My thesis here is that most Kowa items typically sell today for close to what they cost the dealers in the mid-1970s (new). Compare Current Avg 2000 prices to the mid-1970s dealer and consumer list prices to see these trends. I have highlighted items which are substantially below or above these ranges with a minus (-) or plus (+) in the table. The Kowa camera kits (body + lens) are relative bargains, as are most of the common lenses (55mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm..). Professional accessories such as polaroid backs and metering prisms finders fetch substantial premiums. Use the table below and the dealer price listings to identify good buys and avoid overpriced offerings. Notice also the ranges in prices, sometimes related to condition (e.g., EX vs EX++), which can be seen in the followup dealer price listings below this table. Some Kowa items are sufficiently rare that they may command higher prices due to scarcity and possible collector interest. Examples might include lens extremes (19mm fisheye, 35mm, 500mm) and the microscope adapter/shutter. Relatively rare items such as the 40mm and 110mm macro lenses may vary widely in asking price. We suggest some budget alternatives in sections below. Current -- mid-1970s --
Item# Description: Avg 2000 Dealer Consumer
660-101 Kowa Super 66 Camera Complete $419- $462.00 $660.00
660-202 Kowa Super 66 Camera Body $314- $362.20 $466.00
662-301 Kowa 12/24 magazine $183 $139.30 $199.50
662-302 Kowa 16/32 magazine $160.97 $229.95
662-303 Kowa Polaroid magazine $347+ $202.65 $289.50
661-260 19mm f/4.5 Automatic Fisheye Lens $1,890 $2,700
661-252 35mm f/4.5 Automatic Wide Angle Lens $642.60 $918.00
661-254 40mm f/4.0 Automatic Wide Angle Lens ($1299)+$560.70 $801.00
661-256 55mm f/3.5 Automatic Wide Angle Lens $305- $323.40 $462.00
661-258 85mm f/2.8 Automatic Standard Lens $208+ $135.80 $194.00
661-260 110mm f/5.6 Automatic Macro Lens $398 $349.30 $499.00
661-262 150mm f/3.5 Automatic Telephoto Lens $338 $323.40 $462.00
661-264 200mm f/4.5 Automatic Telephoto Lens ($256)- $331.10 $473.00
661-266 250MM F/5.6 Automatic Telephoto Lens $362 $349.30 $499.00
661-268 500mm f/8.0 Automatic Telephoto Lens $699.30 $999.00
661-285 Kowa Automatic 2X Teleconverter $325.50 $465.00
663-310 Folding Viewfinder Hood $45 $42.20 $68.00
663-311 Critical Magnifier Hood $97.50 $150.00
663-314 Prism Viewfinder 45 degrees $191+ $96.85 $149.00
663-315 Prism Viewfinder 90 degrees $181+ $96.85 $149.00
663-316 ''TTL'' Meter/Finder $156- $161.85 $249.00
663-318 45 degree Prism ''TTL'' Meter/Finder $450+ $230.75 $355.00
663-312 Sports Finder for 55/85/150mm Lenses $65+ $28.93 $44.50
663-357 Flash Bracket ($14) $28.28 $43.50
663-365 Carrying Case ($29) $25.97 $39.95
663-355 Neck Strap ($15) $6.18 $9.50
663-358 Quick-Load Tripod Mount ($19) $34.45 $53.00
663-352 Hand Grip/Release $55 $42.22 $64.95
663-361 Body Cap for Kowa Super 66 $9 $4.55 $7.00
663-424 Automatic Extension Bellows $227.18 $349.50
663-420 Automatic Extension Tube Type T1 (75mm) $124+ $64.35 $99.00
663-421 Automatic Extension Tube Type T2 (32mm) ($149)+ $64.35 $99.00
663-422 Automatic Extension Tube Type T3 (16mm) $64.35 $99.00
663-369 Microscope Adapter In Shutter $129.35 $199.00
($XXX) prices are from single listing; Avg prices as of 2/2000 listed below, dealer and consumer prices from mid-1970s price lists. See actual 1970s ad prices to see discounted selling prices (vs. consumer list prices above.) Again, these prices are closer to dealer prices and actual original investment in Kowa items. Current Dealer/Ebay/Ad Prices and Sources Use codes at end of each listing to locate dealers links below - note: prices subject to change etc.Kowa 6/66 Camera Kits and Packages:Kowa Six Basic Kit Kowa Six Packages Kowa Six MM Basic Kit Kowa Super 66 Basic Kit Kowa Super 66 Packages: Bodies: Six MM WLF LeCamera $299 Kowa Super 66 body/back EBAY (01/21/00) $205 Lenses: Kowa 35mm f/4.5 $1,536.50 Adorama [8/2000] Kowa 40mm EBAY 12/2000 $660 Kowa 55 f/3.5 8- EBAY (01/21/00) $233 KOWA 85/2.8 ($179.95 $Canada) CE $125 Kowa 110mm Macro f/5.6 10- Ebay (01/21/00) $300 Kowa 150/3.5 $151 EBAY Kowa 200 f/4.5 9 EBAY (01/21/00) $256 Kowa 250 f/5.6 Exc. EBAY (1/11/2001) $330 Kowa 500mm f/8 Yerkes $1,500 Extension Tubes: Kowa Six T1 Tube GP $124 Kowa Six T2 Ex++ CT $149 Kowa Six T1-T2-T3 Tube set (ebay 1/30/00) $190 Bellows: Kowa Bellows EBAY 12/2000 $885 Backs: Kowa 12/24 Film Back EBAY (01/21/00) $96 Kowa 16/32 Film Back Yerkes $325 Polaroid Back for Kowa 66 (ad post below) $225 Finders: KOWA 90 deg prism (corner chip), VG+ PAC $125 Kowa 45 deg Prism Finder EBAY (01/21/00) $131 Kowa 45 deg meter finder CT $449 Kowa Sports Finder EBAY (01/21/00) $31 KOWA WLF ($29.95 Canada) CE $21 Screens: Kowa 6 focusing screen Cole $35 Maxwell Bright Screen for Kowa (with exchange) Yerkes $100 Grips: KOWA CAMERA GRIP E CT $49 Quick Focus Rings: Caps: Instructions: Misc: Adorama - Adorama http://www.adoramacamera.com/ B&H - B&H Video http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ CT = Camera Traders http://www.cameratradersltd.com/usedkowa.htm CE = Camera Exchange (Canada) http://www.camera-exchange.com/mf.htm CC=Classic Camera http://classic-cameras.com/medium.htm Cole=Cole's Camera http://www.colescameras.com/kowa.htm GP=Goodwin Photo http://members.aol.com/gdwnphoto/MEDLARGEFMT.html#KOWA-TOP KEH = KEH Camera http://www.camerabroker.com/shop/class.cfm?bid=MM&sid=used&crid=289099 Kenmar - Kenmar Camera http://www.kenmarcamera.com/ Koh - Koh's Camera http://kohscamera.com/ LeCamera - LeCamera http://www.lecamera.com/ MPEX=Midwest http://www.mpex.com/ Olden - Olden Camera http://www.olden.com/ (inactive - call 212-725-1234) PAC=Pacrim http://www.teleport.com/~pacrim/catalog/fm11.htm Todco=Todco http://www.mindspring.com/~todcam/othermf.htm TPP =Thompson http://www.thompsonphoto.com/usd/othermed.html Wall = Wall St. http://www.wallstreetcamera.com/cgi-bin/wsc-search.cgi Woodmere - Woodmere Camera http://www.woodcam.com/ Yerkes - Ross Yerkes Camera Repair, 342 Kirby Street, LA, CA 90042 - Phone 323-256-1018 - all equipment re-furbished and guaranteed (Editor's note - factor out costs of CLA from prices to get comparable costs to non-refurbished items) [added 2/24/2000] EBAY=EBAY Auction http://www.ebay.com EBAY prices from EBAY completed auctions, no glitches, sold -reserves met, starting from full listing on 01/21/00 (not all sold on that day). Generally, EBAY prices are moderately less than most dealers, but w/o warranties. Dealer prices change, web site prices may vary from prices published in Shutterbug (originally from February 2000 issue ads above). Prices from 1970s Ads:
Kowa super 66 w 85/2.8 12/24 $454.95
kowa super 66 body $314.95
eveready case $29.95
12/24 magazine $149.95
16/32 magazine $169.95
55mm f3.5 kowa wide angle $349.95
110mm f5.6 macro $359.95
150mm f3.5 kowa telephoto $349.95
hand grip w release $49.50
rapid focus level $13.50
90 degree prism viewfinder $109.95
TTL meter finder $179.50
45 degree TTL meter finder $259.95
45 degree prism view finder $109.95
Cambridge Camera Exchange Jan 75 -
Kowa S66 body/85/12/24 $467.50
55mm/3.5 blk: $329.50
110mm/5.6: $359.50
150mm/3.5 blk: $329.50
200mm/4.5 blk: $329.50
250mm/5.6 blk: $356.50
45 prism: $109.50
90 prism: $103.50
TTL meter: $163.95
Prism TTL meter: $233.95
case: $32.50
focusing lever: $12.95
extension tube: $69.95
lens hood: $9.95
filters: $9.95
polarizer: $14.95
Competitive Camera Corp.
S66 body/12/24/85: $469.95
12/24 back: $149.95
16/32 back: $169.95
55mm/3.5: $256.95
110mm/5.6: $358.95
150mm/3.5: $256.95
OLDEN Camera:
Kowa-6 outfit (body,wl,85) $239.50
40mm/f4 Kowa chrome: $524.95
Kowa-6MM outfit: $299.50
Note: consumer price index has about tripled since 1970s, so multiply by 3 to get rough price in today's inflated dollarettes. Email suggestions, updates, comments, links, and glitches to fix - Thanks! |