Koni-Omega questions
Duc Tran
I need some description about Koni-Omega,
lens type, performance, fun to use, etc...
Who made the camera?
Many thanks
Duc
Randy Stewart
In message <5i3m1a$1ru$1...@hpax.cup.hp.com> - dt...@cup.hp.com (Duc Tran)4 Apr
1997 19:50:02 GMT writes:
:>
:>
:>I need some description about Koni-Omega,
:>
Konica made it first; Omega distributed it. Later, Mamiya made it for Omega
after Konica dropped out.
Earlier lenses: 60mm, 90mm, 180mm
Later: 58mm (not the same as the 60, regardless of other comments, 90, 135,
180.
All lenses perform nicely.
Later bodies models has interchangeable film magazines for mid-roll changes.
Fast working rangefinder bodies, as heavy as other 6x7 cameras. Lens change
quick, but somewhat clumsy. Light seals were form strips, now failing in many
boies ans back, requiring resealing to stay light-tight.
Randy Stewart
ran...@e-z.net
ClintAK
>>Later bodies models has interchangeable film magazines for mid-roll
changes.<<
Not really. The Koni-Omega Rapid is equivalent to the later Rapid-Omega
100 and the Koni-Omega Rapid M is equivalent to the later Rapid-Omega 200.
The Rapid "M" and the 200 had the interchangeable backs(magazines) for
mid-roll changes. Point being you could get interchangeable magazines in
both the early and later models of this fine camera.
I can vouch for your comment on the light seal foam deterioriating on
these cameras. Lots of seams to seal especially in the Rapid M/200
models. Just had to have my Rapid M totally gone through to seal it up.
Best, Clint Bersuch
Robert E. Smith
Duc Tran wrote:
>
> I need some description about Koni-Omega,
> lens type, performance, fun to use, etc...
>
> Who made the camera?
>
> Many thanks
>
> Duc
I tried to email this to you using the address given but it won't work.
I hope everyone will forgive this rather long post. It won't happen
often.
I own a Koni Omega Rapid. They were made by Konica with lenses by Omega
around 1950. They were supposed to supplant the twin-lens cameras used
by reporters and photo-journalists of the era. Unfortunately this was
also the era during which the popularity of 35mm skyrocketed.
In 1952, I considered photography as a career. I worked with 4x5
cameras and b&w film. As 35mm came into vogue I went with the crowd
purchasing a 35mm Kodak Signet (which I still possess). Some of the
best images I ever made were done with this camera. After marriage and
children it was 35mm print film with slr. However, I was never
satisfied with the results, even after purchasing a Nikon FE2. In 1993,
my wife suggested classes given at the local art org. ME! In a class?
What could they possible teach ME? Well, I did and almost immediately
began a search for a Hasselblad - what else? A friend, who does
weddings, told me about the Koni Omega he used to do my daughter's
wedding. He said that he had used Hasselblads in the past and didn't
like them for many reasons. I purchased the KO w/150mm. 80mm, case,
filters. light meter, and two backs for $300.00 U.S. which turned out to
be a steal.
And now for "The Story":
In the fall of 1993, a friend and I were photographing landscapes in the
Charlottesville VA area. I have always been enthralled with a church in
the small community of Cismont, nestled in lovely horse country. It is
a beautiful setting but the dickens to photograph. As an experiment, I
suggested that we use identical set ups, with his Hasselblad 501C /80mm
and I with my Koni-Omega Rapid/90mm. I supplied the film, Kodak PXP,
and developed both rolls in my darkroom in fresh D76 1:1, 68.0 deg F.,
identical agitation. The cameras were set identically both aperture and
shutter speed. A Bogen 3046 tripod with a 3047 head was set for eye
level (5.5 ft) height. A cable release was used, of course. The only
compensation employed was a slight change in distance to compensate for
the difference in lens focal length. Both cameras were focused at 25
feet and stopped down to give maximum depth of field. The cameras were
tilted slightly upward, which gave a little convergence which I hoped
would create a feeling of uplift.
The resulting negatives were taped together on a light box window with
opaque Strattford board and masking tape to disguise the formats and
shown to three local professional photographers. I ask them to identify
the image produced by the Hasselblad. After considerable of discussion
on acuitance, sharpness, gray gradation, contrast, and other more
esoteric qualities, the three agreed on one. You might imagine their
surprise when I removed the tape revealing the formats. They had picked
the 6x7 negative from the Koni-Omega.
What does this prove? Not much, really. Prints from the two negatives
can not be differentiated. I used to be sheepish about discussing
equipment with owners of more expensive and modern cameras but not any
more. For the type of photography I enjoy, landscape, portrait, and
still life, I have all the equipment necessary. I don't do weddings (I
can't handle brides or their mothers), I do few close-ups requiring slr
technology, and I am a snob about my work, not the equipment used to get
it done. I hear few carpenters argue over who has the best hammer
(although I once had to break up a fist fight between two musicians over
the best way to carve a clarinet reed - truly). :-)
Yours truly, dr bob.
Randolph Carlisle
I had a similar experience with the Hasselblad 50 Distagon vs. 58mm
Omegon....58mm Omegon was sharper.
Randolph
Duc Tran
Randolph Carlisle (rand...@gc.net) wrote:
Are these lens for koni-omega multi coated?
Also, are Hexanon and Omegon can be mounted on the same body?
I sometimes think about Mamiya 6/7 until I hear about Koni-Omega!!
Where is the best sources for find good used Koni-Omega body?
Duc
NapperWm
I have 3 Koni-Omega's. Also have several of the 90 mm lenses(both Konica
made and Mamiya made) 58mm and 180mm (both makers)
I can tell you that for the money they are very impresive!
When I find a 135mm lens My set will be complete.
Bill
Randy Stewart
In message <5im86t$c7q$3...@hpax.cup.hp.com> - dt...@cup.hp.com (Duc Tran)
writes:
:>
:>Are these lens for koni-omega multi coated?
:
There are four basic lenses: 58/60, 90. 135 and 180mm. They are all coated,
but not multicoated. Put no value on this distinction. Multicoating a modern
prime lens may increase contrast very slightly, perhaps make it somewhat less
vulnerable to flare in a bad lighting situation. Multicoating is more import
in zoom lenses with many more air-glass element surfaces which otherwise
degrade the image excessively. The Koni lens coatings are fine.
>Also, are Hexanon and Omegon can be mounted on the same body?
Yes, they will fit all of the bodies from the Koni Rapid through the last
Omega 200. The earlier bodies will not have finder markings or focus scale for
the 135mm, which was interoduced somewhat later in the series. The 135 (if
you can find it - rare) will mount to the earlier bodies and function okay.
:>
:>I sometimes think about Mamiya 6/7 until I hear about Koni-Omega!!
So, try a whole Koni system for less than the price of one Mamiya body. Then
try the Mamiya, it's lighter, smaller and about as convenient to use, except
that it does not have the mid-roll interchange feature of the magazine equiped
Koni bodies (Koni M, Omenga 200). The Mamiya has a metering sytem; the Koni
doesn't. If you like the Mamiya better, at least you can get most of your
money back out of the Koni.
:>Where is the best sources for find good used Koni-Omega body?
Midwest Photo Exchange, 614-261-1264. They have a better stock than most
dealers at any given time. Watch out for backs and magazines with bad light
seals. All of these parts control light leaks with foam rubber seals. The
original form rubber has dissolved by now, leaving a non-resiliant mess which
can/will leak light. Either have the seller check carefully for a later
repair, negotiate for a repair when you buy, or find a repairman. Test each
back very carefully before committing to a long photo trip. [From one who
didn't take his own advise.]
Suggest you favor the Koni M or Omega 100/200 bodies over the Koni Rapid body.
The later bodies made some improvements which make them a little easier to
handle.
Randy Stewart
ran...@e-z.net
Jimmy Tung
Duc Tran (dt...@cup.hp.com) wrote:
: Randolph Carlisle (rand...@gc.net) wrote:
: : Robert E. Smith wrote:
: : >
: : > Duc Tran wrote:
: : > >
: : > > I need some description about Koni-Omega,
: : > > lens type, performance, fun to use, etc...
: : > >
: : > > Who made the camera?
[snippity snip snip snip]
: Are these lens for koni-omega multi coated?
: Also, are Hexanon and Omegon can be mounted on the same body?
:
: I sometimes think about Mamiya 6/7 until I hear about Koni-Omega!!
: Where is the best sources for find good used Koni-Omega body?
Just to make your life just that much more miserable, remember that Koni-Omegas
had competitors, namely the Mamiya Press/Universal series and the Graflex XLRF
models. These are all 6x7 (with different sized backs and polaroid/ground glass
backs sometimes available).
Only some of the Koni-Omegas had mid-roll exchange capability (in the earlier
models there's a film magazine rather than a film back, meaning that a darkslide
did *not* go in between the body and the film to allow mid-roll film changes).
Obviously, for the cost of a new Mamiya 7 and *one* lens, you can get a 25 year old
body (or two), a few lenses (some need finders since these are rangefinder cameras;
on the plus side, they're all leaf-shutter, if you're into mixed lighting), a few
backs, an ambient meter, and a handfull of war-stories. You could then pretend to
be a late-life Ansel Adams and practice the Zone system, etc, etc.... Is it worth
it? Well....
jt
Terry A. Smith
There is now a koni-omega newsgroup. koni-...@snoopy.cmagic.com.
John Stewart
Jimmy Tung <jt...@runet.edu> writes:
>Only some of the Koni-Omegas had mid-roll exchange capability (in the earlier
>models there's a film magazine rather than a film back, meaning that a darkslide
>did *not* go in between the body and the film to allow mid-roll film changes).
of them (2-200's, 1-100). La Crosse, WI 608 782 5535. I DO NOT work for the
store.
John Stewart