derek_green

I would consider a ratchet-and-pawl to be a "clutch mechanism", albeit one without the slippage that the automotive variety would employ. It's just semantics. I like my way of _gently_ advancing the film on a Kowa which helps avoid the strain. Perhaps you prefer another technique. Cool.

If I may split some hairs here, I think the best way to advance film in a Kowa is to use the crank, but slowly and gently. Using the knob works fine, but the necessary amount of rotation needed is beyond the range of movement of the human wrist. At some point you will have to let go of the knob and start over. Every time this occurs there's a clutch mechanism that must dis-engage and re-engage. With the crank this doesn't have to happen. Hair splitting indeed, but from a purely mechanical point of view, the most desirable method of film advance is with the crank and just "ticking" over gently. Don't get excited <g>.

I'm not sure of your budget, but a nice lens that might suit you is a Fujinon W 105/5.6. It's really a plasmat with no cemented elements and and it's image circle is 162mm. It will cover 4x5 safely but without movements (unlike the Nikon version which is for 6x9). I have one and it's a nice sharp lens that stays in place with the camera closed, at least on my Super Graphic.

I've taken to using double sided tape when making prints that are too large for my easels. These types of tape are available with differing adhesive strengths (tackiness?) from one side to the other. You can place them on your work surface without them sticking to the back of the print. Works great and very cheap.

Ross Yerkes was still in business last time I emailed him, earlier this summer. I no longer have his email addy but you can get his phone number off his website.

I have the impression that the 55mm started out with the flared objective end (86mm?), then went to the cylindrical chrome, then to the cylindrical black which allowed users to standardize on 67mm filters. As far as rarity, ebay in Canada shows two black 67's, one chrome 67, and one chrome with the flare. They're one of the more common lenses in the Kowa line-up.

If you try a google search for "Ross Yerkes service super wide" you'll see a youtube video of him working on a 19mm. I remember seeing a 35mm on ebay but I didn't pursue it as I already had the 40mm. They exist.

The first lens, an 85mm shares the same 5 element formula with the 110 macro. This is the same formula Schneider used in the Xenotar that was mounted in the early Rolleiflexes. They subsequently added another element for the more modern Rolleis.