Loaner Program for an MF Camera, #3

[rexp]

Once again folks it is time to toss a camera to the wind, sharing a nice piece of equipment in the hopes I receive some interesting prints. There have been a couple of inquiries, and I encourage anyone interested to post their essay as to why I should choose them as the lucky receipient.

I will try to select the next victim by Sunday....


As always there are rules. Here they are, copied from before...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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.

 

[titrisol]

As recipient of #2 loaner I have to say that this is a fantastic opportunity to test a mammooth rangefinder.

People as generous as Rex are very hard to find.

 

[rexp]

Wow... the silence is deafening.

 

[k_jupiter]

Wow... the silence is deafening.

rexp

*L*

I would love to play with your Koni-Omega but I don't have time to shoot all the MF gear I have myself. I am suprised nobody is taking you up on this offer.

If I had my 5x7 gear in better shape, I would lend it to you for three or six months, but it needs too much work.

Get back top me in the spring.

tim in san jose

 

[Gabe Racz]

Gosh, I'd love to borrow it, I figured it probably wouldn't be that appropriate for my first post to propose something like this, but if there are no other takers . . .

Let's see, reasons to loan it to me? Well, I'll do my best to get you a good print of the Colorado Rocky Mountains -- I really enjoy taking cameras on hiking day-trips, and this looks like a great camera for moving into MF landscape photography. I'd love the chance to try out a MF rangefinder for a little while.

More about me . . . I'm returning to photography after a long time (15yrs) of limited shooting. Now I think I'm becoming hooked on fixer again. I've shot 35mm exclusively until I very recently inherited a pre-war Rolleicord, on which I've only shot one roll of film so far but think I'm going to develop a great fondness for the camera and the format.

I'm signed up for a class at the Denver Darkroom (where Paul Sorenson teaches -- I noticed he's around here every now and then) coming up this Nov., so I'd definitely put the camera to work.

Oh, and I love vintage gear (cameras and synths). As relevant here, in addition to the Rolleicord my other camera is a Minolta SRT-200.

So, I'd love the chance to use your camera to make some (hopefully good) pictures, but I'd understand completely if you prefer someone with more of a history here on apug.

 

[rexp]

Well - we do have someone interested. Peter (PhotoPete) has expressed an interest, and that means my camera will be headed to Massachusets. The hordes of people pounding on the desk to borrow a camera will have to wait 'till next time.

Congrats Peter...

 

[BruceN]

Hi Gabe, Welcome to APUG!

Bruce

Gosh, I'd love to borrow it, I figured it probably wouldn't be that appropriate for my first post to propose something like this, but if there are no other takers . . .

Let's see, reasons to loan it to me? Well, I'll do my best to get you a good print of the Colorado Rocky Mountains -- I really enjoy taking cameras on hiking day-trips, and this looks like a great camera for moving into MF landscape photography. I'd love the chance to try out a MF rangefinder for a little while.

More about me . . . I'm returning to photography after a long time (15yrs) of limited shooting. Now I think I'm becoming hooked on fixer again. I've shot 35mm exclusively until I very recently inherited a pre-war Rolleicord, on which I've only shot one roll of film so far but think I'm going to develop a great fondness for the camera and the format.

I'm signed up for a class at the Denver Darkroom (where Paul Sorenson teaches -- I noticed he's around here every now and then) coming up this Nov., so I'd definitely put the camera to work.

Oh, and I love vintage gear (cameras and synths). As relevant here, in addition to the Rolleicord my other camera is a Minolta SRT-200.

So, I'd love the chance to use your camera to make some (hopefully good) pictures, but I'd understand completely if you prefer someone with more of a history here on apug.

 

[Gabe Racz]

Hi Gabe, Welcome to APUG!

Bruce

Thanks, it looks like there's plenty of helpful people around here to help feed my resurgent interest, I hope to hang around for quite a while . . .

 

[rexp]

Gabe - sorry you didn't make this round, but keep watching. The camera will be available in another 3 months.

The camera is on its way to PhotoPete, hope it stays dry in MA. Looking forward to some prints from that area.

Have a blast with the camera!

 

[PhotoPete]

I await its arrival with baited breath!

 

[rexp]

Well folks, the camera is safely home again. It sounds like Peter had a blast using my Koni, and after I run a roll thru it to check focus & such - I will start this all over again. It has been rewarding to know people are having fun with this old camera.

I asked Peter to post a summary, so's maybe any of you contemplating using medium format might just want to keep watching this thread for his post. You may get hooked.

 

[PhotoPete]

I can't say enough good things about this program Rex is running. The Koni has a super-sharp lens that makes big, beautiful negs. The film advance mechanism is great for field work. I shot a lot of film through this camera in the months I had it, and it definitley improved my shooting. Most of the Xmas presents I gave my family were prints made from the Koni's negs. If you have been looking to try MF, this is a fantastic opportunity. Rex is being super-generous here. Take him up on this offer.

 

[rexp]

Lo & behold there were prints in the mailbox today. Peter sent me two fine prints, upholding his end of the bargain. I am glad I was able to provide a tool for him to try out a different format. Hopefully this will keep another artist interested in using film.

I guess I need to check out the camera & prepare for another round. Who knows? You could be next!!

 

[gnashings]

Just an idea - I think it would be great fun to make a gallery of the prints from these loan-outs! I know, you are being generous enough by sharing your gear, so it may be too much to ask to see the prints, too. But it would be a neat "trip", don't you think?

Also, I would love to apply for the next round. My reasons are simple: I am flat broke and saving for a nice MF outfit, but for now, its my 35mm gear and a Lubitel (oh yes, and a Holga). And all my good lenses in 35mm were recently stolen, too... so I have been down on my luck in the gear dept. It would be nice to have a chance to shoot a MF camera that can give me better results. My wife and I are both in love with RF's, so letting her see one that big may help in the most difficult part of any camera purchase - getting it by the boss' desk, hehehehhee. Besides, I would love the opportunity to share some of my work with someone - my family and friends are sick of my "look at my photos" ambushes

Peter.