The Kowa SE is a fixed lens leaf-shutter SLR introduced by Kowa in 1964, and was the replacement for the Kowa E, which had a selenium meter.

The lens is a 50mm f1.9 with a 49mm filter thread. Conversion lenses are available including a 88mm f4 telephoto and a 37mm f4 wide angle.

The shutter is a Seikosha-SLV leaf shutter with speeds from 1s to 1/500s + B. A self timer is also available. Just set the flash shutter lever to V and trip the shutter to enable. It has a match-needle non-TTL CdS lightmeter powered by a mercury cell. The film speed is set on the lens barrel by pulling the small knob and rotating the ASA ring.

The finder features center split image to aid in focusing.

In 1967 the SE was updated as the SER, which added a removable (interchangeable) lens mounting, and the SET , which retained a fixed lens, but offered internal TTL metering.

Technical specifications

• Fixed Kowa 1.9/50 lens
• Seikosha SLV leaf-shutter with speeds from 1 s to 1/500 s + B
• non-TTL CdS lightmeter, sensitivity from 10 to 800 ISO
• X and F flash sync PC socket

The Kowa SE is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced by the Japanese optics company Kowa in the early 1970s. Known for its robust build and high-quality optics, the Kowa SE is a manual camera aimed at photography enthusiasts who appreciate mechanical precision and full control over their shooting process.

Key Features

• Lens Mount: The Kowa SE uses a proprietary bayonet mount, designed specifically for Kowa lenses. This ensures compatibility with a range of high-quality lenses produced by Kowa.
• Viewfinder: The camera features a bright pentaprism viewfinder with a split-image rangefinder, making it easier to achieve precise focus.
• Shutter: The Kowa SE is equipped with a metal focal-plane shutter, offering speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 second, plus a bulb (B) mode for long exposures.
• Exposure Control: Fully manual exposure control, allowing photographers to set both aperture and shutter speed independently. This provides full creative control over the exposure.
• Film Advance: Manual film advance lever and rewind crank, typical of SLR cameras from this era, giving photographers direct control over film transport.
• Light Meter: Built-in CdS (cadmium sulfide) light meter with a match-needle system visible in the viewfinder. This helps photographers achieve accurate exposures by matching the needle to the recommended settings.
• Build Quality: Known for its solid construction, the Kowa SE is built with a metal body, ensuring durability and reliability.
• Lens Compatibility: The camera is compatible with a range of Kowa lenses, known for their optical quality. Common lenses include standard 50mm primes, as well as wide-angle and telephoto options.

Additional Features

• Flash Sync: X-sync for electronic flash at 1/60 second, allowing for flash photography.
• Film Type: Uses standard 35mm film rolls, providing wide availability and ease of processing.
• Battery: Powered by a single PX625 mercury battery for the light meter. Modern replacements, such as zinc-air or hearing aid batteries, can be used due to environmental concerns over mercury.

Usage and Performance

The Kowa SE SLR camera is designed for photographers who enjoy the tactile experience of manual photography. Its fully manual controls require users to have a good understanding of exposure principles, making it a great learning tool for students of photography. The bright viewfinder and precise focusing aids help in achieving sharp images, while the robust build ensures the camera can withstand rigorous use.

Conclusion

The Kowa SE is a classic 35mm SLR camera that offers a fully manual shooting experience with high-quality optics. Ideal for photography enthusiasts and those who appreciate mechanical cameras, the Kowa SE provides reliable performance and full creative control. Its durable build and compatibility with excellent Kowa lenses make it a valuable addition to any photographer's collection, particularly for those interested in vintage cameras.