Glasses for opera/ballet

[pd100]

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I wanted to buy a friend who loves ballet the Ultravid 8 x 20. Are these the ones to get? Any thoughts most welcome. 

 

TIA

[Studienkamera]

Swarovski CL Curio 7x21: larger exit pupil diameter (3mm vs 2.5mm), much wider field of view (135m vs. 113m), slightly better eye relief (16mm vs. 15mm), cheaper. Slightly less magnification is another advantage for the stated purpose, in my opinion. And it is easier to steadily hold 7x magnification than 8x. It is also a much more recent binocular. All reviews I am aware of are very positive. 

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[wda]

I have the 8x20 Ultravid which I use for companionable travel and reading plant labels whe touring botanic gardens. Little space, useful magnification. They suit my purposes very well. Opera glasses typically have a lower magnification,  around 4x, and are brighter, say 4x20. I would visit a specialist supplier and try some, declaring your actual requirements. For occasional operatic visits, mine would suffice. For regular use I would choose a specialist solution.

[Studienkamera]

14 minutes ago, wda said:

Opera glasses typically have a lower magnification,  around 4x, and are brighter, say 4x20. 

Such dedicated opera glasses are not available in decent optical quality. This market is dominated by junk. I would prefer an Ultravid or CL Curio any day. Personally, I bring my Nikon 8x30 EII to the opera. It has a very wide field of view and does not look out of place in this environment. But the CL Curio is much more compact.

[eibenbaum]

vor 49 Minuten schrieb Studienkamera:

Swarovski CL Curio 7x21: larger exit pupil diameter (3mm vs 2.5mm), much wider field of view (135m vs. 113m), slightly better eye relief (16mm vs. 15mm), cheaper. Slightly less magnification is another advantage for the stated purpose, in my opinion. And it is easier to steadily hold 7x magnification than 8x. It is also a much more recent binocular. All reviews I am aware of are very positive. 

I am very happy with my Curio.It is an outstanding glass very handsome,extremely sharp,bright colors,kontrasty and well made.to say it with one word "SUPER"

[pd100]

These are really helpful replies so far, thank you. I'm leaning towards the Swarovski - anyone know where they are made? I guess the Leica probably aren't made in Germany any more anyway. 

[dem331]

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I take my 10x25 Trinovids to the opera and I find them a bit of an overkill, but they are the ones I have. I am going to take a look at the Swarovskis. 

Edited March 13, 2023 by dem331

[eibenbaum]

vor 58 Minuten schrieb pd100:

These are really helpful replies so far, thank you. I'm leaning towards the Swarovski - anyone know where they are made? I guess the Leica probably aren't made in Germany any more anyway. 

Swarovski is made in Austria,and I am sure you will not be disappointed with this glass.

[wda]

1 hour ago, pd100 said:

These are really helpful replies so far, thank you. I'm leaning towards the Swarovski - anyone know where they are made? I guess the Leica probably aren't made in Germany any more anyway. 

They are made in Portugal.

[wda]

I forgot to clarify, they are made in the Leica factory in Portugal. 

[Marc B-C]

As an owner of the Trinovid 8x20, although not for indoor work, I just found this 2021 discussion on t'internet: 

https://www.birdforum.net/threads/swarovski-curio-7x21-versus-victory-8x25-and-ultravid-8x20.416298/

[Fotoklaus]

vor 18 Stunden schrieb pd100:

These are really helpful replies so far, thank you. I'm leaning towards the Swarovski - anyone know where they are made? I guess the Leica probably aren't made in Germany any more anyway. 

Swarovski is one of the three top brands in sport optics. Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski are top notch and almost equal in quality and price.

Hensoldt and later Zeiss (west germany) produced good opera glasses called "Diadem".

As an alternative I would recommend the Nikon 8X20HG L DCF. Nikon produces also very good sport optics in different price ranges.

A real Opra Glass is also produced by Nikon, the  4x10 DCF. Very small and handy, if this is required.

[stephen.w]

16 hours ago, wda said:

I forgot to clarify, they are made in the Leica factory in Portugal. 

The Trinovid range is made in Portugal, the Ultravids in Germany.

I've taken my Ultravid 8x20s to the theatre / opera, but with their narrowish field of view they are far from ideal for the purpose. I'm also going to take a look at the Swarovskis recommended above, and would be interested in any other options 

[wda]

52 minutes ago, stephen.w said:

The Trinovid range is made in Portugal, the Ultravids in Germany.

I've taken my Ultravid 8x20s to the theatre / opera, but with their narrowish field of view they are far from ideal for the purpose. I'm also going to take a look at the Swarovskis recommended above, and would be interested in any other options 

Well, I must beg to differ. Just Google the question.

[stephen.w]

56 minutes ago, wda said:

Well, I must beg to differ. Just Google the question.

apologies, you're quite right - I googled it, but also looked at the print on the box my binos came in 🤦‍♂️

[wizard]

Another vote for the Curio 7x21. A fantastic little binocular.