The Kowa Genesis 33 the best kept secret in premium midsize binoculars. (1 Viewer)

[Torview]

How do you find the edges on the Kowa Genesis 8x33? I tried one once and the edges were a little too soft for me. Have they made any changes in them? Thanks!

No idea if they have changed them, I doubt it, to be honest I rarely look at the extreme edges except for overall assessment but in use I don`t see any real softness the way I do in an 8x32 Fl for example, I think you`d have to be an edge obsessive to complain.

Non issue here IMHO.

 

[Patriot222]

Amount of rotation of focus wheel to refocus from subject 4km / 2.5miles away to another subject 2m/6ft away:

Kowa Genesis 8x33 0.75 turns approx
Leica Ultravid HD 8x32 0.85 turns approx
Leica Trinovid HD 8x32 0.70 turns approx
Zeiss FL 8x32 0.65 turns approx
Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 0.50 turns approx.

Howzat?

Lee

I love this! Thanks Lee.

 

[Patriot222]

The Genesis series of binoculars are way better than their price suggests and they get so little appreciation. A binocular that is every bit as good as a Swarovski SLC for much less $$$$

They are Doug, what amazes me is that you have to compare them to binoculars at twice or more the price, its a long time since I tried a 32mm Conquest HD, or Trinovid HD, but from memory the Kowa performs to a higher level, I did own a 32mm Meostar B1, and for me they can`t quite equal the Genesis either.

Just a friendly observation but it seems like the prices are significantly more competitive than "twice or more the price." Doug as well, mentions that the Kowa is much less, which to his credit is fairly subjective. Below is the current pricing at Cameraland..

Genesis 8.5x44 $1350
SLC 8x42 $1549

Genesis 10.5x44 $1500
SLC 10x42 $1599

Genesis 8x33 $1150
CL 8x30 $1229

Not to completely minimize price differences of $100-200 but I would consider these models to be roughly the same price point, especially if you look at them from the standpoint of a percentage. Given the small difference, perhaps other considerations like resale or warranty come into play? Just thinking out loud. I have no experience with the larger Genesis models, only the 8x22. I also have experience with the new CL models so I'd be curious to hear about any comparisons between the Genesis 33 and new CL's.

I'm enjoying the thread. Thanks for the thoughts and info!

 

[Torview]

Hi Patriot,

For me, and I`v owned pretty much everything but the Noctivid, and can only compare the 33 Genesis, what is remarkable is IMHO they can be compared to 32mm SV, UVHD+, Victory Fl and Edg rather than Meostar Cl etc, other people may have a very different opinion of course.

 

[[email protected]]

I have had both the Genesis 8x33 and the CL 8x30. I liked the CL a little better for it's smaller size and weight, less distortion and sharper edges. The Genesis 8x33 has the advantage of a bigger FOV and less CA especially on the edges but's it's edges were a little soft IMO. A good way to compare each binocular if you can't actually test them yourself is Allbino's because you can look at the thing's that are important to you. If CA and a bigger FOV is important to you get the Kowa. If sharp edges and a smaller size and weight are more important get the CL. It depends on your preference's.

https://www.allbinos.com/1892-Swarovski_CL_Companion_8x30_B-binoculars_specifications.html
https://www.allbinos.com/182-binoculars_review-Kowa_Genesis_8x33.html
https://www.allbinos.com/allbinos_ranking-binoculars_ranking-8x32.html

 

[18000bph]

Just a friendly observation but it seems like the models that the Genesis would be compared to, are significantly more competitively priced than suggested. Doug also, mentions that the Kowa is much less, which to his credit is fairly subjective. Below is the current pricing at Cameraland..

Genesis 8.5x44 $1350
SLC 8x42 $1549

Genesis 10.5x44 $1500
SLC 10x42 $1599

Genesis 8x33 $1150
CL 8x30 $1229

Not to completely minimize price differences of $100-200 but I would consider these models to be roughly the same price point, especially if you look at them from the standpoint of a percentage. Given the small difference, perhaps other considerations like resale or warranty come into play? Just thinking out loud. I have no experience with the larger Genesis models, only the 8x22. I also have experience with the new CL models so I'd be curious to hear about any comparisons between the Genesis 33 and new CL's.

I'm enjoying the thread. Thanks for the thoughts and info!

The Genesis 8x33 currently sells for $1000 on the usual online outlets. If you look around or are patient enough for Kowa's seasonal markdown events you can often even beat that by a bit (Doug might be able to help). Current advertised pricing for 8x32 UV HD+ is $1900, Victory FL is $1900, and EL is $2200. Those models are also rarely advertised at sale pricing.

To be clear, I'm not saying that the Genesis compares to these models or not, but the discussion was regarding alpha glass and the pricing is pretty much double for those models.

 

[jgraider]

If the Genesis and Swaro competing models are roughly the same price, 95% of the time buyers will choose Swaro, guaranteed. I would too.

 

[18000bph]

How do you find the edges on the Kowa Genesis 8x33? I tried one once and the edges were a little too soft for me. Have they made any changes in them? Thanks!

Edge to edge sharpness of the 8x33 Genesis is poor. They have a greater degree of blur outside of the sweet spot than anything else I own including the budget Celeston Nature DX 10x42.

Initially it was a major disappointment for me as edge to edge sharpness is one of those tests you can do immediately when trying a new binocular. I came to realize that it has no effect on the binoculars during normal use and the view is otherwise spectacular so it no longer bothers me. However, I do think the poor edge to edge performance should disqualify the binocular from the "alpha minus" status that many seem to feel it deserves.

 

[mwhogue]

I`m unsure if I`v tried the 44mm models, but the 10.5x44 sounds interesting for use at the coast or estuaries for more distant Birds.

Torview,

IMO the 10.5 is a great choice for use on the coast because it handles difficult lighting conditions better than SW SV, UV HD+, FL and EDG. The extra .5 mag is noticeable and the extra weight helps me hold them as steady as any 10x42 or 50.

Mike

 

[Troubador]

Edge to edge sharpness of the 8x33 Genesis is poor. They have a greater degree of blur outside of the sweet spot than anything else I own including the budget Celeston Nature DX 10x42.

Initially it was a major disappointment for me as edge to edge sharpness is one of those tests you can do immediately when trying a new binocular. I came to realize that it has no effect on the binoculars during normal use and the view is otherwise spectacular so it no longer bothers me. However, I do think the poor edge to edge performance should disqualify the binocular from the "alpha minus" status that many seem to feel it deserves.

IMHO the Kowa's chromatic aberration control on top of its other qualities elevates it to alpha-minus status. While a sharp edge is the preference of many today I doubt whether many lifers are identified by examining them at the field edge so personally I don't consider sharp edges as being a critical requirement, only a desirable one.

Lee

 

[Canip]

Edge to edge sharpness of the 8x33 Genesis is poor. They have a greater degree of blur outside of the sweet spot than anything else I own including the budget Celeston Nature DX 10x42.

Initially it was a major disappointment for me as edge to edge sharpness is one of those tests you can do immediately when trying a new binocular. I came to realize that it has no effect on the binoculars during normal use and the view is otherwise spectacular so it no longer bothers me. However, I do think the poor edge to edge performance should disqualify the binocular from the "alpha minus" status that many seem to feel it deserves.

I see it exactly the same way.
Canip

 

[Torview]

With no desire to be argumentative, and in the interest of discussion are we to judge the 8x32 Victory fl as no longer an Alpha ?, its edges are significantly less sharp than the Genesis for me.

 

[daveman]

Hi the kowa 8x33 for sale at the LCE has just been delivered, I read the post on Tuesday evening and contacted them by email, I have the Conquest HD 8x32 but my wife tends to use them when we go out and I use FL 10x42 which is fantastic but a bit to big and bulky at times, the HD is excellent, the Kowa is one I considered before buying the HD off a Birdforum member for a great price four years ago, so let’s hope this bargain is as good, a quick look through them and they are very impressive, I’ll give them a good test at the weekend up the Northumberland coast,
Regards Dave.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi the kowa 8x33 for sale at the LCE has just been delivered, I read the post on Tuesday evening and contacted them by email, I have the Conquest HD 8x32 but my wife tends to use them when we go out and I use FL 10x42 which is fantastic but a bit to big and bulky at times, the HD is excellent, the Kowa is one I considered before buying the HD off a Birdforum member for a great price four years ago, so let’s hope this bargain is as good, a quick look through them and they are very impressive, I’ll give them a good test at the weekend up the Northumberland coast,
Regards Dave.

I’d be interested in your comparison against the HD Dave.

Rich

 

[jgraider]

The dreaded "rolling ball" in my 10x Genesis was way worse than any SV I've ever seen. I'm not susceptible to it either, at all, but it was very evident in the one I had.

 

[Torview]

. The Kowa has some of the softest edges I have seen outside of low end MIC binocular's.

https://www.allbinos.com/182-binoculars_review-Kowa_Genesis_8x33.html
https://www.allbinos.com/191-binoculars_review-Carl_Zeiss_Victory_8x32_T*_FL.html

I can hardly type for laughing.

 

[Torview]

I’d be interested in your comparison against the HD Dave.

Rich

Me too.

 

[Torview]

My main reason for starting this thread was as somebody who has had a lot of nice binoculars and wanted to share how great I find this offering from Kowa. I know there are many guests who read these pages looking for opinions about optics, and I`m sure they have formed their opinions about posters and what value they personally place in what is written.

Anybody looking for a really good view who is`nt considering an Alpha offering for what ever reason may have overlooked the Genesis. And that is a real shame, I was using it last evening watching Cuckoos and Redstarts and not for one second did I feel I was missing out in relation to my SF.

 

[mwhogue]

The dreaded "rolling ball" in my 10x Genesis was way worse than any SV I've ever seen. I'm not susceptible to it either, at all, but it was very evident in the one I had.

I'm not arguing about what you saw with your eyes, I don't doubt it a bit. Like you I do definitely notice rolling ball in several SVs, and it doesn't bother me either. But I cannot induce any rolling ball in the 10.5x44. I just tried to do so intentionally. None.

Anyone have any way to account for this disparity? While it's understandable that rolling ball may not bother some, how could some people see this and others (at least me) not see it at all in the same model bin? As I understand it RB is the result of some combination of design characteristics not the result a flaw in a particular unit.

Mike

 

[Troubador]

I'm not arguing about what you saw with your eyes, I don't doubt it a bit. Like you I do definitely notice rolling ball in several SVs, and it doesn't bother me either. But I cannot induce any rolling ball in the 10.5x44. I just tried to do so intentionally. None.

Anyone have any way to account for this disparity? While it's understandable that rolling ball may not bother some, how could some people see this and others (at least me) not see it at all in the same model bin? As I understand it RB is the result of some combination of design characteristics not the result a flaw in a particular unit.

Mike

Mike

Rolling Ball is a weird thing. It would be true to say it doesn't bother me because most of the time I just don't see it. I don't see it in Swaro ELs or Zeiss SFs.

I have seen it once in a scope/eyepiece combo which some folks have reported can show RB but most of the way through field work with this scope I didn't see it until a bird arrived at some distance away on a lake and in my hurry to align the scope up on the new arrival I panned it while it was still focused on the distance I had previously been looking at. So I had the usual blurry image of an unfocused optic and as I panned I saw this strange distortion pattern affect the whole unfocused view. Yes there was the dreaded RB. I got the scope lined up and focused on the bird and made my observations. When finished I focused on part of the scene and panned the scope from side to side at the same speed I had used before and I couldn't see the effect in the focused image.

I don't look too closely for RB because I don't want to train myself to see it. If it ever leaps out of an optic and obviously screws with the view then I will know I have a problem with that optic. For now, I don't see it and am glad.

Lee