Binoculars: Leica vs. Zeiss. What would you do?

J

J. MacDonald

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Jun 8, 2000
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I'd have tagged this onto the thread I started about binocs a couple days ago, but I'd like to see it die as I am embarrassed by the typo in the title of that one.

So I've almost committed to going all the way and getting some top end glass. Prior to today I had pretty much written off Leicas as they start at $1000.00 for the size I want and the Swarovskis because they are much more expensive than that. The Zeiss Classic 10x40mm seem to be the steal in high end binocs at this time as I can get a pair online with a US warranty for $699.00 delivered from a reputable e-tailer. This is much more than I'd ever considered for a pair of binocs, but after viewing a bunch of glasses, the glasses in this class really seem to be a cut above everything else and will last a couple lifetimes.

The only potential spoiler that I could see in this equation was a Pentax 10x42 DCF WP because the reviews on this glass are fantastic, but it's out of stock almost everywhere (seems to be very popular) so I hadn't been able to locate a pair to try. This model is supposed to be the only Japanese glass around (besides the stupidly expensive Nikon Explorers) to challenge the Zeiss/Leica/Swarovskis in quality, but at a much more affordable price ($499.00 retail/$424.00 online and a $100.00 rebate currently).

This afternoon I found a place that had a pair of the Pentax DCFs in stock to look at, so off I went. The only other binocs this camera shop carries is Leica. I told the salesman that from what I knew the Leicas were well above what I could even consider spending. He showed me the Pentaxs and they were certainly great glasses. Most anyone would be happy with them forever.

I should mention at this point that my wife has worked in high tech inspection for things like a semi-conductor fab for many years (micro inspection) and so is well versed in microscopes. She has a very old friend Jack, who was a rep in the optical business for 30 years before recently retiring. Jack specialized in microscopes, but knows about all kinds of optics. I had called Jack Sunday afternoon to get his opinion before making a stupidly expensive investment in an optical instrument to see if I was out of my head or what. His reply was that I should zoom past the Zeiss (although he thinks they're great) and just spend the extra money for a pair of Leicas. That I would never regret it.

So while talking to the salesman at this shop today and relating my quest to him, he insisted that I look at the Leica Trinovids. It happens that they have a couple pair of last year's Leica offering that between the upcoming sale and a $150.00 rebate could net down to $750.00 plus tax. This is 25% less than any Lieca I've seen in real life or online. The Leica does have pop up eyecups and a locking diopter setting where the Zeiss have old style fold down rubber eyecups and no locking diopter adjustment.

The Pentax has all the features of the Leica for less than half the price of the Zeiss with 92% of the optical performance of either for over 50% less money.

I can comfortably afford the Pentax and would be stretching a bit for either of the others, but am leaning in that direction. Unless a major expense pops up this week unexpectedly, I'll probably bypass the Pentax so the question is Zeiss or Leica?

Is it worth an extra $50.00 (plus tax, another $50.00) to get a Leica Trinovid 10x42 over the Zeiss Classic 10x40. Frankly, the Zeiss seems to be a sleeker design to me but this is after only using each set of glasses for only a few minutes.

Sorry for the long post, I guess I'm just a longwinded bastid.

jmx
 
I was wondering the same stuff a while back when I was binoc shopping. I didnt end up buying any binocs(bought a knife instead), but my shopping determined that I couldnt notice any image difference between the Pentax and the Leicas or Zeiss; certainly not enough to justify the double cost of the Leica or Zeiss. Also, the Pentax binocs have a great rebate right now.
 
If your going for the high end glass I would first try them out.
but if I was dropping that kind of money I would choose the Zeiss.

They're firearm optics are what I'm basing this on. Very Nice and freindly on the eyes.
I assume you looked at Steiners as well. They have some binocs too.
just my .02.

Cheers,
Hal
 
There is site, www.birdwatching.com/optics/binoculars1.html, that outlines some of the issues with binocs. How you are going to use them is probably the most important. A few minutes in a store will not show how the units will handle in the field. I did quite a bit of research and ended up with a pair of 8x42 Kahles. They are a subsidiary of Swarvoski. Most folks that have bought a few pair of binocs will tell you to get the best you can afford, you will not regret it. Another site to look at for comparison sake is http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/index.html.

Good Luck.

JNC
 
Yes, the birdwathing.com site has a complehensive review of binocs in this size range. I read all they have to say a couple days ago, that's where I rally got turned on to the Pentaxs.

I have tried them all out, but only briefly in a store (or a couple of stores). I like them all. The Zeiss and Leicas do seem to have a little better brightness than the Pentaxs.

I'm leaning toward the Zeiss and Leica based more on their warranty than just on the optical differences. Leica's Passport warranty is pretty much, no matter what, send them in and we'll repair or replace them for life. Zeiss' warranty is supposed to be just about as good.

Danbo, what do you look at stuff with now?

Daveb, thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

I guess the question is, now that I found a deal on the Leicas, are they worth $100.00 more than the Zeiss? The optics are comparable, but the Leica is a more modern design with the pop up eyecups and locking diopter adjustment.

jmx
 
What I look at stuff now with is a Zeiss monocular; 10 x 42. It's almost too much power, but I like the clarity and brightness. Of course, it only cost a fraction of what you are talking about.
 
zeiss is the finest glass for optics of any kind. Do not let price dictate any different.

Be it binocs, scopes, camera lenses; Zeiss is the finest.

Yeah, sayz who:p :p
 
I have been using a pair of Leica New Generation 8 x 32's for several years. They are outstanding! Excellent light gathering, very crisp, light... they just work great! When I purchased them I was also considering Zeiss. The person who was working the counter the day I made my purchase said that in his experience, and based upon customer comments, the Leica's were, at that moment, the very best binoc's to be found at any price. I have yet to find exception to his advice.

That being said, the Zeiss Victory model is also an elite binoc. If I were making my choice today it may be even harder to choose between the Zeiss and the Leica.

I have hunted all over North America. Spend as much money as you can on your optics, and then use them as often and as hard as you can. It WILL make a difference.

AJ
 
I've pretty much decided to get the Zeiss glasses. The Leicas are great but would cost an extra hundred bucks, and seem a bit pudgy in my hands. They're sort of barrell shaped. I think the Zeiss fit my hand better so I can hold them more stabily.

The logical side of my brain says to buy the Pentaxs because they really are the deal in this whole group of glasses from what I can tell, but I know myself and if I get them, I'll be revisiting this issue again in a couple years. By then prices will be even higher on Zeiss and Leica stuff.

I thnk getting the Zeiss while there's a deal on them will make me happy for many years when it comes to optics and actually save me money in the long run, because I'll likely never get the "I should have ..." feeling because I didn't get the Leicas. If I got the Pentaxs I think I'd eventually get that feeling.

Wolfie, I gotta say, I love the way you mince words!

AJ: The Victory's have all the modern fearures and are totally competitive with the current Trinovids INHO as far as optics go, but the Classics seem sleeker and more comfortable in the hand to me than either of the newer designs.

Danbo, sounds like you're not blind by any stretch, just missing a depth of field generated by stereo optics.

I've got one more phone call to make to see if I can get a better deal, otherwise it looks like eagleoptics.com will probably get my business. Anyone have any dealings with them?

jmx
 
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