Koni's

[matthew J Shaw]

I'm getting all excited waiting for the post tomorrow 🙂

After much searching and lusting, I've finally tracked down a great condition Koni Omega Rapid M, clean, shiny, boxes, manuals, and ready to be used!!!

So, after waiting and wanting one since I tried one many years ago, I thought I'd see if anyone here had one, or what tips & tricks you can offer me on it...

I'll post some pics when it gets here.

M

 

[scottgee1]

Terrific cams, the K-O and R-O.

Good for building up yer arms and shoulders as well! 😉

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I love mine. I guess the one thing I'd say is make sure that you pull the film advance lever all the way out before pushing it back in. It's easy to not do this when in a hurry.

Also, if you dislike accessory finders, the camera's viewfinder beyond the 90mm framelines will just about cover the 60mm lens with a little head movement.

 

[Keith]

Funny you should mention the Koni Omega ... I just put one on my watch list. 😀

There's something lovable about such a big homely camera. 😛

 

[raid]

I have a Koni Omega M with the 90mm lens.
I have sold the 60mm and the 180mm lenses.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I have a Koni Omega M with the 90mm lens.
I have sold the 60mm and the 180mm lenses.

I have all three. I just got the 180, which is longer than I like on a rangefinder, but I got it for a song so I decided to pick it up and complete the kit. I don't have the 135, and I don't expect I'll be able to afford one should I ever see one. I've used the 180 a little bit and am enjoying more than I thought I would.

 

[raid]

The 58mm and 60mm lenses plus finders were costly. I doubt it that the 135mm lens will cost a lot.

 

[JRG]

The 58mm and 60mm lenses plus finders were costly. I doubt it that the 135mm lens will cost a lot.

The 135 is easily the hardest of the K-O lenses to find. But, it's still cheap, by Leica standards. 🙂

 

[agfa100]

Copy this link and print it out, it will come in very handy. Also look up Greg Weber Koni repair expert, a great guy to deal with....

http://randamteagarden.tripod.com/id31.htm

wbill

 

[KoNickon]

I need to pull mine out and use it. I have all the lenses too -- the 135 is superb, by the way. If yours needs any work when you get it, send it off to Greg Weber in Nebraska.

 

[matthew J Shaw]

Cheers guys

Some useful tips, I'll check out Greg Weber, always good to know a good tech.

Im looking for the 58 or 60 if I take to the camera, I shoot mostly wide angle so its a bit of a must for me.

Seems the koni has developed a bit of a cult following, I used one briefly many moons ago when I was looking at getting into medium format, ended up down the SLR route but have been hankering after one ever since, the fuji's I use never seemed to feel the same.

The only downside is they are mega rare here in the UK, an average one will cost you around £250 and extras are mad, a flash bracket will cost about £90!!!

Ive got a bracket with this one, and I've sourced a period strobonar flash which works, so once the rig is together I'll take some pics and upload some camera porn 🙂

 

[matthew J Shaw]

So...

My Koni arrived today, unfortunately looked like it had a knock during transit, the shutter mech has sheared off the camera body, the lens as a big dent in the aperture ring so the aperture ring can no longer move and the lens wont cock properly!!!

It's typical, cosmetically it is stunning, not even any rubs to the paint work...

So now have the tough choice of returning to sender (although the damage was not their fault)

Trying to get the insurance on the package (no idea how long that will take)

Or replace the shutter mech and try to source a new lens...

Ever had one of those days...

 

[FrankS]

Bad luck, very sorry to hear!

 

[raid]

Such damage can happen in mail. Tough luck indeed. What will you do next?

 

[raid]

I have the sports finder for the Koni and also a 220 back in addition to a 120 back.
I don't think that I have any other accessories left.

 

[matthew J Shaw]

Im not sure what to do to be honest,

The seller was very good, and it was insured for more than I paid, so I'm not inclined to try and claw it back from him as it wasnt his fault and he's been so helpful.

I'm checking out the insurance option, as I have paid for it so...

Im wondering if I got a parts body wether I could swap the shutter button and moulding, have popped the linkages by hand and all is good.

The body is in great condition, its been sat in its box for the last 25 years so is pretty immaculate, its just whether a dead body, plus a new lens will cost more than I can source another rapid m for?

Watch this space...

 

[raid]

Ask a repairman whether he can save the body for you.
Else, get another Koni.

 

[matthew J Shaw]

I used to work in the film industry making models for effects and am quite handy with repairs, the body is salvageable, and I've already looked at sourcing parts, but unfortunately, parts + shipping to UK & customs will be more that another Koni...

So it looks like grips, brackets, backs etc may get stripped off this one ready for when I find another good looking one, so long as it doesnt take me years again!!! 🙂

 

[matthew J Shaw]

So...
I thought I'd update you an the saga of the Koni...

USPS (who shipped it) are hopefully going to pay out the insurance for the damaged camera, $200, and I've been looking around for a replacement.

Which I have ordered today 🙂

I'm now awaiting delivery of a rapid 200 with 90mm lens, 120 and 220 backs, grip and sports finder. It has all its boxes, manuals etc and even has an original Koni strap and eyepiece!

So here's a question for all you Koni users, as the pressure plate is not fixed, I have heard tales you can run 120 through the 220 back... Is this true? and if so, how is spacing of the negs and overall usage changed?

If anyone has any experience of this, I'd be greatly interested.

 

[oftheherd]

Glad to hear you have found a replacement. There was a time when I lusted for a Koni, but ended up with a Mamiya Super Press 23. I have been very happy with it. I am sure you will with the Koni.