Kowa 6 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

Dave LaFollette
( Intermediate)

Review Date
July 13, 2008

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 1 of 12

Price Paid: $375.00 from eBay

Summary:

I wanted to return to medium format for quite a while. I used to own a Bronica S2A and liked it a lot. But it had no meter prism available and I wanted to stay away from the dark slides. I found the Kowa. No dark slide and I could get a meter prism. That was a great plus for macro work. I found the macro lens, too and is is very sharp. The meter prism is spot on.

The really cool stuff like the 40mm shows up on eBay occasionally and are usually quite reasonable considering everything.

Anyway, this camera is rock solid. The Super 66 was supposed to overcome the durability issues of the earlier models and I see no reason to doubt that.

I do wish that it had an instant return mirror and there is no Time setting. You set the shutter to T and when you are ready you move the shutter to 1 second and it closes. Not the best arrangement. The mirror lock up is just like my old Nikon FE. You use the self timer and the mirror locks up and you get several seconds for the the vibrations to subside. Again, not the best, perhaps, but it works for me. Get the hand grip and the tripod riser. They are inexpensive and make things much easier.

Strengths:

A robust camera. Get the hand grip even if you are going to use it on a tripod. Mine is never hand held. That cold shoe comes in handy for on camera flash or a bubble level if your tripod doesn't have one. The Sekonic Twin Mate has a cold shoe mount that should work quite nicely. I plan for that to be my next purchase. You never know when you might want an incident meter. There is no dark slide to bend or misplace.

The meter prism is a life saver for macro photography. There are several view screens. I use the microprism spot and it works great with no blackout using my macro lens. One note, the Super 66 takes different screens than the 6 and 6mm. The optional tripod spacer allows you to change backs without removing the camera from the tripod. Again, these item are inexpensive on eBay.

What other medium format camera system can offer specialty lenses such as a great macro lens or a 40mm wide angle for such reasonable prices?

Above all this camera system takes great photos if you do your part.

Weaknesses:

No instant return mirror.

No easy way to use the time setting.

The 6 and 6mm have durability issues that the Super 66 has apparently overcome.

The neck strap cannot be used with the meter prism.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica S2A
Mamiya C330

Customer Service:

Ross Yerkes is the man to go to for service on Kowa.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Dan Metts
(Professional)

Review Date
January 22, 2007

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Review 2 of 12

Price Paid: $150.00 from E-bay

Summary:

I have been wanting to get a kowa six for a while. The camera looks good. It feals good in the hand and on the tripod. Is is easier to handle than my Mamiya C 330. The camea is very simple to operate. the cocus is easy in average light.

Strengths:

I have the one with the aluminum lens, so it is a very good looking camera. The sound of the light baffle and mirrow going up is about average. Takes 120 or 220 fim without changing backs. Can get them at a good price, the lens are very sharp, better than most of my Mamiya twin lens sets.

Weaknesses:

It is getting old and some shops will not repair them.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya twin lens. Pentax 645, mamiya 645, Bronica GS-1, Rollie twin 2.8.

Customer Service:

I had it cleaned and repaid by Ross Yerkes in LA and he did a fine job at a good price and very fast. Higlely recommended. Also, try Morgantown Camera and Vedio in WV.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Rob L
(Expert)

Review Date
March 25, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 12

Price Paid: $300.00 from Ft. Worth, TX

Summary:

Wanted to get into medium format at the time and the then-almost-new Kowa six had been traded in at a local camera dealer by a pro. I used the camera off and on for years with only the 85mm lens and T-grip. Last year, I acquired a metered chimney finder (from Adorama)which has made things more convenient. I have shot mostly landscapes and miscellaneous photos with it and the images are outstanding. The camera did jam last year and went off to Ross Yerkes in CA for repair and CLA - very affordable and an acknowledged expert. Not being a pro, this will be my first and last MF camera - and I'm very happy with that.

Strengths:

Excellent optics, wonderful quality from large negatives (printed or scanned).

Weaknesses:

I don't know that the jam was due to the film advance gear, but Mr. Yerkes took care of that. Otherwise, very solid manual camera.

Similar Products Used:

Kodak folding camera (not really similar, but 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 negative); numerous 35mm cameras from mid-60's models to current.

Customer Service:

N/A from Kowa (they are still in business making high-end telescopes and medical optics). Mr. Yerkes, great as he is, won't live forever, either.

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Rating
Reviewed by: FC
(Casual)

Review Date
March 16, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Review 4 of 12

Price Paid: $345.00 from ebay

Summary:

I fell in love with this camera the moment it came out of the box. I researched and read the reviews on various websites, trying to find the cheapest way to get into Medium Format... Ended up buying a half working body and sending it off for a complete CLA. The price above is the total cost that I paid. The Kowa has by far surpassed all my expectations! The body is solid and strong, with a beautiful lens. I also have the side flash grip, which is very handy. All in all an excellent, quality camera (the prices are unbelievable for this level of quality!!). People compare it with Hassys... I can't say, as I've never used one, but I sure am one happy customer.

Strengths:

- Solid as a rock - Excellent lenses - Lots and lots of cheap accessories on ebay - Will keep me happy for many years to come!

Weaknesses:

I've heard that the winding knob can be a slight problem, but as long as the lever is kept in (and the knob itself used), there isn't any problem.

Similar Products Used:

Yashica TLR - painful!

Customer Service:

Great private repairment who can clean almost anything up for very reasonable prices (a pittance compared to the price of a Hassy CLA!)

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Rating
Reviewed by: bokata
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 17, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 5 of 12

Price Paid: $325.00 from eBay

Summary:

A mechanical dinosaur not yet extinct. It probably has more years left than many of the electronic marvels of today.?xD;?xA;The camera is an affordable, though intimidating way into medium format. Having used Bronica, mamiya, et al, I can?xD;?xA;testify to the build quality and reliable, sraightforeward operation of the Kowa. This is a real shooter! It is also a collector's?xD;?xA;piece as well.?xD;?xA;Not for the feint of heart, but a great buy with an excellent line of lenses.

Strengths:

Mechanical all the way! Quality lenses! ?xD;?xA;Lots of expert user discussions on the web (e.g. Robert Monaghan's medium format page).

Weaknesses:

Would say lack of support, but many camera repair places?xD;?xA;still CLA this venerable Cam.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica ETRS, Mamiya 220...

Customer Service:

None

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