Leica APO-Televid 82
1a6f42d1-78c2-45a8-a704-01b45f73d168
Intriguing, intangible and behind glass at the 2007 Birdfair before making its debut at the same event in 2008, the new star in the optics firmament – Leica’s APO-Televid 82 – eventually arrived in Britain in February this year. It’s been a long time coming, but this scope represents a brand new design packed with the most advanced optics technology and a much publicised hefty price tag – all of which have fuelled the air of high expectation among birders seeking the ultimate in optical excellence.
But why the wait? The pre-production model made available for inspection at last August’s Birdfair was, according to Leica, lacking in absolute refinement and fell short of their goal to deliver the “perfect spotting scope”. In the intervening months, light transmission was further improved and new techniques of gas-filling were employed.
The first review sample of the finished product found its way to me in January, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to put it to the test during the latter part of the winter.
The first thing that that struck me about this scope is its size. Despite its larger objective it is significantly smaller than its predecessor, the angled model measuring only 325 mm in length – approximately 20 per cent shorter than the previous Televid 77 – and it appears to be more compact. Gone, too, is the silver housing; in its place is a sleek, black, tapered magnesium body which is fully protected by rubber armour.
There is also a 20 per cent reduction in weight compared to the previous model and, with the body weighing in at 1,350 g, this product is now one of the lightest top-tier telescopes on the market in relation to its objective size.
The objective lens hood, with the Leica logo inset, is impressively sturdy, but it appears to have been designed to grip the lens housing at its base so as not to extend accidentally. In this respect I found it a little stiff to pull out until it had extended a few millimetres, after which it moved more freely.
The tripod foot is mounted on a ring that rotates a full 360° around the body and click-locks in six equidistant positions. However,
it is possible to secure it at any point on
the body’s circumference by means of a locked-in retaining screw with an expanded plastic head, to facilitate turning between thumb and forefinger.
Perfect balance has been achieved when the eyepiece is in place, with the centre of gravity through the foot, the latter having been designed to the same base specification as a quick release plate (QRP) from a Manfrotto tripod. This is great if you own a Manfrotto tripod as the advantages are clear: the scope clicks straight into the tripod head, so there is no possibility of it working loose from the head or attachment plate or the foot’s screw thread wearing out in the long term.
Leica has not set a precedent here, however, as a similar innovation has previously been introduced by at least one other manufacturer.
Of course, not owning a Manfrotto tripod is not a
show-stopper as the foot connects by conventional means to any tripod, either directly or via a QRP.
A new series of three eyepieces has been designed to complement the range: a 32x wide angle, a 20-60x zoom and a 25-50x wide-angle zoom, which comes as standard. It is worth pointing out, however, that older Televid eyepieces are not compatible with the new range.
Leica’s newly developed interchangeable bayonet system has an integrated, automatic eyepiece lock, which ensures the secure attachment of any of the new eyepieces to the scope body. They are unlocked for release by pressing a button located unobtrusively on the body, at the base of the eyepiece. This system is easy to operate, although the eyepiece is somewhat tight-fitting and not easily moved once in place. Probably a good thing!
To describe the wide-angle zoom as ‘standard’ belies its power and capability, in terms of return of both image quality and field of view. This chunky, heavy-duty eyepiece, with its broadly milled, smooth-turning magnification adjustment, is impressive, especially when compared with what has gone before.
I pitted the 82 directly against the 77 in an attempt to determine the level of improvement. At like-for-like magnification, the difference was obvious and initially most apparent in the brightness of the image. Then came clarity, sharpness and width of field, all of which appear to have been considerably ramped up in the new model.
The ‘extra wide’ field of view has been achieved by restricting the magnification range to between 25x and 50x; the field of view at the lower of these two values is significantly wider than it was at 20x in the Televid 77.
The image stayed sharp throughout the whole of the magnification range, and there appeared to be only a negligible decrease in brightness at higher magnification. The increase in light transmission, brought about in the main by the new fluoride glass lens system and the larger objective, is said by Leica to be at least 6 per cent greater than that of the Televid 77, and I must confess to being hugely impressed by the light-gathering capacity of this scope at low light intensities.
Even in dry habitats, which do not reflect light to the same extent as water does, it performed tremendously well. Using the scope to search for, and ultimately locate, a Bittern at dusk delivered a superb image of a bird in a seemingly artificially illuminated reedbed – yes, it really did appear brighter than the surrounding habitat which was not under the scope’s spotlight.
Commendably, I found the image retained its edge-to-edge sharpness, with only marginal curvature of field at its periphery. It is in this area, however, that chromatic aberration creeps in, being evident, though considerably suppressed, in approximately 15-20 per cent of the depth of circumference of the image.
Although alluded to in retailers’ advertisements and the manufacturer’s literature (‘colour fringe free’), the total elimination of chromatic aberration has not been achieved and remains as elusive as the cure for the common cold. True-to-life colours and a highly acceptable degree of contrast were the other notable attributes of the image, which further enhanced the viewing experience.
Perhaps surprisingly, I did not test the scope in the rain, but the Aquadura water-repellent coating that Leica added to its Ultravid HD binocular range has been applied to this new scope to facilitate cleaning and continued use during adverse weather conditions. The body and eyepiece are nitrogen-filled, rendering the scope fully waterproof to a depth of 5 m.
The main accessory for the scope is a tailored, padded stay-on case, the objective cover of which is cleverly designed with an integral magnetic seam that ensures it stays in position over the lens without any physical means of bonding. This allows ultra quick removal without resorting to clips, Velcro or other means of retention.
The APO-Televid 82 is an astonishingly good product which simply cannot fail to impress – but at a premium. Leica has found itself in the unenviable position of having to introduce the world’s most expensive general birding scope to a potentially depressed optics market brought about by the current economic downturn.
Its purchase requires a significant capital investment over and above that which birders would normally expect to pay for a scope. But the news for Leica and buyers alike is not all bad. Some retailers are already offering buying incentives to purchasers, ranging from free tripods to stay-on cases, and further discounts can no doubt be expected in due course.
Price: £2,590.00, including 25-50x wide angle zoom lens
Size: straight: 310 mm; angled: 325 mm
Weight: body: 1,350 g; 25-50x wide angle zoom: 390 g
Field of view: 41-28 m at 1,000 m
Close focus: 3.9 m
Gas-filled: yes
Waterproof: yes
Guarantee: 10 years
But why the wait? The pre-production model made available for inspection at last August’s Birdfair was, according to Leica, lacking in absolute refinement and fell short of their goal to deliver the “perfect spotting scope”. In the intervening months, light transmission was further improved and new techniques of gas-filling were employed.
The first review sample of the finished product found its way to me in January, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to put it to the test during the latter part of the winter.
The first thing that that struck me about this scope is its size. Despite its larger objective it is significantly smaller than its predecessor, the angled model measuring only 325 mm in length – approximately 20 per cent shorter than the previous Televid 77 – and it appears to be more compact. Gone, too, is the silver housing; in its place is a sleek, black, tapered magnesium body which is fully protected by rubber armour.
There is also a 20 per cent reduction in weight compared to the previous model and, with the body weighing in at 1,350 g, this product is now one of the lightest top-tier telescopes on the market in relation to its objective size.
The objective lens hood, with the Leica logo inset, is impressively sturdy, but it appears to have been designed to grip the lens housing at its base so as not to extend accidentally. In this respect I found it a little stiff to pull out until it had extended a few millimetres, after which it moved more freely.
The tripod foot is mounted on a ring that rotates a full 360° around the body and click-locks in six equidistant positions. However,
it is possible to secure it at any point on
the body’s circumference by means of a locked-in retaining screw with an expanded plastic head, to facilitate turning between thumb and forefinger.
Perfect balance has been achieved when the eyepiece is in place, with the centre of gravity through the foot, the latter having been designed to the same base specification as a quick release plate (QRP) from a Manfrotto tripod. This is great if you own a Manfrotto tripod as the advantages are clear: the scope clicks straight into the tripod head, so there is no possibility of it working loose from the head or attachment plate or the foot’s screw thread wearing out in the long term.
Leica has not set a precedent here, however, as a similar innovation has previously been introduced by at least one other manufacturer.
Of course, not owning a Manfrotto tripod is not a
show-stopper as the foot connects by conventional means to any tripod, either directly or via a QRP.
A new series of three eyepieces has been designed to complement the range: a 32x wide angle, a 20-60x zoom and a 25-50x wide-angle zoom, which comes as standard. It is worth pointing out, however, that older Televid eyepieces are not compatible with the new range.
Leica’s newly developed interchangeable bayonet system has an integrated, automatic eyepiece lock, which ensures the secure attachment of any of the new eyepieces to the scope body. They are unlocked for release by pressing a button located unobtrusively on the body, at the base of the eyepiece. This system is easy to operate, although the eyepiece is somewhat tight-fitting and not easily moved once in place. Probably a good thing!
To describe the wide-angle zoom as ‘standard’ belies its power and capability, in terms of return of both image quality and field of view. This chunky, heavy-duty eyepiece, with its broadly milled, smooth-turning magnification adjustment, is impressive, especially when compared with what has gone before.
I pitted the 82 directly against the 77 in an attempt to determine the level of improvement. At like-for-like magnification, the difference was obvious and initially most apparent in the brightness of the image. Then came clarity, sharpness and width of field, all of which appear to have been considerably ramped up in the new model.
The ‘extra wide’ field of view has been achieved by restricting the magnification range to between 25x and 50x; the field of view at the lower of these two values is significantly wider than it was at 20x in the Televid 77.
The image stayed sharp throughout the whole of the magnification range, and there appeared to be only a negligible decrease in brightness at higher magnification. The increase in light transmission, brought about in the main by the new fluoride glass lens system and the larger objective, is said by Leica to be at least 6 per cent greater than that of the Televid 77, and I must confess to being hugely impressed by the light-gathering capacity of this scope at low light intensities.
Even in dry habitats, which do not reflect light to the same extent as water does, it performed tremendously well. Using the scope to search for, and ultimately locate, a Bittern at dusk delivered a superb image of a bird in a seemingly artificially illuminated reedbed – yes, it really did appear brighter than the surrounding habitat which was not under the scope’s spotlight.
Commendably, I found the image retained its edge-to-edge sharpness, with only marginal curvature of field at its periphery. It is in this area, however, that chromatic aberration creeps in, being evident, though considerably suppressed, in approximately 15-20 per cent of the depth of circumference of the image.
Although alluded to in retailers’ advertisements and the manufacturer’s literature (‘colour fringe free’), the total elimination of chromatic aberration has not been achieved and remains as elusive as the cure for the common cold. True-to-life colours and a highly acceptable degree of contrast were the other notable attributes of the image, which further enhanced the viewing experience.
Perhaps surprisingly, I did not test the scope in the rain, but the Aquadura water-repellent coating that Leica added to its Ultravid HD binocular range has been applied to this new scope to facilitate cleaning and continued use during adverse weather conditions. The body and eyepiece are nitrogen-filled, rendering the scope fully waterproof to a depth of 5 m.
The main accessory for the scope is a tailored, padded stay-on case, the objective cover of which is cleverly designed with an integral magnetic seam that ensures it stays in position over the lens without any physical means of bonding. This allows ultra quick removal without resorting to clips, Velcro or other means of retention.
The APO-Televid 82 is an astonishingly good product which simply cannot fail to impress – but at a premium. Leica has found itself in the unenviable position of having to introduce the world’s most expensive general birding scope to a potentially depressed optics market brought about by the current economic downturn.
Its purchase requires a significant capital investment over and above that which birders would normally expect to pay for a scope. But the news for Leica and buyers alike is not all bad. Some retailers are already offering buying incentives to purchasers, ranging from free tripods to stay-on cases, and further discounts can no doubt be expected in due course.
Price: £2,590.00, including 25-50x wide angle zoom lens
Size: straight: 310 mm; angled: 325 mm
Weight: body: 1,350 g; 25-50x wide angle zoom: 390 g
Field of view: 41-28 m at 1,000 m
Close focus: 3.9 m
Gas-filled: yes
Waterproof: yes
Guarantee: 10 years
