Loaner Program for an MF Camera, #2

Well, #1 turned out to be a flop. Certainly not the fault of Kent (Max Power), but things just didn't work out (shipping across borders can be such a pain). So here I go again....

But before I start, I am going to offer the camera first to Pablo (titrisol). He came up #2 when I tossed a coin last time, so that makes him first this time. Besides, anyone who just completed a PhD deserves a break - Congratulations Pablo!!

So unless he says no, it's a go. Anyone else interested, please get your name in the hat for the next round. PM me with some info about yourself, and a reason why I should loan you my camera.

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Here are the rules from last time:
I have a couple of Koni-Omega rangefinder medium format cameras. Since I only use one of them, I have decided to help out those who are toying with moving up to medium format (sorry - I don't have any LF gear. But if you are willing to loan me yours...). You can check out the camera at Dead Link Removed Scroll down to the first picture with a red background. The camera has been cleaned and adjusted. Although this is an "old" camera, it takes beautiful pictures. Included will be a 90mm lens and one film back. You will need to provide your own 120 film.

So here's the deal:

1. You post a reason why I should consider loaning you my camera.
2. I will pick who to send to. No democracy here, MY camera - I choose. If you don't have access to a darkroom, don't bother asking to have the camera.
3. I will send you the camera, I will cover shipping one way. If you live outside the US, I may ask you to split the cost of shipping.
4. You have the camera for 3 months from the day I ship it. Use it.
5. You send the camera back, you pay for insured shipping ($100 value is OK).
6. You send me what you consider to be the TWO BEST photographs you made with this camera. I will let you decide on print size and all those details (contact prints are NOT acceptable). I can dry mount & frame so don't waste your money on that nonsense unless you really want to.
7. Let a family member know what is going on so that if something happens to you I can still have my camera back.
8. All costs incurred due to your addiction to a larger format film are your responsibility.

As with anything mechanical there is the risk that something breaks. All I ask is that you take care of the camera, don't abuse it, don't disassemble it, keep it clean, and if it breaks - make sure you send me all of the pieces and a good story explaining what happened.

Of course I still want to borrow your beauty!!!

Camera arrived safely, got a manual for the Koni Omega rapid 100/200 which I assume is almost the same.
When KarenNakamura (photoetnograhy) said this weighted a brick and a hlaf... she was not kidding!
Thanks!

Well Happy Days !! Have fun, and don't hesitate to ask questions if something isn't going right.

Looking forward to the results !

Nice camera, yesterday I loaded it with some JC Pro 100 and took a couple of shots.
While it is heavy, it balances very well in my hands and after adjunting the grip it went tven better.
The rangefinder is bright aand clear, and the shutter seems to be working fine.
I guesstimated some exposures (anyone has a lightmeter to spare?) since my lightmeter died but I guess It'll be in the ballpark.

You would (will) be surprised at how well you can do with the "sunny 16" rule. I have used it extensively with my Konis. Open up a stop or two, or three if you think you need, bracket one shot, borrow a spotmeter.... If I had an extra meter I would have included it with the loaner.

Thanks RexP, camera went back today!
The experience I had was awesome, put a hippy strap on the camera (otherwise I'd have neck strain) and went out!
I shot about 12 rolls with it, most JC Pro and FOMA (thanks peters), and got a handheld lightmeter (courtesy of JoeFriday) that helped a lot, even though my eye-meter was almost always dead-on.
Took it our to a street festival, and got decent pics out of it, and still have to develop 3 from hurricane Ophelia pounding the NC coast!

It really turns heads, a few people looked at it and laughed, some other let their jaws drop and a few came and talked about their memories with that camera, one of them said he was a wedding photographer in the 70s and how much he loved the camera, he even offered to dig it up!

The results are just gorgeous, sharp and contrasty, unfortunately due to darkroom gremlins a couple of rolls were lost in the processing.
I'll try to get darkroom time now that is getting darker earlier and will mail prints to you as soon as I get some decent ones

I am most thankful for Rex's unselfishness, and encourage anyone interested in having fun with a noble beast to participate in the next round.

PS. I got a Jsolette from r-brain that will be my strarting point in MF rangefinders... not as nice as the Koni but it is a start

RexP, are you going to keep the loaner program going? I would love to set my Holgas aside for and see what I can do with a real MF camera.

~Pete

I received three fine prints from Pablo today - thank you. Nice to see that someone had fun with my camera.

Glad you liked them, sorry it took me so long to send them.

My wife and kids were away for a week, enough time to get the bath/darkroom going for a while and deplete my stocks of paper.