nikola
Well-known
Today I bumped into Kowa Kallo on local auction site, but never herd of it, does anyone know something? 
It seams it's pretty rare cause I can't google anything meaningful... and can't identify exact model on picture. :bang:
Btw. it seams that Kowa really did some sweet RFs, like Kallo 140 (already mentioned on rff) and lovely Kowa SW (click)!
It seams it's pretty rare cause I can't google anything meaningful... and can't identify exact model on picture. :bang:
Btw. it seams that Kowa really did some sweet RFs, like Kallo 140 (already mentioned on rff) and lovely Kowa SW (click)!
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nikola
Well-known
anyone?
(a little bump)
(a little bump)
jlw
Rangefinder camera pedant
I've heard of the Kowa 140, and the one in your picture looks like the Kowa 180 (same camera with f/1.8 instead of f/1.4 lens) but I never had heard of it under the "Kallo" name. I wonder if this could have been a retailer or importer brand...?
ZeissFan
Veteran
For the most part, Kowa made cameras that occupied the lower segment of the market. Probably fine cameras, but they weren't viewed in the same light as other Japanese camera makers.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Most late '50's Japanese rangefinder 35's were solid and very well finished.
If it's reasonably priced and seems to be working, I'd take a chance on it...
Chris
If it's reasonably priced and seems to be working, I'd take a chance on it...
Chris
Cale Arthur
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nikola
Well-known
Kowa first branded them Kallo (which means beautiful ) but after some time they put stickers over the Kallo type, and later started branding them just Kowa.
This one looks like 140/180 but with some differences, like upper right dial on top is missing and that MXV button on the right of the lens is gone to?
I'll try to grab it, it should be fun if it's in working condition.
) but after some time they put stickers over the Kallo type, and later started branding them just Kowa.This one looks like 140/180 but with some differences, like upper right dial on top is missing and that MXV button on the right of the lens is gone to?
I'll try to grab it, it should be fun if it's in working condition.
kaiser48
Newbie
Hi Nikola,
I hope I've managed to post a picture of my Kowa Kallow ( I'm struggling to learn how to upload images) . Anyway - it was given to me a few years ago. I asked around then and the general opinion was good lens, weak body, like the kowa 35mm slrs.
This one works very well, even the meter is still working. The back hinge and lock feel very fragile so I don't use it much. The lens is quite acceptible for sharpness & contrast.
I believe there were quite a number of different models under the Kallow name, but I haven't seen another like mine. Actually, I've only seen one other Kallow apart from your picture.
I hope I've managed to post a picture of my Kowa Kallow ( I'm struggling to learn how to upload images) . Anyway - it was given to me a few years ago. I asked around then and the general opinion was good lens, weak body, like the kowa 35mm slrs.
This one works very well, even the meter is still working. The back hinge and lock feel very fragile so I don't use it much. The lens is quite acceptible for sharpness & contrast.
I believe there were quite a number of different models under the Kallow name, but I haven't seen another like mine. Actually, I've only seen one other Kallow apart from your picture.
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nikola
Well-known
Thanks Kaiser!
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Excellent information, Nikola. I only knew about the Kowa medium format SLRs and the Kalloflex TLR.
nikola
Well-known
It arrived in horrible condition, not close to advertised! Someone was playing with screwdriver... badly... It's completely dysfunctional...
So I spent the day trying to fix it, but after complete disassambley concluded that there's no help for her!
Some internal screws are missing, shutter has a small dent probably from screwdriver... lenses are bad also... corrosion... rf out everything...
sad day for kallo... and me
So I spent the day trying to fix it, but after complete disassambley concluded that there's no help for her!
Some internal screws are missing, shutter has a small dent probably from screwdriver... lenses are bad also... corrosion... rf out everything...
sad day for kallo... and me
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
Have you tried to contact the seller to get a refund?
nikola
Well-known
Of course, and he is quite obnoxious, after sending him email he replied me with a letter of denial.. ... after I gave him extremely negative review on the auction page he contacted me and told that he will send me the money.
... after I gave him extremely negative review on the auction page he contacted me and told that he will send me the money. Jeroen
Well-known
Speaking of Kowa cameras, I'd like this baby someday: http://www.amaprophoto.com/z239 Kowa SW 701751 28f3.2 702984 x.jpg
nikola
Well-known
SW stands for sweet?
sahe69
Well-known
Being a Finn, the name of that camera brings an immediate smile.
Kova Kallo means Hard Skull in Finnish !
Kova Kallo means Hard Skull in Finnish !
That one has an Olympus look to it... shape of the top, rewind crank, body covering...Jeroen said:
Rick_RF
Newbie
Kowa-Kallo: Reply to old thread
Kowa-Kallo: Reply to old thread
It's an old thread but an interesting range of cameras from an obscure manufacturer, despite the fact they made cameras (or re-badged them) for Graflex.
I hope you have kept this non-working example Nikola.
I have a 140, badged Kowa (plastic over the more elegant Kallo on satin chrome) and have recently purchased a Graflex Century 35..but with an F2 lens...
The 140 was in good condition, except for the rear viewfinder lens: I had to MAKE one. Worth it for a 1.4 aperture and the satisfying clunk of about a quarter kilo of metal.
If you still have the one you bought, I suspect it's an extremely rare variant, probably not worth a lot but a part of history.
Kowa-Kallo: Reply to old thread
It's an old thread but an interesting range of cameras from an obscure manufacturer, despite the fact they made cameras (or re-badged them) for Graflex.
I hope you have kept this non-working example Nikola.
I have a 140, badged Kowa (plastic over the more elegant Kallo on satin chrome) and have recently purchased a Graflex Century 35..but with an F2 lens...
The 140 was in good condition, except for the rear viewfinder lens: I had to MAKE one. Worth it for a 1.4 aperture and the satisfying clunk of about a quarter kilo of metal.
If you still have the one you bought, I suspect it's an extremely rare variant, probably not worth a lot but a part of history.
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TheToadMen
Shooting analogue B&W
my new Kallo 35 rangefinder with light meter
my new Kallo 35 rangefinder with light meter
I got hold of a Kowa Kallo 35 with build in light meter (not coupled) from the 1950's. I think it is an earlier model, serial # 65409. The film winder on this model is positioned on the bottom, like on the Kodak Retina II series. The lens is a Prominar F.C. f/2.8 48 mm. The front cell of the lens can be removed (screw mount) reveling the shutter blades. The shutter on this model is a Seikosha-MXL.
The camera is like new (with case) and the shutter and lens are in very good order.
Here are some images:
my new Kallo 35 rangefinder with light meter
I got hold of a Kowa Kallo 35 with build in light meter (not coupled) from the 1950's. I think it is an earlier model, serial # 65409. The film winder on this model is positioned on the bottom, like on the Kodak Retina II series. The lens is a Prominar F.C. f/2.8 48 mm. The front cell of the lens can be removed (screw mount) reveling the shutter blades. The shutter on this model is a Seikosha-MXL.
The camera is like new (with case) and the shutter and lens are in very good order.
Here are some images: