Kowa Genesis 8x33 & BD II 6.5x32 XD
Kowa’s Genesis looks smoothly confident to me, smart and with its dark metallic focus wheel, sophisticated too. But it is not without its quirks because the dioptre adjuster is in gloss black that contrasts with the eyecup above it due to its smooth, texture-less surface, and contrasts with the optical tube below it due to its colour. This latter contrast means that the left-hand optical tube has a larger green area than the right-hand and looks longer. This gives the model a lop-sided look that is either clumsy, or quirkily attractive, depending on your point of view. On the face of it the smaller, more dumpy-looking BD II has at least learned how to dress properly with the presence of the dioptre ring softened by being the same shade of green the armour. Not only is there no lop-sided impression, but the silver-metallic focus wheel is balanced nicely by the similarly finished tripod-socket cover. All of which looks more cohesive and well-considered than the exterior of the Genesis. Except for one thing. Around the back of the little 6.5x32 are two large, square strap lugs that look robust enough to support a 56mm monster. You can just see one in the photo showing both models and they are in stark contrast to the discrete, smoothly curved components on the Genesis. Nitpicking aside these two models do complement each other and are pleasing to handle.
Meopta MeoStar B1 8x42 and 8x32
Although I now look on these two models with affection, my first reaction a few years ago, was distaste at the array of spots on the upper parts of the optical tubes. At least that was my impression from photographs, but in the flesh at BirdFair, they seemed very different. The overall outlines of the two barrels seemed similar to Leica’s BA/BN, and the low-profile eyecups were quite unlike any others I have ever seen. The 42 and 32 were easy to distinguish due to the flat area adjacent to the hinge on the 42 having a downward sweeping edge at both top and bottom, whereas on the 32 the bottom of the flat area was finished with a straight edge at 90 degrees to the optical axis. Around the back, both models had discrete low-profile strap lugs, with recesses in the armour underneath them to make room for the strap. I now think they have a unique creative confidence which is refreshing.
Opticron Traveller BGA ED & Imagic BGA VHD
Opticron’s Traveller BGA ED is dressed in no-nonsense black armour, with matching rings under the eyecups that create a symmetry, so that the dioptre adjuster doesn’t offend the eye. Smoothly armoured with parallel-sided optical tubes they have an elegance I find very pleasing.
On the other hand, the Imagic BGA VHD comes with a flamboyant flourish of a crease diagonally across both optical tubes, which, on first sight I thought was something of an anomaly. Then I saw an actress called Mario Bello in an episode of NCIS and her prominent cheekbones, and the crease caused by her radiant smile, immediately reminded me of the Imagics. Clearly I need to get out more.
So now whenever I look at the Imagic I see a smile, conversely, when I now look at Mario Bello, I don’t think about binoculars. I blame it on Covid-19 isolating.
Lee
Kowa’s Genesis looks smoothly confident to me, smart and with its dark metallic focus wheel, sophisticated too. But it is not without its quirks because the dioptre adjuster is in gloss black that contrasts with the eyecup above it due to its smooth, texture-less surface, and contrasts with the optical tube below it due to its colour. This latter contrast means that the left-hand optical tube has a larger green area than the right-hand and looks longer. This gives the model a lop-sided look that is either clumsy, or quirkily attractive, depending on your point of view. On the face of it the smaller, more dumpy-looking BD II has at least learned how to dress properly with the presence of the dioptre ring softened by being the same shade of green the armour. Not only is there no lop-sided impression, but the silver-metallic focus wheel is balanced nicely by the similarly finished tripod-socket cover. All of which looks more cohesive and well-considered than the exterior of the Genesis. Except for one thing. Around the back of the little 6.5x32 are two large, square strap lugs that look robust enough to support a 56mm monster. You can just see one in the photo showing both models and they are in stark contrast to the discrete, smoothly curved components on the Genesis. Nitpicking aside these two models do complement each other and are pleasing to handle.
Meopta MeoStar B1 8x42 and 8x32
Although I now look on these two models with affection, my first reaction a few years ago, was distaste at the array of spots on the upper parts of the optical tubes. At least that was my impression from photographs, but in the flesh at BirdFair, they seemed very different. The overall outlines of the two barrels seemed similar to Leica’s BA/BN, and the low-profile eyecups were quite unlike any others I have ever seen. The 42 and 32 were easy to distinguish due to the flat area adjacent to the hinge on the 42 having a downward sweeping edge at both top and bottom, whereas on the 32 the bottom of the flat area was finished with a straight edge at 90 degrees to the optical axis. Around the back, both models had discrete low-profile strap lugs, with recesses in the armour underneath them to make room for the strap. I now think they have a unique creative confidence which is refreshing.
Opticron Traveller BGA ED & Imagic BGA VHD
Opticron’s Traveller BGA ED is dressed in no-nonsense black armour, with matching rings under the eyecups that create a symmetry, so that the dioptre adjuster doesn’t offend the eye. Smoothly armoured with parallel-sided optical tubes they have an elegance I find very pleasing.
On the other hand, the Imagic BGA VHD comes with a flamboyant flourish of a crease diagonally across both optical tubes, which, on first sight I thought was something of an anomaly. Then I saw an actress called Mario Bello in an episode of NCIS and her prominent cheekbones, and the crease caused by her radiant smile, immediately reminded me of the Imagics. Clearly I need to get out more.
So now whenever I look at the Imagic I see a smile, conversely, when I now look at Mario Bello, I don’t think about binoculars. I blame it on Covid-19 isolating.
Lee
