Koni Omega or a Mamiya Press?

[ColdEye]

Yes, no need for stealth when your around friends.

I'd like to thank Rex for giving the Koni Omega. Can't wait for it. Thank you.

 

[bushpig]

I think you may have inspired me, Rex.

I have a friend I've been trying to get into medium format. I gave him a 6x4.5 Zeiss folder that I never used, but he really needs to be shooting some 6x7 stuff. Especially with Hexanon glass. I think I may just pass mine along to him. At least on 'permanent loan', or a situation similar to what you did here.

I'm not ever giving away or selling my RB gear though!

 

[hoffy]

A Koni-Omega was my first foray into MF photography. The biggest issue I found with it (apart from a few equipment issues like film overlap and sticking shutters) came about when I tried to use it in the studio. I really found it hard to get the focus spot on when shooting close with the lens a bit more open. In the end I opted for a Bronica SQAi.

But, you know what, I can't actually manage to sell the KO! It certainly has a lot of character and those lenses are freaken awesome (don't tell my wife...selling the KO was part of the deal with financing my Bronny...)

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, ColdEye;

No, normally I do not try to go below 1/125th of a second when hand holding a camera, whether it is a Medium Format or a 35mm. There have been a few times when I have leaned back against the wall, or rested my arms on a railing, or some similar effort to reduce my own motion when going to slower speeds. At 1/30th of a second, I really do like to get out the tripod, and the tripods I use weigh a minimum of 7 pounds. I like to hold things still.

 

[Ralph Javins]

One thing to consider: The Koni Omega lenses are much easier to find than the Mamiya Press lenses from everything I've seen and heard. With the Mamiya Press locating any more than the normal lens can be tricky. Obviously if you can find a set then that negates this, but if you start with just the normal lens and want to expand later, consider lens availability.

Good morning, PaulMD;

One point to keep in mind is that there were only four lenses "commonly" available for the Koni-Omega, and only three of them actually seem to show up in the advertisements of actual lenses for sale. The 5.6/58mm or 5.6/60mm WA (probably actually the same lens optically, but with a more accurate focal length engraved on the earlier version), the 3.5/90mm normal lens, and the 4.5/180mm telephoto lenses seem to be available. In some of the early literature for the K-O, they list a 3.5/135mm lens, but I have never seen it.

There were many more lenses available for the Mamiya Press.

 

[brucemuir]

I've seen 135mm on ePay but at exorbitant prices and not often.
I saw one recently on there, within 3 months I think if you search.
I don't believe it sold as it had a high BIN or starting price.

 

[ColdEye]

Most probably I will be targeting for the 58/60. In 35mm terms, what focal length is that like?

 

[brucemuir]

The 58 is reputed to be reallll good. I've been wanting one for a few years.
I beleive it's similar to a 28mm a.o.v. but some calculate it by different means so don't take this as gospel.

 

[ColdEye]

Are they both quite rare? FOV of 30mm or below is what I want.

 

[brucemuir]

No, the 58/60 is quite plentiful but go for around 150usd with the viewfinder/case.
I've heard you can get away without the viewfinder when necessary because the KO has brightlines and if you use the entire viewfinder it will be close.

I have NOT tried this so ymmv.

 

[michaelbsc]

Are they both quite rare? FOV of 30mm or below is what I want.

You'll find that it is approximately like a 28mm. Not exactly, but similar.

 

[Jim Rice]

When I had my Omegaflex I had all four lenses, so at least for the 'flex the 135 exists. All four are very nice but the 58 and 135 were used for probably 90% of my shooting. The 58 is especially nice.

 

[rrankin]

The last 135mm on Ebay for a Koni went for over $250, which is nearly the price of my kit in the classifieds complete with the other 3 common lengths... I had the 60mm and to use it without the extra adapter, you use the entire image on the viewfinder, and the lens will capture a little more than that. These lenses are superb, and I regret having to sell mine and get something a little lighter.
Richard

 

[whlogan]

Go with the Mamiya Universal. More lenses and better ergonomics. You will love it. Backs are more available and more reliable. Hand grip is excellent, too.
Logan

 

[alipstadt]

It just so happens.

I use both a Rapid M with a 90/3.5 (Hexanon) and a Mamiya Universal Press with the 100/3.5 and 90/3.5 with either Polaroids or a G-adapter.

Actually, I bought the Universal after I managed to get a G adapter.

As it happens, I just started writing up my notes for my various systems and the Koni went first. The Universal Press is up second. My notes are geared to the more advanced, experienced user and don't really repeat what I've seen on the Internet. Not a review so much as a terse report. It's a first draft and may get a little more, but it makes all the important points. I'd post a link, but this is my first post so I can't. It shouldn't be hard to find, or someone else could post a link.

I'll add a bit more here, because I was going to put this in the Mamiya page.

In any case, I like the Koni better as a tool, but the Mamiya is more useful, especially for 6x9, for useful interchangeable backs, its 100/2.8 lens, and its uniquely large 3x4 instant film options. The Universal sees far more use; though I don't like rangefinders, it probably is my most commonly used film camera.

I should point out that the Universal and the TLR C-series have very common lens mount setups and it could be possible to "expand" the choice of lenses.

In the end, they weigh about the same, but the Koni just feels much heavier in the hand. Mamiya packs far better, especially with a 90/3.5 collapsible lens and smaller backs.

The Universal grip does not agree with my style. I made a quick release right hand version that clamps to an arca plate. That said, I usually use it without either grip.

One more thing. If you can, get a Mamiya where the very thin faceplate around the VF/RF windows is held in place by screws. You will need to remove this plate at some point to clean up the optics when they get fogged. The screws are a lot more fun than prying it off without tearing it and then gluing metal back - but not permanently - into place.

Both are excellent and reliable cameras.

 

[andresfluna]

Hello everybody, This is an old thread, but I have a question regarding Mamiya Press and Koni Omega cameras. I have a Konica Press 2 camera with a 90mm f.3.5 Hexanon...

Is the lens mount the same as the Mamiya Press camera? Can I use Mamiya Press lenses on the Konica Press 2 camera? I'm asking this because apparently Mamiya Press is a sort of continuation of the Konica Press cameras.

Thank you all!

 

[Dan Fromm]

Is the lens mount the same as the Mamiya Press camera? Can I use Mamiya Press lenses on the Konica Press 2 camera? I'm asking this because apparently Mamiya Press is a sort of continuation of the Konica Press cameras.

The Konica Press and Press II are Koni-Omega cameras.

No. No. And the Mamiya Press is not a continuation of the Koni Omega.

 

[Mikhailc]

The 135 mm lens for Koni Omega is marvelous, probably the best medium format lens I have ever used ( and I used a lot, including the best Zeiss and Schneider ones)

 

[John Wiegerink]

I have used both and still have both. yes, my wife calls me Mr. Hoarder. As far as the Omega - Koni-Omega cameras? I really like them for what they are. They are a tool that was meant for a specific purpose and not a "Jack of all trades" camera. They do their intended job perfectly in my opinion. My first one was a new Koni 100 that I bought for weddings. I did the opposite of hoffy above and switched from a Bronica S2A to the Koni 100. Noise actually went down with the switch and keepers went up. Plus, the 6x7 negative was easier for me and the lab to use. Later I went Hasselblad for weddings.
I bought the Mamiya for the 6x9 format and the GG back. I just have the standard lens and the 150mm for the Mamiya. The 150mm is an excellent portrait lens, but is not at the top of the list as far as contrast and sharpness.
I had the 60mm, 90mm, 135mm and the 180mm for the Koni and there was not a dog in the bunch......Period! I sold the 135mm and the 180mm since the 90mm and 60mm are/were used for 95% of my work now. I should also say I have a Hasselblad and Pentax 67 systems so didn't need the 135mm and 180mm Hexanon lenses.
Now for my verdict. If I could only keep one? I won't keep my two Koni-Omega Rapids. Why? The lenses are as good as it gets for that era of gear, fast to use, easy to focus for older eyes and rugged build. Both the Koni and Mamiya cameras are good cameras, but I like my end results more with the Koni.
I once tested the Hexanon 90mm f3.5 agains't my Fuji 6x9 rangefiner with the fixed 90mm f3.5 multi-coated Fujinon. I won't bore you with the result, but will tell you that it's exactly why I still have that 90mm Hexanon and no longer have the Fuji.The Hexanon was just as good, not better, but really just as sharp. Just my opinion of course, JohnW

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon,

I've put a lot of film through my Koni-Omegas, using 58mm, 90mm, and 180mm lenses. As long as I did my part, the results were never disappointing. The interchangeable backs and magazines came in handy on many occasions. That said, I think the results I get with the Fuji 6 × 7 RF (100mm lens) are just a tad sharper. I have to go to a 4 × 5 on a tripod to get anything better.

Konical

 

[MattKing]

If you go for either choice, you will want to either be able to maintain and service them yourself, or have access to someone who can do it for you. They are workhorse machines that are designed to be used and maintained.
When I was in my teenage years, we had a family friend who had owned a portrait and wedding studio (Artona Studios) in Vancouver for decades. He referred to his collection of Mamiya RB67s (for wedding formals) and Koni-Omegas (for wedding candids) as his small cameras, because he had transitioned to them from view cameras and Speed Graphics.
I got great results with my Koni-Omegas, but the ergonomics did not suit my left handed self at all, so I sold them.