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Leica Binos


jimleicam3

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm also looking for a pair of high-quality compact binos for such disparate uses as the theatre, cricket, and watching the climbs on the mountain. My dealer has a pair of 10x25 Ultravids in stock, but the magnification felt a tad close. I liked the build quality and the eye relief, so I might just go ahead and order the 8x20 Ultravids to try. Also considering the Monovid.

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  • 7 months later...

Bringing this back to life. We needed a second pair of binoculars (in addition to the 8x32s) for a future trip being planned. So I've been keeping my eyes open and spotted a pair of what can only be described as lightly used 8 & 12 x Duovids, and bought them for a quite ridiculous amount (about a third of the current new price). What fabulous binoculars, albeit quite dense and heavy although this helps steadiness to an extent. The optics are simply stunning and build quality. A friend who has Ultravids suggests that Duovids may be somewhat specialist but so far I'm finding them to be very much an all round pair of binos so far! With the proviso on weight I can thoroughly recommend them.

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Bringing this back to life. We needed a second pair of binoculars (in addition to the 8x32s) for a future trip being planned. So I've been keeping my eyes open and spotted a pair of what can only be described as lightly used 8 & 12 x Duovids, and bought them for a quite ridiculous amount (about a third of the current new price). What fabulous binoculars, albeit quite dense and heavy although this helps steadiness to an extent. The optics are simply stunning and build quality. A friend who has Ultravids suggests that Duovids may be somewhat specialist but so far I'm finding them to be very much an all round pair of binos so far! With the proviso on weight I can thoroughly recommend them.

 

I think I saw those advertised by a UK (East Anglian) dealer a few days ago? They were not there long! Almost bought them myself … they were 'latest stock' listed one day and gone the next. If you bought them you have a real bargain ! I've never seen Duovids priced so reasonably - the dealer definitely made a mistake with the price.

 

Good luck and well spotted!

 

dunk

Edited by dkpeterborough
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Is this UK (East Anglia) dealer a Leica stockist? I've been looking for a dealer in that area but the only one I know of is Campkins in Cambridge (their web site is dreadful!). They were Leica dealers (I bought a Digilux 2 from them), but it's difficult to decide (from their site) whether they are now . A search on the Leica (UK) site for dealers in that area doesn't really throw much light on the matter either….

Regarding Leica binoculars, I've had a pair of the 10x42BA model for years and they never fail to impress. The only slight drawback is they are quite heavy.

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Is this UK (East Anglia) dealer a Leica stockist? I've been looking for a dealer in that area but the only one I know of is Campkins in Cambridge (their web site is dreadful!). They were Leica dealers (I bought a Digilux 2 from them), but it's difficult to decide (from their site) whether they are now . A search on the Leica (UK) site for dealers in that area doesn't really throw much light on the matter either….

Regarding Leica binoculars, I've had a pair of the 10x42BA model for years and they never fail to impress. The only slight drawback is they are quite heavy.

 

The dealer is part of a chain or franchise which sells secondhand cameras including s/h Leica. The dealer does not sell new Leica r/f cameras.

 

dunk

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  • 1 month later...

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Very interesting thread. I am going to add a pair of 8x32 binocs to the collection and have been comparing Leica with Swarovski. Mostly the dealers (not Leica ones) rubbish Leica, saying they are terrible to deal with, and have very poor after sales care. Why are they so negative? As a consequence I have yet to compare the 2 makes directly, though the Swarovski are even more expensive than Leica. That must be a hard trick to manage. I have yet to visit my local dealer Harrison's of Sheffield, but will soon. Thanks for all the info so far.

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I think I saw those advertised by a UK (East Anglian) dealer a few days ago? They were not there long! Almost bought them myself … they were 'latest stock' listed one day and gone the next. If you bought them you have a real bargain ! I've never seen Duovids priced so reasonably - the dealer definitely made a mistake with the price.

 

Good luck and well spotted!

 

dunk

 

 

There's another 8 & 12 x Duovid available (but mint) at a big saving on new price if anyone searches thru' UK Leica dealers' used stocks ... clue is 'church' ;)

 

dunk

Edited by dkpeterborough
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  • 4 weeks later...

Whilst I'm very impressed by Leica's current offerings and even older (but modern) offerings in the binocular range, I've been able to try a pair of 8x30 Binuxits recently and have to say that for their age (this pair date from the 1950s but are actually a 1920s design) they are remarkably good and surprisingly light. I can't find a vast amount out about them other than that they had and even still have a good reputation. Whilst of older design they have surprised me and would be even better if the lenses had modern coatings (I think that they have a single coating).

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Whilst I'm very impressed by Leica's current offerings and even older (but modern) offerings in the binocular range, I've been able to try a pair of 8x30 Binuxits recently and have to say that for their age (this pair date from the 1950s but are actually a 1920s design) they are remarkably good and surprisingly light. I can't find a vast amount out about them other than that they had and even still have a good reputation. Whilst of older design they have surprised me and would be even better if the lenses had modern coatings (I think that they have a single coating).

 

They have a reputation for being better than equivalent roof prism Trinovids but unfortunately are 'dismissed' by many people as are deemed to be old fashioned/unfashionable. Porro prism binos have much to offer. The original roof prism Trinovids which superseded the Binuxit are ergonomically superb - but optically inferior to the Binuxit.

 

dunk

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Very interesting thread. I am going to add a pair of 8x32 binocs to the collection and have been comparing Leica with Swarovski. Mostly the dealers (not Leica ones) rubbish Leica, saying they are terrible to deal with, and have very poor after sales care. Why are they so negative? As a consequence I have yet to compare the 2 makes directly, though the Swarovski are even more expensive than Leica. That must be a hard trick to manage. I have yet to visit my local dealer Harrison's of Sheffield, but will soon. Thanks for all the info so far.

Poor after sales care? I sent in a 35 your old Leica Binos a few years ago and had them repaired - for free!

Leica told me they offer a lifelong guaranty. I don’t know if they still do.

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Poor after sales care? I sent in a 35 your old Leica Binos a few years ago and had them repaired - for free!

Leica told me they offer a lifelong guaranty. I don’t know if they still do.

According to the various UK dealer's websites, Trinovids and Ultravids may still have UK Passport warranties and even a 30 year warranty too - though its not easy to track this information down. If I was buying a new pair I would certainly check with the dealer that this is actually still the case.

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