Kowa TSN-883 spotting scope

Product description

Kowa TSN-883 spotting scope
Kowa TSN-883 spotting scope redefines clarity for birders and hunters. This is because, among other impressive features, this spotting scope has a large 88mm Fluorite ED Prominar objective lens made of ultra quality optical glass. This offers a maximum light gathering, clear field of view and a sharp image. These features just cannot be compared to traditional glass lenses.

Filled with nitrogen and fully waterproof
The magnesium alloy body makes this scope sturdy, compact, portable and easy to use. The waterproof housing meets the rigorous standards of JIS Protection Class 7. This Kowa spotting scope is filled with nitrogen gas so that water and moisture remain outside.

New inner focusing system, movements in image are reduced

The Kowa TSN-883 spotting scope has a new internal focus system so that, when focused on objects, movements of the image are reduced. The picture above shows a large focus knob and a small one in front of it. This allows you to focus coarse and fine.

Interchangeable Eyepieces: Choose from 25x magnification, 30x magnification or a zoom eyepiece 20x to 60x

Multiple interchangeable eyepieces are available, including a 20x-60x zoom, 30x Wide and 25x LER for a total coverage in the field. An eyepiece locking mechanism prevents the eyepiece from falling out. This spotting scope comes without eyepieces! To complement the spotting scope we recommend you also order one of several eyepieces, which you can find with the accessories or in the bundle offer on this page!

Interchangeable tripod connection

The Kowa TSN 883 is equipped with an additional screw in the tripod socket so that it can cooperate with 1/4-20" and 3/8" tripod sockets. We don't see this with Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss.

Test results from the TSN 883 and our opinion
The Kowa TSN 883 shows up very good in all tests, at times even better than the Swarovski telescopes. We deem the Kowa spotting scope technically and optically similar to the Swarovski telescope, only the TSN is slightly heavier but almost 900 pounds cheaper. Some independent reviews:

• Click here for the review of Optics 4 Birding
• Click here for the review of Surfbirds

Differences Kowa TSN 881, 883 and 884
Kowa have released three viewers with a 88mm lens, but what is the difference between these three spotting scopes? The Kowa TSN 883 and 884 are identical in specifications, only the 884 has a straight body and the 883 an angled body at 45 degrees. A straight body is mainly used for digiscoping (photography with a spotting scope) while the angled body is mainly used for normal spotting (with your eyes). In Germany and England the right models are very popular. The big advantage of a 45 degree angled body is that it is a relief to the neck, because you can see through it easily. However a straight body will find an object more easily because you see "right through" the spotting scope instead of at an angle. If you mainly are going to use it without a camera, we recommend you purchase the angled body.

What is the difference between the Kowa TSN 881 and Kowa TSN 884/883?
The last two (884/883) use "Prominar Fluorite glass" while the 881 does not. Fluorite glass ensures maximum light transmission so a clearer image. The details are even more visible and yiield an even sharper picture, something ordinary glass cannot offer. Fluorite has as a feature that the dispersion is incredibly low, so vague colours are fully eliminated. With fluorite glass, light transmission is 99%; the following diagram makes this clear.

Accessories: from bag of various camera connections
Below we will discuss all the accessories available for the KOWA TSN. All these accessories are optional and can be found under the Accessories tab on this page, or in the bundle offers.

1. Kowa DA-10 Camera Adapter
: allows photographing with a Kowa eyepieceand with your digital camera lens
The DA-10 is screwed to the lens of your digital SLR camera on one side. (Your digital SLR camera therefore needs a lens with thread on the FRONT SIDE to connect the camera adapter). On the other side, the DA-10 is connected to the eyepiece of the Kowa. With this set-up, you have a nice magnification and you can zoom enormously. The disadvantage is that the shutter speed decreases. The advantage is that there is a strong connection between eyepiece and objective and there is also very little vignetting.

What else do you need?
To get this set-up working, you also need the following:

• Kowa adapter ring for cameras with threaded front on the lens (available in the following diameters: 28, 30, 37, 43, 48, 52, 55 and 58mm)

2. Kowa TSN PZ Varifocal Camera Adapter
: shoot without Kowa eyepiece and without camera lens (shooting in primary focus)

This Camera Adapter is compatible with virtually all digital SLR cameras. You take pictures without the lens of your camera and without using the eyepiece of the Kowa Spotting Scope. The Kowa Spotting Scope works in this setup as a telephoto lens (with F = 650 / f/7.5 to F = 1000 / f/11.4).

What you'll need further
To get this set-up working, you also need the following:

• T2 ring for your camera brand (we have almost all conventional T2 rings in our catalogue)

3. Kowa TSN DA-4 camera adapter
capable of shooting with the Kowa eyepieceand an ordinary compact camera

This camera adapter fits virtually all compact cameras (or cameras where the lens cannot be removed). You take pictures through the eyepiece of the Kowa Spotting Scope along with your digital camera. Advantages:

• It is easy to turn away the camera and the adapter, so you can also look through the eyepiece without a camera
• Includes self-timer: this ensures there's no movement in the picture when you press the button

What more do you need:
To get this set-up working, you also need the following:

• Kowa DA 10 adapter (see above)

4. Kowa Stay On Case for TSN 881/883

With this bag you can safely store your Kowa TSN. The bag is made for all-weather conditions and this way you can calmly take your spotting scope into the field with you (Please notice it is delivered without the tripod that is shown in the illustration).