Nostagic for Koni/Omega Rapid

[MikeyGaGa]

I really belong in the Yashica RF forum;but browsing here I fondly recall my Omaga Rapid with 58,90 and 180 lenses;sorry I sold it-heres why:

1)It was the best aerial camera I ever used-perfect for the job.

2)Optics were excellent. Operation simple and sure;NEVER missed a shot.

3)It was intimidating;I used to go to public events in NYC where you needed a press pass to get in;more than once security or the police let me pass because i had it posed at chest level.

4)People liked it! No sneaky on the fly candids-people would line up and pose(being pushy and aggressive helps;but Ive never lacked for it)


Mikey GaGa

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm still enjoying mine.
I recently bought a 58mm lens for it, but it was beyond fixing according to my local guy.

 

[rool]

I just shot the first 2 rolls with my "new" Koni Omega M this week-end.
I had lots of fun to shoot with it, can't wait to see the results!

 

[ruben]

It may be trully thrilling if some of you guys could write a mini-review about this renowned camera, still available.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[MikeyGaGa]

I may still have the manual for it;give me a little time and I will write a review.

Better still,I can post some photos and tell why I think the Rapid Omega gave me a better shot than my other cameras.

Confession:i am really lame with computers-I dont even know how to get photos into the computer. I think I need a scanner. Can anyone recommend a cheap one that will allow me to post from my 35;6x6;6x7 and widelux trans and negs?

Mikey GaGa

 

[dealy663]

KOR 200 Mini Review

KOR 200 Mini Review

I've owned a Rapid Omega 200 for a couple of years now. I actually have all 4 lenses made for the camera. It is built like a tank, and weighs about as much as one also.

It is a great way to get into medium format without spending a ton of money, yet getting quality lenses for your dollar. Its probably just about the best bang for the buck out there. The camera had the following lenses made for it:
58/60mm Wide angle (rougly equivalent to a 26mm lens on a 35mm SLR).
90mm Normal
135mm (Portrait)
180mm Short tele

Additionally there were 120 and 220 backs made for the camera (plenty of which are still available). Over the years I've seen a few extension tubes (for macro work) and ground glass backs. The Rapid M and Rapid 200 models have fully interchangable backs, and the later versions of this camera had plenty of interlocks to keep you from accidentally exposing film while changing backs or lenses.

The most unusual thing about the cameras is the push pull (Rapid) film advance mechanism. It is physically a part of each back, and requires a hefty pull and push to move the film along. The camera is a real brute, and I doubt that you would have seen many women operating this thing back in the day.

The lenses are what this camera is all about. Many people compare their technical qualities to those of Zeiss lenses on Hassleblads. I never shot a Hassy, so I can't attest to the veracity of that assertion. However, I never had any complaints about the photos I got from these lenses. The 135mm lens is the crown jewel of the Rapid Omega line. It has a stellar reputation, and is quite rare. I've heard tale of 1 or 2 of these going for over $700. The last I saw on Ebay one went for $435. These are pretty steep prices for K.O.R. lenses. None of the others command prices anywhere near that. All of the lenses are no faster than f/3.5, and I think one of them is f/4.5. The shutter speeds go from B to 1/500th and each lens contains its own leaf shutter that can sync all the way up to 1/500th.

If you decide to pick one of these cameras up, there is only one man that has the equipment knowledge and reputation for servicing them. That is Greg Weber at webercamera.com. He bought all of Konica's testing and servicing equipement from them when they abandoned all of their film cameras. He's quite knowledgable, and fair also.

Just in the past few weeks I was seriously considering selling my Rapid 200 and picking up a Hassy. I do lots of hiking and weight is a big deal for me (my 4x5 camera is on the block now). But after adding up the numbers I just couldn't get over the price to simply aquire a 500 c/m and one lens, let alone a minimum of 2 that I felt I could get away with. So for now I'm holding on to the Koni, and trying to control myself by packing lighter. Hmm maybe if I got a smaller backpack....

I've attached one of my favorites from the Koni. It was shot with the 90mm lens on Delta 100.

I hope this was of some help.

Derek

 

[ruben]

I may still have the manual for it;give me a little time and I will write a review.

Better still,I can post some photos and tell why I think the Rapid Omega gave me a better shot than my other cameras.

Confession:i am really lame with computers-I dont even know how to get photos into the computer. I think I need a scanner. Can anyone recommend a cheap one that will allow me to post from my 35;6x6;6x7 and widelux trans and negs?

Mikey GaGa

Let the pictures talk.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ruben]

Hi Derek,
Thank you for your review. Obviously some questions follow:
- What is the negative format ? 6x7 only ?, no alternatives ?
- What do you mean when you say the camera weights like a tank ? The same is said about my C-330, but in fact it is quite average for medium format.

Many thanks,
Ruben

 

[dealy663]

Rapid omega weight

Rapid omega weight

Well, I've never shot a Mamiy 330 TLR. But always thought those things looked like they were pretty heavyweight also.

The metal in the camera body is thick and heavy. I'm not sure how much the camera weighs, but in my opinion it is quite heavy. I grew up shooting 35mm cameras, and just recently got into medium and large format. I'm sure that there must be somewhere on the internet that can give you a true weight for the camera.

As far as I know there are only 6x7cm backs for this camera.

 

[rool]

It weights around 2 kilos I think.

 

[MikeyGaGa]

Let the pictures talk.

Cheers,
Ruben

ZAY AZOY GUT!

 

[Robert Vote]

Yes it is heavy-at least 2 kilo!
I got mine and had first trouble with a light leak. I replaced the seal where the magazine hits the core body. I shot a lot of film and got also some prints from the lab. The results were amazing-I have never seen something like this before. Sharpness, contrast, detail-everthing great.
I still have to learn to check the dof - here in continental europe we use the metric system. I have to convert the feet markings on the lens into meters. But I will get used to it.

Thanks.

Robert

 

[oftheherd]

Yes it is heavy-at least 2 kilo!
I got mine and had first trouble with a light leak. I replaced the seal where the magazine hits the core body. I shot a lot of film and got also some prints from the lab. The results were amazing-I have never seen something like this before. Sharpness, contrast, detail-everthing great.
I still have to learn to check the dof - here in continental europe we use the metric system. I have to convert the feet markings on the lens into meters. But I will get used to it.

Thanks.

Robert

I'm sure you know, but three feet may a yard, and a yard is so close to a meter you don't have to worry about it. So, estimate in meters, multiply by three and you have the feet (or vice versa).

 

[rool]

Just got my first rolls of Provia 100 from my Koni Omega M back from the lab yesterday. Shots taken with the 60mm lens... that's very sharp and the colours are really nice! Gonna be hard going back to 35mm...
I shot those two first rolls during a walk on sunday; changing film in the field is kind of a pain but the camera is otherwise very easy to operate. I love it already!

 

[Robert Vote]

Gonna be hard going back to 35mm...

I know exactly what u mean. Aren`t we quality fanatics?

The KO is my big mamiya 7.

Robert

 

[scottgee1]

Hi Derek,
Thank you for your review. Obviously some questions follow:
- What is the negative format ? 6x7 only ?, no alternatives ?
- What do you mean when you say the camera weights like a tank ? The same is said about my C-330, but in fact it is quite average for medium format.

Many thanks,
Ruben

Yes, only 6x7. There is a cut film holder available, but it too uses 6x7. It's supposed to be used in conjunction with a ground glass viewing attachment and lens spacers for "close-ups" meaning closer than the standard RF/lens combinations can handle. Not very practical IMO.

These cameras were designed and built to handle serious professional usage. In the good old days that didn't mean faster microprocessors, it meant better metal and glass. So even though the KO variants are relatively small, they're surprisingly heavy for their size.

BTW, the C-330 may be average for MF in general, but it's heavy compared to other 6x6 format cameras. Compare to a Rollei or Yashica. Even a Hasselblad weighs less.

This definitely isn't a knock against the Mamiya. It, and the RB/RZ share bellows capability that adds weight and bulk AND very useful close-focus. The Rollei 66 has bellows AND tilt/shift functions that are terrific and it ain't a lightweight either.

FWIW/ScottGee1

 

[montresor]

I was out today with the KO Rapid and was sorry I didn't take more film. Yeah, it's heavy but it's a wonderful camera, and the Hexanon lenses are unsurpassed. I had the 90mm for the KO serviced by Greg Weber and I suspect it performs better than when it was new. The Rapid-Omega 200 I own has the 3 lenses, 58, 90 and 180. Have yet to use the 180, have been hewing to the 58 quite a bit. The wide-angle scope that mounts on the top looks so freakin' cool! People on the street have actually asked me to take their picture with it. That doesn't happen with a 35mm camera around my neck. The only other camera that gets that kind of response for me is the Mamiya C330S. I have to say I genuinely love my twin Omegas!

 

[MikeyGaGa]

KO the bomb,Dog!

KO the bomb,Dog!

I was out today with the KO Rapid and was sorry I didn't take more film. Yeah, it's heavy but it's a wonderful camera, and the Hexanon lenses are unsurpassed. I had the 90mm for the KO serviced by Greg Weber and I suspect it performs better than when it was new. The Rapid-Omega 200 I own has the 3 lenses, 58, 90 and 180. Have yet to use the 180, have been hewing to the 58 quite a bit. The wide-angle scope that mounts on the top looks so freakin' cool! People on the street have actually asked me to take their picture with it. That doesn't happen with a 35mm camera around my neck. The only other camera that gets that kind of response for me is the Mamiya C330S. I have to say I genuinely love my twin Omegas!

See my earlier post-yes;people(the masses;humanitythe prolateriat,et al)like it!

Learned photography in the 60s-available light "candids",the decisive moment and all that rot. Read Bill Owens "Documentary Photography" and learned use a big camera and let them know youre there-its a passport to more opportunities;to shoot and to get to know people(photography is all to often a solitary pursuit).

MikeyGaGa

 

[scottgee1]

I was out today with the KO Rapid and was sorry I didn't take more film. Yeah, it's heavy but it's a wonderful camera, and the Hexanon lenses are unsurpassed. I had the 90mm for the KO serviced by Greg Weber and I suspect it performs better than when it was new. The Rapid-Omega 200 I own has the 3 lenses, 58, 90 and 180. Have yet to use the 180, have been hewing to the 58 quite a bit. The wide-angle scope that mounts on the top looks so freakin' cool! People on the street have actually asked me to take their picture with it. That doesn't happen with a 35mm camera around my neck. The only other camera that gets that kind of response for me is the Mamiya C330S. I have to say I genuinely love my twin Omegas!

And just think about all the extra calories you burn every time you use it. We could probably create a complete aerobic workout with it. Call it the "K-O Aero"!!

Heck, every time you advance the film has to be worth 10 calories -- 15 if you do it with intensity! Just walking with one has to build muscle -- and two!? I'm thinking of buying up a bunch of 'em from ebay and producing an informercial!! 😀

ScottGee1

 

[venchka]

Y'all are killing me! The two best cameras I ever owned were a Rapid Omega 100 and a Pentax 6x7. Eye level viewing ROCKS!

The grip & cable release, knob focusing wheel & film advance of the Rapid Omega were awesome. I miss it!