time to understand them fully (for example, I was surprised that the virtual image is formed at a distance proportional to the square of the magnification). The sentence at the end of your analysis should be noted by those who tested the Nuctivid at the birdfair and observed great DoF:

There is no way to control dof with the optical layout of the instrument: every 8x40 necessarily has the same dof.

Thank you again. Looking forward to reading your book once it is translated into English.

 

[dalat]

Lee, it is unfortunate, but true. I used a Trinovid BA for 15 years and loved it, but Leica no longer enters the equation anymore for me or anyone else I know. I can only speak for the USA obviously, but the African outfitter I just visited said the same thing...Swaro dominates. I mean, it's a real shame when a $400 chinese clone has a better warranty than a $2500 Leica. I predict Leica sport optics will be the first alpha out of the business if things don't change. They've been close to bankruptcy once already IIRC.

When Leica was close to bankruptcy, that was due to their problems with cameras, not binoculars. And its due to their success with cameras today, that they are currently doing very well. Binoculars and sport optics are a minor part of their business and not decisive to the fate of the company.

I don't really care if Zeiss, Leica, Swaro or Nikon are leading the market. I'm not buying the most popular brand, I'm also not buying the supposedly best warranty, I'm buying the bin I like most. And to find that, I'm interested in a reasonable choice. I happend to choose Leica, and others continue to do so, eventhough undouptly Swarovski seems to be the choice for most people nowadays.

I doubt the Noctivid is that much of a game changer that it will reverse the market domination. So what? The good news with the Noctivid is that Leica is not abandoning the sport optics market but keeps offering products, thus keeps up some choice for us in that segment.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

When Leica was close to bankruptcy, that was due to their problems with cameras, not binoculars. And its due to their success with cameras today, that they are currently doing very well. Binoculars and sport optics are a minor part of their business and not decisive to the fate of the company.

I don't really care if Zeiss, Leica, Swaro or Nikon are leading the market. I'm not buying the most popular brand, I'm also not buying the supposedly best warranty, I'm buying the bin I like most. And to find that, I'm interested in a reasonable choice. I happend to choose Leica, and others continue to do so, eventhough undouptly Swarovski seems to be the choice for most people nowadays.

I doubt the Noctivid is that much of a game changer that it will reverse the market domination. So what? The good news with the Noctivid is that Leica is not abandoning the sport optics market but keeps offering products, thus keeps up some choice for us in that segment.

well said