C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →
slr-medium-format
The Kowa Six (1968) is a 6×6 medium-format SLR made by Kowa (Japan, primarily an optics company best known for telescopes and binoculars). **Leaf shutter in each lens** (sync flash at all speeds — like Hasselblad), modular design (interchangeable backs, finders), Kowa-branded lens system. Production was modest; the Kowa Six was less famous than Hasselblad/Bronica/Mamiya in the 6×6 SLR market but mechanically competent.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the — format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →C41
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
View profile →C41
Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
View profile →Develop — film
We're growing the lab directory near you. Browse all labs.
Before you buy used
About this camera
Kowa's 6×6 medium-format SLR. Leaf-shutter lenses, Hasselblad-style modular design but cheaper. Made by an optics company best known for binoculars.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 120 (12×6×6 cm) |
| Mount | Kowa Six bayonet |
| Years | 1968–1976 |
| Shutter | 1s – 1/500s + B, leaf, in each lens |
| Flash sync | All speeds |
| Meter | None (optional metering prism) |
| Modes | Manual |
| Weight | 1,700 g |
| Battery | None |
Kowa released the Six in 1968 to compete in the 6×6 SLR market. Variants: Kowa Six II (1971), Kowa SuperSix (1972). Production ran 8 years until 1976 when Kowa exited the medium-format SLR market.
For 2026 buyers wanting a budget 6×6 SLR with leaf shutters at lower prices than Hasselblad, the Kowa Six is the choice. Used at $400–900 with one lens. Trade-off: orphaned mount (Kowa-specific lenses are scarce on the used market); service is essentially nonexistent.
Kowa Six bayonet: 85/2.8 (kit), 55/3.5, 110/2.8, 150/3.5, 250/5.6. Limited used availability.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
View profile →BW
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →