Never looked down a newer Kowa 'scope but used to have an old one which was like looking down a rolled up newspaper But harder to focus properly.
I can assure everyone that the Kowa 883 is every bit as good ,as the equivalent Swarovski and the new eyepiece is probably the widest field of view there is ,The focus is superb and the light gathering, probably the best there is and is ultra sharp. And I have no brand loyalty, or bother with fashion in any way,I just got the best there was after trying them all ,for a very long period, after putting myself off carrying a big scope for about 40 years. Only regret ,I wish I had baught one before I needed Glasses. :) Everyone who looks down my scope when there own has give up due to being dark at the gull roosts ,cannot believe what they can see in the dark with this scope, it makes it look like its still full daylight.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 06:55:10 AM
Craig Higson said
Mon Jan 30 11:39 PM, 2017
Mike Crawley wrote:
Craig Higson wrote:
What is the current fascination with optics companies going for the helical focus (Swarovski, Nikon and now Zeiss) rather than the focus knob on top or slightly off to one side as per Kowa and Leica?
I have, over the last few years, suffered from painful "arthritis" type pains in both my index fingers. The result of many years of rugby and multiple dislocations.
I changed from a Zeiss Diascope 65mm to a Swarovski 65mm due to the extreme ease of focusing even when my fingers are sore in cold weather. My finger problems meant that I was always going to change to helical focussing eventually, just happened a bit sooner than I expected. I find my new 'scope to be absolutely superb.
Never looked down a newer Kowa 'scope but used to have an old one which was like looking down a rolled up newspaper But harder to focus properly.
I'm certain there's a "fashion" element to my 'scope choice as there was with my Swarovski EL and Paramo jacket choices but, hey, it's my money and I suspect that until the next breakthrough in optical technology (if there is ever another) most high end optic choices will be made on the basis of fashion and/or brand loyalty.
Re-reading my post I realised it might not have come across quite as intended so hope it's not brassed anyone off - I certainly didn't mean to make it sound as though people were choosing a scope because a brand was fashionable - as you point out Mike, there are of course many reasons why helical focus (and indeed Swarovski) may be preferred to others. It's just that manufacturers seem to be veering in that direction. I guess what I was wondering is, are they doing that because that's what Swarovski have done, and Swarovski seem to have been 'the' brand in recent years, so just a copy cat response irrespective of why people are buying Swarovski? Or, is that focussing mechanism seen as so much better than the knob style - hence more people purchasing Swarovski than other brands? Nikon were the only other top manufacturer I can recall that also used helical focus and they seem to have dropped right out of the scope market.
In the same way you struggled with the focus on the diascope I can't get to grips with helical focus. I cannot contort my arm and wrist to do it comfortably, so prefer the knob on top! All very personal choice of course, however I share your fashion sense in the jacket department.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 30th of January 2017 11:40:11 PM
Mike Crawley said
Mon Jan 30 10:16 PM, 2017
Craig Higson wrote:
What is the current fascination with optics companies going for the helical focus (Swarovski, Nikon and now Zeiss) rather than the focus knob on top or slightly off to one side as per Kowa and Leica?
I have, over the last few years, suffered from painful "arthritis" type pains in both my index fingers. The result of many years of rugby and multiple dislocations.
I changed from a Zeiss Diascope 65mm to a Swarovski 65mm due to the extreme ease of focusing even when my fingers are sore in cold weather. My finger problems meant that I was always going to change to helical focussing eventually, just happened a bit sooner than I expected. I find my new 'scope to be absolutely superb.
Never looked down a newer Kowa 'scope but used to have an old one which was like looking down a rolled up newspaper But harder to focus properly.
I'm certain there's a "fashion" element to my 'scope choice as there was with my Swarovski EL and Paramo jacket choices but, hey, it's my money and I suspect that until the next breakthrough in optical technology (if there is ever another) most high end optic choices will be made on the basis of fashion and/or brand loyalty.
Craig Higson said
Mon Jan 30 5:16 PM, 2017
What is the current fascination with optics companies going for the helical focus (Swarovski, Nikon and now Zeiss) rather than the focus knob on top or slightly off to one side as per Kowa and Leica? Is it just a fashion thing as seems to have happened with the open bridge design of binoculars? Certainly, in my opinion, the must have bit of kit people seem to be desperate to own in terms of a 'scope is the Swarovski. This seems to be the case irrespective of optical performance - as per John above, last time I looked I found the Kowa to be as good, the original style Zeiss Diascope to be as good and the Leica maybe a touch better, but then I do prefer Leica anyway. I hope it's not the case as I really don't get on with helical focus and when the time comes to replace my trusty Leica I'm hoping I at least have some choice!
Andrew Huyton said
Mon Jan 30 3:30 PM, 2017
Cheers guys appreciate your views, certainly won't be rushing into it now.
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jan 30 10:02 AM, 2017
I Tried one for half an hour against the Kowa 883 and the Swarovski 95 at Conwy RSPB -There was little between the Kowa and the Swarovski- I baught the Kowa has it was £1000 cheaper at £2000 than the Swar has it was on special offer and it was lighter and smaller. The Zeiss was a mile behind both ,and I originally went to buy the Zeiss has I have always had Zeiss Binoculars.The focussing was almost impossible to get spot on sharp, and the overall image was a mile off the other two,it had the feel both in Build and Image quality of a cheaper end scope, nearer to an Opticron HD . for £400 extra at the moment at some places, the Kowa blows it out of the water. Also there is no stay on case available.My opinion only mind,when spending so much on optics its always worth trying them yourself ,so go to Focalpoint or somewhere that has them all in stock. Which Conwy RSPB have and make them set them all up on tripods to compare like I did .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 30th of January 2017 10:05:57 AM
Mike Crawley said
Mon Jan 30 9:01 AM, 2017
Tried one at Birdfair last August, wasn't convinced that it was anything different or better.
I guess that your best bet is finding a supplier near you and have a peak.
Andrew Huyton said
Sun Jan 29 9:52 PM, 2017
Looking to buy a new scope and wondered if anyone had bought or looked at one of these? Surprised to be struggling to find reviews online.
I can assure everyone that the Kowa 883 is every bit as good ,as the equivalent Swarovski and the new eyepiece is probably the widest field of view there is ,The focus is superb and the light gathering, probably the best there is and is ultra sharp. And I have no brand loyalty, or bother with fashion in any way,I just got the best there was after trying them all ,for a very long period, after putting myself off carrying a big scope for about 40 years. Only regret ,I wish I had baught one before I needed Glasses. :) Everyone who looks down my scope when there own has give up due to being dark at the gull roosts ,cannot believe what they can see in the dark with this scope, it makes it look like its still full daylight.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 06:55:10 AM
Re-reading my post I realised it might not have come across quite as intended so hope it's not brassed anyone off - I certainly didn't mean to make it sound as though people were choosing a scope because a brand was fashionable - as you point out Mike, there are of course many reasons why helical focus (and indeed Swarovski) may be preferred to others. It's just that manufacturers seem to be veering in that direction. I guess what I was wondering is, are they doing that because that's what Swarovski have done, and Swarovski seem to have been 'the' brand in recent years, so just a copy cat response irrespective of why people are buying Swarovski? Or, is that focussing mechanism seen as so much better than the knob style - hence more people purchasing Swarovski than other brands? Nikon were the only other top manufacturer I can recall that also used helical focus and they seem to have dropped right out of the scope market.
In the same way you struggled with the focus on the diascope I can't get to grips with helical focus. I cannot contort my arm and wrist to do it comfortably, so prefer the knob on top! All very personal choice of course, however I share your fashion sense in the jacket department.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Monday 30th of January 2017 11:40:11 PM
I have, over the last few years, suffered from painful "arthritis" type pains in both my index fingers. The result of many years of rugby and multiple dislocations.
I changed from a Zeiss Diascope 65mm to a Swarovski 65mm due to the extreme ease of focusing even when my fingers are sore in cold weather. My finger problems meant that I was always going to change to helical focussing eventually, just happened a bit sooner than I expected. I find my new 'scope to be absolutely superb.
Never looked down a newer Kowa 'scope but used to have an old one which was like looking down a rolled up newspaper But harder to focus properly.
I'm certain there's a "fashion" element to my 'scope choice as there was with my Swarovski EL and Paramo jacket choices but, hey, it's my money and I suspect that until the next breakthrough in optical technology (if there is ever another) most high end optic choices will be made on the basis of fashion and/or brand loyalty.
I Tried one for half an hour against the Kowa 883 and the Swarovski 95 at Conwy RSPB -There was little between the Kowa and the Swarovski- I baught the Kowa has it was £1000 cheaper at £2000 than the Swar has it was on special offer and it was lighter and smaller. The Zeiss was a mile behind both ,and I originally went to buy the Zeiss has I have always had Zeiss Binoculars.The focussing was almost impossible to get spot on sharp, and the overall image was a mile off the other two,it had the feel both in Build and Image quality of a cheaper end scope, nearer to an Opticron HD . for £400 extra at the moment at some places, the Kowa blows it out of the water. Also there is no stay on case available.My opinion only mind,when spending so much on optics its always worth trying them yourself ,so go to Focalpoint or somewhere that has them all in stock. Which Conwy RSPB have and make them set them all up on tripods to compare like I did .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 30th of January 2017 10:05:57 AM
I guess that your best bet is finding a supplier near you and have a peak.