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Allen in Montreal
19-Jul-2010, 10:13
Does anyone know for certain if the Kowa 305 is a direct screw in with a Copal 3s?
Is anyone using that combo at all?

Tracy Storer
19-Jul-2010, 11:03
I have a GK 305 (ser#512xxx) that I bought in Barrel and mine is a direct fit to the 3S as is my GK 360 (ser#600xxx)....I had planned to swap the cells back and forth as needed, but ended up with a second 3S, now both lenses have their own dedicated shutters.

ic-racer
19-Jul-2010, 11:28
Allan,
I have read that the Kowa and Eskofot are the same. If so, I have the Eskofot 305 http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=529981&postcount=11
Does your Kowa look like that?

Dan Fromm
19-Jul-2010, 12:10
ic, AFAIK the process lenses badged as Eskofot were made by Agfa's Staeble division. They were also sold as Helioprint, Intergon, and Ultragon.

Allen in Montreal
19-Jul-2010, 15:27
Thanks guys,
The story is, I picked up a 2nd Kowa 150 (I had one for the darkroom), had it mounted in a 3s, thinking it just covered 8x10.
It doesn't.
And I think the 150 could have gone in a Copal 1??

So, do I do some damage control and get the 305 cells to use in the 3s.
A possible move, if I don't have to spend for another mounting job and can just make a secondary aperture scale for the 305 cells and use the 150 from time to time on the 5x7.

The 150 shows some great contrast range and tonal separation in the few test frames I have shot. I was rather surprised by the first 2 frames I took with it, I love the feel of the Kowa, save for the dark corners.


Or, just sell the 150 and move on as it does not cover 8x10.
I am guessing it would be a great whole plate lens.

Steve Sherman
19-Jul-2010, 18:49
Does anyone know for certain if the Kowa 305 is a direct screw in with a Copal 3s?
Is anyone using that combo at all?

Hello Allen

I do have the setup you are speaking of and can attest that the lens cells do screw directly into a Copal 3S.

Regards, Steve

Jon Wilson
19-Jul-2010, 19:29
Hello Allen

I do have the setup you are speaking of and can attest that the lens cells do screw directly into a Copal 3S.

Regards, Steve

Ditto....the same is true of the 240mm Kowa too.

Steve Goldstein
20-Jul-2010, 04:01
Cells from the 360 also fit a Copal 3S.