Had a little problem with my wonderful KOWA 6 - which I much prefer to the Hassie I also have - and Newton Ellis of Liverpool fixed it- and at a good price!
I'm revisiting this, because I'm again looking at buying it, if for no other reason than an early Christmas gift of shelf decor (although I have every intention of using it in the studio.)
Also, I've read all of the responses here (more than once), and understand the inherent problem of continued parts and service. Ross Yerkes has been mentioned on this thread, and other random areas of the internet, but the one thing that seems to never be mentioned is his contact information. Does anyone know if in fact he is still servicing cameras, and how to contact him? I'd like to ask him a few questions about the cost of CLA's and such in case this setup needs it.
Nothing wrong with being the lowball guy...
EXAMPLE... I know an old fuzzy wuzzy that keeps offering his lint-covered Leica on ebay for thousands and it never sells, why who is going to buy a lint covered Leica for thousands from a guy that keeps taking it in an out of his damp old basement?
If this person is just going to put the Kowa away again, offer them a low but fair price, considering that it hasn't been used in so long and likely needs $200 in CLA.
I had a friend that offered me an F3 for $150 she hadn't used it in so long, I gave her $250 and we were all happy, and it was a risk, cause it sat in a dirty box for a decade and a half unused.
Just because you think the kit is worth $1500 in e-bay bucks doesn't mean any of it actually sells on e-bay either. I recognize the same cameras month after month on e-bay. A Sinar kit I offered $825 or on the bay two months ago, is now actually priced at $725?!? Glad he turned my $825 offer down in September.
If this person is just going to put the Kowa away again, offer them a low but fair price, considering that it hasn't been used in so long and likely needs $200 in CLA.
As I've been told, the owner used it regularly, thought not extensively until about 3 years ago. And its all been stored either in its original packaging (plastic, foam, and boxes) or in the case of the 250, the blue velvet lined case.
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I sold the rig pictured for (as I recall) $1000 a few years ago (here in DFW - but I don't think it's the same stuff). Two bodies, grip, 4 lenses (55, 85, 150, 250) prism, sportsfinder, and all kinds of cases, hoods, caps, filters and do-dads. All in really good shape. I used them (all bought used from several sources) for about 10 years and only sold them to buy an RB rig because I wanted the bigger negative. One repair, by Yerkes, in all that time to one body.
You can Google Ross Yerkes to get his phone number -- as I recall, he doesn't have a website.
I really like these cameras and lenses, but unfortunately mine need servicing and I just can't swing it at the moment. I have one of each of the bodies -- Six, SixMM, Super 66. I love the way the bodies handle, with their vertical orientation. My sense is that one of these that's been given a going over by him will be very reliable. And the lenses are quite good.
I used to have a super 66 setup with all the lens but the 19mm and 500mm. I had Ross service the body as soon as I got it, had zero problems with it or the lens for the eight years I owned them.
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Originally Posted by vpwphoto
