SLR cameras

Guys.... a little help. I used a C220/C330 for about 15 of the past

25 years or so. These were replacements for the Kowa 6 system I

bought when I was just out of high school in 1974. Unfortunately, It

was stolen before I started photography school, and the C220 was the

only replacement I could find for the money from the insurance

company. I needed a camera quick!

Anyway, after many years of going with out a MF camera, I am finally

in a position to purchase some MF equipment. I was curious about the

Kowa's and have also read the remarks about Mr. Yerka (sp?). My

question is this:

If I am looking for a MF SLR, would the Kowas be a good or bad

choice. I want something at least 6x6 and don't have problems too

much with weight.

However, I don't want to spend a lot of money on used Hassy gear. It

has been my experience that hassy's get very picky if they are owned

by one person for a long time. The way a person operates the camera

(i.e. winding the film advance, removing the film backs, etc.) can

set the next owner up for parts failure due to differing techniques

in film advance and the like. I experienced this in the studio I

worked for just out of photography school.

I thought about a Kiev, but my gut reaction is to stay away...too

many problems!

So, since the other SLRs are also more expensive, can I do reasonably

well with a Kowa, or should I really select another brand, since the

Kowa's are out of production.

Your responses will be greatly appreciated. And lets hear from both

sides of the arguement.

Vic Lioce

Vic

That's true about H'blads and any other camera, only if they have been

abused by the previous owners! I have bought a lot of used H'blad

gear from many owners, amateur and pro, and it's all been great.

Kowas are far to fragile and non-repairable for the most.

Jerry

I take my Kowa ice climbing. It is not fragile.

I have seen my share of hiccupping Kowa shutters, non-functioning

backs and wobbly winding gears, but the equipment that does work,

works well and reliably. Any MF camera of this age (not to mention

price range) is going to need careful checking before purchase, and

possibly a tune up and CLA.

Kowa is probably still the best deal for a full MF SLR system camera.

If you want a variety of lenses, viewfinders, and interchangable

backs, the only competitors at the same price are the older Bronicas

(too heavy and clumpy for my uses) and the various E. European brands

like Kiev (unjustly maligned, but quirky even when working, and also

heavy/clumpy).

I see two main problems with building a Kowa system now. First,

qualified repair shops are thin on the ground. Sweden's last

qualified Kowa repairman retired last year, and I can't find another

one in Europe. Although things are better in the USA, the small

market keeps prices that little bit higher than for more widely-held

systems.

Second, and for me more important, the lens designs are dated. They

are sharp, but flare-prone, and I have found that it doesn't take much

in the way of backlighting or in-frame light sources for modern

multi-coated optics to show their superiority.

If your budget is truly limited the Kiev-style cameras are about your

only option for modern coatings. Otherwise, the manual Pentax 645s

and older 6x7 cameras and lenses are increasingly available at very

good prices, and would offer an incremental upgrade path to a full

modern system. If weight and bulk are less important - or if like me

you want interchangeable backs and/or viewfinders - Mamiya RB systems

also provide an excellent bang for the buck.

Don't dismiss old Hasselblads. There are good workhorses out there

which will easily match a Kowa, and sheer numbers says that a

Hasselblad system is going to be easier to keep going in the long

term. The main disadvantage is price.