What model scope is this? (1 Viewer)

[Kentuckienne]

I can’t figure it out despite searching. It’s an old Kowa I purchased used because I need an inexpensive, lightweight scope to watch nesting birds. Since the nest doesn’t move, I don’t mind the extra time needed to set it up. But I might want to buy additional accessories like eyepieces and phone/camera adapters and need a model number to check compatibility. Unless this is so old that there are no accessories.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Forgot to attach pics…

 

[paddyluke]

looks like it's a KOWA TS-8 as seen here

KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope

***Sehr selten*** KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope / ROTER RING /...,KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope in Hessen - Villmar

www.kleinanzeigen.de

 

[Kentuckienne]

looks like it's a KOWA TS-8 as seen here

KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope

***Sehr selten*** KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope / ROTER RING /...,KOWA TS-8 / TS-M Spektiv / Beobachtungs-Fernrohr / Spotting Scope in Hessen - Villmar

www.kleinanzeigen.de

That looks a lot like my scope. Does anyone know if there are serial numbers? There’s no number on the focusing eyepiece, and the ring that retains the front lens is stamped TS-3•4•8. Kowa’s website is no help, the link to historic scopes no longer works.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Paddyluke, thank you for the hint. I think you are right. I found an Italian website with more details - looks like this scope is from 1979 and was also marketed as TS-M. I’ve also got an email to Kowa and maybe they will provide some information. I’ll attach the deets for anyone else searching, and move on to cleaning/repair…

Storia Cannocchiali Kowa | Kowa Sport Optics Italia

Tradizione e sviluppo sono le chiavi del successo della Kowa Sport Optics. Anni di ricerca ed innovazione per prodotti ottici di alta gamma e dalle eccellenti performance.

kowa-sportoptics.it

 

[Kentuckienne]

I emailed Kowa and they responded the same day, which is marvelous customer support. They wrote “The model you have is the TS-8. It is a 50mm compact scope that was produced from 1979 – 1984.” They also confirmed that no current accessories work with it, so maybe I can find some vintage eye-pieces for it. Thanks everyone for all the input!

 

[2Gunns]

I emailed Kowa and they responded the same day, which is marvelous customer support. They wrote “The model you have is the TS-8. It is a 50mm compact scope that was produced from 1979 – 1984.” They also confirmed that no current accessories work with it, so maybe I can find some vintage eye-pieces for it. Thanks everyone for all the input!

That looks a lot like the generation of my spotting scope, vintage, newly acquired.

I unscrewed my Eyepiece which, to me optically is excellent, however there was a slight must smell.

After detaching said EP it was cong from the interior cavity which holds the prism. I'll make a new post/thread discussing this vintage Kowa, which is in beautiful shape imho.

What I concern about is if said musty smell could or would develop any further.

I purchased mine on ebay from a seller communication was great in happy.

What I noticed is that most selling claims that the scopes have no fungal growth?! Or balsam, I think that is the glue gasket grease? Leakage onto the actual lenses.

Thus my concern about said smell.

Being in Japan as much as it is portrayed as immaculate and it is... What you don't become aware of is the humidity it is tropical!!!!

Just a thought or two

Here is my example I'm still trying to figure out what mine is and need to get the numbers off of the undercarriage focus knob. Other than the red ring which indicates some kind of difference of optics compared to a green ring? I think..... And the standard riveted Kowa logo there are no other ID'ing features.

Of course the EP is 25x for the 1 and 2 series and I think 20x for the 3 series scopes.

 

[Alexis Powell]

...I noticed is that most selling claims that the scopes have no fungal growth?! Or balsam, I think that is the glue gasket grease?...

Balsam isn't grease, it's a natural cement used to join doublet lens elements.

If you don't have any fungus on the glass or any obvious related optical issues, I wouldn't worry. Let it air out and keep it in low-humidity storage.

--AP

 

[2Gunns]

Balsam isn't grease, it's a natural cement used to join doublet lens elements.

If you don't have any fungus on the glass or any obvious related optical issues, I wouldn't worry. Let it air out and keep it in low-humidity storage.

--AP

Thank you AP just what I was interested to know!

I did detach the EP and let it and the scope "air out"

In care and maintenence....regardinf this "airing out" what to concern about with the open casing of the scope body?

Just throw some cheesecloth or some kind of nonshedding but breathable material over top?

In the off chance that dust or a hair gets in the casing can I just blow it out.... If things get dicey should I start thinking down the path of super pure alcohol?

 

[Kentuckienne]

My scope has some faint spotting on the inside of the lens, which worried me but doesn’t seem to affect the image. It’s too close to affect the focus when taking pictures, and I only use it in bright light. If there was a way to clean the inside glass without damaging the scope I would try it, though. Is there?

Here is a picture taken using a smartphone attached to the scope. Meaning: shaky, little control of focus area or depth of field, color and contrast not great. But the whole purpose of the scope was to look at this nest, so I’m happy.

 

[2Gunns]

My scope has some faint spotting on the inside of the lens, which worried me but doesn’t seem to affect the image. It’s too close to affect the focus when taking pictures, and I only use it in bright light. If there was a way to clean the inside glass without damaging the scope I would try it, though. Is there?

Here is a picture taken using a smartphone attached to the scope. Meaning: shaky, little control of focus area or depth of field, color and contrast not great. But the whole purpose of the scope was to look at this nest, so I’m happy.

Nice picture!

How far away from there are you?
What scope do you have?
What phone and lens if there are multiple was used?

Just an observation, no pun intended but people never seem to include there estimated distance to the target, which to me seems like an important factor in the whole scheme of birdwatching and it's subsequent photography.
Everyone includes an date, location, bird type, the gear used scope /binos, and things like that but for the strangest reason and maybe I just haven't been around long enough nobody ever seems to say oh at this "distance" I veiwed/pictured the bird.
Strange to me.

2Gunns