Kowa Optimed is part of Kowa Company Limited, one of the largest privately owned companies in Japan. Founded in 1894, Kowa has grown into a multinational Japanese company actively engaged in various manufacturing and trading activities in the fields of optics, pharmaceutical, life science, textiles and various consumer products.
The Electronics and Optics division of Kowa began the production of lenses in 1946 and spotting scopes in 1952. Later binoculars and cameras were added to the portfolio.
Whereas the production of cameras was discontinued in the 1970s, the product lines of lenses in both the CCTV and machine vision categories have become one of the most extensive in the market. In addition to its standard lens portfolio Kowa also provides custom lens solutions to ensure that each customer finds the perfect fit with a Kowa product for any type of project.
Since the beginning of the 1980s Kowa has a sales office in Europe. For the optical division Kowa Optimed Deutschland GmbH serves the European market from Düsseldorf. A small, dedicated team provides sales and technical support for the European market. The European team works in close communication with the technical development and production in Japan. 
Most lenses are on stock in Düsseldorf and can be shipped to anywhere in Europe within a few days. 

KOWA

(1979)Paul began repairing lenses at Angenieux on the east coast. (1989)Paul moved to California to head up the lens department at Clairmont Camera in North Hollywood. Aside from the repair and maintenance of Clairmont's extensive inventory, Paul was involved in special projects such as the development of the Cooke S-4 series of lenses, the Canon 150-600 conversions, and the Clairmont Swing Shift system. (1996)Paul joined Kish Optics Inc. There he continued repairing motion picture lenses as well as helped develop new products including the Mesmerizer, anamorphic lenses, and the Ultimate Directors Finder. (2002)Paul then founded Duclos Lenses and brought aboard his son Matthew Duclos to assist with the repair of lenses and development of products. The need for lens accessories was filled with a line of products including carry handles, motor brackets, and caps for the Angenieux Optimo Series and other lenses. (2004)Kish, Paul, and Carl Pernicone were presented with a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their work on the Ultimate Directors Finder. (2007)Duclos Lenses moved to a new location in the West end of the San Fernando Valley in order to expand their operation and accommodate more technicians and equipment. (2009)Duclos Lenses announced and released their proprietary PL mount cinema conversion process of the Tokina 11-16mm, a lens that began as a fun project and turned into a very successful little lens with many imitators. (2012)Duclos Lenses quickly outgrew their humble facility and upgraded to their current Lens Lab located in Chatsworth California. 

KOWA PROMINAR (DUCLOS REHOUSING) series lenses

KOWA PROMINAR (DUCLOS REHOUSING)