Kowa Telephoto Lens Prominar 500 Scopes

Since 2001, Kowa Company, Ltd. has released various accessories for “Digiscoping” which is a method of taking super telephoto pictures by combining a spotting scope and a compact digital camera. This has become very popular for people who enjoy taking pictures of nature and wild birds. The recent increase in the popularity of Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera in the digital camera market has created a transition from compact digital cameras to SLR cameras in the field of super telephoto shooting. Because telephoto lenses for digital SLR cameras can be extremely expensive and bulky, there has been a growing demand for more cost-effective, light and compact lenses.

In response to such needs, Kowa presents its new telephoto lens the “Prominar 500mm F5.6 FL” for super telephoto shooting. The “PROMINAR 500mm F5.6 FL” has a focal length of 500mm and a lens weight less than 2kg.

The “Prominar 500mm F5.6 FL” was designed by utilizing Kowa’s optical expertise gained through decades of development of spotting scopes and binoculars. The lens design includes a pure fluorite crystal lens and multiple XD (eXtra-low-Dispersion) lenses to achieve unrivaled optical performance.

This innovative lens can change focal lengths by simply attaching one of the optional mount adapters. With one “master” lens the focal length can be changed from 500mm to 350mm or 850mm. In addition, there are multiple mount adapters available for different manufacturers. The Kowa lens can be used with Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Micro Four-Thirds mount cameras.

In order to tap new markets, the “Prominar 500mm F5.6 FL” targets people who carry out super telephoto shooting in fields other than nature photography, such as astronomy, aerospace and sports. Since the lens can also be used as a spotting scope, the dual use of the product is appealing to those who want to enjoy observation and photography. A new era of super telephotography has arrived.

Features

Fluorite Crystal Lens - The Pinnacle of Quality [Prominar] Super Telephoto Lens

To minimize chromatic aberration (color blur) that occurs in long focal length lenses, the [Prominar] telephoto lens utilizes one pure fluorite crystal lens and two XD (eXtra-low-Dispersion) lenses. Bringing together the advanced optical technology fostered through decades of spotting scope development with the use of a fluorite crystal lens has produced a camera lens with extremely high contrast and sharp images.

350mm, 500mm, and 850mm Three Focal Lengths in One Lens

From the standard specification of “500mm F5.6”, it is possible to change the focal length of the lens so that it can be used as a brighter “350mm F4” lens or as a longer telephoto “850mm F9.6” lens. This is accomplished by using the optional mount adapters [TX07] or [TX17]. XD lenses are incorporated in the optical designs of the 350mm and 850mm mount adapters to ensure optimal optical performance when combined with the master lens. (All support 35mm full size.)

Easy to Use Dual Focus

To accurately adjust the focus when focusing manually, the popular Kowa spotting scope dual focus system had been adopted for this lens. Combined with an optical system that allows the focus peak to be easily found, there are two focusing rings, consisting of a quick focusing ring for rapid focus adjustment and a fine focusing ring for detailed focus adjustment. These make it possible to accurately adjust the focus even in the severest focusing conditions encountered in super-telephoto photography.

Interchangeable Mount System Allows Effective Use of Multiple Cameras

Anticipating uses unforeseen by digital camera manufacturers, bayonet mount systems have been adopted by manufacturers to allow easy mounting and release of the camera. The Kowa mount adapters have adopted this bayonet mount system to easily change between cameras and other mount adapters. Since the prism unit also utilizes a bayonet system, switching between photographing and observation can also be easily carried out. Available Mounts: Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Micro Four-Thirds

Two Products in One (Use as a High-Performance Camera Lens and Spotting Scope)

Making effective use of the outstanding optical system of the master lens, the telephoto lens can also be used as a spotting scope by connecting it to the optional prism unit and eyepiece. Through the use of a simple and easy to use bayonet mounting system, switching between “photographing” and “observation” with the lens is easily accomplished. When used as a spotting scope, crystal clear images can be enjoyed since there is no focusing screen.

Digiscoping Opens up a World of Even Higher Super Tele-Photography of 1000mm - 3000mm*

By connecting a digital camera adapter to the lens when configured for use as a scope, it is possible to digiscope using a compact digital camera. Through digiscoping, it is possible to achieve focal lengths of 1000mm to 3000mm* and more, allowing photographing of wild birds and other subjects at long distances that would not ordinarily be possible with digital SLR cameras alone. By using both a digital SLR camera and a compact digital camera with the master lens it is possible to cover focal lengths from 350mm to more than 3000mm* with a single lens. *35mm film full size equivalent focal length.

Lightweight and Compact Design with Outstanding Portability

This 500mm super-telephoto lens weight is less than 2kg.(4.34 lbs.) The compact size makes it extremely portable and its lightweight design allows for hand-held shooting. In addition, with a length of only 250mm(9.8 in) (when the mount adapter is removed) the lens can easily be carried in a small backpack.

Dustproof and Weatherproof Structure

The objective lens and focusing units utilize rubber O-rings to seal the housing of the lens for enhanced dust and weatherproofing.

Long Hood with Attached Sighting Device

A lightweight long hood is provided as a standard accessory. The hood mounting screw has a special shape that allows it to be used together with the sight attached to the camera, aiding the swift introduction of the subject into the field of view when attempting super-telephoto photography.

Easy Mounting on Tripod Heads

The design of the tripod mounting foot allows it to be mounted directly to mounting on the camera plates or quick release plates of some tripod heads manufactured by Manfrotto and GITZO without the need of the quick release plate. Mounting and release from the tripod head is easy and the system can be used without worrying about the quick release plate coming loose. Mounting to other tripod heads is possible (1/4” threads are supported.)