Koni Omega M or Rolleiflex 2.8E?

moose10101 · Oct 17, 2008

For those of you experienced with both of these cameras, which would you prefer when shooting landscapes and casual shots of people (but not "street" photography)? I'm intrigued by the Koni's interchangeable lenses, film backs, and easier-to-find accessories, but the size of the thing is a bit of a concern.

What are the dis/advantages in use, and how do the end results compare?

TIA

Frank Bunnik · Oct 17, 2008

I had a Koni Omega once. It was HEAVY. I found the rangefinder patch dim and hard to focus and because of the weight hanging on your left wrist while holding it, it was not a joy to use for a long time. I returned it to the store in no time.

Last week I bought a Rolleiflex 3,5F and that is a wonderful camera. It is surprisingly small (and heavy at 1220 grams), exceptionally well built, a real piece of art. It is easy to focus, even on the original screen mine has. I am going to use it tomorrow for the first time.

I would advice you towards the Rollei, but I find myself turning towards a more minimal approach with just 1 camera with fixed lens (bought a Fuji GW670III earlier this year).

Jon King · Oct 17, 2008

I've had both cameras, ok, a Koni Omega 200 and Rolleiflex 3.5E, so my Koni is a bit heavier and the Rollei a bit lighter. For casual people shots, the Rollei is really really hard to beat. The Koni Omega is heavy, but the handle strap does really help with that, and operates quicker than a Rollei does. If you are going on a tripod for landscapes, the Koni is really nice. The 58/60mm lens is a joy to use. I've hiked with both, and a Koni with an extra lens and back or two does make itself felt in the pack. I'd be more likely to take the Rollei on a casual hike for landscape shots than a Koni, but the Koni is more flexible - so once again nothing is for free.

Now which do I use more? I use a Bronica 645RF most often - it has a smaller negative than either, but is much lighter than the Koni and the lens choice is a nice bonus over the Rollei. I'm not sure I'd have invested in the Bronica though, without spending some time with the Koni Omega system and seeing that I really liked the concept of an interchangeable lens MF rangefinder.

mgb74 · Oct 17, 2008

I'd prefer a Mamiya Super 23 to the Koni. Lighter (I think), more dependable shutter (if you have the Seiko shutter lenses), 6x9 available, and some, albeit limited, perspective control.

bdial · Oct 17, 2008

I've used Koni-Omegas (don't remember which model) and Rollei's. They are hard to compare because they are so fundamentally different. If I were making the choice I'd choose the Rollei instantly. But I already own an interchangable lens MF, and I'm partial to German optics.
The Rollei is lighter, smaller, quicker in handling (IMHO), versatile in it's viewing options. But, lacks lens/back interchangability, and makes a smaller negative. If you can live with looking at the world with an 80mm view, go with the Rollei.

mikebarger · Oct 17, 2008

I agree that is a tough choice based on the differences in the cameras.

I've not used a TLR in many, many years. I do carry a Koni in the truck for quick shots. It's a fine camera.

I'd come closer to deciding what type of camera I wanted, then compare brand and models.

Mike

TheFlyingCamera · Oct 17, 2008

I just got a Rollei 2.8 E. I'll play around with it and let you know how I like it. So far so good, although of course the meter's konked out. Not a big deal. The most important thing is that the lenses are pristine.

bnstein · Oct 18, 2008

As mentioned above they are so incredibly different its hard to compare: the whole ground-glass versus rangefinder thing, square neg vs 67, one lens vs many, smaller vs larger, 12 on a roll vs 10.....
Koni
very good lenses, flat film plane, rapid wind, beat muggers to death with a single blow, its chunky and about 2.2 kg

'flex
great lens, quick wind, the whole TLR Im not really taking a photo thing, 1.2 kg and petite.

In the end I use my TLR much more than my Koni, although some of the shots I like the most have been taken with the Koni

Chazzy · Oct 18, 2008

I love my Koni-Omega. It is rugged, the lenses are superb, the shutter cocks and the film advances in one fast, combined motion, the film lies very flat due to the way that the film backs work, I can easily change between film backs and go back and forth between color and black and white if I want to (but note--that won't work on a Rapid Omega 100), the viewfinder is bright--and, maybe the biggest advantage of all: the cameras, lenses and other accessories go very cheaply on eBay.

I don't find this to be a particularly heavy camera, but I suppose it depends on what one is used to.

Finally, you won't have to put up with a damned square negative, which you will only have to crop down unless you make square prints, and the viewfinder does not move in a different direction from the camera, as compared to the TLR.

mtjade2007 · Oct 19, 2008

I have never used a Koni Omega. Does it make a loud noise when the shutter is fired? Rollie is of course very quiet.

geoferrell · Oct 19, 2008

You would probably like the Rollei the best, especially for the lens quality, but the Mamiya Universal Press and Super 23 cameras are affordable and versatile and offer formats up to 6x9 and Polaroid.

Jon King · Oct 19, 2008

mtjade2007 said:
I have never used a Koni Omega. Does it make a loud noise when the shutter is fired? Rollie is of course very quiet.

The shutters are leaf shutters, one per lens, and quiet. It's the film winding that sounds like you've got a pump action shotgun if you do it quickly.

Keefe Borden · Oct 20, 2008

bnstein said:
As mentioned above they are so incredibly different its hard to compare: the whole ground-glass versus rangefinder thing, square neg vs 67, one lens vs many, smaller vs larger, 12 on a roll vs 10.....
Koni
very good lenses, flat film plane, rapid wind, beat muggers to death with a single blow, its chunky and about 2.2 kg

I have to agree with this assessment. The koni is a beast. I don't use mine very often anymore, but when I do, it requires two hands to hold. I've used two of them, and both have large viewfinders with clear focusing mechanisms.

I haven't tried the rollei, so can''t give you any feedback.
Best, Keefe.

Paul Howell · Oct 20, 2008

geoferrell said:
You would probably like the Rollei the best, especially for the lens quality, but the Mamiya Universal Press and Super 23 cameras are affordable and versatile and offer formats up to 6x9 and Polaroid.

On occassion I used a Konica when I was in the Air Force, I currently own several Yashicas TLRs and a Mamiya Universal with a 3 lens kit and a couple of backs. The Mamyia and Konica have a larger negative, almost as quite as a TLR, I shoot most often with a 150mm so the interchangable lens are an asset, I dont find the Mamyia viewfinder to be dim, but I dont recall if the Konica was dim or not. Although heavy with a grip the Mamyia can be hand held and I have shot at 1/30 with respectable results. While Yashicas are not up to Rolli quaility, they are light weight, easy to use, and affordable. My only caution is that all of the Mamyia and Konica press cameras are at least 30 years old, diffcult to get serviced. Unless you really want the 2.8 for less money than a Rollie 2.8 I would get a Konica or Mamyia and a Yashica 124G.

Chazzy · Oct 20, 2008

Paul Howell said:
On occassion I used a Konica when I was in the Air Force, I currently own several Yashicas TLRs and a Mamiya Universal with a 3 lens kit and a couple of backs. The Mamyia and Konica have a larger negative, almost as quite as a TLR, I shoot most often with a 150mm so the interchangable lens are an asset, I dont find the Mamyia viewfinder to be dim, but I dont recall if the Konica was dim or not. Although heavy with a grip the Mamyia can be hand held and I have shot at 1/30 with respectable results. While Yashicas are not up to Rolli quaility, they are light weight, easy to use, and affordable. My only caution is that all of the Mamyia and Konica press cameras are at least 30 years old, diffcult to get serviced. Unless you really want the 2.8 for less money than a Rollie 2.8 I would get a Konica or Mamyia and a Yashica 124G.

No problem getting Koni-Omegas serviced. Greg Weber in Fremont, NE is the man to contact. Message me for contact information.

domaz · Oct 22, 2008

I used a Koni and never found it that heavy. Then I realized that a Pentax 6x7 with 90mm 2.8 and TTL finder was actually the same weight as the Koni. Sold the Koni and never looked back, why deal with the disadvantages of a Rangefinder and no light meter if you don't have to?

If you want really light and a 6x7 image (and your rich) get a Mamiya 7.

mikebarger · Oct 22, 2008

Weber is great with the Koni's

Mike

Nick Merritt · Oct 24, 2008

Yes, my Rapid Omega arrived totally trashed when I got it some years ago. Must have been dropped in the mail, and the packing job was criminal. Anyway, Greg set it right, and replaced the seals in the backs. He really is the master for these cameras (and all Konica cameras, for that matter). A great guy to deal with also.

heritagefutures · Mar 21, 2010

shutter is very quiet, but the film advance goes like a bolt-action rifle "catchanggg"

mikebarger · Mar 21, 2010

Since the OP asked about landscapes, I think the koni is a better choice with it's interchangeable lens.

Koni's are great camera/lens to use in the field.

Mike

photoncatcher · Mar 21, 2010

I recently got a great dael on a Koni-Omega Rapid. I've wanted one for years. I first used one while serving as a photo specialist in the USAF, and it was a great improvement over Graphlex XLs we were using. Heavy? yeah, but compared to my RB67, not bad at all. I'll take it out when I'm feeling "minimalist". Just the camera, one extra lens (58mm), and my Gossen meter. I've always loved the 6x7 format, and I couldn't afford a Mamaya 7. The range/veiw finder is as bright as anyone could wish for, and the shutter is as quiet as any other leaf shutter out there.

Mark Fisher · Mar 21, 2010

I briefly had a Koni Omega and still have a Rolleicord. I have to agree with the other posters: they are very different cameras. The Koni is quite capable with great lenses (probably equal or close to Rollei). The Rollei is better ergonomically (as soon as you get used to the reversed image), lighter and far more pleasant to use. The biggest (and only, IMHO) problem is that you are limited to a normal lens. One other thing to consider is that you can get away with a smaller tripod with the Rollei because you never need to tilt it (square neg). For people photography, I'd much prefer the Rollei because it is just so cool and people warm up to it immediately.

Ektagraphic · Mar 21, 2010

Rollei is an amazing machine!

Koni Omega M or Rolleiflex 2.8E?

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