Koni Omegaflex vs. Mamiya C330

[Paul Howell]

I have friend who is more of a Luddite than I am, he and his wife do not use a computer at home so he does not have access to APUG. He has taken up photography and has built a nice 35mm collection of Konica gear, T3 and prime lens. He wants to move up to MF, wants Konica lens. He tired my Mamiya Universal and did like the rangefinder concept so he ruled out the Rapid. He likes the concept of a TLR and is thinking about an Omegaflex. I owned an Omegaflex in the late 60s which I sold for a C33. If anyone is an Omegaflex user please confirm or update me on my thoughts.

1. Good 6X7 format, interchangeable backs, lens are quite good.
2. Bad, it is not a true TLR, not a reflex, it is a direct view, there is magnified reflect hood, but the image is viewed upside down and reverse like a view camera, the back does not rotate, when shifting form vertical to horizontal the hood is sort of awkward, does have a bellows like a C33 or C330. Somewhat hard to find, lens even more so.

 

[Kirks518]

All I would say is that it'll be a challenge to get accessories for the Omegaflex, and probably even more difficult to get any repairs done if needed. Not to mention the price difference when you can find stuff. I'm sure it's a fine camera, but there's a reason the Mamiya C series was in production for so long.

 

[Barry S]

If your friend is into collecting oddball cameras, the Omegaflex would be a good choice. I almost bought one and realized it's not a practical camera for *many* reasons. I have a Rapid Omega system and many Mamiya TLRs, and the lenses are comparable in quality. A C33 (my favorite) or a C330 is a great camera and you can put together a system for a very reasonable price.

 

[Trask]

is there a "not" missing, as in "He tried my Mamiya Universal and did NOT like the rangefinder concept so he ruled out the Rapid"? So that means he'd not want a Mamiya 6 or 7, a Plaubel 67, any of the Fujica medium format RFs (even those with interchangeable lenses), or even a Kodak Medalist (which should appeal to a Luddite, what with hand-rolling 120 film onto 620 spools)? So only TLRs -- won't he consider a medium format SLR? Easy to get into Bronica 6X6 or 6X7 for not much money.

 

[Paul Howell]

is there a "not" missing, as in "He tried my Mamiya Universal and did NOT like the rangefinder concept so he ruled out the Rapid"? So that means he'd not want a Mamiya 6 or 7, a Plaubel 67, any of the Fujica medium format RFs (even those with interchangeable lenses), or even a Kodak Medalist (which should appeal to a Luddite, what with hand-rolling 120 film onto 620 spools)? So only TLRs -- won't he consider a medium format SLR? Easy to get into Bronica 6X6 or 6X7 for not much money.

You are correct, sorry for not doing a better job of proof reading. The only MF rangefinder I have is the Universal, he did not like a rangefinder at all, but did like my Yashica TLRs, he wants to stick with Konica Glass. I have a Kowa SL66 and Super 66, he did like those it, but is fixated on Konica lens. The Omegaflex is just an odd camera, my parents me one when I graduated from college, I sold it within the year and bought a C33. Konica Rapid on the other hand is a very good camera, easy to use, great lens.

 

[paul ron]

go for the mamiya. that film cocking on the omegaflex is a problem in 9 of 10 cameras and probably in most konis out there.

the mamiya is also readily available in classifieds with very reasonable prices for the quality of a real pro system.

the omega is a nice mantel piece n conversation camera.

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, PDH,

Several years ago, I bought a Koni-Omegaflex. One of its attractions for me was that the film backs for my Koni-Omega RF are compatible with the 'flex. The lens quality was another factor, as well as the 6 x 7 format. As noted above, vertical compositions are awkward at best with the 'flex, but otherwise it is not really user-unfriendly, especially to those familiar with the K-O rangefinder system. Generally, it should probably be considered mostly for use on a tripod.

Konical

 

[Trask]

Well, if he wants a TLR with Konica glass, he should pick up a Koniflex -- not easy to find, but they appear on eBay from time to time. I've been toying with getting one myself just to see what a Konica lens does in MF. Most if not all Koniflex have an 85mm lens as standard IIRC.

 

[Paul Howell]

The Koniflex I had owned had a 90 3.5 as normal. I believe that the 90 has 4 elements in 3 groups. I had the 90 but I think there were 3 or 4 lens. I will by friend in a couple of weeks, I think he he ought to consider a C33 or 330 or Rolliflex.