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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. J

    ED50 compared with Kowa 553 ?

    I heard MM4 is pretty good. If possible try side by side comparisons. Scopes at these prices range don’t vary too much so sometimes only side by side can tell. Everyone has different eyes and preference so find one fits you.
  2. J

    ED50 compared with Kowa 553 ?

    I am OP who asked the question. I finally bought a 553. The image of 553 is definitely an upgrade from ED50. Resolution and color is top notch. The 553 zoom eyepieces does have narrow FOV at 15x as others said. But it doesn’t bother me since I like zoom for convenience in the field. Besides 553...
  3. J

    ED82 and Astro eps?

    Second Alexis. I used to have ED82, the narrow socket is not possible for most 1.25 inch astro EP to fit and reach infinity focus. Jay
  4. J

    In praise of small scopes

    Hi Hermann, I used to have all Nikon Fieldscope WA and DS eyepieces (except 40X DS ) over 12 years. Wide eyepieces, especially 16X DS and 20x WA, are phenomenal on ED50. But I found the MC2 zoom has better optical performance regarding resolution and color saturation. Also, I like zoom for the...
  5. J

    In praise of small scopes

    Similar experience. I have ED50 with McII 13-40x zoom and compared side-by-side with 553 in the field. I would say that at the same magnification two scopes difference is “discernible “. My ED50 is a good copy which was validated over years in the field by other birders. But 553 has revealed a...
  6. J

    883

    I suggest ordering 883 from vendors with good return policy. Compare with your present scopes (if any) side by side. If you like it, keep it. Every manufacturer makes cherry and lemon products. And everyone’s eyes are different. IMO, decision is personal and subjective.
  7. J

    Any customer review of new tsn-99?

    Thank you for sharing your experience and photos! I will definitely try TE80 once I have a chance!
  8. J

    Buying a new scope (Kowa 883 or Nikon Monarch ED82)...

    My Fieldscope ED82 as sharp as Swarovski atx 85. ED82 is an amazing scope, isn’t it?
  9. J

    Any customer review of new tsn-99?

    Looks great. How is the TE80 visual observations comparing to TE-11z? Resolution and CA? Thank you
  10. J

    Buying a new scope (Kowa 883 or Nikon Monarch ED82)...

    Hi Kingfisher, I can relate your experience to my 99A. I have compared 99a to ED82. I found 99a with TE-11z at 20mm (30X) is sharper than ED82 with DS30x. Similarly I saw a bit less contrast from 11mm-8.5mm (55x-70x) as you described . Interestingly, I tested three Baader Morpheus 9mm, 12.5mm...
  11. J

    80mm vs. 100mm

    Agree. Astro scopes and spotting scopes are two different type of instruments. Spotting scopes require lightweight, compact, and waterproof. Manufacturers squeezed objective, focusing lens, image erecting prisms, and sometimes focal extender in a closed weatherproof body. The system is way more...
  12. J

    80mm vs. 100mm

    Hi, Tico, My suggestion is to try 100mm or purchase one with good return policy with side by side comparing with your current scopes. I used to have Nikon Fieldscope ED82 and upgraded to Kowa 99A. Side by side comparison would show the difference. Then it’s up to you whether the upgrade is...
  13. J

    Kowa TSN-99a TE 11 Star Tests with Rigel

    I also have a 99a and started to stargaze recently. I agree with you that the view is sharp and pinpointed stars. TE11z is an excellent zoom eyepieces on 99a. For example, double star Almach is beautiful emerald and golden. Venus is bright crescent in 99a.
  14. J

    Any customer review of new tsn-99?

    I add input to Henry test: Baader Morpheus 12.5mm can reach infinity focus; Morpheus 17.5 mm can’t reach infinity. Explore Scientific 68degrees 24mm can reach infinity. Explore Scientific all 82 degrees eyepieces can’t reach focus due to their long 1.25” tubes.
  15. J

    Kowa 99A astro experience

    I use 99A for birdwatching and natural observations. My early review is posted here: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/any-customer-review-of-new-tsn-99.414177/page-3#post-4247897 One interesting specs of 99A is it can use 1.25 inch astro eyepieces with adapter. After owning Kowa 1.25” grub...
    • jcwu88
    • Thread
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Kowa
  16. J

    Comment by 'jcwu88' in media '_JEL1341-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg'

    Great snow owl photos!
    • jcwu88
    • Gallery comment
  17. J

    Help me choose my next spotting scope, please

    Hi Daniel, Thank you for sharing your experience! Is your Nikon ED82 model Monarch or Fieldscope? Thanks
  18. J

    Considering giving up on digiscoping

    Hi Joe, Thank you for sharing photos. The snow owl photos are very nice at such long distance. At this distance, scope also have similar interference from air turbulence and sea humidity. I also have RF800 with 2x extender for long distance bird photos; most of those for documentation. One...
  19. J

    Considering giving up on digiscoping

    Hi Joe, Those photos were under good sun light. Due to F11/F22 is the physical limit, I will not use RF800 during dusk. I seldom take bird in flight under poor light because I know I will delete most of them. (Instead, I will take video by RF800 or iphone-scope during dawn or dusk. Video can...
  20. J

    Considering giving up on digiscoping

    Hi Joker, I have R6, RF800 F/11, and 2x converter for a while. As Joe mentioned, RF800 is fixed F11 lens and RF800+2x extender will be F22. It sounds crazy small aperture but the new R5/R6 can handle high ISO pretty well. I attached two photos (R6, RF800+2x converter, 1/1000sec, F22, ISO 2500)...
  21. J

    Considering giving up on digiscoping

    Recently I got a Kowa 99a which is an excellent scope. In addition to enjoy watching, I took video by iPhone through 99a. Result is amazing- bright, vivid color and very sharp. It’s a joy to video documenting raptors nesting. On the other hand, my Canon R6 + RF800 w/ or w/o 2x extender is also...
  22. J

    Kowa TSN-99a vs. Leica APO 82 Televid

    Here are the original comments from Roland Christen: Notes on Star Testing Refractors Star Testing Complex Optical Systems
  23. J

    Kowa TSN-99a vs. Leica APO 82 Televid

    Hi Joachim, Thank you for links of the Tak star test. That’s almost a perfect scope/test and the OP had quite a lot analytical data on it and gears there. Yes. The link I posted has some quirks and misspelled Roland Christen. I also suspected the part to check on focus image. But the referred...
  24. J

    Kowa TSN-99a vs. Leica APO 82 Televid

    Hello Joachim, Thank you for sharing the star test information. I have some additional info. Since the light source is white, the dispersion lights of different wavelengths will interfere close the focus( usually it’s on out focus side). So that makes one side (inner focus) diffraction...
  25. J

    Kowa TSN-99 (40x) review

    Looks like auto translation still has long way to go ;)
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