Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Hi
I know there are a couple of you still using the Kowa MF SLR. Let´s say mine just made itself known to me. Three issues, before I´ve even taken a single shot. I loaded a trashed roll of 120 and to acquaint myself with it, and found:
1. The light seals are more or less shot. I saw evidence of black dust all over the place, on the finder, mirror, you name it, and yes the foam was disintegrating to the touch. I´ve done a quick job with some foam I had lying around, and will try some test shots tomorrow, hopefully it´ll do for now. Does anyone know if these can be bought, failing that where generic strips of sealing foam 3-4 mm square can be found?
2. The cocking and film winding mechanism feels rather strange, I don´t know if it supposed to be like this. At first a bit of resistance, then towards the end of the cocking and mirror raising cycle even more resistance, and then much less when film is wound in the second part of the cycle. At first I was rather hesitant at winding past the mirror raising to cock the shutter, as I´d heard the mechanism can break if overtaxed. (and thought I´d jammed it)
3. The lens has been given a CLA, rumour has it, and the glass is very clean. The helicoid is super smooth. However there seems to be oil on the aperture blades. They are sticky and this means that the blades don´t return when you use the DOF preview, or after a picture is taken. You have to force them back by stopping up to f2.8 and then back to your chosen stop for the next shot. It works of course, but a bit annoying. Anyone had a go at DIY cleaning of this particular lens?
Here´s the beast. I rather like it already. And boy does it say ka-wump! I nearly fell over in fright the first time I fired it.
I know there are a couple of you still using the Kowa MF SLR. Let´s say mine just made itself known to me. Three issues, before I´ve even taken a single shot. I loaded a trashed roll of 120 and to acquaint myself with it, and found:
1. The light seals are more or less shot. I saw evidence of black dust all over the place, on the finder, mirror, you name it, and yes the foam was disintegrating to the touch. I´ve done a quick job with some foam I had lying around, and will try some test shots tomorrow, hopefully it´ll do for now. Does anyone know if these can be bought, failing that where generic strips of sealing foam 3-4 mm square can be found?
2. The cocking and film winding mechanism feels rather strange, I don´t know if it supposed to be like this. At first a bit of resistance, then towards the end of the cocking and mirror raising cycle even more resistance, and then much less when film is wound in the second part of the cycle. At first I was rather hesitant at winding past the mirror raising to cock the shutter, as I´d heard the mechanism can break if overtaxed. (and thought I´d jammed it)
3. The lens has been given a CLA, rumour has it, and the glass is very clean. The helicoid is super smooth. However there seems to be oil on the aperture blades. They are sticky and this means that the blades don´t return when you use the DOF preview, or after a picture is taken. You have to force them back by stopping up to f2.8 and then back to your chosen stop for the next shot. It works of course, but a bit annoying. Anyone had a go at DIY cleaning of this particular lens?
Here´s the beast. I rather like it already. And boy does it say ka-wump! I nearly fell over in fright the first time I fired it.
kuzano
Veteran
Cocking the beast.....
Cocking the beast.....
Yes, the resistance to cocking is quite interesting. Since you are cocking the rather substantial shutter, and the mirror mechanism, there are all sorts of changes in the resistance, including an accelerator spring in the shutter at the highest speeds. The early SLR cameras were similar in these respects. I found the Kowa Six similar, and both my Bronica S2 and S2a were like you mention. In fact there was one brass gear in the mechanism of the S2 that was a chronic issue. The S2a's biggest improvement was the replacement of the weak brass gear for a steel one.
I remember when using my Kowa, there were a couple of places in the cocking that I almost wanted to quit winding and then it would go over center and ease up for the next portion of the revolution.
I sent my S2 in for the gear conversion many years ago. At the time the reputed CLA and conversion place for these Bronica's always had a display ad in the old newsrag Shutterbug. The place was called Bald Mountain or Mt Baldy ???? in California.
I suspect they would be a good CLA source for the Kowa's as well.
My Kowa was the primary reason I never became interested in the Hasselblads. More IQ per buck for me.
OH yes, It's Photography on Bald Mountain... in California
http://www.baldmtn.com/AINFOSHT2.htm
Cocking the beast.....
Yes, the resistance to cocking is quite interesting. Since you are cocking the rather substantial shutter, and the mirror mechanism, there are all sorts of changes in the resistance, including an accelerator spring in the shutter at the highest speeds. The early SLR cameras were similar in these respects. I found the Kowa Six similar, and both my Bronica S2 and S2a were like you mention. In fact there was one brass gear in the mechanism of the S2 that was a chronic issue. The S2a's biggest improvement was the replacement of the weak brass gear for a steel one.
I remember when using my Kowa, there were a couple of places in the cocking that I almost wanted to quit winding and then it would go over center and ease up for the next portion of the revolution.
I sent my S2 in for the gear conversion many years ago. At the time the reputed CLA and conversion place for these Bronica's always had a display ad in the old newsrag Shutterbug. The place was called Bald Mountain or Mt Baldy ???? in California.
I suspect they would be a good CLA source for the Kowa's as well.
My Kowa was the primary reason I never became interested in the Hasselblads. More IQ per buck for me.
OH yes, It's Photography on Bald Mountain... in California
http://www.baldmtn.com/AINFOSHT2.htm
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Krosya
Konicaze
I have Kowa system and I like it. Mine is Kowa Six - non removable back.:
kowasix set - to sell or not to sell? by krosyagms, on Flickr
As far as your questions go - I never really had these issues with mine, and I had several bodies and lenses. Only one sounds similar - is winding, yet mine sounds a bit smoother than yours. Yet there is some resistance, just not much.
Seals - I never had this problem with Kowa, but did with other cameras and I always use this felt material, that is sticky on one side. I get it at Walmart crafts dept. for like 70cents per sheet of 8x10. And cut as needed.
Lens - as these are leaf shutter lenses, I would really want to have no oil anywhere near there, so aperture blades that are not snappy is a bad sign. I'm not sure if CLA is worth it on this lens as you can find them cheap enough. Other Kowa lenses are harder to find and may be worth CLA. There was a Kowa specialist in California, but I dont remember the name. Try Google/Photo.net for that info.
Good luck - there are awsome cameras and lenss when they work well - I used to have a Hassy before I got a Kowa and I can tell you - image quality is pretty much the same. I sold my Hassy and kept Kowa. I cant say that one is better than the other - they are a bit different, but I cant tell you one thing for sure - Kowa is a lot cheaper without loss in quality. Another cool thing about Kowa - standard lens on Kowa is 85mm and focuses closer than 80mm Planar on a Hassy - a nice advantage.
kowasix set - to sell or not to sell? by krosyagms, on Flickr
As far as your questions go - I never really had these issues with mine, and I had several bodies and lenses. Only one sounds similar - is winding, yet mine sounds a bit smoother than yours. Yet there is some resistance, just not much.
Seals - I never had this problem with Kowa, but did with other cameras and I always use this felt material, that is sticky on one side. I get it at Walmart crafts dept. for like 70cents per sheet of 8x10. And cut as needed.
Lens - as these are leaf shutter lenses, I would really want to have no oil anywhere near there, so aperture blades that are not snappy is a bad sign. I'm not sure if CLA is worth it on this lens as you can find them cheap enough. Other Kowa lenses are harder to find and may be worth CLA. There was a Kowa specialist in California, but I dont remember the name. Try Google/Photo.net for that info.
Good luck - there are awsome cameras and lenss when they work well - I used to have a Hassy before I got a Kowa and I can tell you - image quality is pretty much the same. I sold my Hassy and kept Kowa. I cant say that one is better than the other - they are a bit different, but I cant tell you one thing for sure - Kowa is a lot cheaper without loss in quality. Another cool thing about Kowa - standard lens on Kowa is 85mm and focuses closer than 80mm Planar on a Hassy - a nice advantage.
ivansanzana
Member
Love my Kowa, it's like a tank, take it anywhere and everywhere.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
ivansanzana
Member
By the way, I have a metered prism I don't use, I was thinking of selling, let me know if this interests anyone.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Thanks for your input so far.
I know about Ross Yerkes in LA, but just shipping back and forth will be prohibitively expensive (I live on the other side of the globe), let alone the CLA. the 85mm doesn´t pop up on Ebay either, as it being the normal lens - it usually is only sold as part and package with the camera itself. But I´ll hold out until I can find a replacement, and then maybe try a little CLA myself.
I know about Ross Yerkes in LA, but just shipping back and forth will be prohibitively expensive (I live on the other side of the globe), let alone the CLA. the 85mm doesn´t pop up on Ebay either, as it being the normal lens - it usually is only sold as part and package with the camera itself. But I´ll hold out until I can find a replacement, and then maybe try a little CLA myself.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
My Kowa:
1. Yes. You can buy sticky-side foam on e.g. ebay from jon goodman whos nickname i forgot but you can google him.
2. Sounds like my Kowa's winding. Don't worry too much about it.
3. Sounds like my Kowa lenses. I have a 55/3.5 and a 85/2.8. Both had same problem.
The 85 I cleaned up. Was working for a while but then again got greasy. The 55 is more complicated in build and it looks too good, i dont want to butcher it.
A repair service in the UK quoted me 80 pounds per lens to sort it out.
I didnt go for it. It's just too big gear for me, im not sure i'd use it.
I still have it - tried to sell it here but nobody wanted it (due to problems with both lenses,i guess).
1. Yes. You can buy sticky-side foam on e.g. ebay from jon goodman whos nickname i forgot but you can google him.
2. Sounds like my Kowa's winding. Don't worry too much about it.
3. Sounds like my Kowa lenses. I have a 55/3.5 and a 85/2.8. Both had same problem.
The 85 I cleaned up. Was working for a while but then again got greasy. The 55 is more complicated in build and it looks too good, i dont want to butcher it.
A repair service in the UK quoted me 80 pounds per lens to sort it out.
I didnt go for it. It's just too big gear for me, im not sure i'd use it.
I still have it - tried to sell it here but nobody wanted it (due to problems with both lenses,i guess).
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Thanks Pherdinand.
Reg. sticky lens. I'm not too worried as long as it stops down quickly enough when fired, I can live with manually having to return to max aperture after each DoF preview or picture shot.
I've just run a test roll through the camera and waiting for the film to dry, the negs look ok, but I'll have a better look when I scan them this evening.
Reg. sticky lens. I'm not too worried as long as it stops down quickly enough when fired, I can live with manually having to return to max aperture after each DoF preview or picture shot.
I've just run a test roll through the camera and waiting for the film to dry, the negs look ok, but I'll have a better look when I scan them this evening.
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
^Well , here we are 3/4's of a decade later and I still don't see any pictures 
. Just
bought one that was completely jammed up and I'd be interested in seeing a few more
pictures . Keeps me busy on these rainy coastal days . Peter
. Justbought one that was completely jammed up and I'd be interested in seeing a few more
pictures . Keeps me busy on these rainy coastal days . Peter