Kowa Six

[paul ron]

oooooo so ncie!

[mikebarger]

Wait until you run across the 19mm, there's a chunk of glass.

[paul ron]

Wait until you run across the 19mm, there's a chunk of glass.

I'll bet it is a beauty.. Kowa made miro scope lenses n medical glass long before it started in the camera optics business.. and they made some wonderful quality lenses.. I am very impressed with the lenses I have.. nice contrast n very sharp images.

Yeah I have to look for a 19mm now..... wife GAS...

[Argenticien]

People say teh winding mechanisms are rather fragile.. I have absolutely no issies at all n have been using it ofr almost 3 years now. I am carefull n not wind very fast n I also take good care of my equipment.

Agreed and I think this issue is overdone. The winding concern is also oft-raised with the Bronica S2 (non-S2A) which I have a copy of and much like. It seems to me that if one once finds an example with the winder in good condition (or a repairman can return it to good condition), that's solved and shouldn't be a risk thereafter. Since we're almost all hobbyists here shooting creatively (at least when using these cameras), we should rarely have need to wind on at breakneck speed. I treat my S2 as a knob-wind machine and never unfold the crank. It was presumably when people were running miles of 220 through these cameras in professional settings, where time=money, that they'd crank away with abandon and the winders would repeatedly get run down and repaired. In that case, yes, a camera with a bulletproof winder would run rings 'round the softer-geared machines. But for hobby use, I'll take my chances on the latter if it has other redeeming characteristics ... or is cheaper.
--Dave

[paul ron]

But as a pro, I also took very good care of my investment bread n butter camera equpiment.. it was very expensive to replace and I earned my rent with em.. so why abuse when you can gently use? Also maintenance was on a regular basis.. unlike hobbiests, they'll CLA when it is dead.. way too late for that in the real money earning world.

My RBs function today as well as they did when I bought em new.

[mediumformatphoto]

Some harsh criticism of the Kowas here. I've had two different Kowa sets: currently a standard black 6 and previously a 6MM. The 6MM had been heavily used and was a bit of a beater. My only complaint was the loud and firm mirror slap, and the weak film advance. Mine never broke, but you need to treat them with care. My current 6 is quieter and newer, and I very much enjoy using it. The lenses I have used are very sharp -- the "standard" 85/2.8 is sharper than the 80/2.8 on my Mamiya.

The 150/3.5 is an excellent portrait lens and can really blow out the background. The 40/4 is a fantastic lens -- well worth it's usual price $300-400. Note that Kowa is highly regarded optically in the cine industry.

Being able to swap-out a viewing screen is nice and handy. I prefer the WLF as the prism is too heavy for my tastes. Overall, I think they are a great deal, and like most older film cameras, the condition of the camera matters a lot. My current 6 is much nicer than my first one. I got a black 6 with both (black) the 85/2.8 and 150/3.5 from Columbus Camera for $200. I'm sure I could sell my set for what I paid for it easily. I recommend the Kowas, but again, stay away from those that look to be heavily worn.