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

[Torview]

The more time I spend with these the more impressed I am with them, I wish I`d purchased a pair years ago, I`m struggling to find a negative.

The size, weight, handling, view, build, all Alpha class IMHO.

I got my first piece of Kowa gear last year with a 773, and since then my admiration for the brand has grown.

If Kowa update the 44mm Genesis range I`ll be right at the front of the queue.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

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 $$$$

 

[Torview]

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.

 

[gcole]

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.

I owned the Genesis 33, it might have been slightly better than my Meostar 8x32 B1.1 optically. Now looking back, if I had them side by side the optical differences would have been so slight to my eyes it would have been the easier eye placement of the 8x32 Meostar B1.1 for me to choose the Meostar over the Kowa. Physically if I were a hunter or handling either of the two in an extreme environment outside viewing any kind of wildlife I think that the Meostar would hold up better. I really liked the Kowa, if it had just a few more mm of eye relief I would have kept them. Last summer I compared the view of the Kowa Genesis 8x33 to the Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD, to my eyes they were optically equal.

 

[Torview]

I owned the Genesis 33, it might have been slightly better than my Meostar 8x32 B1.1 optically. Now looking back, if I had them side by side the optical differences would have been so slight to my eyes it would have been the easier eye placement of the 8x32 Meostar B1.1 for me to choose the Meostar over the Kowa. Physically if I were a hunter or handling either of the two in an extreme environment outside viewing any kind of wildlife I think that the Meostar would hold up better. I really liked the Kowa, if it had just a few more mm of eye relief I would have kept them. Last summer I compared the view of the Kowa Genesis 8x33 to the Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD, to my eyes they were optically equal.

I don`t wear glasses so eye relief is rarely a problem for me. I liked the optical prowess of the Meostar generally, but I had to hold the eye cups well away from my eye sockets to avoid blackouts and I found this very tiresome. Also I found the stray light control wanting on the Meopta.

I guess to summarise, the Kowa may be at the bottom of the Alpha 32mm league, but I do believe it to be very much in that league rather than the league below, and at the price I find that extraordinary.


John.

 

[18000bph]

Optics aside, I find the 33mm Genesis to be one of the more attractive binoculars on the market. Not that it matters much when you are using them.

 

[lgguy]

I'm a big fan of the 8.5x44. A little heavier than newer models, but no complaints about the view.

 

[Troubador]

Kowa 8x33 is definitely a gem of a bino that shows Kowa isn't just a scope brand.

Lee

 

[Torview]

Kowa 8x33 is definitely a gem of a bino that shows Kowa isn't just a scope brand.

Lee

Spot on Lee, hopefully more prospective buyers will add them to their shortlist.

 

[jremmons]

I was always concerned with ER on the 8x33, based on other comments, but the 8.5x44 was a real gem and my one true 'seller's remorse' pair of binoculars.

 

[Torview]

I was always concerned with ER on the 8x33, based on other comments, but the 8.5x44 was a real gem and my one true 'seller's remorse' pair of binoculars.

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.

 

[tenex]

If Kowa update the 44mm Genesis range I`ll be right at the front of the queue.

In what respect do the current 44s lag behind the 33s?

Could an owner confirm which direction the Kowa focuser rotates to infinity, whether it's knurled metal as it appears, and whether its action is relatively quick or slow? Thanks.

 

[Canip]

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Could an owner confirm which direction the Kowa focuser rotates to infinity, whether it's knurled metal as it appears, and whether its action is relatively quick or slow? Thanks.

Yes, the Genesis 33 focuser is metal.
Focusing from close to infinity goes clockwise.
The focusing action is relatively fast, about 250 degrees turn from 2m to infinity on my sample.

Canip

 

[Torview]

In what respect do the current 44s lag behind the 33s?

I don`t recall trying them but on spec, weight and fov, the 33s offer parity with Alpha offerings in these two areas.

 

[Troubador]

Yes, the Genesis 33 focuser is metal.
Focusing from close to infinity goes clockwise.
The focusing action is relatively fast, about 250 degrees turn from 2m to infinity on my sample.

Canip

Looking at my records, the focus speed of Kowa 8x33 is:

A bit faster than a Leica Ultravid HD 8x32 and a bit slower than a Leica Trinovid HD 8x32, and a little slower than a Zeiss FL 8x32 and significantly slower than a Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32.

Lee

 

[Canip]

Looking at my records, the focus speed of Kowa 8x33 is:

A bit faster than a Leica Ultravid HD 8x32 and a bit slower than a Leica Trinovid HD 8x32, and a little slower than a Zeiss FL 8x32 and significantly slower than a Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32.

Lee

Tks Lee.

What is in your terminology the difference between "a bit" and "a little" ?

There is obviously a little bit of a difference between the two.
Just for clarification

Canip

 

[Troubador]

Tks Lee.

What is in your terminology the difference between "a bit" and "a little" ?

There is obviously a little bit of a difference between the two.
Just for clarification

Canip

Its a fair question and if I had had more time this morning I would have posted like this:

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

 

[Canip]

Perfect!

 

[Torview]

If anybody interested in the 8x33, LCE has a mint example at just £499, wish these had popped up when I bouht mine.

https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Kowa-Genesis-8x33-Boxed--Stunning_276474.html

 

[[email protected]]

If anybody interested in the 8x33, LCE has a mint example at just £499, wish these had popped up when I bouht mine.

https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Kowa-Genesis-8x33-Boxed--Stunning_276474.html

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!