New Here and question about Kowa Six lenses with stuck shutters

[The White Owl]

Hello, I just signed up at Photrio. I have a portrait studio in Los Angeles where I shoot people and pets. I also do my own art concepts. I have a question about a camera. I have been shooting digital for some time now but I still pull out my 35mm Nikon for B/W. My question is about a Kowa Six that I have not used in ages but have cleaned up and want to use again. My problem is that the shutters in both of my lenses aren't responding when I hit the button. It is supposed to do several action all at once: mirror fold up, light baffle open, aperture go to setting but nothing is happening. When I first dusted it off, it seemed to be functioning fine so I loaded it up. After a couple of frames, it would not advance and I realized that was because it had not fired (I think). Does anybody have any suggestions? It is a completely mechanical camera, no batteries. Thank you!!!!

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio, we're happy to have you!
Sorry to hear about the trouble with the Kowa Six; I have no experience with this camera unfortunately. I'll add the camera type to the thread title so perhaps someone sees this and can chime in with some hints.

 

[Kino]

The lenses probably need to be serviced, as the leaf shutters tend to stick over time when the lubricants dry out and get sticky.

It is not a casual, self-service type of repair, unfortunately and there is only one repair person I know of who does work on these cameras, but he is located in Los Angeles.

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair in Los Angeles, CA 90042 - (323) 2...

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair located at 342 Kirby St, Los Angeles, CA 90042 - reviews, ratings, hours, phone number, directions, and more.

www.chamberofcommerce.com

 

[btaylor]

Ross Yerkes is your guy for Kowa repairs, he is local and the last time I used him years ago the turnaround was pretty quick. He is quite elderly at this point and had some interesting social and religious views (you can look that up). I had 2 Kowas, a Six and a 66. The Six was my favorite, with the side handle it was perhaps the best handling 6x6 I’ve ever used. The lenses on mine were excellent.

 

[Paul Howell]

I had my Kowas serviced maybe 15 years ago by Ross Yerkes, along with a 55 wide angle lens, did a good job and charged going rates at the the time. He does not have a web page, you will to call him. He has a shop, I think, in the downtown area, if close by you can drop your kit for an estimate.

 

[The White Owl]

The lenses probably need to be serviced, as the leaf shutters tend to stick over time when the lubricants dry out and get sticky.

It is not a casual, self-service type of repair, unfortunately and there is only one repair person I know of who does work on these cameras, but he is located in Los Angeles.

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair in Los Angeles, CA 90042 - (323) 2...

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair located at 342 Kirby St, Los Angeles, CA 90042 - reviews, ratings, hours, phone number, directions, and more.

www.chamberofcommerce.com

Thank you! Happy Holiday!

 

[The White Owl]

The lenses probably need to be serviced, as the leaf shutters tend to stick over time when the lubricants dry out and get sticky.

It is not a casual, self-service type of repair, unfortunately and there is only one repair person I know of who does work on these cameras, but he is located in Los Angeles.

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair in Los Angeles, CA 90042 - (323) 2...

Ross Yerkes Camera Repair located at 342 Kirby St, Los Angeles, CA 90042 - reviews, ratings, hours, phone number, directions, and more.

www.chamberofcommerce.com

Thank you very much! Have a happy holiday!

 

[mshchem]

Welcome to the forum. Have a lovely holiday (days)