Koni Omega Rapid darkslide emergency! need dimensions to fix

[alexroggero]

Hello all,
I have acquired a very nice 6x7 Koni Omega Rapid 100. I also bought, separately, 2 lenses for it (wide and tele). The images posted by the seller on ebay clearly showed the camera I bought with the darkslide. It is needed to change lenses. I chose that particular one over another for sale on ebay because it had the darkslide.
The camera came and I was on location so I could not check it immediately. Every thing was fine, looked fine with it. Only today I decided to test the other lenses and found that the darkslide is not there. I cannot change lenses and I am in the field again, in Europe, not USA. I cannot find a original darkslide out here.
Of course I will take this up with the seller, involve ebay if necessary because I was sold something different from advertised.
But my immediate issue is that I cannot change lenses!
So I am thinking of finding a metal worker out here and getting him to make me one!
I need some-one who has a Koni Omega, to let me know the precise dimensions of the darkslide (do not include the little handle of course), and the thickness of the metal. If possible in millimetres.
Can someone help, please??
thanks you

 

[alexroggero]

PS
Any Koni Omega will use the same size darkslide by the way

 

[ic-racer]

Find a film changing bag.

 

[alexroggero]

Find a film changing bag.

NOPE
As I said, you cannot remove the lens if the slide is not in place.

 

[petrk]

in the darkslide slot there is a small stopper on which you will reach the tip of the knife or the tip of the nail. if you push it you release the lens and you can remove it. Of. Of course you need to keep the film in a dark, remove it in a changing bag for example , then change the lens and attach the film back to a camera after

If you can wait I will try to post an image when I am back home. But it is easy to find out

Edit: to the OP I do not have a darkslide either so I cannot answer your question just suggesting workaround that is good enough for me.

 

[petrk]

Dear alexroggero, I checked that pressing this stopper (the right one, where my screwdriver points) the lens lock is released. Hope you will find the dimension to get the slide, because this changing method is complicated.
Petr

Edit: I have learned that the “stopper” is correctly named “safety interlock”. Thank you ic-racer

 

[alexroggero]

Dear alexroggero, I checked that pressing this stopper (the right one, where my screwdriver points) the lens lock is released. Hope you will find the dimension to get the slide, because this changing method is complicated.
Petr

Thank you very much for this info. I should get some measurements on monday, which as you rightly say will hopefully allow me to get a darkslide made, easier that way i think. But thanks so much for this info, which I will copy and keep safe for future reference... you never know!

 

[ic-racer]

NOPE
As I said, you cannot remove the lens if the slide is not in place.

Oh I see, a safety interlock

 

[Sirius Glass]

Oh I see, a safety interlock

If it is like the Hasselblad and you work around the safety interlock to remove the lens, then it may not be safe to change the lens working around the safety lock and you could damage the lens or camera. Spend your effort finding the proper darkslide.

 

[alexroggero]

If it is like the Hasselblad and you work around the safety interlock to remove the lens, then it may not be safe to change the lens working around the safety lock and you could damage the lens or camera. Spend your effort finding the proper darkslide.

I agree and yes, i am doing my best. Should get dimensions on monday.

 

[Ian C]

Koni-Omega 6 x 7 cm Dark Slide

The overall dimensions of the blade are: 2.706” (68.73 mm) x 2.119” (53.82 mm) x 0.114” (0.029 mm). The slide is stiff, stainless steel with a red, anodized aluminum end block riveted to the narrow end of the slide. The end block has a loop handle made of 0.079” (2.00 mm) diameter stainless steel rod. The red aluminum block extends about 4 mm beyond the end of the blade of the slide.

The two leading corners of the slide blade that insert into the storage slot on the bottom of the holder and into the slot at the front of the holder have 4 mm radii.

It isn’t the thin blade of the slide that enables the lens lock and the holder lock on the front of the camera. Rather, it is the final travel of the red aluminum end block as the slide is pushed fully towards lens from the right side. The block drives a chromed detent to the left and allows unlocking the holder lock for removing the film holder. This chromed detent is on the vertical centerline of the lens and just behind the slide channel, and is a part of the holder.

The same final movement of the red aluminum end block presses two brass detents to the left at the top and bottom of and just forward of the slide slot to permit moving the lens-lock lever upward to unlock the lens. Make sure that you hold onto the lens with one hand as you operate the lens-lock lever, lest the lens fall to the floor or ground. These two brass detents are part of the camera. On my Koni-Omega Rapid 200, if you press the lower brass detent and hold it in, you can open the lens lock. You might need a third hand so that the lens doesn’t get dropped.

While making a new slide assembly is possible, it’s more complicated than it seems. The shapes and sizes would have to be held within the required tolerances. You’d need an original slide in proper condition as a guide to fabricate the parts. For most of us, it would be much simpler to look for another holder with an intact dark slide. A single slide can be moved from one holder to another if needed.

 

[alexroggero]

Koni-Omega 6 x 7 cm Dark Slide

The overall dimensions of the blade are: 2.706” (68.73 mm) x 2.119” (53.82 mm) x 0.114” (0.029 mm). The slide is stiff, stainless steel with a red, anodized aluminum end block riveted to the narrow end of the slide. The end block has a loop handle made of 0.079” (2.00 mm) diameter stainless steel rod. The red aluminum block extends about 4 mm beyond the end of the blade of the slide....
.

Fantastic and very complete info. Thank you so much! I will see what the blacksmith says and yes, I am arranging shipment of an original too. Just a question of time...
Thanks again for all the help and advice.