Older Leitz binocular service in the uk? (1 Viewer)

[hipringle]

Hello I have just bought an older rubber coated pair of Leitz 10x40 ba binoculars.
They haven't been serviced at all in their lifetime and the viewing out of them is a little dim, can anyone recommend a UK service company that offer a decent service and are reasonably priced please.
Thank you in advance.

 

[dries1]

Service on those are more complicated than service of a porro. In the US that would go for at least $250.00. Additionally they have silver coatings on the prisms which tarnish over time, and is irreverssble.

 

[hipringle]

Ahh thank you for the reply, that's a little unfortunate I can only hope its something else that might be turning down the colours and brightness slightly.
Kind rgds

 

[Patudo]

I can recommend East Coast Binocular Repairs in Norfolk, though be aware that your binoculars may be away for some time due to their backlog and the need for them to proceed cautiously with disassembly, as spare parts availability is likely very limited.

Note that even after service, your Leitz, fine piece of craftsmanship though it is, will never be as bright (a couple years back at Birdfair when I was trying an old 10x40 rubber coated like yours, the staff member at the big secondhand vendor admitted that "a £300 Opticron would be brighter" and he wasn't wrong), or in many situations have quite the same contrast as a decent modern unit. That is what 50 years of technological improvement in coatings gives you.

 

[hipringle]

Thank you ever so much yes I think I will give east coast binoculars a ring soon and take it from there.
I totally understand they won't be as bright as modern binoculars I like many on here i guess have a few decent pairs to choose from depending on what I need them for.
They seem tack sharp tho and they are lovely small and light to hold .
Kind rgds

 

[hipringle]

I spoke to the nice chap at east coast binoculars he was happy to clean/service them so I have sent them off.
Appreciated.

 

[Trinovid]

I spoke to the nice chap at east coast binoculars he was happy to clean/service them so I have sent them off.

Have they returned yet? As an owner of several Leitz models I'm interested in finding anything about servicing for them as well, not to mention curious about pricing, and what they can or can't accomplish.

 

[PYRTLE]

Have they returned yet? As an owner of several Leitz models I'm interested in finding anything about servicing for them as well, not to mention curious about pricing, and what they can or can't accomplish.

They most likely have but sometimes OPosters never bother closing down a query. Gary Hawkins is the guy to service Leitz and some Leica units, subject to spares

 

[Trinovid]

They most likely have but sometimes OPosters never bother closing down a query. Gary Hawkins is the guy to service Leitz and some Leica units, subject to spares

Very familiar with people joining forums and then never following up, so I tend look at the status of an OP before quoting them usually. He was here earlier today and while still curious, thanks for the lead!

 

[hipringle]

Hello yes got them returned but I had to ring up 3 times to remind him that the last time I rang he said he was on the case, I eventually got them back after 8 weeks, he didn't charge me for the service as he thought I wasn't happy.
They are noticeably brighter but the right lens has some tiny black spots when viewing they look very small and smeared, I got recommended Gary from here but I didn't have a particularly good experience but I'm sure that's in the minority as many people have nothing but excellent reviews from him.
Hope this helps.

 

[Trinovid]

Hello yes got them returned but I had to ring up 3 times to remind him that the last time I rang he said he was on the case, I eventually got them back after 8 weeks, he didn't charge me for the service as he thought I wasn't happy.
They are noticeably brighter...

Do you know what actions he took that made them brighter? I'm mostly interested in seeing if the view through my 6x24 could possibly benefit from some restorative therapy.

 

[Patudo]

Some of my older binoculars have been away at ECBR for yonks. While it can be frustrating to lose what may be your regular birding binocular, or wait to look through some hot new (to you) purchase, there are some very good reasons to proceed with caution. Parts may be difficult to take apart and if something is damaged, spares for 40 or 50-year old binoculars are likely impossible to find. Your Leitzes are probably not as simple to work on as the old porros I've sent to ECBR (one that was not that straightforward, a Zeiss West 10x50, took the longest) and there are not so many people experienced at working on them around anymore. I don't think Leica Germany/Portugal will do it.

The increased brightness is probably due to years decades of accumulated haze being wiped off. The black spots on the right side I'm not so sure, but I'd give Gary a call (or would have shortly after having gotten it back) and ask. If you visit Birdfair he's normally at the Zeiss stand and if you get there early enough and the repair not too complicated I've seen him work on binoculars right there at the little workshop stand they have. He sorted out a small but annoying black speck in the right barrel of my Zeiss West 8x30 for me.

I think William Lewis of this parish has had good experiences with Optrep and if the issues with your binocular can't be resolved to your satisfaction I suppose you should give them a try. But that's part of the fun and games when playing around with binoculars that old. Good luck and I wish you much enjoyment with them.

 

[PYRTLE]

Hello yes got them returned but I had to ring up 3 times to remind him that the last time I rang he said he was on the case, I eventually got them back after 8 weeks, he didn't charge me for the service as he thought I wasn't happy.
They are noticeably brighter but the right lens has some tiny black spots when viewing they look very small and smeared, I got recommended Gary from here but I didn't have a particularly good experience but I'm sure that's in the minority as many people have nothing but excellent reviews from him.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the update.