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New binoculars from leica (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter PIER PAOLO
- Start date
SZ
Here is what I posted a few posts back on this thread:
Coming from extensive use of HT and SF, when I gripped the Noctivid barrels with three fingers I got a bit frustrated that my 1st finger landed on the bridge below the focus wheel. I had to move my hand north up the barrel and relinquish some of my grip on the barrel. OK, I or anyone else would get used to that in a very short time but it did seem a shame that Nvid has these elegant gripable tubes and you can't make full use of them.
In short the Nvids are decent handlers and feel nice in the hand but do they handle as nicely as SF? No, not to me. And before some folks yawn and shout Zeiss fan boy I will concede that SFs are quite long and this will not suit everyone. But I will never forget the reaction of a member of staff at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve whose face was one of curiosity when he asked to 'have a go' with an early SF and whose face turned to delight at how light it felt in the hand. I still feel the same two years on.
Lee
You Got It! :t:
Of course the other one is to shout over your shoulder as you temporarily leave 'See you shortly'.
The other person shouts back 'Stop calling me Shortly'.........
Lee
hgalbraith
Well-known member
Oops!
Of course, I meant 25 ounces.
Of course, I meant 25 ounces.
Dang, we all thought you had inside news on the latest development in weight-saving technology.
Lee
The-Wanderer
Well-known member
Hgalbraith,
Please reassure me that you don't work in the aerospace industry?
Please reassure me that you don't work in the aerospace industry?
Last edited:
dalat
...
Regarding the handling, some suggested that the Zeiss SF is forcing the hand more outwards, while the Swarovision (and now Noctivid) lets the hand being close to the face, which is potentially more easy to hold for longer durations. That might be very theoretical though.
Another issue not mentionned yet is that the Noctivids seem to give up on Leica's ingenious diopter setting mechanism of the Ultravis and Trinos (which allows focussing both barrels independently at the same time). The Noctivids seem to have a pull out diopter setting just like Zeiss, Swaro and anyone else. Pity. But then, as nobody mentionned this yet, probably nobody will really miss it.
Another issue not mentionned yet is that the Noctivids seem to give up on Leica's ingenious diopter setting mechanism of the Ultravis and Trinos (which allows focussing both barrels independently at the same time). The Noctivids seem to have a pull out diopter setting just like Zeiss, Swaro and anyone else. Pity. But then, as nobody mentionned this yet, probably nobody will really miss it.
If all other factors were equal this could be a risk but the redistribution of weight in SF more than compensates for this, in my view. Certainly I find it easier to hold my bins up for longer when watching Otter behaviour for example. In the past, if we have been watching for 30 minutes or so, I would then often take my photographic monopod and perch my bins on it, but since SF I haven't even thought of doing this.
Lee
Subzero888
Well-known member
Thanks Lee for responding. I agree that the SF is one sweet handling bin for its size.
Dalat, I looked at the video on Leica's website and you are right that the focus/diopter mechanism found in the UV is not on the NV. The UV focus/diopter rings provides a lot more real estate to place both index fingers for easy focusing. The new NV is also missing the compact and clean black looks of the UVHD. The shape and shine of the barrels and armor all look awkward in the photos. IMO the UV is one of the best looking bins. Tobias in his review says about the UVHD+ "Hands down the most beautiful, modern, grown up, tasteful and functional industrial design of all roof binoculars I have seen". I totally agree and don't get that feeling from the NV.
Dalat, I looked at the video on Leica's website and you are right that the focus/diopter mechanism found in the UV is not on the NV. The UV focus/diopter rings provides a lot more real estate to place both index fingers for easy focusing. The new NV is also missing the compact and clean black looks of the UVHD. The shape and shine of the barrels and armor all look awkward in the photos. IMO the UV is one of the best looking bins. Tobias in his review says about the UVHD+ "Hands down the most beautiful, modern, grown up, tasteful and functional industrial design of all roof binoculars I have seen". I totally agree and don't get that feeling from the NV.
Subzero888
Well-known member
Go easy there Pal. Even NASA engineers make silly mistakes http://www.wired.com/2010/11/1110mars-climate-observer-report/ :cat:
Whoa Guys!
Appearance is definitely subjective so all points of view are possible. But gentlemen I have seen Noctivids in the company of Ultravids and to me the new model looks every bit as compact and elegant. Uvid and Nvid are only 3mm different in length.
Reserve your opinion until you have seen them in real life. They are every bit a Leica.
Lee
Last edited:
Posted on another forum by Doug @ Cameralandnyc
Having been in the industry over 40 years I can assure you that an "Available for shipping" post on someones web site and reality are two totally different things. The VP of Sports Optics at Leica is telling me "Noctivid will likely start to ship early October. As always, we'll never get enough right out of the gate. I don't expect to be 'in stock' before November"
Once they have confirmation that some have shipped from Germany to the US then we will have a real delivery date, until then it's anyones guess.
Once these are available we will post an announcement.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, we are accepting pre-orders
_________________________
Doug @ Camera Land
[email protected]
http://www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000
Thanks for the support.
Let's be perfectly honest here. The Leica Ultravid HD's are an amazing glass. Depending on the viewers vision any high end optics can be superior to their own ability to detect how awesome they are. To some people these new Noctivids will be better than anything else. Some folks will not see a difference side by side with the Ultravid HD as their eyesight just cannot detect it.
On a technical basis they are better, however, who cares about technical. We care about "Is it better to my eyes" That can only be answered by a comparison of the optics you choose to do a side by side with.
Just my $.02
_________________________
Doug @ Camera Land
[email protected]
http://www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000
Thanks for the support.
Having been in the industry over 40 years I can assure you that an "Available for shipping" post on someones web site and reality are two totally different things. The VP of Sports Optics at Leica is telling me "Noctivid will likely start to ship early October. As always, we'll never get enough right out of the gate. I don't expect to be 'in stock' before November"
Once they have confirmation that some have shipped from Germany to the US then we will have a real delivery date, until then it's anyones guess.
Once these are available we will post an announcement.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, we are accepting pre-orders
_________________________
Doug @ Camera Land
[email protected]
http://www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000
Thanks for the support.
Let's be perfectly honest here. The Leica Ultravid HD's are an amazing glass. Depending on the viewers vision any high end optics can be superior to their own ability to detect how awesome they are. To some people these new Noctivids will be better than anything else. Some folks will not see a difference side by side with the Ultravid HD as their eyesight just cannot detect it.
On a technical basis they are better, however, who cares about technical. We care about "Is it better to my eyes" That can only be answered by a comparison of the optics you choose to do a side by side with.
Just my $.02
_________________________
Doug @ Camera Land
[email protected]
http://www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000
Thanks for the support.
Last edited:
Subzero888
Well-known member
I take your point Lee, but I still beg to differ. It's just too big and heavy for my taste
Attachments
Lee, could you link/direct to a photo showing the Noctivid and Ultravid together? Thank you!
The 3mm difference is with the Ultravid 10x42 which is notably longer than the Ultravid 8x42 and 7x42.
Lengths in inches/mm
Ultravid: 7x42 141/5.55, 8x42 142/5.6, 10x42 147/5.8
Noctivid: 8x42 150/5.9, 10x42 150/5.9
(Leica's own specifications for all these are given in post #260 in this thread by dwever.)
Images of the Ultravid 8x42 and the Noctivid side by side with a Swarovision 42 are seen in Tobias Menle's "greatestbinoculars" website and in post #505 above by Vespobuteo. The Ultravid 8x42 looks strikingly shorter, and the Noctivid looks nearly the same length, compared with the Swaro.
In all the photos and videos I have seen of the Noctivid being held by people or on a strap around the neck (at the Bird Fair and elsewhere) it looks to me noticeably larger than the Ultravid, in fact what I would call a large binocular, unlike the Ultravid. The barrels seem to be wider too.
(The selfie in post #598 above by Subzero88 is misleading: he seems to be a small-built guy.)
Thanks AH I hadn't spotted that length difference between different Uvid magnifications.
Everything is relative of course and considering other 42s such as EL SV at 160mm and HT at 167mm and SF at 173mm, all Leica 42s including Nvid at 150mm look compact to me.
Haven't found a side by side pic of Uvid and Nvid.
Lee
