New Retrovid 7x35 (1 Viewer)

[Paultricounty]

Is anyone who bought the Retrovid 7x35 displeased with their binoculars to the degree that, in hindsight, they would not have made the purchase?

Hi Don,

I have no regrets buying these Retrovids. Knowing what I know now, I still would’ve bought them. There are going to be people who will regret buying these binoculars for multiple reasons. Just like there are people who regret buying Ultravid 32’s for multiple reasons, which we both love and don’t regret buying.
You have to understand what your buying here. The retros (Trinovid Classics) are basically old binoculars from an age gone by , the way they built then in the 1960’s, but with updated , modern day optics. Your buying something like modern day Ultravid glass in the body of 60 year old binoculars.

If your in the camp that has to have all the modern day bells and whistles in binoculars, like rubber armor, large rubberized fast focus knobs with modern day optics, then the retros will fall short of your expectations.

But if you like the feel of the the way things were made years ago, like leather wrapped metal body with small metal focuser (mechanically smooth) , thin rubber eyecups and updated with alpha level glass, then you will be impressed with these beauties.

Are they the best for birding , no. Are they good all around binoculars with delicious image quality, yes. You could say , there not the best tool for the job, but there cool and a unique piece of equipment. We could throw in the amazing DOF of the 7’s.

Paul

 

[MiddleRiver]

No regrets. My go to binos right now.

 

[Boogieshrew]

Is anyone who bought the Retrovid 7x35 displeased with their binoculars to the degree that, in hindsight, they would not have made the purchase?

I've used nothing else since I got them.
I didn't buy mine, they were very generously given to me by Jan Van Dalen here on BF, but I would buy another pair tomorrow if I lost these ones.

 

[lmans66]

No....at the moment, my Nirvana binocular... (just don't take it in the water too much~)

 

[gweller]

One of my favorite binoculars! Brings a smile to my face whenever I use it!

 

[NDhunter]

The Retrovid 7x35 with my new (to me) HG 8x42

Tell us more about those 2, how do they compare and what do you like about them ?
Jerry

 

[galazie1]

Tell us more about those 2, how do they compare and what do you like about them ?
Jerry

I like both. I prefer the colour of the HG, it's warm, mellow, amber. The Retrovid is bright, white, and impressive overall in some way. I think the HG produce a finer image, but maybe just because i like the colour

 

[lmans66]

Tell us more about those 2, how do they compare and what do you like about them ?
Jerry

I have/had both of these binoculars. I returned the HG and love the Retrovid. You will find personal tastes differ and while both really are quality mid level bins, how your eyes view each binocular and personal preferences etc will differ. I would highly suggest either looking at both and comparing, or..... just go with your gut feeling and order it in and be happy with it. Don't look back. jim

 

[SeldomPerched]

Hi Galazie,

Reading your comments, I was reminded that on occasion I’ve had problems getting a new binocular to perform to optical expectations e.g. especially when repeated refocusing is required, and then even with the refocusing things are 'not quite right'.

My Leica UV HD 8x42 was initially troublesome in this regard. However, I persisted with trying to resolve the issue, and in the end the problem came down to incorrect diopter adjustment! Once the correct adjustment was set, a variety of optical niggles instantly disappeared, replaced by the usual high level Leica performance.

Somewhat counter intuitively, I find it much easier to get to a correct diopter setting by focusing on a target with a wide variety of textures such as a tree trunk, rather than a simpler high contrast image like a street sign (which is what I was initially using with the Leica). And interestingly this is also the experience of others e.g. see at: Is this a record? Re: Ultravid 8x32 HD Plus

The problem with a high contrast target seems to be the tendency for the ciliary muscles in the eye to tense, to aid in achieving the sharpest possible focus
- rather than allowing the relaxed eye, in conjunction with the gradual adjustment of the diopter setting - to move to the sharpest focus.

This illustrates the importance of Bill Cook’s point about the need to 'stare' while using a binocular. The eyes need to be in relaxed focus - their 'at rest' state - while only focusing the binocular to make the image clear. For more detail, see Bill’s updated comments in the attachments to post #13 at: Diopter Adjustment

Ideally the above may resolve your issues; or alternatively enable you to with greater confidence be sure that there is something wrong with the particular unit, and that it needs to be retuned to Leica for servicing or replacement.


John

John,

This was exactly the same as my experience with a new UVHD 7x42 Plus for months. In the process of trying to 'get there' I discovered for myself the findings you list in every one of your paragraphs! And now those binoculars are a favourite (all the bins I have kept are favourites, each for its own slightly different reasons). Just posting this to back up from my own limited experience your findings in every respect, especially about how to adjust the dioptre/diopter.

On the other hand I did for a while have a faulty 8x32 UVHD Plus and though I assumed for some time that it was just my fault/problem/user error an eventual exchange left me in no doubt that the first example was sub-standard.

Best wishes,

Tom

 

[dries1]

"Somewhat counter intuitively, I find it much easier to get to a correct diopter setting by focusing on a target with a wide variety of textures such as a tree trunk, rather than a simpler high contrast image like a street sign"

I agree with this statement from John, 100%.

 

[eronald]

I used an old Zeiss porro 6x30 last weekend. Suddenly I realized that a focus point at 20m or so basically covered the whole medium field. No need to refocus, even at age 65 I could accomodate.

Edmund

 

[galazie1]

The more i compare it with other binoculars, the more i think the Retrovid is good. It holds well against the Nikon EDG and HG (just not in all lighting conditions).

But not the Noctivid, which I see is clearly better than the Retrovid.

I am looking forward to comparing the Noctivid and the EDG

 

[Paultricounty]

The more i compare it with other binoculars, the more i think the Retrovid is good. It holds well against the Nikon EDG and HG (just not in all lighting conditions).

But not the Noctivid, which I see is clearly better than the Retrovid.

I am looking forward to comparing the Noctivid and the EDG

Three that are better than the Retrovids, but not by so much 😀

 

[Trinovid]

Three that are better than the Retrovids, but not by so much 😀

Could we get one more picture with the Retrovid in between the two closest in size?

 

[Brummie]

Could we get one more picture with the Retrovid in between the two closest in size?

There are pictures on p3 of this thread with the retrovid and the 8x32 UVHD+, and I also posted one somewhere (must've been in a different thread). The retrovid is a little taller, but noticeably slimmer (hugs tighter to you when carried). All the 8x42 models will be a lot larger.

 

[Trinovid]

Ah, there they are, side by side in a picture from galazie1 in post #48.

 

[Paultricounty]

Could we get one more picture with the Retrovid in between the two closest in size?

Nikon 8x42HG, Kowa Genesis 8x33, Swaro 8x30 Habicht, Swaro 7x42 Habicht and last photo SF 8x32 & Leica 7x42UV+

 

[lmans66]

nice looking beauty pageant ....And the winner is.....retrovid or the Monarch 8x30HG

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

For those who have missed it: I have pubilshed my test report and some technical details including dismantling of the Retrovid 7x35 on the WEB-site of House of Outdoor, look on that WEB site for test reports under "verrekijkers testen en vergelijken, test reports by Dr. Gijs van Ginkel.
Could perhaps b useful for this discussion.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[MiddleRiver]

For those who have missed it: I have pubilshed my test report and some technical details including dismantling of the Retrovid 7x35 on the WEB-site of House of Outdoor, look on that WEB site for test reports under "verrekijkers testen en vergelijken, test reports by Dr. Gijs van Ginkel.
Could perhaps b useful for this discussion.
Gijs van Ginkel

Any chance of a link? For some reason I'm not finding it