CameraWorth.com

Kowa Optical Kowa Six

The Kowa Six is a medium format 6x6 single lens reflex camera made by Kowa Optical of Japan, introduced in the late 1960s. It was positioned as a more affordable alternative to the dominant 6x6 SLR systems of its era, using a leaf-shutter design built into its interchangeable lenses.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Kowa Six have ranged from about £110 to £260, with a median around £190 — a level that reflects saleroom wholesale results rather than dealer retail asking prices. As of 2026 the camera sells for noticeably less than comparable Bronica or Hasselblad bodies, and what a Kowa Six is worth today depends heavily on whether the leaf shutters in the lenses still fire accurately across all speeds. Clean, fully functional outfits with a working waist-level finder tend to achieve the upper end of the price range.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: September 2025

Date Price Source
Sep 2025 £200 Special Auction Services
Jul 2025 £180 Special Auction Services
Oct 2024 £260 Special Auction Services
Dec 2023 £110 Special Auction Services
Nov 2020 £397 Flints Auctions
Nov 2007 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Mar 2007 £72 Christie's
May 2004 £191 Christie's
Apr 2003 £129 Christie's
Jul 2002 £235 Christie's
Aug 2000 £105 Christie's
Nov 1999 £149 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Kowa Six worth today?

Based on recent UK auction hammer results, a Kowa Six body with a standard lens is worth roughly £110 to £260, with a typical price around £190 for a working example.

How much does a Kowa Six sell for at auction?

Recent UK saleroom results show the Kowa Six selling for between £110 and £260, with condition and lens functionality being the main factors driving price within that range.

Why is the Kowa Six cheaper than other 6x6 SLRs?

The Kowa Six sits below Hasselblad and Bronica in the used market partly because service support is scarcer and its leaf-shutter lenses are prone to faults, which keeps auction prices relatively low.

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