Which of the older Trinovids are best ? (1 Viewer)

[NDhunter]

This question is about the BA and BN models. For the ones I have experience with, the 8x32 and the 10x50 are very good in their sizes.
Jerry

 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

First of all, avoid the Leitz BA Trinovids, which did not have phase coating. As the Leica BN glasses are later than the Leica BA glasses, they are a better choice unless you need their focussing range, as they probably have better coating. The BN binoculars were made to focus closer, so the BA glasses go farther past infinity.

I could not get along with the 10x50BN, as it was hard to hold steady. The Leica 8x50BA struck me as just too heavy and I did not need the wider aperture for my bird watching. The Leica BA 7x42 is outclassed by the Zeiss ClassiC 7x42. Having written the above, I get along very well with the Leica 12x50 BA, on a monopod, for astronomy and shore viewing, even if it does not have dielectric mirrors.

My best experience was with the 8x32BN.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[casscade]

10x50’s are probably my favorites, large fov, even by today’s standards. The 7x42 had that incredible view, maybe even the best, as did the 8x50, what killed both for me was the small apparent fov. So 10x50 for me. Also a side note, I loved all the trinovids optically, only size and/or fov swayed me.

 

[dries1]

Out of the ones I have, I like the 8X32 BNs and 8X42 BAs/BNs, but the 10X50 BA is my favorite. I was curious about the 12X50, however always worried about the ER.

Andy W.

 

[LarryO]

Hello,

First of all, avoid the Leitz BA Trinovids, which did not have phase coating. ...
...
Stay safe,
Arthur

The Leica Trinovid BAs introduced in 1990 did have phase coatings. That is stated among features of the BAs in copies of pages from a Leica brochure posted by 'casscade' in the following two threads (with different cropping of the copies in the threads):

Leica Lens Coatings post #1
<Leica Lens Coatings>
Trinovid BAs still a 'sweet spot' among Leica binoculars? post #40
<Trinovid BAs still a 'sweet spot' among Leica binoculars?>

Feature 'D' in the brochure's list states that "we use phase correction coatings on our roof prisms."

The 1990 Leica Trinovid BAs (originally called Leica Ultras) were replaced by the BN series around 2000, see e.g.:

LEITZ BINOCULARS, 1907-1996. COMPILED BY PETER ABRAHAMS
<http://home.europa.com/~telscope/leitzbin.txt>
Roof-Prism Leica Binoculars
<Roof-Prism Leica Binoculars - Leica Wiki (English)>

The main advertised improvement of the BN series was its reduced near-focus range (hence the 'BN' designation). It remains unclear to me whether the lens coatings were also improved or essentially the same as those on the replaced BAs.

Larry

 

[Pinewood]

Out of the ones I have, I like the 8X32 BNs and 8X42 BAs/BNs, but the 10X50 BA is my favorite. I was curious about the 12X50, however always worried about the ER.

Andy W.

Hello Andy,

The ER is no problem for me but your milage may vary.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[tenex]

Best, how? It was an excellent range overall, though the larger models were rather heavy. Some had common limitations of their format (e.g. 8x50, narrow FOV), but no real flaws I'm aware of. Some formats like 10x32 aren't as popular, but I've used my BN for two decades and still love it.

 

[Farrand]

I guess I need to borrow some of the newer models to see what I am missing!
Over the last 50 years, I have owned or shared, or given as wedding/graduation gifts, several Leitz Trinovids from the 1970-1985 period.
I thoroughly enjoy the size, weight, smooth action and feel of the 8x32, 8x40, and 10x40 models, both B's and BA's, all Uppendahls, and it would be hard for me to give up on these superb binoculars.
Some of these still show up on eBay in like-new condition for around $500, but it sounds like the coatings and near focus are now improved enough to make a difference.
Are there any others following this thread who have actually made direct usage comparisons?
Thanks.

 

[Hermann]

Over the last 50 years, I have owned or shared, or given as wedding/graduation gifts, several Leitz Trinovids from the 1970-1985 period.
I thoroughly enjoy the size, weight, smooth action and feel of the 8x32, 8x40, and 10x40 models, both B's and BA's, all Uppendahls, and it would be hard for me to give up on these superb binoculars.
Some of these still show up on eBay in like-new condition for around $500, but it sounds like the coatings and near focus are now improved enough to make a difference.

Yes. We have a Trinovid 10x40 and an 8x32 dating back to the early 1980s, both with Uppendahl prisms - and without phase coatings. It's the phase coatings that make the difference, ANY roof prism without phase coatings is, well, a museum piece. The Trinovid BA (we've got two 8x32s in the family, both made in 1993) are VERY much better optically than the old Trinovids.

Hermann

 

[PYRTLE]

8 x 42 BA ; my first alpha, solidly constructed and sadly stolen after 15 years constant use.

 

[NDhunter]

Pat:
Now that is a very sad end to your Leica experience. Tell us about what you have replaced it with ?

Jerry

 

[Patudo]

...The Leica BA 7x42 is outclassed by the Zeiss ClassiC 7x42.

Thanks for your observations Pinewood. It'd be interesting to hear from those who have a goodly amount of experience with both binoculars how the 10x42 BA/BN compares to the 10x40 P model Dialyt.

 

[tenex]

First of all, avoid the Leitz BA Trinovids, which did not have phase coating.

Did the very last of the older (Uppendahl, pre-Ultra) Trinovids have phase coatings, and is the relevant serial number known? Coatings came onto the market in 1988, and as LarryO mentioned the model change didn't occur until 1990.

 

[casscade]

After revisiting the Leica 7x42ba’s again recently they are definitely leicas best view imo. Even comparing them to new 2019 8x42 slc’s and 2018 ELsv’s they are incredible. I have forgotten why I loved them so much fo so long.

I’ll also note the older ba’s appear to have better edge sharpness than the newer UV line including the plus, this could be sample differences. So anyway I’m gonna revise my earlier statement and say the 7x is leicas best overall ba/bn and probably their best binocular overall followed by the 10x50 imo.

Really wanting to get a noctovid soon to compare to the UV 7s and the older BA 7s.

 

[Farrand]

Yes. We have a Trinovid 10x40 and an 8x32 dating back to the early 1980s, both with Uppendahl prisms - and without phase coatings. It's the phase coatings that make the difference, ANY roof prism without phase coatings is, well, a museum piece. The Trinovid BA (we've got two 8x32s in the family, both made in 1993) are VERY much better optically than the old Trinovids.

Hermann

Thank you very much, Hermann, for this helpful reply.
I guess I need to move into the 21st century!
In the meantime, I'm really enjoying this pair of 10x40 BA/N Trinovids I recently found on eBay.
We have a Leica store nearby, so maybe I can try out the newer ones, but I doubt they have the 1993 BA's you describe.
Just so I can update my binocular "field guide," maybe you can post a photo of the ones you have.
Thanks again.
Farrand

 

[ibramr]

This question is about the BA and BN models. For the ones I have experience with, the 8x32 and the 10x50 are very good in their sizes.
Jer

You are right, NDhunder. It is extremely difficult to improve on a late production Trinovid 8x32 BN. Yes, time moved on with better transmission, coatings, and designs; further, the user is now much older who prefers lighter weights and more relaxed views. However, this model will always remain a "special mention." I heard here on the forum that serial numbers post 145 are better than earlier ones. Enjoy in good health.

 

[LarryO]

For reference in this discussion, listed below are sites with what appear to be quite thorough histories of Leitz/Leica binocular models, with dates of introduction. Data in them for earlier models is credited to Peter Abrahams, one of whose compilations I cited in posting #5 above. Interestingly, the Trinovid BA's seem to have originally been designated with the name "Ultra BA."

<Porro-Prism and Galilean Leitz Binoculars - Leica Wiki (English)>
<Roof-Prism Leica Binoculars - Leica Wiki (English)>
<Current Leica Binoculars - Leica Wiki (English)>

Larry