Talk to me about the Koni-Omega

[dpurdy]

I have never used one but I am definitely being intrigued by them and they are cheap.
How do the Hexanon lenses compare to Schneider or Zeiss or Mamiya 7 lenses
How easy is it to see what you are doing with the view finder?
How close do they focus?
How likely is the view finder to go out of adjustment?
What are the problems?
Thanks for the help
Dennis

 

[Jim Rice]

I can't comment directly as I used to have an Omegaflex (twin lens). The Hexanons are common to both cameras and supurb.

 

[mikebarger]

Lens equal to my hassy equipment. I carry a 100 model in my truck all the time. Tough cameras and dirt cheap.

I had my back given a CLA, but haven't had anything done to body or lens.

These are great rigs!

Mike

 

[Moopheus]

What are the problems?

I got a K-O kit on eBay, and so far I haven't gotten quite as much use out of it as I'd like. Mainly because the gear that's for sale is mostly very heavily used--in particular, getting film backs that operate correctly seems to be difficult. At least one of my lenses needs some shutter work. The lenses, when they work, are very nice, but don't be fooled by how cheap the stuff is selling for. Plan to budget for some maintenence.

 

[dpurdy]

I better call the local repair shop and see if anyone knows how to work on them.
I have been doing a bit of research since I started this thread and now I see there are several models. What is the top?
thanks
Dennis

 

[ajmiller]

I have a KO Rapid and the 90mm Hexanon f3.5 lens has just gone in for repair today - the shutter's started sticking odd times and the aperture blades seem to be catching. Saying that, for me, it is worth repairing - I think they are an excellent camera.

 

[MattKing]

Dennis:

I have two Koni-Omega Rapid Ms, and they are excellent if somewhat quirky (and large) cameras.

They were initially directed to the wedding photographer market, so many have received hard use.

I have both 90mm and 58mm lenses, and they are very good.

Greg Weber is the repair resource - here is his website (which has neen "under construction" forever!):

http://www.webercamera.com/home.html

This was shot with the 58mm lens:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I'm coming to realize that the ergonomics are not well suited to my heavily left-handed orientation, and all three of my backs need to be serviced, so with some reluctance I'm thinking of putting my kit up for sale - maybe we should talk .

Matt

 

[mgb74]

I used one many years ago for aerial photography. Worked great for that purpose.

Lenses are excellent, but use Seikosha shutters. Parts for these shutters (if needed) are not available new and generally have to be obtained from a donor shutter. Good news is that there are a lot of these old Seikosha shutters around (including chrome Mamiya TLR lenses).

Available lenses are 58mm/60mm, 90mm, 135mm, and 180mm. 58mm/60mm and 135mm are somewhat tough to find and expensive. The 58mm/60mm requires an auxiliary finder.

Some models had interchangeable (in mid roll) backs.

Weakest spot is the back. The push/pull film advance is very fast but the mechanism wears and as a result frames start to overlap.

As Matt notes, many/most have seen heavy use.

 

[dpurdy]

thanks Matt, I remember when you put that shot in the gallery... and I was the first to comment on it. I gotta say you have the smooth processing down. That sky is perfect.
I didn't realize the KO was a heavy camera. I already have a large Pentax 67 system and my problem with it is the weight and the difficulty of getting the most out of the lenses.
Thanks for the Weber info. I am a ways from deciding to get a KO. I still don't even know what are the differences in the models.
Dennis

 

[dpurdy]

I used one many years ago for aerial photography. Worked great for that purpose.

Lenses are excellent, but use Seikosha shutters. Parts for these shutters (if needed) are not available new and generally have to be obtained from a donor shutter. Good news is that there are a lot of these old Seikosha shutters around (including chrome Mamiya TLR lenses).

Available lenses are 58mm/60mm, 90mm, 135mm, and 180mm. 58mm/60mm and 135mm are somewhat tough to find and expensive. The 58mm/60mm requires an auxiliary finder.

Some models had interchangeable (in mid roll) backs.

Weakest spot is the back. The push/pull film advance is very fast but the mechanism wears and as a result frames start to overlap.

As Matt notes, many/most have seen heavy use.

I guess I am beginning to understand why they are so cheap.
Dennis

 

[mikebarger]

I doubt there is any more problem with the KO and any camera that has a lot of miles, even my Hassy stuff needs a CLA now and then.

Anyway, Weber worked on my back and did a really nice job. As someone stated above, buy very cheap and plan on a CLA, will last for years then with hobby use. Heck, that's the way I bought my Hassy gear, needing repair or a lot of miles. Sent them to David Odess for CLA and haven't looked back.

Mike

 

[Mike1234]

I have four various models for sale plus 58 (w/ finders), 90, 135 (rare), and 180 lenses. I have many backs and brackets as well. PM if interested but please only serious inquiries... I'm trying to pack out my house to move. If there's interest I'll post details and pics in the Classifieds section.

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, Dennis,

I agree with just about everything above. I have both a Rapid M and the -flex and highly recommend either. I have noticed, however, that prices for K-O equipment on E-Bay are somewhat higher now than they were a couple of years ago.

Konical

 

[asp.artist]

Also, they are a bit hefty. Equal to my crown graphic I would say. But again, beautiful lenses.
Anne

 

[Venchka]

The 100 & 200 were the last of the line. The 200 offers mid-roll film changing. The 100 doesn't. Rumor has it that the 58mm and 60mm lens are the same optics. I sold my 100 eons ago for a Pentax 6x7. Go figure. Both are superb photo making systems. I wish this owner were up to the level of the hardware.

 

[df cardwell]

Wonderful system, bargain of the century. Greg Weber is great.

 

[Chris Lange]

I was wondering about one of these, too, but their used market prices seem to have sky rocketed recently. A few months back you could get a body, lens, and a back or too for about $175 to $250 shipped, now they seem to be going for $375-450...I gave up on waiting and just went ahead and bought a Pentax 6x7.

 

[mwdake]

I have a KO Rapid 100 with 90mm and 58mm with finder as well as 3 backs, had about a year or so I got it before prices seemed to shoot up.
The lenses are great.
The hand grip seems to be designed for people with different wrist joints than me, it is uncomfortable to hold for long.
The backs seem to vary in frame spacing, but none of my frames overlap yet.

I really like it so far and love the 6x7 format.

 

[mikebarger]

I didn't realize prices had gone up. I've had my 100 well over a year. I paid under a hundred, back overlapped some so it got CLA.

Mike

 

[Chazzy]

My Koni-Omega M is my favorite camera. It is very rugged, and the lenses are excellent. Some of the Koni-Omega models will permit backs to be switched in the middle of the roll, and others, like the Rapid Omega 100, do not. If that is an important feature for you, be sure to ascertain whether the camera you are looking at will do it.

Macro isn't the strong point of rangefinder cameras, but it's at least doable with the two "Auto Ups." An Auto Up is a closeup lens for the 90mm standard lens, with goggles attached for the rangefinder; there are two versions, in order to accomodate different camera-subject distances.

 

[dpurdy]

My interest is due to a general frustration with MF. I am getting ready to go on a 3 week photo trip and I want to go without tripod and I will be doing a lot of walking. The cameras I have to choose from are my 2.8F Rollei or my Pentax 67. My Rollei is fantastic in all ways except I am sick of working with square and being limited to an 80mm lens. My Pentax is supposed to fill the slot but it is heavy and I don't look forward to carrying it over my shoulder for 3 weeks. It also has slow lenses and the infamous mirror kick at slower speeds. I like sharp pictures and it is really difficult to achieve with the Pentax unless I use a tripod which is more weight and a nuisance on a crowded street.
I have tried again and again to like the Mamiya 7 but the range finder on it really bothers me and I can't afford one anyway. So I was reading here on APUG of the KO and thinking it might be the thing but from the replies I have gotten it sounds like the weight is as much as the Pentax and no one has yet to reply to my question about using the view finder so I am guessing it is not very good.
I am thinking I should probably stick with what I have and choose the Rollei.
thanks
Dennis

 

[mikebarger]

If your talking about using the rangefinder, it is excellent! Easier to focus in low light than my Hassy.

Mike

 

[dpurdy]

Ok so I don't care about bells and whistles or changing film backs with the lens off or in the middle of a roll. What is the best model, latest version that gives me the best view (maybe they are all the same) and the best lenses. Is there a late and early version to the lenses?
How fast are the lenses and how close do they focus with out diopters and eyepieces?
thanks again
Dennis

 

[Moopheus]

Ok so I don't care about bells and whistles or changing film backs with the lens off or in the middle of a roll. What is the best model, latest version that gives me the best view (maybe they are all the same) and the best lenses. Is there a late and early version to the lenses?
How fast are the lenses and how close do they focus with out diopters and eyepieces?
thanks again
Dennis

The various models don't really vary that much feature-wise. The main differences are that some have removable film magazines, and some don't. The Rapid and Rapid M were built by Konica, and the 100s and 200s were later, made by Mamiya. At this point, I'd say condition of the specimen you're going to buy is more important than the model.

 

[mikebarger]

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Koni-Omega