My new Koni Rapid 200 has cured me of something

5stringdeath · May 22, 2010

Recently picked up a kit locally .. came with a 90mm and a 180mm. I've always loved wide angle lenses, in fact most of my shooting has been 50mm or less (in 35mm terms) .. on my Bronica ETR I mainly use a 40mm lens.

Anyhow, my immediate thought was to unload the 180mm - "I'll never use it." But the guy claimed it had only been used once, and it looks it ... I'd have to say its one of the cleanest pieces of glass I own for any of my cameras ... so I figured I'd try it out.

Wowo, what a sharp lens! I think it cured me of some of my "wide angle for ever!" syndrome. Its also pretty refreshing, and fun, to compose the shot in the center rangefinder marks (which of course looks small) and then have this awesome 6x7 negative. Truly worthy of the weight.

I think this camera is a blast to use. I can totally use it for both street and landscapes. Went to this tiny local carnival today and had a few conversations about "what kind of camera is that." The cocking mechanism is awesome!

I got lucky I suppose, my 120 back, while a bit ugly, advances correctly and doesn't leak. The 220 back is gorgeous, I only wish I could find some 220 B&W film Oh well.

Knowing I only have 10 shots per roll slows me down too. Doesn't really matter cause I always have my 35mm kit with me too

I'm a happy boy.

ps - yes, of course now I'm on the elusive search for the 58mm/60mm lens for this, haha.

AgentX · May 22, 2010

Nice. I had one a long, long time ago. Probably shoulda kept it. Just make sure you warn people before you cock it so no one thinks you're preparing to take them down with a 12 gauge.

5stringdeath · May 22, 2010

AgentX said:
Nice. I had one a long, long time ago. Probably shoulda kept it. Just make sure you warn people before you cock it so no one thinks you're preparing to take them down with a 12 gauge.

Yeah before I bought this I read about how loud it is. Freaking awesome! Compared to how quiet the shutter is .... LOL

Oh yea the 90mm is tack sharp too .... Nothing not to like!

I actually thought having the shutter release on the left side would seem weird, but I have to tell you, it feels more natural than the other way around. Kinda weird given every other camera I own I generally focus with my left hand and fire with my right.

Konical · May 22, 2010

Good Afternoon, 5string,

Welcome to the KO world! I've used the KO system for decades and can confirm everything you've said. To me, one of the things which most impressed me when I first started with KO (I had already used 6 x 6 TLR's and a Mamiya Super Press 23) is the neat system of mechanical interlocks for the magazine and lens changing procedures. By the way, I don't really find the film advance particularly noisy. The noisy shutter in my otherwise-terrific Fuji 6 x 7 RF is more annoying! Listen carefully though--you might hear my KO from across the river.

Konical

mwdake · May 22, 2010

Congrats on the KO.
I have a Rapid 100 with 90mm and 58mm lenses.
The lenses are very sharp, I got my 58mm with finder for a good price from the original owner and I find I use it more than the 90mm.

The only thing I don't like is the ergonomics of the grip; seems like I can never get it in very natural position and it makes my hand cramp.
Other than that I love the 6x7 format and the lenses.

The 58/60 mm lenses are quite easy to find. The 135mm is rare though.

Good luck with yours.

Sirius Glass · May 22, 2010

5stringdeath said:
Wowo, what a sharp lens! I think it cured me of some of my "wide angle for ever!" syndrome. Its also pretty refreshing, and fun, to compose the shot in the center rangefinder marks (which of course looks small) and then have this awesome 6x7 negative. Truly worthy of the weight.

Like I say "Nothing beats a good piece of glass."

Enjoy.

Steve

5stringdeath · May 22, 2010

mwdake said:
Congrats on the KO.
I have a Rapid 100 with 90mm and 58mm lenses.
The lenses are very sharp, I got my 58mm with finder for a good price from the original owner and I find I use it more than the 90mm.

The only thing I don't like is the ergonomics of the grip; seems like I can never get it in very natural position and it makes my hand cramp.
Other than that I love the 6x7 format and the lenses.

The 58/60 mm lenses are quite easy to find. The 135mm is rare though.

Good luck with yours.

I tilted mine pretty far forward and it seems comfy. What I really like about the grip is carrying the camera around with it ... then just swing up to eye level to shoot. I'd never wear this beast around my neck on a strap

hoffy · May 22, 2010

What a topical thread. As of today, I have joined the Koni-Omega club as well! I picked up a Rapid with a 90mm lens and 120 back at a local camera swap meet. I also had someone approach me and tell me he has quite a bit of gear that he wants to off load as well...but I want to learn how to use this properly. This is also my first range finder of any description, so its going to take me a bit to get used to the focusing.

Hmmm, nice overcast skies today, a freebee loaded roll of T-max 100. I should be out there seeing how this thing works!

Cheers

5stringdeath · May 22, 2010

hoffy said:
What a topical thread. As of today, I have joined the Koni-Omega club as well! I picked up a Rapid with a 90mm lens and 120 back at a local camera swap meet. I also had someone approach me and tell me he has quite a bit of gear that he wants to off load as well...but I want to learn how to use this properly. This is also my first range finder of any description, so its going to take me a bit to get used to the focusing.

Hmmm, nice overcast skies today, a freebee loaded roll of T-max 100. I should be out there seeing how this thing works!

Cheers

Nice! Let me know if you score multiple 58/60 lenses

photoncatcher · May 22, 2010

My first experiance with a KO was when I was in the USAF in the early 70s. Up to that point the everyday camera for us was the very ugly Graphlex XL. It was ugly in a kind of endearing way though. The other photo techs, and I would actually try to get to the photo lab early to claim the Koni before anyone else could. I was lucky enough last spring to get a really sweet deal on an older KO Rapid with the 90mm lens, and about a month later I lucked into the 58mm wide angle with the auxillery veiw finder. Both lenses are as sharp, and snappy as any I've used. The idea of composing,and focusing through two different finders can take a bit of getting used to, but I love the 58mm, and I got acustomed to the two finder system with my Feds, and Zorkis. Oh, and as ugly as the XL was, it did usher me into the world of medium format.

mwdake · May 23, 2010

I tilted mine pretty far forward and it seems comfy. What I really like about the grip is carrying the camera around with it ... then just swing up to eye level to shoot.

Thanks, I'll try that.

I took my 100 out last night for its first night photo outing.

mikebarger · May 23, 2010

I keep a 100 with a 90 and a Luna pro SBC in my truck for those gee I wish I had a camera with me moments. These are underrated rigs.

Mike

5stringdeath · May 23, 2010

BTW, I have to admit a "hey I'm a stupid photographer" story so others don't make the same mistake

The first day I had mine I popped off two rolls in the back yard as a test. Developed the film .... only two frames! So of course I started cursing the camera and calculating the cost of repairs, hehe. ANYHOW ... you guessed it, I wasn't pressing the shutter release enough. If you barely press it, which I was trying to be careful as it was overcast, you'll hear one "click" which is NOT the shutter firing, hah. Press it fully, you actually hear two clicks. Good thing I had that "AHA!" moment while I was studying the camera before shooting more film.

Did three rolls yesterday and all were great.

Sal Santamaura · May 23, 2010

5stringdeath said:
...I wasn't pressing the shutter release enough. If you barely press it, which I was trying to be careful as it was overcast, you'll hear one "click" which is NOT the shutter firing...

If memory serves (I used my Rapid Omega 100 for weddings and sold it in the 70s when no longer doing so), that first click is the pressure plate being moved forward into position. It's held retracted otherwise to facilitate film advance.

5stringdeath · May 23, 2010

Sal Santamaura said:
If memory serves (I used my Rapid Omega 100 for weddings and sold it in the 70s when no longer doing so), that first click is the pressure plate being moved forward into position. It's held retracted otherwise to facilitate film advance.

Yep, and of course I forgot I had read that in the manual

rjbuzzclick · May 23, 2010

Actually (at least on my Rapid M), the first click is the "cocked" indicator being released on the back. It's a tiny circular window at the top of the back that goes red when the shutter is cocked. I've heard there's a way to adjust these, or negate them entirely, but I've not figured it out yet.

Chazzy · May 23, 2010

I love my Koni-Omega M, and would never part with it. It's rugged, the lenses are sharp, and it's not that heavy with a wide neck strap. I don't know why everyone tells beginners to get a TLR as their first medium format camera. I think that a Koni-Omega would be a much nicer choice, and a very economical one.

hoffy · May 23, 2010

OK, I'm going to ask a completely nufty newbie question (as this is my first Roll Film camera!)......when I finish the roll and it reaches the end.....what do I need to do to get the film out without exposing it? Apparently, it locks the shutter when you have fired the last shot. Is this time to take the back off, or do you need to go through some weird sequence before you can detach the back (like you do when loading it).

(Oh, forgot to mention, this is for a Rapid)

mwdake · May 23, 2010

I am assuming my 100 works the same as your 200...

There should be a little lock tab thing near the top right corner of the back. The tab has a little white arrow pointing up. When you get to the end of the roll push this tab up and it unlocks the transport, wind on and you will see 3 dots n the counter window, then wind again for 2 dots and again for dot and finally LOAD. It is then safe to unlock the back and remove the film.

If you don't see the little tab with the white arrow it is possible the tab has come off some time, it happens as I have a back that the tab fell off in a pile of rocks and I never did find it. If that is the case you have to poke something in the hole the tab would be in and push upwards to release the transport.

If you don't have the user manual for your camera then go to
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/rapid_omega_100-200/rapid_omega_100-200.htm

for a copy

Please consider Mike Butkus' request to make a small donation for the manual; he does a great service for us all.

good luck

Richard Jepsen · May 23, 2010

Long ago I did my research and concluded the KO is a great camera..... I even used one in high school. But, one look through a Bronica RF 645 and it would be hard to accept a fuzzy blue tinted finder.

My new Koni Rapid 200 has cured me of something

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