Difference between revisions of "Kowa Kid"
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* [http://www.amaha.or.jp/kowa_camera.htm Kowa camera page], presenting a Kowa Kid and a Super-Lark Zen-99 | * [http://www.amaha.or.jp/kowa_camera.htm Kowa camera page], presenting a Kowa Kid and a Super-Lark Zen-99 | ||
* [http://www.geocities.jp/toyoo1943/profile.htm Kowa camera specs] in [http://www.geocities.jp/toyoo1943/youkoso.htm Shihira's Kowa page] | * [http://www.geocities.jp/toyoo1943/profile.htm Kowa camera specs] in [http://www.geocities.jp/toyoo1943/youkoso.htm Shihira's Kowa page] | ||
+ | * [http://asacame.sugoihp.com/hspbestaz/bestz.htm Kowa Kid] in the [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbnbestaz.htm A–Z 127 film cameras] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame] | ||
+ | * [http://arihiroa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/kowakid.htm Sample pictures] at [http://arihiroa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/index.html Japan Family Camera] | ||
[[Category: Japanese 4x6.5 viewfinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 4x6.5 viewfinder]] | ||
[[Category: Kowa]] | [[Category: Kowa]] | ||
[[Category: K]] | [[Category: K]] |
Revision as of 18:49, 7 January 2007
The Kowa Kid (コウワキッド) is a Japanese inexpensive camera taking 4×6.5cm and 4×4cm exposures on 127 film, made in 1960 by Kowa.[1]
Description
The Kowa Kid has a grey coloured body, covered by grey imitation leather. The advance knob is at the left end of the top plate. The viewfinder is contained under a top housing, with a fake rangefinder window, a fake exposure meter window and a white plastic accessory shoe. The latter probably allows to physically attach a flash unit, but has not much practical utility because the shutter is not synchronized. There are strap lugs on both sides. The back is hinged to the right and contains two red windows, one for each picture format.
The lens is mounted in a grey and black barrel, and it is marked prominar f=70mm and kowa optical works japan, all in lowercaps. There is a B and S setting under the lens, probably for Bulb or Instant exposures. Another control is available, with three colour-coded positions, probably for the aperture. The shutter release is on the side of the lens barrel.
Name variants
The camera is normally called Kowa Kid and has Kowa and Kid markings on the front of the body.[2] It was sold in an orange box marked KK and it is said that it cost ¥1,900.[3]
There are name variants, probably for export. The Zen-99 is sometimes marked Kowa and ZEN-99[4] and sometimes SUPER-LARK and ZEN-99. An example of the latter has been observed in its original box, marked CRAIGSTAN CORPORATION JAPAN and ZEN-99 4×4CM–127 FILM CAMERA, with no mention of 4×6.5cm exposures probably because it sounded old-fashioned. It seems that Craigstan was a Japanese toy maker. Its name is also printed on the exposure manual.[5]
Yet another name variant, called Light Super, has a black body with metal-colour trimming. The word HARMONY is written in a red nameplate in place of the fake exposure meter window. The lens is marked uera f=70mm and light optical works japan in lowercaps.
Notes
- ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 385.
- ↑ See for example Sugiyama item 4153.
- ↑ Price: see this page by Shihira.
- ↑ See for example McKeown, p. 548.
- ↑ Camera and box observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 1258.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P. 548.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 4153.
Links
In Japanese:
- Kowa camera page, presenting a Kowa Kid and a Super-Lark Zen-99
- Kowa camera specs in Shihira's Kowa page
- Kowa Kid in the A–Z 127 film cameras at Asacame
- Sample pictures at Japan Family Camera