Difference between revisions of "Kowa Six"

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{{Japanese medium format SLR}}
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The '''Kowa Six''' is an [[SLR]] camera for 6x6 cm pictures on [[120 film]], made by [[Kowa]] in the 1960s. The '''Kowa Six MM''' is an improved model, allowing multiple-exposure and with a mirror lock.<ref>[http://www.kilfitt.org/Cameras/Kowa.htm Kowa Six series notes] at [http://www.kilfitt.org/ kilfitt.org].</ref> This was followed by the [[Kowa Super 66|Super 66]], which has detachable film magazines.
 
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These cameras were designed to compete the [[Hasselblad]] cameras. Unlike these famous models, film is not included in a magazine but in the body itself : the film follows à «L» course, like in the [[Great_Wall_DF|Great Wall DF]] cameras.
 
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Despite the high quality of the Kowa lenses, the mirror movement may create vibrations which make the focusing ring to rotate itself, thus shifting the focus. The focus ring has to be held tightly when firing. Users are also recommended to turn the shutter and film knob carefully, in order to not to jam the camera. Opening the camera and taking out the film then restores the system.
 
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The Kowa six is a well-built, heavyweight camera, 4 lbs./1.81kg with the pop-up finder, but pleasant to handle and to use.
 
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlerman/5312393427/in/pool-camerawiki  
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/52673454170/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5312393427_e5148294d2.jpg
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52673454170_d4b69e893f_w.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_align=
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|image_text= Kowa Six
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|image_text= 1968 ad in [[Popular Photography]]<br>
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|image_by= Peter M Lerman
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|scan_by= Voxphoto
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|image_rights= with permission
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|image_rights= nc
 
}}
 
}}
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<br style="clear:both;"/>
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tskibby/6775656540/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tskibby/6775656540/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6775656540_170a3aa491.jpg
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/7189/6775656540_170a3aa491_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_align=
 
|image_text= Kowa Six MM
 
|image_text= Kowa Six MM
 
|image_by= Terry Skibby
 
|image_by= Terry Skibby
 
|image_rights=  with permission
 
|image_rights=  with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlerman/5312393427/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5312393427_e5148294d2_n.jpg
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|image_align=
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|image_text= Kowa Six, chimney finder
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|image_by= Peter M Lerman
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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|}
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The '''Kowa Six''' is an [[SLR]] camera for 6x6 cm pictures on [[120 film]], made by [[Kowa]] in the 1960s. The '''Kowa Six MM''' is an improved model, allowing [[multiple exposure]]s and adding a mirror lock.<ref>[http://www.kilfitt.org/Cameras/Kowa.htm Kowa Six series notes] at [http://www.kilfitt.org/ kilfitt.org].</ref> This was followed by the [[Kowa Super 66|Super 66]], which has detachable film magazines.
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__TOC__
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The Kowas were designed to compete with 6x6 [[SLR]]s like the [[Bronica S2]] and [[Hasselblad]]. Unlike these famous models, film is not included in a magazine but in the body itself : the film follows an "L" path, like in the [[Great_Wall_DF|Great Wall DF]] cameras.
 +
 +
Despite the high quality of the Kowa lenses, the mirror movement may create vibrations which cause the focusing ring to rotate itself, thus shifting the focus. The focus ring has to be held tightly when firing. Users are also recommended to turn the shutter and film knob carefully, in order to not to jam the camera. Opening the camera and taking out the film then restores the system.
 +
 +
The Kowa six is a well-built, heavyweight camera, 4 lbs./1.81kg with the pop-up finder, but pleasant to handle and to use.
  
 
==System==
 
==System==
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'''Lens'''
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===Lenses===
 
* 19mm f/4.5 Fisheye (14 elements in 9 groups)  
 
* 19mm f/4.5 Fisheye (14 elements in 9 groups)  
 
* 35mm f/4 (10 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
 
* 35mm f/4 (10 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
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* 250mm f/5.6 (6 elements in 5 groups) 67mm filter
 
* 250mm f/5.6 (6 elements in 5 groups) 67mm filter
 
* 500mm f/8 (7 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
 
* 500mm f/8 (7 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
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{|class=floatleft
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'''Finder'''
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/49877827561/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49877827561_7c594bf2a6_n.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Kowa Six Lens Mount
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/49849879621/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49849879621_6264989ec9_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Kowa Six 150mm f/3.5 Lens
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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}}
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|}
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{{br}}
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===Finders===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/50236074833/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50236074833_897fa6d9cf_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Kowa Six Sports Finder
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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}}
 
* Prism
 
* Prism
 
* Prism 45 degree
 
* Prism 45 degree
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* Magnifying hood (chimney)
 
* Magnifying hood (chimney)
 
    
 
    
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'''Screen'''
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===Screens===
 
* Matte
 
* Matte
 
* Split-image
 
* Split-image
 
* Grid
 
* Grid
 
* Grid with Split-image
 
* Grid with Split-image
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===Accessories===
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* Handgrip
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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In English:
 
In English:
 
* Repair notes for the [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/kowa6_55_150/Default.htm 55mm lens] and [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/kowa6_55_150/150.htm 150mm lens] at [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/Default.htm Robert Ian Axford's Camera Works]
 
* Repair notes for the [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/kowa6_55_150/Default.htm 55mm lens] and [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/cameras/kowa6_55_150/150.htm 150mm lens] at [http://photographic.co.nz/cameraworks/Default.htm Robert Ian Axford's Camera Works]
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kowa/kowa_66/kowa_66.htm Kowa 66] instruction manual at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010605191631/http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/kowa6.html Kowa 6 information pages] by Robert Monaghan (archived)
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hsp120slrall/slr120kowa.htm Kowa Six] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]
 
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hsp120slrall/slr120kowa.htm Kowa Six] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kowa/kowa_66/kowa_66.htm Kowa 66] instruction manual at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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[[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]]
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[[Category: Kowa]]
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[[Category: Kowa|Six]]
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[[Category:S|Six  Kowa]]
 
[[Category: K]]
 
[[Category: K]]
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[[Category:1960-1969]]

Latest revision as of 23:09, 10 February 2023

52673454170_d4b69e893f_w.jpg
1968 ad in Popular Photography
scanned by Voxphoto  (Image rights)
6775656540_170a3aa491_n.jpg
Kowa Six MM
image by Terry Skibby (Image rights)
5312393427_e5148294d2_n.jpg
Kowa Six, chimney finder
image by Peter M Lerman (Image rights)

The Kowa Six is an SLR camera for 6x6 cm pictures on 120 film, made by Kowa in the 1960s. The Kowa Six MM is an improved model, allowing multiple exposures and adding a mirror lock.[1] This was followed by the Super 66, which has detachable film magazines.

The Kowas were designed to compete with 6x6 SLRs like the Bronica S2 and Hasselblad. Unlike these famous models, film is not included in a magazine but in the body itself : the film follows an "L" path, like in the Great Wall DF cameras.

Despite the high quality of the Kowa lenses, the mirror movement may create vibrations which cause the focusing ring to rotate itself, thus shifting the focus. The focus ring has to be held tightly when firing. Users are also recommended to turn the shutter and film knob carefully, in order to not to jam the camera. Opening the camera and taking out the film then restores the system.

The Kowa six is a well-built, heavyweight camera, 4 lbs./1.81kg with the pop-up finder, but pleasant to handle and to use.

System

Lenses

  • 19mm f/4.5 Fisheye (14 elements in 9 groups)
  • 35mm f/4 (10 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
  • 40mm f/4 (9 elements in 7 groups) 95mm filter
  • 55mm f/3.5 (8 elements in 7 groups) 67mm filter
  • 85mm f/2.8 (5 elements in 4 groups)
  • 110mm f/5.6 (5 elements in 4 groups) 67mm filter
  • 150mm f/3.5 (5 elements in 4 groups) 67mm filter
  • 250mm f/5.6 (6 elements in 5 groups) 67mm filter
  • 500mm f/8 (7 elements in 6 groups) 95mm filter
49877827561_7c594bf2a6_n.jpg
Kowa Six Lens Mount
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)
49849879621_6264989ec9_m.jpg
Kowa Six 150mm f/3.5 Lens
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)


Finders

50236074833_897fa6d9cf_m.jpg
Kowa Six Sports Finder
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)
  • Prism
  • Prism 45 degree
  • Sports finder
  • Exposure finder (chimney, metered)
  • Magnifying hood (chimney)

Screens

  • Matte
  • Split-image
  • Grid
  • Grid with Split-image

Accessories

  • Handgrip

Notes

  1. ↑ Kowa Six series notes at kilfitt.org.

Bibliography

  • Kamera no ayumi. Zen nihon shashin renmei sōritsu 50-shūnen kinen (カメラのあゆみ・全日本写真連盟創立五〇周年記念, History of cameras, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the All Japan Association of Photographic Societies). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1976. No ISBN number. P.109.
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.124.
  • 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. Items 2140–2.

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

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