Kowa Super 66 Kit

[Aircooledguy]

New guy here - I've been a registered lurker for some time, playing with my Kowa and LF Zone VI, learning by reading here. I figure it's about time that I introduce myself as a MF Kowa fan. I'm always looking for bits and pieces, so if you have those, drop me a line. Any other Kowa 6x6 shooters?

 

[rthollenbeck]

Admittedly having only handled the Kowa 66's, I like what I saw. I thought it's been said they are fragile or some have reliability issue? Have they been good to you?

 

[Rick A]

I owned a pair of Super 66's years ago, danged fine cameras, often referred to as "the poor mans hassy". I sold mine off in the mid 80's.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

There are some Kowa Super 66 shooters here.

 

[btaylor]

I used to have a Kowa Six and 66. Mine were entirely reliable, but I didn't use them to shoot weddings. The Six was one of the nicest handling MF cameras I have ever had. I regret selling it! If you need accessories I I have a prism (can't remember 45 or 90 degree) and a couple of 66 backs that are lonely. I think a 150mm lens for parts too. Shoot me a PM if you're interested in any of it.

BTW, the Kowa guru is a fellow named Ross Yerkes in Los Angeles. He does all sorts of repairs and customizations.

Bruce

 

[jvo]

been a mamiya 645 fan and was given a kowa 6 which i've been using for the past 6 months. i prefer the waist level viewfinders in mf. i really like the square format of the kowa and each time i pick up the mamiya find myself going back to the kowa...

welcome to apug... (or at least out of the closet!!!)

 

[Aircooledguy]

Great replies! I was down in Southern California for some training about a month ago - I met Ross and he CLA'd my 85mm and 150mm lenses as the shutters were sticking and serviced one of my film backs. Turns out, he had just CLA'd my bodies (I have 2 Super 66s) right before I got them a few years ago. I also turned up a 19mm fisheye in a pawnshop that he still has . . . it had been adapted for another camera system and needed a major rebuild - he's beside himself on that project. I have heard about the "fragility" of the Kowas, too, but have yet to experience that. All metal build and follow the proper steps for use, no sweat. They take some great pics and the glass has all been tack sharp. I really like the system!

 

[darkroommike]

25 years ago my boss had a stable of Kowas, mostly Super 66's. He and his other wedding shooter beat the crap out of these cameras every week, both would take 5 to a wedding and many weeks had only 1 or 2 working on Monday. My job was to wait for the lab to call and tell us which cameras had problems, I had filed notch codes in all the backs, and get those over to our repairman, he did good work but had no parts so they'd break, he'd get them working and the whole cycle would repeat. Cameras were completely worn out, lenses had issues, but still produced fine work when they worked. I had the only 6MM in the pile which I used on a copy stand for copy and resto work. It was in much better condition and by some coincidence had the only really good lens, too. All in all good machines.

 

[paul ron]

i bought a broken kowa 66 n a back n i think its got 2 lenses. the body came with its famous stripped winding mecanism but i just to see exactly what the problem is. i repaired the stripped part n the body is now working. but the film back isnt working.

id be willing to pass along what i have for what i paid for it if you are interested in experimenting n playing inside it?

contact me if your interested in what i have?

 

[Aircooledguy]

contact me if your interested in what i have?

Done - thank you, sir!

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a 66 and super 66 with 4 lens, the 55, 80, 150 and 250, have both the eye level and waist level prims. Bought mine in the early 80s just after Kowa left the market, my intent was to upgrade to a Rollie 66SL, needless to say the Kowa's worked so well never saw a need. The lens stack up well against Ziess. Only drawback is that in order to change the film or the back on the super you need to take the camera off a tripod. There are older chrome lens and newer black lens, the black lens have a better reputation. Just for information, Ross Yerkes has a reputation as an anti-Semitic and racist. he must be in his 80s, dont know if his shop is still open. Just remember these cameras are now over 40 years old, not make in large numbers, keeping them up and running, well that is a challenge.

 

[Aircooledguy]

Ross' shop is still open and he's still doing business - he will be shipping one of my lenses back to me this week. He is unique and of strong opinion, for sure . . . and he's not afraid to share it! I can't say that I see eye to eye him, but his love of the Kowa and skills of repair and maintenance are a couple of things I appreciate. In my kit, I have a tripod mounting offset plate so, when it is mounted to the camera and on a tripod, I can change backs with no issues. This is an official Kowa piece created when they recognized this issue. Good stuff, for sure!

 

[spacer]

I have a brace of SIXes, and really need to get 'em out in the field again. Even my Bronica seems too modern and "un-funky" compared to these babies.

 

[Aircooledguy]

So, Ross shipped my 19mm fisheye and I got it yesterday . . . He ended up having to rebuild it almost completely but it works and looks great. I can't wait to start playing with it!