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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1645807" data-attributes="member: 665">Ron,This is true with Holger, he usually says the same thing about every bin, and that's in large part, because he's an amateur astronomer, as evidenced by the fact that when he ranks "image sharpness" at the end of his reviews what he's actually ranking is the sharpness of the image at the bin's edges. To the best of my recollection, the Kowa was the first ED birding bin he has reviewed. I remember how impressed I was with the first ED bin I bought. I've tried about half a dozen now, and while I'm still impressed with the view, it's not the same "Wow! moment" as the first time. As more and more bins employ the use of extra low dispersion glasses, something else (field flatteners?) will be what impresses people. "Wow! Look at the sharp edges on this EL". "I guess you never looked through an SE before, eh?" <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />With the Zen Ray 7x36 Holger said: "The contrast and sharpness are excellent in the central region of the image, a tad superior even to the Docter's, and on a same level with the Nikon EII."I have the EIIs and a good specimen is about as sharp as a bin can get, on par with my SE, so that's high praises for the Zens, concluding in his summary that: "This is a quality binocular, perhaps being the best one among those 'Made in China' glasses which I have tested so far..." Of course, a lot of the article was about the much talked about stray light issue, which has now been fixed with a baffle. Considering the Genesis costs $1,200 and the 7x36 he had cost $400 - a difference of $800 - you could buy three Zen Rays for the price of a Kowa, so it darn well better be impressive!  But if weight is the problem for The Kingfisher, perhaps you should try the ZR ED or Promaster ED if you have no aversions to buying from China. I've tried the Promaster, and the views are very similar to the Nikon LX (which I consider to be one of the best bins I've ever used) but without the CA. I can also recommend the Nikon EDG. Nearly twice the price of the Kowa, but the bin is delightful to hold, particularly if you have large hands. The EDG is not a lightweight (28 oz), but the weight is better distributed compared to a close bridge roof so it "feels its weight" less.</blockquote>

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