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Subject: New Kowa Lens/Scope Prominar System [Print This Page]
Author: fneil    Time: 10/02/2011 07:47     Subject: New Kowa Lens/Scope Prominar System

Kowa have launched their innovative lens/scope combination in Japan and I was lucky enough to be their last week and managed to find all the components that I wanted ( the eyepiece prism was not available at Yodabashi Camera ).  I got the standard 500/5.6 lens, 850/9.6 module (Nikon mount )and the Eyepiece prism.  I got the 25x LER and 20 - 60 zoom eyepieces. I did forget to get the DA10 adapter so I'm using the Swarovski UCA adapter which fits nicely on the Kowa eyepieces and means that I can digiscope with more cameras.
Details of the system can be seen in English here -
http://www.kowa-prominar.com/new/telephoto101103.htm

Of course the lens is Manual Focus only but I have found it easier to use than I thought.  Using the lenses with my D7000 and D3s it seems very well balanced and the tripod foot is long enough to slide for balance and is a standard Manfrotto size so fits my 501 heads. Due to the longer focal length the eyepieces have more magnification than on the 88 mm Kowa scope (they are the same eyepieces ) , so the 25x becomes 28x .
I've given it a good workout over the last few days and I can say the 95 mm objective gives wonderful views out over the mudflats at Mai Po .  I'm seeing similar detail as my Nikon 500/4 but I haven't done a side-by-side test yet.
Here are some photos and there are more here-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/sets/72157625881842899/
The first photo is with the 850 mm, the second with the 500 mm (standard ) and the third with the Eyepiece Prism and 25x LER eyepiece.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5432338380/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5432338154/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5429504712/
Neil
Author: Beetle    Time: 10/02/2011 13:10

It seems that the kowa is better for photography than swarvoski's scopes...But the whole set cost considerably more i believe?
Author: fneil    Time: 23/02/2011 09:57

Yes, the system is more expensive but it is the best scope in the world now.  Better than the Swarovski 80 mm, the Kowa 88mm and the Zeiss 85 mm.
Here are some more from the mudflats this week.
We have a blog going here
http://lensscope.blogspot.com/

Neil

Nikon D7000 and Kowa 850/9.6 lens

Mai Po Nature Reserve,
Hong Kong,
China.
21/02/11

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5470012098/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5470012020/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5470011848/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5469418075/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/5470011530/

[ Last edited by fneil at 23/02/2011 10:03 ]
Author: brendank    Time: 23/02/2011 19:00

It looks like an interesting product but I don't think it could match the resolution of your 500 f/4 lens (which would have a objective diameter of 125 mm vs 90 mm). Additionally, it won't have autofocus or variable aperture. So I suspect for many photographic-minded people, given the substantial cost, it will be better to save up for the additional money needed to purchase a "regular" supertelephoto.

Incidentally, I wish some someone would make a simple image erector for standard telephoto lenses. Nikon made one many years ago and from what I hear it gave great images.  I imagine it would rather simple to construct a basic image erector for telephoto lenses which could accept basic astronomical eyepieces and give great images. Such a device should be relatively cheap to produce.
Author: Beetle    Time: 23/02/2011 20:06

I have the same idea as brendan. The scope looks great in optical quality but it is targeting a limited group of people.

It seems it is a good product for people with need of both a scope for viewing, and also minor photography. The advantage is that you only need to bring one lens to do both telescope viewing and DSLR photgraphy, with limited weight (compared to a 500/4 or 600/4) but excellent optical performance in the focal length it offers.

I have a DSLR and a mobile AF-S 300/4 at the moment, but i would not buy a supertelephoto like 500/4 or 600/4 (which are more than two times the weight and price of the kowa scope). I would like to find a good scope mainly for viewing and I was considering a Swarvoski one, but now the kowa looks a perfect choice for me 'cause I can also use it with DSLR. I have learnt about Kowa's performance in digiscoping and it looks better than swarvoski in terms of accesories and optical performace. The capability of its digiscoping performance would allow great potential for the lens in future.

I would probably get one after i have got the cash and if there are discounts from places like amazon. I look forward to the great photos taken by neil!

[ Last edited by Beetle at 23/02/2011 20:09 ]
Author: 举明    Time: 26/02/2011 10:01

I got the standard 500/5.6 lens, 850/9.6 module (Nikon mount )and the Eyepiece prism too.And my freind CXZ used it (500/5.6) with D300 without tripod.
http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=662340
Author: Godwin-C    Time: 28/02/2011 12:41

Fneil,

Can you tell me the name of the distributor if you shopping in HK. And I would like to know how much it is.

many thanks
Author: fneil    Time: 23/03/2011 12:12

I haven't seen it in Hong Kong yet.  You should check with the distributor.
The lens has variable f stops of 5.6/8/11
More photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/sets/72157625881842899/
Neil
Author: fneil    Time: 23/03/2011 14:56     Subject: More Photos with the Kowa scope

Here is one of the photos with the Kowa 500/5.6
Neil



flower D7000 kw500_DSC8172.jpg by neilfif11

[ Last edited by fneil at 23/03/2011 14:57 ]
Author: fneil    Time: 23/03/2011 15:06

Quote:
Original posted by fneil at 23/03/2011 14:56
Here is one of the photos with the Kowa 500/5.6
Neil



flower D7000 kw500_DSC8172.jpg by neilfif11

rufous tailed robin water D7000 kw500_DSC8005.jpg by neilfif11
Author: fneil    Time: 23/03/2011 15:08

Quote:
Original posted by fneil at 23/03/2011 15:06



rufous tailed robin water D7000 kw500_DSC8005.jpg by neilfif11

japanese white-eye D7000 kw500_DSC8234.jpg by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/7892550@N03/]neilfif11[/url



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