Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/02/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 05:31 AM 2/29/2008, Vick Ko wrote: > >I'm thinking of getting a new set of binoculars, general usage and >birdwatching. What's top quality - the little red dot from Leica? > >Are there other "cult'ish" brands to look at, like Docter, Swarovski, >... that combine superb quality, outlandish price and "pride of >ownership (okay, snob appeal)? Vick I have a slew of binoculars and use them regularly. The absolutely finest pair I own are Docter 10x,40 Asphericals but these are no longer manufactured. The Docter 7x,40 EDF roof-prism glasses are also extraordinary. In general terms, Zeiss, Leica, and Pentax hold the high ground for optical and build quality and for price. The next level is Swarovski, Optolyth, and Docter. And then comes Nikon, Canon, and Swift. Zeiss no longer uses the Hensoldt brand but used glasses often show up which are quite nice. And Wild in Switzerland also occasionally produces great binoculars. All of these guys produce outstanding binoculars. Part of the trick is figuring out exactly what you need and doing that delicate calculus of quality versus price. A good low-end choice would be a pair of the Russian 8x30 clones of the Carl Zeiss Jena binoculars. These are new production, are of sound mechanical quality and outstanding optical performance and can generally be had for $100 or so. And you can often pick up a pair of Carl Zeiss 10x,40 Classic glasses used for under $400 -- these are the binoculars which routinely score with heavy-duty users as the "second-most desired" binoculars. I would recommend you visit the Deutsche Optik web site. They are a San Diego outfit who specialize in high-end optics. Marc msmall@aya.yale.edu Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!