My beloved is in love......with her Leica Trinovid 7x35's (1 Viewer)

[PatR]

A couple of months ago my wife met an old friend of hers out walking who had the most beautiful pair of binoculars around her neck...a pair of Leica Trinovid 7x35 Retrovids.

Smitten to say the least she casually mentioned that, as I had been spending the kids inheritence with gusto of late, should a pair appear for sale it would be in my best interests to buy them for her.

A pair appeared on EBay UK over the weekend, described as new and fully documented and supplied less than 2 years ago by Ace Optics in Bath.

They arrived this morning and the only difference between these and a brand new pair is £500. Absolutely stunning and supplied with a genuine Leica leather strap and the Leica metal covers. They are beautiful.

I am no longer on the naughty step.

 

[Patudo]

Would she have been able to tell the difference between a Retrovid and an old Leitz Trinovid? I guess it's not worth finding out when your personal safety might be at stake...

 

[PatR]

Would she have been able to tell the difference between a Retrovid and an old Leitz Trinovid? I guess it's not worth finding out when your personal safety might be at stake...

Oh yes. And at a hundred paces too.

 

[Rotherbirder]

What a gorgeous looking instrument! As perfectly proportioned and visually pleasing amongst binoculars as an adult Common Gull is to the family Laridae!

RB

 

[recon493]

Leica really had a killer idea with this reboot. Its so small in form factor with the ideal exit pupil. I just wish they offered a model in "GA" so to speak. Very much like some of the Habicht models do. It may have given a better eye cup option for users that do not wear glasses.

Overall, these were the best pound for pound binocular I have ever used. They are right up there with the UVHD+ 7x42 and much smaller.

 

[PatR]

What a gorgeous looking instrument! As perfectly proportioned and visually pleasing amongst binoculars as an adult Common Gull is to the family Laridae!

RB

LOL! Almost Rafinesque in their gorgeousness!

But you are right, they exude an aura of quality and timeless good looks. My late Dad had a pair of the original Leitz 7x35's which were stolen 'up country' in the Aden Protectorate back in the 60's.

These are a peach of a bino and my beloved is truly smitten with them. Why even yesterday a suppressed grimace was launched my way which is in stark contrast to the usual low flying object.

 

[PatR]

Leica really had a killer idea with this reboot. Its so small in form factor with the ideal exit pupil. I just wish they offered a model in "GA" so to speak. Very much like some of the Habicht models do. It may have given a better eye cup option for users that do not wear glasses.

Overall, these were the best pound for pound binocular I have ever used. They are right up there with the UVHD+ 7x42 and much smaller.

Spot on but the GA would definately alter the elegant sveltness of these beautiful bino's. Must admit that I am going to put the other two 'Retrovids' on the radar.

Don't need 'em, just want 'em.

They are without doubt the most beautiful bino's I have ever clapped eyes on.

 

[Rg548]

Mate those are beautiful.
One of the very few 'wow' binoculars for me.
I tested a pair at Ace Optics a while back, and couldn't believe how optically good they were, let alone how good they looked too!!
But I knew I'd treat them way too carefully... and handed them back.
Awesome bins.

 

[PatR]

Mate those are beautiful.
One of the very few 'wow' binoculars for me.
I tested a pair at Ace Optics a while back, and couldn't believe how optically good they were, let alone how good they looked too!!
But I knew I'd treat them way too carefully... and handed them back.
Awesome bins.

I know what you mean, they should really be put on a turntable and just admired from all angles.

Stunning, but they will be used. She took them out down to the river this morning (no dunking for these) and was just astounded at the sharpness and those beautiful Leica colours. Slow focuser mind but the depth of field is amazing so they don't require much re-focusing once set.

It is a bit like my Habicht 8x30's and the Nikon EII 8x30's. One is best left at home in the dry and I suspect that when it is a tad damp, she will revert to taking her next favourite pair, the superb Curio's.

They really are beautiful and I too saw them for the first time in Ace Optic's almost three years ago. These still have the outer box with the Ace Optics sticker on them so it would be an almost 'do the lottery tonight' moment should they be the same pair!

 

[mwhogue]

I know what you mean, they should really be put on a turntable and just admired from all angles.

Stunning, but they will be used. She took them out down to the river this morning (no dunking for these) and was just astounded at the sharpness and those beautiful Leica colours. Slow focuser mind but the depth of field is amazing so they don't require much re-focusing once set.

It is a bit like my Habicht 8x30's and the Nikon EII 8x30's. One is best left at home in the dry and I suspect that when it is a tad damp, she will revert to taking her next favourite pair, the superb Curio's.

They really are beautiful and I too saw them for the first time in Ace Optic's almost three years ago. These still have the outer box with the Ace Optics sticker on them so it would be an almost 'do the lottery tonight' moment should they be the same pair!

For context I have tended to collect things all my life. Some are so beautiful I can't bring myself to use them. Fortunately, this has not happened with binoculars.

Personal preference of course but for anyone concerned about "safe Queen syndrome" you may find in use it's not a significant issue after all.

As an aside, Leica sells black touch up paint if an owner is inclined when that first cosmetic scratch or ding appears.

Mike

 

[PatR]

For context I have tended to collect things all my life. Some are so beautiful I can't bring myself to use them. Fortunately, this has not happened with binoculars.

Personal preference of course but for anyone concerned about "safe Queen syndrome" you may find in use it's not a significant issue after all.

As an aside, Leica sells black touch up paint if an owner is inclined when that first cosmetic scratch or ding appears.

Mike

Thank you Mike re the paint, noted.

I do agree that some things are just too beautiful to use but these will be used....... just not in overly wet or dusty conditions.

 

[John M Robinson]

Leica really had a killer idea with this reboot. Its so small in form factor with the ideal exit pupil. I just wish they offered a model in "GA" so to speak. Very much like some of the Habicht models do. It may have given a better eye cup option for users that do not wear glasses.

Overall, these were the best pound for pound binocular I have ever used. They are right up there with the UVHD+ 7x42 and much smaller.

I love mine too. I own some nice binos, Nikon SE, Swarovski, Ultravids and Fujinon, the 7x35 Retrovids are all I use now. The push-pull eyecups are slightly awkward, but pushed all the way in, they are the only binos I’ve been able to use with eyeglasses.

 

[Thotmosis]

They arrived this morning and the only difference between these and a brand new pair is £500. Absolutely stunning and supplied with a genuine Leica leather strap and the Leica metal covers. They are beautiful.

Good catch and they look absolute stunning 🤩. I have an old Leitz 7x35 that i use with great pleasure but wouldn’t mind a Retrovid as backup.

 

[lmans66]

Love my pair....the retro 7x35. Can't complain about anything as they are the best pair I have owned and those includes several Alphas. These are real light, real sharp and just look cool. I don't have any scratches on mine and keep it in the case etc but nice to know Leica sells touchup paint for it in case I get a scratch on the black.

 

[mwhogue]

The crescendo of ringing endorsements, here and in other threads...

resulted in an inadvertent, impulse purchase Wednesday evening. An "open box" 7x35 Trinovid /"RETROVID" is slated to arrive Tuesday.

Courtesy of a good friend and fellow forum member I had a pristine Leitz 7x35 to enjoy for 2 or 3 months earlier this year, really loved it except I prefer to be able to use general purpose bins with glasses on. I am still trying a Leitz 8x40 Trinovid so will do best to take some decent pictures for size comparison. Both are surprisingly small in hand.

Mike

 

[PatR]

The crescendo of ringing endorsements, here and in other threads...

resulted in an inadvertent, impulse purchase Wednesday evening. An "open box" 7x35 Trinovid /"RETROVID" is slated to arrive Tuesday.

Courtesy of a good friend and fellow forum member I had a pristine Leitz 7x35 to enjoy for 2 or 3 months earlier this year, really loved it except I prefer to be able to use general purpose bins with glasses on. I am still trying a Leitz 8x40 Trinovid so will do best to take some decent pictures for size comparison. Both are surprisingly small in hand.

Mike

It is such a thing of beauty Mike, were it optically a duffer I think I would still love it just for its overall gorgeousness.

My beloved just loves her, and for once I am not pulling splinters out of my derrière from being sat for hours on the 'bino purchase' naughty step.

The stunning beauty of Mlle Retrovid has attracted many admirers. Just wait till I get my hands on the filthy swine who.......

She gave birth to a bouncing 8.5oz baby this afternoon, who we have named Ultravid.

 

[mwhogue]

That binocular reproduction thing. It can happen.

Mike

 

[Paultricounty]

Leica really had a killer idea with this reboot. Its so small in form factor with the ideal exit pupil. I just wish they offered a model in "GA" so to speak. Very much like some of the Habicht models do. It may have given a better eye cup option for users that do not wear glasses.

Overall, these were the best pound for pound binocular I have ever used. They are right up there with the UVHD+ 7x42 and much smaller.

You mean a rubber armored version like this , except in black not green 😉

 

[MiddleRiver]

No affiliation with the seller!! And from experience I can say that the mirrored coatings fail with time (and are not repairable). But still... interesting ;-)

Leitz Trinovid 7x35BA 150m/1000m Binoculars, Excellent Condition ð⨠| eBay

Discover the world in stunning detail with the LEITZ TRINOVID 7X35BA binoculars, offering a wide field of view at 150m/1000m. These binoculars are in excellent condition, ensuring a crisp, clear image for birdwatching, sports events, or outdoor adventures. Known for their durability and...

www.ebay.com

 

[Paultricounty]

A couple of years ago there was some talk from a Leica rep I did business with, said a water proof armored version was being considered. Considering these have been discontinued I’m assuming that’s not gonna happen now. But I doubt I’d go for it if it was a reality, I like these little jewels just the way they are. There was a limited run of a silverline version, which are also beautiful.

I changed out the objective caps if anybody is interested using the Opticron covers.