dead kowa 6 lens

Hi all,

I recently received a 150mm lens for a kowa six (the one with the

72mm filter thread). It only fires at one speed no matter what the

ring setting. It sounds like it's firing at around a 30th of a

second. My local camera shop said it was probably a broken non-

repairable spring. I don't know where to get it repaired in

Australia. I'd like to be able to use it even if it has only one

speed.

Does anyone know what the "default" speed of this lens might be?

Thanks,

Alan

Not sure but they can be reapired. Buy a phonecard and give ross Yerkes in

LA a call in the US. 323-256-1018

good luck

Chip

I second the Ross Yerkes motion - great guy!

Rob

"My local camera shop said it was probably a broken non- repairable spring."

"probably" - most camera shops wouldn't have a clue about camera repairs. Take it direct to a camera repair specialist (check your Yellow Pages), they will be able to tell for sure. If it's not readily repairable they will at least be able to *measure* what shutter speed you are getting currently.

thanks for the quick responses. I've run a b&w film through using the lens and the shutterspeed appears to be significantly slower than 1/30th. I will pursue the repair option.

Thanks again,

Alan

Alan,

I have had a few Kowa lenses that had flaws. I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but these are not complicated lenses to disassemble if you pay attention. (example might be, if you can rebuild the carb on your car, you can do this...) If you are so inclined, and be honest with yourself, I have found that on Ebay Kowa lenses with problems pop up about once or twice a month. The 150 you have, has a common shutter with the 85mm, and they are interchangable. The shutter comes out as a complete assembly as well, so perhaps a cheap 85mm with bad glass will solve your problem as well as give you extra parts. If you have interest in pursuing this option, and would like to email me, I will send more detailed help. It only takes about 20 minutes to replace the shutter assembly as a unit.

Why should a spring be "non repairable?" If the manufacturer doesn't stock the spring that doesn't mean it can be fixed at all. You just go into your junk box and find another one about the same gage that will do exactly the same thing. I fix Mamiya non-C shutters all the time but yet Mamiya says they can't be repaired anymore and wants to replace it with a new shutter for "ONLY" $400. Meanwhile it's only a stupid 25¢ spring that popped.

I'll buy your junk lens for $25 since it can't be fixed anymore.

Hi again,

thanks for the responses - I'm trying to find someone in Australia to fix it. Re 25c spring - yep, I agree absolutely, but I promise I'm not able to do that sort of work myself - 10 thumbs. If it can be dropped, I'll drop it, if it can be lost, I'll lose it. If it breaks, .... anyway I just can't do these things myself. I envy those who can.

Alan

For Australian Kowa 6 owners - I found a repair person, Eric Owen, in Queensland who was prepared to work on the lens. I'm in Victoria. Everything was arranged via email, the lens shipped to and from by registered mail, and took about two weeks.

The problem was a stripped gear in the speed control assembly. The assembly was replaced (Eric returned the old one), glass cleaned & polished and lens CLA'd - total cost well under $A300 including parts & shipping both ways.

Eric knows a lot about Kowas and for me has been good value. His email address is eric@st.net.au