handle with lens ring

Kowa Rapid Focusing Handle

(Cat. No. 663-353). An invaluable aid to fast, positive focusing. The Kowa Rapid Focusing Handle is designed to attach to the focusing ring of all Kowa Super 66 lenses, and is securely locked in place by means of a metal locking screw. When attached, the photographer simply grasps the large plastic focusing handle and moves it; as the handle is moved, the helical focusing mount of the lens turns simultaneously. This accessory is particularly useful for sports, news, and wildlife photography, and in fact p ermits quick focusing even when wearing gloves. One of the most practical of all Kowa accessories.

lens ring and tripod base

Kowa Lens Holder

(Cat. No. 663-360). This precision metal support attaches to the camera's tripod socket, with perfect registration assured by two metal pins on the holder which engage matching interfaces in the camera body. When the lens holder is attached to the body, t he lens is mounted in the standard manner and the clamp assembly of the lens holder is secured to the lens barrel by a knurled locking screw. This accessory provides important extra stability with Kowa 200mm f/4.5 and 250mm f/5.6 automatic telephotolenses , for which it is specifically designed. The Kowa lens holder contains an auxiliary tripod socket, which may be used for any standard tripod, gunstock, or grip, designed for use with ultra-telephoto lenses. (Note: a similar accessory is supplied as standa rd equipment with Kowa 500mm f/8.0 automatic telephoto and 19mm f/4.5 automatic fisheye lenses).

four Kowa lens hoods

Kowa Screw-in Lens Hoods

Lens hoods provide extra protection against flare caused by entry of extraneous light. Each Kowa lens hood screws directly into the Kowa lens in use, or into the filter, should one be used.

For this Lens: Use this Hood: Description

19mm f/4.5		none
35mm f/4.5		none
40mm f/4.0		none
55mm f/3.5		No. 663-405		metal wide angle hood, screw-in type
85mm f/2.8		No. 663-402		folding rubber hood, screw-in type
110mm f/5.6		No. 663-406		Metal extended hood, screw-in type
150mm f/3.5		No. 663-406		Metal extended hood, screw-in type
200mm f/4.5		No. 663-406		Metal extended hood, screw-in type
250mm f/5.6		No. 663-406		Metal extended hood, screw-in type
500mm f/8.0		*			(extra-long hood included with lens)

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Berkey Marketing Companies Inc. - Kowa Camera Division [Logo]
25-20 Brooklyn-Queens Expwy West, Woodside, NY 11377
101 Chestnut St., Burbank, CA 91502

426KW1274 KW-D212 Printed in U.S.A.

663-316 90 degree Meter/Finder

663-318 45 deg meter/finder

Concept

Two Kowa Super 66 TTL meter/finders bring extra speed and accuracy to exposure measurement with Kowa Super 66 cameras. Each incorporates sensitive CdS sensors which measure the light passing through the lens through a simple match-needle operation. Each Meter/Finder may be used either for open-aperture or taking-aperture measurement as desired.

Eye-Level Pentaprism

The Kowa Super 66 45degree prism TTL Meter/Finder (Catalog number 663-318) provides an upright, laterally correct image through a brilliant coated pentaprism, making this Meter/Finder exceptionally valuable for sports and action photography as well as technical applications such as photomacrography or photomicrography in which the convenience of a 45 degree viewing angle is desirable. The magnification is 0.73X with the 85mm standard lens; a -1 Diopter magnifying eyepiece is supplied, and may if desired be replaced by any of seven alternative eyepiece lenses from -4 Diopters to +3 Diopters. Two CdS sensors provide an integrated light measurement with principle weight accorded to the central image area.

Chest Level

The Kowa Super 66 Critical Focusing TTL Meter/Finder (Catalog number 663-316) provides identical TTL metering accuracy with stright-thru ''Chest Level'' viewing a welcome convenience in candid work or photography with a tripod mounted camera. The magnification is 1X with 85mm standard lens; four CdS sensors provide an integrated light measurement with principle emphasis accorded the central image area. A focusing -2 Diopter eyepiece is permanently installed; a soft folding rubber eyecup protects both eye and meter from extraneous light.

Operation

Meter/Finder is adjusted for the ASA Film Speed in use. A reference mark is aligned with an alphabetical scale corresponding to the focal length and maximum aperture of the Kowa lens in use. Thus ''programmed'', the meter is operated by rotating the control knob until the meter needle is centered within the large ''C'' bracket appearing in the finder. This method permits light measurement at open (maximum) lens aperture. The desired aperture and shutter speed are read from the meter knob scale, and transferred to the camera and lens for picturetaking.

Alternatively, taking-aperture (stopdown) meter readings may be employed at any time. Here, the stopdown metering Index Mark is aligned in place of the Lens Reference letter; the lens' depth-of-field preview control is depressed, and the meter needle is centered by adjusting the lens aperture. With this method, no adjustments in meter controls are required when changing lenses.

Sensitivity/Measuring Range

Both TTL Meter/Finders are identical in response and calibration. With 85mm standard lens and ASA 100 film, the measuring range extends from EV 2 (2 seconds at f/2.8) to EV 17 (1/500th sec. at f/16), a ''brightness'' range of 32,768:1. Both TTL Meter/Finders accept ASA filmspeeds from 10 to3200, as well as corresponding DIN equivalents (12-36). Shutter speed readouts are from 30 seconds to 1/500th second; lens openings from f/2.8 to f/45 are indicated, enabling both finders to operate perfectly with all Kowa Automatic lenses from 19mm to 500mm.

One Battery Power Source

A single 1.3v mercury battery (Everyready 625, mallory RM-645 or equivalent) powers each TTL meter/finder. A push-button battery-test circuit centers the meter needle when the battery is at full strength. A sliding On/Off Switch assures continuous meter response as well as preventing battery depletion when not in use.

Construction/Finish

Each Kowa TTL Meter/Finder is constructed from light-alloy metals, with easily-seen red and black calibrations on the Control Knob. A protective rubber eyecup, bottom cover plate, and mercury battery are supplied with each meter.

Technical Specifications of Kowa Super 66 TTL Meter/Finders

Viewfinder Type...45 degree pentaprism or 90 degree chest level magnifier
Meter Type...Through the lens CdS with open aperture or taking aperture light measurement
Sensitivity Range...EV2-17 (two seconds at f/2.8 - 1/500th second at f/16) with ASA 100 film and f/2.8 lens
ASA Film Speed Range...10-3200
Magnification with 85mm lens...0.73X with 45 degree pentaprism; 1.0X with Critical Focusing magnifier (with 85mm standard lens)
Power source...One 1.3v mercury battery (type 625)
Other Features...Built-in battery test circuit; positive On/Off Switch; individual lens focal length/aperture readouts for Kowa automatic lenses 19mm-500mm
Dimensions...45 degree Prism Meter/finder; 3.6'' x 3.6'' x 4.9'' (including eyecup); critical focusing meter/finder; 2.8'' x 3.5'' x 3.6'' (including eyecup).
Weights...45 degree Prism Meter/Finder, 16.2 oz.; Critical Focusing Meter/Finder, 7.1 oz.
Ordering Information...Cat. No. 663-318 (45 degree prism meter/finder); Cat. No. 663-316 (Critical Focusing Meter/Finder)

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Berkey Marketing Companies Inc. - Kowa Camera Division [Logo]
25-20 Brooklyn-Queens Expwy West, Woodside, NY 11377
101 Chestnut St., Burbank, CA 91502

336KW1174 KW-D204 Printed in U.S.A.

Kowa Automatic Extension Tube System
Models T1 T2 T3

Kowa Automatic Extension Tubes increase the close-focusing range of all Kowa lenses, while retaining fully automatic diaphragm operation. Available in 16mm (T3), 32mm (T2), and 75mm (T1) lengths, each is rigidly constructed of heavy-guage metal and incorporates its own Kowa breech-lock lensmount, accepting any Kowa automatic lens.

Operation

The desired extenstion tube or combination of tubes is determined by the required magnification or field size. Each tube attaches to the camera body in exactly the same way as a lens. The lens is attached to the outermost extension tube by means of the positive breechlock lensmount on the extension tube. Camera and lens are now operated in the normal fashion; when the shutter release is pressed, the shutter closes, the diaphragm closes to the selected aperture, the reflex mirror rises, the light shield within the magazine moves out of the film plane, and the shutter opens and closes to make the exposure. Thus, all automatic camera/lens functions are retained.

Combinations

Each extension tube may be used singly or in conjunction with other Kowa extension tubes for virtually unlimited magnification control. When two or more extension tubes are used, the longest tube is placed closest to the camera body, and the shortest tube closest to the lens. With the Kowa T1, T2, and T3 extension tubes no less than six different extention ranges may be obtained... and, in all cases, fine focusing or magnification adjustments made with the helical mount integral to all Kowa lenses.

Use with Kowa Automatic Bellows

For extreme magnifications, any or all Kowa extension tubes may be used in conjunction with the Kowa Auto Bellows (Cat. No. 663-424). Here, the extension tubes are first attached directly to the camera body, then the bellows to the outermost tube. Use of the Kowa Automatic Bellows and the three Kowa automatic extension tubes permits photomacrography at magnifications to 4.5X with the 85mm lens.

Exposure Determination

Use of either Kowa TTL Meter/Finder (Cat. No. 663-316 and 663-318) provides accurate exposure informaation irrespective of the extension or magnification in use. For picturetaking by light sources not compatible with TTL metering (such as electronic flash) or with other Kowa viewfinders, additional exposure compensation is required for the increased lens-to-film distance, as shown in the table below.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Berkey Marketing Companies Inc. - Kowa Camera Division [Logo]
25-20 Brooklyn-Queens Expwy West, Woodside, NY 11377
101 Chestnut St., Burbank, CA 91502

312KW1074 KW-D203 Printed in U.S.A.

Camera HERO Ginza Tokyo Japan Tax Free price list April 1970

Kowa Six w/85mm f:2.8		$182.78	 $3.35 (hood) 67mm filter 4.0 lbs s/w
55mm f:3.5 lens for Kowa Six    $106.95  $6.95 (hood) 86mm filter 2.5 lbs s/w
150mm f:3.5 lens for Kowa Six   $106.95  $5.56 (hood) 77mm filter 3.5 lbs s/w
250mm f:5.6 lens for Kowa Six   $155.56                           4.5 lbs s/w

Accessories for Kowa Six
*Prism Finder (45, horizontal) at $45.85                          1.5 lbs s/w
*Sports Finder                    $13.90                          0.5 lbs s/w
*TTL Meter                        $55.00                          2.0 lbs s/w
*Pint Glass (split image,checker) $ 6.95                          0.5 lbs s/w
*Extension ring (T1, T2, T3)   at $22.25                          1.0 lbs s/w
*Focusing Lever                   $ 5.00                  
*Tripod Adapter                   $13.90                          1.0 lbs s/w
*Hand Grip                        $13.90                          1.0 lbs s/w
*Microscope Adapter               $71.66                          2.5 lbs s/w
*Camera Case                      $ 8.35                          1.0 lbs s/w

[Ed. note: Sample ad from USENET demo, price info etc....]

From: "Tom Bowar" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.marketplace
Subject: FS: Kowa Super 66 system
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 1998 14:09:46

For sale:

Kowa Super 66 body, waist level finder, 85mm black lens, back, extra "grid" focusing screen $450

55mm black lens with metal hood, case and caps $250

250mm chrome lens with case and caps $300

Extra 6x6 back $100

45 degree prism $120

45 degree meter prism with bottom cover $180

Speed focusing handle $20

Tripod adapter (allows you to switch backs without removing from tripod), brand new $40

Close up filter set, 67mm (fits all lenses), brand new in box, $40

Whole system: $1350

All pieces in great condition, some normal wear of paint on edges. Please make offers, any reasonable offer considered. Buyer pays shipping.

Tom Bowar
[email protected]

From: [email protected] (Willem-Jan Markerink)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kowa lens question (gelatin filter)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 98

Duncan Ross wrote:

>I have just purchased a  Kowa 40mm lens, which has a 95mm filter ring.
>According to the info I can find on the net, it also has a 33mm gelatin
>filter holder .  I am totally unfamiliar with this type of filter.
>There is a small opening on the body side of the lens - is this where
>the filter attaches?  Are they the thickness of paper?   Where is a good
>source for these?
>
>So many questions.... but I guess that's what makes it interesting.
>Thanks for the help.
>
>Duncan

My Kowa Super 66 brochure is a bit vague about this....I have a 19mm/f4.5 circular fisheye, and that one has a removable gelatine filter holder, made from metal. It goes into a slot in the center section of the lens, from the side/above. In the brochure it reads like this for the 19mm:

"37.5mm quare gelatine filter, built-in removable filter holder"

&
"spare gelatine filter holder"

while for both 35mm and 40mm it reads

"33mm gelatine filter, attached filter holder"

&
"spare gelatine filter holder"

I am afraid your 'opening' suggests that your filter holder is gone....;-(( Wouldn't mind having a spare filter holder myself either....

Btw, if you ever see a 35mm for sale, please contact me!....;-)) It's the largest rectalinear wide angle ever build for a 6x6 camera. (though I have info about an even stranger industrial 24mm Hassy....anyone know something about that one? Supposed to be extremely rare....)

(posted & mailed)

--
Bye,
Willem-Jan Markerink

From Medium Format Digest:
From: David B. Miller, Pharm. D. [email protected]
Subject: Response to WTB: Kowa 66 or Bronica S2a equipment
Date: 1998-10-03

I have a pair of Kowa Super 66's, with two extra 120/220 backs plus the polaroid back. Lenses are 35mm, 55mm, 85mm (two), 150mm, and 200 mm. I have the cases except for the two 85mm lenses. The 35mm ultra wide angle lens is a gem. Each body has the pistol grip; tripod base, and prism finders. One of the prisms is showing deteroration inside. The cameras have served me faithfully since I bought them new. Northwest Camera Repair in Everet, WA, has maintained all my lenses. I found the lenses to be very sharp. When doing commercial work, landscapes, or any none moving subjects, I use the built in timer so the mirror has gone up several seconds before exposure to completely avoid camera shake.

From Medium Format Digest:
From: David B. Miller, Pharm. D. [email protected]
Subject: Response to Kowa lens performance
Date: 1998-10-03

I would have you consider the age old method of checking the lenses yourself by photographing a newspaper page that is secured to an easel or wall, and is perfectly flat. Have the light source, plus or minus 45 degrees from the lens (which is on the Kowa body), and use a fill light if you choose to. Determine exposure with an incident light meter reading, whether using flash or continuous light (daylight or tungsten). If daylight, do not be concerned with the 45 degrees. Use a lens shade! Camera is on a tripod, and you have focused and refocused. Use a fine grained film, and I would have you consider black and white for this project. I would also have the black and white film processed in D-76 or a similar developer. Not D-23. You need sharp edges on the grain. Using the timer on the Kowa in order to have the mirror up several seconds before the exposure to eliminate camera shake, make exposures at each of your f/stops, from full open, to fully closed. Process the negatives. Do not print. Study the negatives thoroughly. Remember that each and every lens is an individual. No two lenses are the same even if they are labeled such Magazine tests are interesting reading but do not tell you what your lens in your possession can do. Now you have tested your lens in you environment on your camera body. You have done well.

[ED. Note: Thanks to Bob for making this kind offer re:Kowa Flash Bracket]
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 1998
From: Annamay Senffner [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Kowa 66 flash mount

I have made flash brackets for my 66's I use in portrait and wedding photography. They are constructed of 3/4" X 1/4" steel, with a wooden handle, and mount to the bottom of the camera. I use a Vivitar 285 which is mounted directly over the center of the camera about 6". If anyone wants more info, drop me a line.

Bob Senffner

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (Vickiedogs)
[1] Re: kowa super 66 diopters
Date: Sat Nov 21 02:18:15 CST 1998

I ues a +2 diopter in my 90 degree kowa head I used one from pentax 6x7 all you have to do is to loosen the eye peice on the back of the peice and put the diopter between the eye peice and the prism and hand tighten it to hold it in place works fine

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (MikeD37255)
[1] Re: Looking for Input on Kowa 66 Super
Date: Tue Nov 24 22:39:51 CST 1998

I used to shoot with this camera professionally - did weddings. I picked up two bodies, metering prisms, 40, 55, 85, 150 lenses, and whole bunch of other goodies in mint condition all in a hard case for $500 at a local pawn shop. This was in 1981. I no longer have the equipment.

I remember it producing superbly sharp images, always well exposed, and the only thing I disliked about it was the loud clunk of the shutter. No good for ceremony time exposures. Sounded like a gun firing!

I always loaded up with 220 film so I got 24 pics before reloading. I had 5 12/12 backs loaded and ready to go. Back then the standard was VPSIII 160 ASA.

I used a Vivitar 285 flash with bounce.

The Kowa Super 66 was a much sought after camera. The 40mm wide angle is awesome. They also made a 35mm wide angle but it had fisheye distortion so I never used it.

It is a big camera and heavy. After hanging around your neck for several hours, I had to pop the pain killers. I also liked the square image format. All in all, it was a competent professional system.

Now I use Mamiya 7 equipment.

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (Willem-Jan Markerink)
[1] Re: Looking for Input on Kowa 66 Super
Date: Wed Nov 25 14:57:40 CST 1998

[email protected] (MikeD37255) wrote:

>The Kowa Super 66 was a much sought after camera.   The 40mm wide angle is
>awesome.  They also made a 35mm wide angle but it had fisheye distortion so I
>never used it.

Did you have/use that lens at all?

The 35mm is not a fisheye design....only the 19mm/f4.5 is (even *circular* fisheye, one of the three only known circular fisheye designs for medium format!).

(posted & mailed)

--
Bye,
Willem-Jan Markerink

[Ed. note: Mr. Curths supplied the Kowa Super 66 materials and ads linked at the top of this page - Thanks!!]

Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998
From: Art Curths [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: "Kowa Web Pages"

As I recent purchaser of a nice condition Kowa Super66 outfit, I have found your web pages to be extremely interesting and useful.

- - - - - - - - - - -

As an aside, I have noticed in several places on the web mention of the fact that the Kowa 66 needs a tripod "spacer" to allow changing backs (or opening the back) while mounted on a tripod (or even when a tripod "quick change" adapter plate is mounted on the body). I have never seen one of the original Kowa adapters for sale (although I have seen a custom made adapter for sale). It may be worth a note on your page that the Kowa side grip (not the pistol grip) incorporates a tripod spacer and an offset tripod mount which allows the film back to opened or changed while mounted on the grip as well as while mounted on a tripod.

The same issue included some interesting 1975 Kowa prices:

Cambridge Camera Exchange Jan 75:

Kowa S66 body/85/12/24: 467.50
55mm/3.5 blk: 329.50 -- 110mm/5.6: 359.50 -- 150mm/3.5 blk: 329.50
200mm/4.5 blk: 329.50 -- 250mm/5.6 blk: 356.50 -- 45 prism: 109.50
90 prism: 103.50 -- TTL meter: 163.95 -- Prism TTL meter: 233.95
case: 32.50 -- focusing lever: 12.95 -- extension tube: 69.95
lens hood: 9.95 -- filters: 9.95 -- polarizer: 14.95

Competitive Camera Corp:

S66 body/12/24/85: 469.95
12/24 back: 149.95 -- 16/32 back: 169.95 -- 55mm/3.5: 256.95
110mm/5.6: 358.95 -- 150mm/3.5: 256.95 --

by comparison, Competitive Camera Corp. had the following prices on Hasselblad in same issue:

500CM/a12 back/80 2.8: 819.95
50mm/4 distagon: 694.50 -- 100mm planar: 589.95 -- 120mm/5.6 planar:
599.50 -- 150mm/4 sonnar: 729.95 -- 250mm/5.6 sonnar: 669.50

Considering the value in current dollars, these were all pretty expensive items !!

Same issue mentioned other now unusual medium format equipment: OLDEN Camera:

Kowa-6 outfit (body,wl,85) 239.50
40mm/f4 Kowa chrome: 524.95 -- Kowa-6MM outfit: 299.50

Graflex XLRF w/ Zeiss plannar 80mm/2.8: 372.50

Norita w/eye level prism/80mm/f2: 329.50
Norita w/ meter prism/80mm: 429.50 -- 40mm/f4 Noritar: 349.50 
55mm/f4 Noritar: 257.50  -- 70mm/leaf shutter: 189.50
240mm/f4 Auto Noritar: 337.50 -- 500mm Kilfitt Mirror: 419.50
Micro adapter: 74.95 -- WL finder: 41.50 -- Auto Ext. Tube set: 62.50
case: 14.95 -- Eye Level prism: 59.95 

From Medium Format Digest:
From: Duncan Ross [email protected]
Subject: Response to Kowa handgrip compatibility
Date: 1998-11-17

The T handle grip is for the Kowa 6 and also fits the Kowa 66. This mounts on the flash shoe on the left side of the camera and has a cable running to the shutter release. The L handle mounts on the flash shoe and the tripod mount (2 screws) and I believe is for the 66 only. I have never seen one of these on a 6. It has a lever that releases the shutter, rather than a cable. There is also a flash bracket I have seen for sale, but this is just what it says - a flash bracket only.

From Medium Format Digest:
From: Christian Mani [email protected]
Subject: Response to Which Polaroid film for Kowa Super 66 back?
Date: 1998-11-20
Larry,

Thanks for your info. I've since learned that back ideed uses pack film and I can use 667 and 669 color and B&W film. I tried a new pack of 100 speed color polaroid film and on the second exposure, my the camera's shutter jammed!! The Kowa curse perhaps?!! :). Anyway, Ross Yerkes in LA will be seeing it soon.

take care,

Christian Mani

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (PWestenber)
[1] Re: Kowa Super 66
Date: Sat Jan 09 02:45:32 CST 1999

Oh yes there are . I had my repair man yn screw the eye peice on my 90 Degree finder and I took a +2 diopter I had left over form the Pentax 6x7 . laid it inside the prism and screwed the eye peice back in just tight enough so the diopter dosn't move around works great

[Ed. note: can anyone share some info on Kowa underwater with Dick on the Kowa 66 70mm and Underwater Housing Queries? Thanks!]
Date: Sun, 9 May 1999
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Your web page

Have read with interest the very informative comments about KOWA system. I am in the process of designing an underwater housing for the KOWA. Will use the 35mm (behind a dome port) for general/large objects and the 85mm for fish. Plan to use the close-up lenses for the small stuff. Has anyone out there used the KOWA for underwater work? What has been your experience? Years ago I produced several magazine cover shots using the Hassey super-wide 38 biogon. Great lens, but always wished I had reflex viewing. The KOWA will give me an even wider view and precise framing.

Two questions for you: (1) Was there a 70mm back available for the KOWA Super-66? Many years ago I thought I read that a company (Beaty?) had made one. I'd love to get one or two of these for my underwater work. (2) I just read that the KOWA bellows has tilt, rise and fall capabilities. I know this was for macro work, but could it be used for perspective control of architectural subjects? I was thinking of using something like a 47mm super angulon mounted on the front lens board. Would this work? Thanks for your input.

Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000
From: Duncan Ross [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kowa 6 vs. Pentacon six TL????

I think there are some superior features to the Kowa - The main one being that the film plane is flatter because of the l shaped back. I have used them for a few years in all 4 seasons (95 degrees to -15) and they have perfomed as well as hassy equip. The squatter shape works really well hand held. The body is constructed of a casting and stainless steel - very rugged.

Downsides include the (very) loud mirror and the fact that they are no longer made.

=David-M= wrote:

> Jadobbs1 wrote:
> >
> > The Kowa is a fine camera, and is equal in every respect to the Hasselblad. I
> > have had one for years, and am very prowd to have it. I wouldn't trade it for a
> > Hassy,
> >
> The lenses may come close. But there is no way the Kowa body is the
> equal in durability to the Hasselblad.
> The Kowa 66 is a super camera but dont expect to get a Haasselblad.
> Pay no more than $500 for the Super 66 with standard lens.

--
Duncan Ross
http://DuncanRossPhoto.com

Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kowa 6 vs. Pentacon six TL????

[email protected] (Jadobbs1) wrote:

> The Kowa is a fine camera, and is equal in every respect to the Hasselblad. I
> have had one for years, and am very prowd to have it. I wouldn't trade it for a
> Hassy, or any other 6 X 6 camera, unless ocf course some fool wanted to trade
> even for a new Rollie. The Kowa six the guy showed you is over priced. Go to
> E-Bay and look at the offerings there. You can look and wait until there are a
> lot of sixs and the prices will sort of come down because the supplu is
> plentiful.
> I would recomend the Kowa Super 66 as it is an improved camera over the 6, not
> only in added features but in construction as well. The lenses are every bit
> as sharp as the  Hasselblad and alot less expensive. I have the 55mm,
> 8omm, 150mm and a 2X doubler, and I find that it covers anything I want to do
> form still lifes to portraits and secenics. Also and probably the most
> important thing, is that when you get ready to sell it, you will find that you
> can get more for it than what you paid for it. In other words, they are going
> up in value all the time.
> You will probably have to pay about $100 more for a 66 than a 6 but it is worth
> it.
> Good luck and happy shooting.
> John
> PS. I am not trying to sell you anything.

Hi, I have a Kowa 6 and love the damned thing. It is a simple camera and has taken a lot of abuse out in the field. I just got back from a trip to Bodie, Ca. and it snowed all day on me. I used the Kowa instead of my 4x5 because it is so much quicker. It got wet and still worked fine. The lenses are incredibly sharp too. The contrast is excellent and the color pallet is very good. I shoot the Slots in Arizona and always come away with nice clean sharp colorful images. I put my images up against my buddies Hassy all the time and they are as sharp or sharper than his at 11x14 and larger. He hates it. I have an image of the ridgeline above the Sentinals taken at Yosemite all of the way across the Valley from El Cap and you can see not only the trees on the ridge on the top of the rim but the branches as well.

I would recommend the Kowa all though the one you describe seems a little high with the badly chipped prism finder. But a Kowa 6 in the Shutterbug with an 85mm lens w/waist level finder runs about $300usd. I would get a money back guarantee and send it to Ross Yerkes in LA for a check up or at least run some film through it, have it developed, and printed. Something with some detail to see how the lens behaves. I don't think you can go wrong with a Kowa. I love mine.

James

Date: Wed, 29 Mar 00
From: [email protected] (Willem-Jan Markerink)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Puzzling finish Kowa Super 66 back

Dear group,

Today I noticed a Kowa Super 66 back with shiny chrome finish on the outer edges....thus far I had only seen them black finish, similar to the body of the camera.

Which begs the question:

Was there ever a Super 66 body in the same chrome trim?

Early models?

Rare model?....:-))

It does offer a nice alternative to repainting worn/scuffed black versions....;-))

--
Bye,

Willem-Jan Markerink

From Kowa Mailing List;
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 04:08:25 -0000 From: [email protected] Reply to: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [Kowa6x6slr] DYI repair of magazine light seals (reprint from usenet) From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kowa 66
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 99

"David M." [email protected] writes:

>$500 is a reasonable price if its in excellent condition. It may need
>servicing, however, and new light seals which can get expensive.

I redid the light seals in one of the 2 magazines that came with the used Kowa 66. The cost was about 2 bucks....and I have enough material left over for the second mag. Go to Walmart or any fabric shop and buy 2 strips of hook-and-loop (Velcro tm) material. Mine was about 2 inches wide. Scrap the old foam light seals off with a dull knife or popsicle stick. Clean off the goo with some of the wife's nail polish remover (acetone) on q-tips. simple cut the "fluffy" part of the velcro to size, peel the tape off the self adhesive backing to apply it. Very easy and quick to do especially if you remove the mag door from the mag body. It's made to detach and couldn't be easier.

From: [email protected] (MPS)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000
Subject: Re: What is the most good M.F. within 500$ ?

[email protected] wrote:

>I have some not very pleasant luck with Kowas, the optics are very
>sharp, but I always get the lens jammed.  Ans I don't know why.
>Wei

Funny you should mention that. My first Kowa was a Kowa 6 that never worked from the day that I bought it, to the day that I returned it to the used camera vendor to the day that they dumped it on Ebay.

My second Kowa is an almost mint Kowa Super 66 which had been in storage for years before the original owner decided to part with it. When I got it, it required $175US worth of CLA, seals, and cleaning the oil off the shutter blades. Given that the shutter is in the lens, I've been very hesistant to fork over more $$ for additional lenses of unknown warranty. My luck is that I'd get another that needed another cleaning for the shutter blades to function properly. I think recomending a Kowa to a newbie as an under $500US camera is dicey at best. Sure, there's folks that've had great luck with the $200, 7 lens system they got back when, but having been in a more or less constant search for various Kowa items for 8 months, I'll say that it's not always easy to find such bargains. Not to mention that the Super 66 is boat anchor heavy and dependent on finicky and funky interchangeable backs.

I can readily see how the Kowa _could be_ a decent systems approach, but there's times when I wish I'd spent a bit more and gotten into Bronica instead. At least then, parts and service would be more readily available. Make no mistake, I'm not down on Kowa, just realistic. I think it can be made into a decent $1200 system in a world where that amount often gets little more than just a body. But I just don't see it as a realistic recomendation as an under $500 camera even though the body and standard lens often sell under that exclusive of hidden costs.

mps

Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000
From: Duncan Ross [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Kowa Super 66 Mirror Lock-Up Question

I have the 66. In order to do MLU you have to use the self timer ("V" setting on lens barrel). This gives you about a 10 second delay between mirror slap (OK, SLAP!!!! On the Kowa) and the shutter firing. Works really great for landscapes, except when things change in the 10 seconds (like people walking in front of you, or a cloud changing the light!). I had a 6MM for a while and the MLU was a treat, but the lack of backs was a disadvantage. Photography, especially medium format equipment selection is a series of trade offs.

In addition to the 6/6MM manuals, I will have a 66 manual (300dpi) and some additional sales/pricing type info on my site soon, if I can convince my ISP to let me bump over the 100MB limit. If you want a copy and have an ftp site I can ftp it to you (or anyone).

I wouldn't get too hung up on black -vs- chrome lenses. The chrome lenses were made almost as long as the black and the 67mm filter size 150 and 55 are the latest. I've tried new 55, old 55, black/chrome and really found no difference in the 67mm versions of this lens. I used to have a 40mm, which was a really great lens.

As for equipment sources, Ross Yerkes is a good source for reliable equipment. Camera Traders always seems to have a good stock as well (http://www.cameratradersltd.com/usedkowa.htm).

Paul wrote:

> I have a Kowa Super 66, just aquired.  I have seen the R. Monaghan web
> site and found the scanned user manuals for the SixMM and Super 66.
> While I can easily find the reference to mirror lock-up in the SixMM
> manual I have found no reference about it in the Super66 manual.  I can
> find no mirror lock-up switch on the Super 66.  Reading the Kowa FAQ it
> is stated several times that the Super 66 does have mirror lock-up, so
> where is it?  I can see only using the timed shutter to achieve this,
> same as with the original Kowa Six.
>
> And also, has any one got any of these for sale?
>
> 40mm  ( black ??)
> 55 mm black
> 200 mm (black ??)
> 12/24 back
> Super 66 body
>
> any thing else of possible interest
>
> email me at [email protected]
>
> Thanks!

--
Duncan Ross
----------------------------------------
http://DuncanRossPhoto.com

Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000
From: GERMSHEID JACK [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Help with Kowa Super 66

Craig,

Try removing lens. Make sure camera mirror and dark flap are advanced to viewing position. Make sure red dots on aperture and shutter mechanisms (lens rear) are engaged for taking (cranked counter clockwise). reinsert lens, pressing down lens removal fob (bottom left side of body) and align red marker at top of lens with slot on retaining ring. turn ring and release fob. try firing. I have an old six and I think this happened to me when I first received it. No manual can make something simple seem difficult. I believe the key here is that the lens and body must be cocked for taking before you can install the lens.

Good luck,

jack

From Bronica Topica Mailing List:
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000
From: Uwe Flammer [email protected]
Subject: [BRONICA] Bronica SQ-Ai vs. Kowa 66

Uhr schreibt [email protected]:

>but frankly, they call the Kowa 6/66 the "poor man's hasselblad" for a
>good reason. Is there a reason not to use the much cheaper kowa lenses,
>which are also very good? Granted, repairs are not as readily available,
>but there are a number of folks who specialize in such work. The mamiya
>TLR lenses are also very good, but since you are asking about 6x6 SLRs...

Thanks, Bob, for your response - i like your medium format library very much, really a great site!

Lenses for Kowa 66 and Mamiya TLR are of great quality, indeed. Both systems are nice collectibles and do a good job for the occassional shooter. Especially i would strongly recommed Mamiya C330 equipment to anybody who wants to start medium format on a budget.

Unfortunately, the Kowa Super 66 has some disadvantages compared to other medium format SLR's:

1) No true mirror lockup. You have to use the self timer, so you cannot shoot moving subjects with mirror-up.

2) If the camera is mounted on a tripod, you cannot open or exchange film magazines, as long as you do not use Kowa's dedicated tripod adapter, which is hard to find.

3) Viewfinder screen is very bright, but shows distortion.

4) The film magazin design forces the light seals to wear out, if the magazind is opened and closed frequently. I had to overhaul my both film magazines because of light leaks immediately after purchase.

5) The system was discontinued long ago, spare parts are hard to find.

6) Only few Kowas were sold in Germany, so used Kowa equipment is hard to find here and often overrated by the sellers.

For the collector and occasional shooter, a Kowa does a great job, but for serious shooting, i would not like to depend on it. A "very poor man's Hasselblad".

On photokina 2000, i examined the Bronica SQ-Ai. Very nice tool, and the different electronic gizmos seemed to be much more than "bells and whistles".

In fact, it seems to be a medium format system consisting of well-designed components, which makes medium format shooting rather convienient. But what about durability, reliability and battery consumption? Does anybody have any experience about this?

Best regards
Uwe

[Ed. note: Thanks to Fred Walker for supplying this interesting note! ;-)]
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001
From: Fred Walker [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Your Kowa Super 66 Site

This is scary. I found your site today, and saw the data sheets that I wrote for it at Berkey Marketing 27 years ago! (No, I didn't see the one for Salesmen that mentioned that the Bronica name was derived from "Brownie"--every known copy was destroyed.) I'll see if I have any others in the attic, and forward them to you if I do.

Thanx for a great trip down leaf-shutter memory lane!

Fred Walker
VP, Interactive Creative Director
LLKFB, Inc.

From Medium Format Mailing List;
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [medium-format] Any Kowa Super 66 experiences?

I've previously had a Kowa Six and more recently a Kowa Super 66. In fact, I'm currently selling the Super 66. (Email me for details.) I got into these primarily as a result of Robert Monaghan's site that's already been referenced. I'd sugest that they have their pros and cons, (like anything else). Here's a very short synopsis of the Super 66:

PROS:

Often considerably cheaper than comparable Hassleblads and Rolleis.

Arguably better built than comparable older Bronicas.

Best built of the whole Kowa line.

Stainless steel, very robust, durable construction.

Amazingly bright, clear waist level finder compared to other cameras of this vintage.

Interchangeable Leaf shutter lenses.

In it's day, this model was considered a pro-level piece of equipment, and doesn't have the cost-cutting production methods evidenced by so many of today's lesser MF cameras. Super 66 was part of a whole systems approach, that featured (at the time) a wide range of pro level accessories and lenses. Most accessories seem to be of very high quality.

CONS:

Hard to find. Accessories can be very hard to find, as can lenses other than the basic 3 (55mm, 85mm and 150mm).

Available only from long discontinued used stock.

Kowa Super 66 is VERY heavy and bulky. (This is the main reason that I'm selling mine, but would likely not be an issue for someone wanting one primarily for formal photography.)

Kowa Super 66 has interchangeable back, but this adds bulk, weight and possibility of mechanical failure. Spare backs in top working order are hard to find.

Virtually all used Kowas need complete CLA of both body and any additional lenses. (The leaf shutter lenses are particularly prone to need cleaning.) Factor in this cost when looking at "bargains". It's not cheap if done professionally.

Relatively few places service Kowas. (However this may be overstating this oft-remarked issue, since I've had no trouble finding both local and mail-in camera service with years of experience in these cameras.)

SUMMARY:

For the budding portrait or wedding photographer, the Kowa Super 66 may well make a lot of sense. For somewhere in the $1000-$1200 range, (all told) one could wind up with a serious pro-level camera with 2 or 3 of the most commonly used lenses. Finding lenses other than these can be both quite difficult and moderately expensive. Note: I think that the cost of Kowa ownership is often severely understated by a small handful of folks that got amazing deals on whole systems. Piecing together a system can be time consuming and expensive, (but no more so than systems in a comparable quality range.)

I met a professional freelance journalist who uses a Kowa Super 66 as her primary system, but she's surely the oddity amongst other increasingly digitally inclined pros that I've met. I've also spoken with a wedding and prom photographer that used to use a Kowa Super 66 exclusively, before switching to the hiddeously expensive Rollei 6000 series. He seemed to think that the Kowas were a heck of a lot of camera for the money. He commented that had replacement and polaroid backs for the Kowa been more widely available, he might well have stuck with that system. (That's something to think about if the removeable back is the primary reason for wanting the Super 66.)

The real question for the prospective Kowa owner might well be just how important a limited selection of interchangeable lenses and leaf shutters really are. If those issues are paramount, then the Kowa Super 66 may well be the best bargain out there. For my own totally casual interest in MF, I found both of those features to be somewhat over-emphasized. I think what it boils down to, is I'm just a very casual user, and the Super 66 is more camera than I need.

Hope some of that helped.

Mike Swaim

Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2001 
From: Uwe Flammer <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Kowa6x6slr] Re: Kowa 6 Outfit - should I buy it ?

Uhr schrieb [email protected] unter
[email protected]:

> New to this group with a keen interest in purchasing a Kowa 6. Have
> been offered a mint condition Kowa 6 kit with 55, 85 and 150 lenses,
> plus extension tubes, lens hoods, grip, focusing handle and prism
> here in UK for �495. Would this be a reasonable investment ? Purpose
> for buying is to complement Nikon 35mm kit with clear aim of getting
> into MF with view to pro career in 6 - 12 months. Having searched
> endless websites in UK and USA just concerned about:

Hello Julian,

as i know, 495 British Pounds are about 1500 DEM. Here in Germany, this
would be a very good price for such a collection in mint condition.

So i would like to advice you to buy - if you would not have told us that
you are thinking about a pro career! According to my experience after one
year as Kowa Super 66 user, Kowa is a very nice tool for occasional amateur
use, but not for professionals.

Service is not the problem - i got my Super 66 repaired by a Rollei
seriveman in short time, without any problems. Lens quality is very good,
not only optical quality, but mechanical quality as well. But the camera is
rather poor made. The viewfinder screen shows visible distortion, which
makes it difficult to shoot architecture or similar stuff without using a 
spirit level. Mirror lock-up is only possible by using the self-timer. If
you want to open or exchange the filmback, you have to put the camera off
the tripod - or you have to use a special tripod adapter which is very
difficult to find. And the worst disadvantage: the filmbacks will show light
leaks under hard use. This is caused by a design fault: the film back cover
does not overlap with the back itself, so the light seals must be always in
perfect state to prevent light leaks - but they will suffer rather quickly
if you exchange films frequently.

Other Kowa types, Kowa 6 and Kowa 6 MM, do not support exchangeable
filmbacks.

If you want to start a pro career in MF, especially 6x6, there are three
brands to look at first: Hasselbald, Hasselblad and Hasselblad :-))) Not
because of better image quality, but because of better durability and
reliability, and because you can rent any piece of Hasselblad equipment
which you may not like to afford. If you are not focussed on 6x6 only, a
Mamiya RB or RZ may be the better alternative. And if you want to start more
cheap, a Bronica SQ-Ai may do a very good professional job. But not a Kowa!

Kowa is for enthousiasts only :-)))

Best regards!
Uwe Flammer
German Kowa user and collector 

Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2001 
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Kowa6x6slr] Re: Kowa 6 Outfit - should I buy it ?

Uwe wrote:
>
>So i would like to advice you to buy - if you would not have told us that
>you are thinking about a pro career! According to my experience after one
>year as Kowa Super 66 user, Kowa is a very nice tool for occasional amateur
>use, but not for professionals.

I would like to respectfully disagree with the post that suggests that a
Kowa outfit is not suitable for use as a beginning pro. Admittedly, the
Kowa 6, what with it's soft gear problem is probably NOT to be recommended
for any type of heavy use, but the Kowa Super 66 doesn't have that problem.
In my estimation THAT, not the illusion of interchangeable backs is why
one would want the Super 66 over the 6. I've known 2 pros that used the
Kowa Super 66. One was gettiing established in wedding, prom and
portraiture photos and sucessfully used a 3 lens Super 66 system for
several years until his clientele could afford to buy him an extensive
Rollei setup. The other was a freelance photographer who routinely used a
Super 66 for photojournalism in one of the local independent newspapers. I
think she may have finally hung up her Kowa med. format stuff just this
Spring in favor of digital, (since that's what all the papers want these
days), but it wasn't due to any inherrent flaws in the Kowa system that
owning another brand of med. format would've cured.

My point is that people seem to assume that "Pro Photographers" have lots
of money to toss at equipment. The pros and beginning pros that I've met
have often had far less disposable income than many amatuers. For the
beginning pro, or amatuer not yet decided about the viability of becoming
pro, getting a med. format body and three lenses for the cost of a beat up
HassleBad body alone is a pretty good deal. To be sure, I think that the
halcyon days of Kowa are over, and frankly, I might suggest other systems 
or avenues of approach, but that stems more from the scarcity of Kowa
accessories than it does inherent weaknesses in the basic Kowa Super 66
body design. My only complaints with the actual design are that it's
ridiculously heavy, and the "L" shaped film backs are very hard to find in
good working order.

Mike Swaim