Koni-Omega, First Photos

[dazedgonebye]

Well, I obviously have a great deal to learn.
I did not advance the film enough by hand before putting the back on the camera. As a result, about half of my "shots" must have hit the paper backing. I also failed to pull the handle out enough to space the shots properly and had overlap on some of the remaining shots.
In any case, here are the first results. Not going for art here (and a good thing too), just seeing if it is light tight and reasonably sharp. I think I have a yes to both. So, plenty of reason to load more film and keep learning.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Cool. Are these stopped down or wide open?

 

[dazedgonebye]

I think they were all at f11 and 1/250th.
The film was Kodak 160 and we get a lot of light out here.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, just won a 58mm lens to go with.... With shipping, I now have a total of about $145 in to this. I'm pretty happy.
More pics on the way.

 

[flipflop]

looks good congrats! Nothing like advancing the film in any other camera. When I used one I felt like I was loading a bullet in a sniper rifle.

 

[raid]

I still have to manage not getting overlapping frames.

 

[CZeni]

I still have to manage not getting overlapping frames.

It's very likely that your back needs a CLA...a properly working back doesn't overlap and doesn't require any sort of trick to advance properly. A firm hand is good enough...I have several Konis and they spaced poorly until I got the backs cleaned and adjusted by Greg Weber...

CZ
NC

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Really awesome...I may have to get one of these eventually after all.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I didn't have any problem with overlaping frames this time out. I'm still not starting at the right point though, because I fit just 9.5 pictures on the roll with about a full frame wasted at the begining.
Getting the hang of it.

 

[BillBingham2]

Steve,

I used one several time, my father used it as a transition camera when he moved from 4x5 to 35mm. It was a fine camera, fun, but picky. I remember the biggest problem he had with her was the handle on the dark slide needed to be just right otherwise you got jammed up. He had several backs and this was a royal pain. Not sure if you just have one if you can change the film on the camera.

That and an old Singer flash was quite a load to carry, but it was less than the 4x5s he was using in the studio.

Enjoy her, she is a fun camera and gives great negative.

B2 (;->

 

[dazedgonebye]

Mine is one of the early Rapids. No dark slide and no changeable (mid-roll) back.
I'm liking it so far. When I get the wide, I'll shoot a roll or two of landscape shots.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Really awesome...I may have to get one of these eventually after all.

I'm afraid you won't likely be getting this one off of me Stehpanie... 😀

 

[outfitter]

Steve,

Do you have the manual (you can get it here: http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/komega/komanual.pdf

Loading gets easier if you follow the instructions (which are sufficiently complicated that I forget if I haven't used the camera in a while). A little lube on some of the obvious places also improves things. The magazines are quite indestructible; I've purchased really beaten up pro use mags (including 220) for $5 and all were light tight and worked after a lube.

The system for flattening the film is one of the best ever devised for MF; this contributes to the high reputation of the lenses. The 58mm is a great lens and handy for street shooting (albeit the camera is not exactly invisible for this sort of shooting).

Michael

 

[dazedgonebye]

I have the manual...I just didn't realize I was supposed to read it! 🙂

 

[RJBender]

I still have to manage not getting overlapping frames.

Raid,

It's probably the clutches. Try the outer clutch overhaul. http://members.tripod.com/randamteagarden/id31.htm

R.J.

 

[Robert Vote]

I shot now a couple of films with the KO200. But there is a problem that still exists. In some frames one side of the picture is darker than the other side. I think I mentioned that some days before. The film borders are not involved so there cant be something like a light leak from behind. I am thinkin it has somethin to do with the darkslide. Maybe there are reflections from the end of the darkslide when I pull it out. Is there a seal that can make trouble?`

How do you handle the darkslide when u go out for shooting? Do you have it always in the camera and remove it only before shooting? Or do you leave it at home at all?

Sorry for not yet posting pics-I have to find a solution for scanning them first.

Thanks for your attention!
Robert

 

[dazedgonebye]

I shot now a couple of films with the KO200. But there is a problem that still exists. In some frames one side of the picture is darker than the other side. I think I mentioned that some days before. The film borders are not involved so there cant be something like a light leak from behind. I am thinkin it has somethin to do with the darkslide. Maybe there are reflections from the end of the darkslide when I pull it out. Is there a seal that can make trouble?`

How do you handle the darkslide when u go out for shooting? Do you have it always in the camera and remove it only before shooting? Or do you leave it at home at all?

Sorry for not yet posting pics-I have to find a solution for scanning them first.

Thanks for your attention!
Robert

My earlier model does not have a darkslide in the same manner as yours. I've just got a small knob next to the lens mount that rotates and closes a built-in darkslide type door. It is simpler and I think perhaps less trouble, but I can't change backs mid-stream.

 

[RJBender]

I shot now a couple of films with the KO200. But there is a problem that still exists. In some frames one side of the picture is darker than the other side. I think I mentioned that some days before. The film borders are not involved so there cant be something like a light leak from behind. I am thinkin it has somethin to do with the darkslide. Maybe there are reflections from the end of the darkslide when I pull it out. Is there a seal that can make trouble?`

How do you handle the darkslide when u go out for shooting? Do you have it always in the camera and remove it only before shooting? Or do you leave it at home at all?
Sorry for not yet posting pics-I have to find a solution for scanning them first.

Thanks for your attention!
Robert

Robert,

There is a slot in the bottom left side of the back for storing the darkslide. There is a light seal behind the lens that is made of rubber and another one inside the body. You may want to remove the lens and inspect them.

R.J.

 

[Robert Vote]

One of my first shots. I will replace some the seals soon and hope the problems with the dark side[tm] will be gone soon.

Thanks, for your attention.
Robert