Kowa Lens/scope combo (1 Viewer)

Neil · Feb 6, 2011

I was in Tokyo last week and found the new Kowa Lens/scope combo so bought it. I got it with the Nikon mount as standard (500/5.6) and the optional 850/9.3 lens, with the eyepiece prism and the 25x ler and 20-60 zoom.
Haven't tested it yet but will be taking it into the field tomorrow.
Neil

Hong Kong,
China.
Feb 2011

RJM · Feb 6, 2011

Way too many toys my friend! Sorry I missed you on this trip.

Rick

JBT · Feb 6, 2011

VERY NICE! I can't wait to hear how it performs. If you ever consider selling please let me know.

eenymac · Feb 6, 2011

Looking forward to a good field report and sample images.
The images I have seen so far taken with this lens are very good indeed, but it's the overall system that holds the attraction.

Edit to add... I wonder when we'll see any price and availability outside of Japan, or are they just testing the waters with a limited market launch first?

frank.e.oy · Feb 7, 2011

Kowa Teleohoto Lens Scope

This german site shows details and retail prices:

http://www.orniwelt.de/Spektive/Kowa/Kowa-Telephoto-Lens-Scope

Frank

eenymac · Feb 7, 2011

Thanks Frank

Phew! More than I thought and about 1/3 more than the 500mm kit cost I saw on a Japanese site!

Might have to sell a spare camera body, spotting scope and a zoom lens to help pay for this puppy - or a Kidney and have money to spare for the Prism unit and a couple of eyepieces too! :eek!:

Neil · Feb 7, 2011

I went out to test the lens/scope today. What fun.
I mostly used the 25x LER eyepiece for digiscoping but most of the subjects were too close to zoom the lenses out to reduce eliminate vignetting so you will see some . I'll post the photos to Flickr but here is one of the first ones.
I was very happy with the way the lens/scope handled although the focusing wheel is the opposite to what I'm used to. The tripod foot is compatible with Manfrotto so slips easily onto my 501 head and is long enough for adjustments to balance with different cameras. The switching in and out of various attachements is quick too although it might be difficult if you were walking around and trying to do it as the bits a too large to fit in a pocket.
It's nice and bright to look through .
I haven't done any comparison shots yet as that may be difficult to do but I can compare shots taken on different days so I'll do that soon.
The attached photos are typical of what I've been taking lately with various cameras at a distance of about 7 meters.
The photo is taken using the Nikon D7000 DSLR using the 500 mm standard module. MF as a normal telephoto setup with Aperture Priority.
Photo 2 is an original and Photo 3 is the reduced , adjusted version.
Photo 4 is from the P6000.
Neil

Nikon P7000/P6000 and Kowa lens/scope with Kowa 25x LER eyepiece and Swarovski UCA adapter

Nikon D7000 and Kowa 500/5.6 lens

Hong Kong,
China.
Feb 2011
Neil

Paul Hackett · Feb 7, 2011

Was sent this link from one of my Japanese Digiscoping Friends Nobu

You need "google Translate" to get the english !

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/date_lens/20110204_424620.html

plenty of pictures to look at and if you do read the english translation you can make sense out of it

Paul

JBT · Feb 8, 2011

Am I reading this correctly that the master lens alone cost $4500?!!!!

eenymac · Feb 8, 2011

JBT said:
Am I reading this correctly that the master lens alone cost $4500?!!!!

Must be some real hefty import duties and taxes being applied here as the Japanese site I see this advertised on has a price of 254,000Yen for the Master lens + 500mm adapter. That equates to around $3,100 USD!
Or, just under €2,300 EUR, as oposed to the €3,600 EUR quoted on the German site. :eek!:

Neil · Feb 8, 2011

eenymac said:
Must be some real hefty import duties and taxes being applied here as the Japanese site I see this advertised on has a price of 254,000Yen for the Master lens + 500mm adapter. That equates to around $3,100 USD!
Or, just under €2,300 EUR, as oposed to the €3,600 EUR quoted on the German site. :eek!:

Yes, you are. The standard kit is Master/500mm version and everything else is extra with the prism for eyepieces the next most expensive.
I
Neil.

Neil · Feb 8, 2011

I took the kit with me out to Mai Po Wetlands today and to test it out over distance.
Here are a few taken from 25 - 400 metres ( the Imperial Eagle ). The first Grey Heron with the 500mm standard lens, the second , third and fourth photos with the 800mm ( Nikon D7000 )and the eagle with the 20-60zoom eyepiece at 60x.
It performed well and I even managed to get some flight shots in focus.
Neil

eenymac · Feb 8, 2011

WOW! That first Heron shot is superb at 500mm FL, especially looking at the lighting levels which seem a bit low. Even the 850mm shots are very good indeed, and well done on the BIF shots, very good for a manual focus lens.

Du Nok · Feb 8, 2011

Kowa Lens/Scope

Here in Malaysia, the retail price of the 500mm F5.6 Standard Kit set (Master Lens/Mount Adapter"TX10"/Lens Hood"TP-100LH"/Objective Cap/Mount Adapter Cover/Mount Lens Cover/Camera Mount Cover/Sight) is around MYR8k plus shipping.

Contact me offiline if you wish to know more details.

Jason

Neil said:
Yes, you are. The standard kit is Master/500mm version and everything else is extra with the prism for eyepieces the next most expensive.
I
Neil.

Neil · Feb 11, 2011

Here are a few more taken over the last few days. I'm more and more impressed with the quality of this lens. I would be interested in a wider FOV eyepiece so I'll look into other eyepieces in the Kowa range.
The first three photos are with the 500/5.6, the fourth with the 850/9.6 and the last digiscoped with the 25x LER eyepiece.
Neil

Neil · Feb 12, 2011

As a comparison the first photo is the mudflats from the hide out in Deep Bay which is the "no-man's land " between Hong Kong and China. The second is digiscoped (60x) and the third is with the 850/9.6 module.
Neil

Nikon P6000 and Kowa lens/scope and Kowa 20-60x (60x) and Swarovski UCA adapter

Nikon D7000 and Kowa 850/9.6 lens

Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
Feb 2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/sets/72157625881842899/

Jaff · Feb 13, 2011

Neil said:
Here are a few more taken over the last few days. I'm more and more impressed with the quality of this lens. I would be interested in a wider FOV eyepiece so I'll look into other eyepieces in the Kowa range.
The first three photos are with the 500/5.6, the fourth with the 850/9.6 and the last digiscoped with the 25x LER eyepiece.
Neil

Ace shots Neil. The quality of the product cannot be questioned, the price however...

Anyway, the 25x is as wide as it gets for Kowa eyepieces.

Jaff · Feb 13, 2011

Neil said:
As a comparison the first photo is the mudflats from the hide out in Deep Bay which is the "no-man's land " between Hong Kong and China. The second is digiscoped (60x) and the third is with the 850/9.6 module.
Neil

Nikon P6000 and Kowa lens/scope and Kowa 20-60x (60x) and Swarovski UCA adapter

Nikon D7000 and Kowa 850/9.6 lens

Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
Feb 2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/sets/72157625881842899/

Completely off topic but I'm just amazed at how many birds I recognise in that picture cos they occur here too!

Paul Hackett · Feb 13, 2011

Jaff said:
Ace shots Neil. The quality of the product cannot be questioned, the price however...

Anyway, the 25x is as wide as it gets for Kowa eyepieces.

Adam

What about the old Kowa 20X eyepiece i have heard about with an adapter that can make it fit into the 883/4 scope? i believe it gives you a true 22x-23x optical zoom on the 883/4 combo, finding out these little nuggets of info is not easy as we both know

Regards

Paul

Neil · Feb 13, 2011

Paul Hackett said:
Adam

What about the old Kowa 20X eyepiece i have heard about with an adapter that can make it fit into the 883/4 scope? i believe it gives you a true 22x-23x optical zoom on the 883/4 combo, finding out these little nuggets of info is not easy as we both know

Regards

Paul

Paul,
What about modifying a Swarovski eyepiece. I have a spare 25x LER so could I switch the mounts?
Neil

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