Omega Rapid or Super 23/Universal??

[Fausto]

Both of these seem very appealing for multiple-format use. Anybody want to weigh in on which is better, sturdier, more ergonomic?
(the Kowa Six also caught my eye, though this is an orange thrown in with apples.) They all seem to be readily available, mostly a bit worn looking.

 

[Wramo]

Well, I can't say anything about the Super 23 because I have never used one, but I have heard good things.

I have a Rapid Omega though, and I love it. Good quality images at a price that a seventeen year old can afford. I bought mine from Greg Weber, and I highly recommend him. I bought one off Ebay too, and 15 pictures later the shutter died. The one I bought to replace it came straight from Graig, and it is great.

 

[Fausto]

Thanks Wramo, can you give me Greg's website or email?

 

[Al Kaplan]

If you're looking for a fast handling camera the Rapid Omega, Koni-Omega, or one of the variants with interchangeable magazines is a lot easier to use than anyything in the Mamiya line-up. I think the original model was a made in the USA Omega 100 with a fixed Wollensack lens (95mm f/3.5?) and it was first marketed as a press camera for newspaper photographers but by the time Konica got involved it was very popular with wedding photographers. The original model got the name Omega because it was designed and made by the enlarger manufacturer Simon Omega.

 

[JRG]

Here's an ancient thread over on PN that may be interesting:

http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/004UIJ

(Thanks, Mr. Google.)

 

[venchka]

Search this forum. There are other Rapid Omega threads and sample photos.

 

[Wramo]

Thanks Wramo, can you give me Greg's website or email?

http://www.webercamera.com/

If you haven't found it already. 🙂

There isn't a shop on his website, so you'll have to email him and he'll get back to you soon.

 

[AgentX]

Definitely the Rapid. Pretty ergonomic and fast to use. It's not multi-format, though. And it's huge, heavy, and loud; it sounds like an automatic pistol being racked, but much louder, whenever you advance the film.

 

[newsgrunt]

I have a Universal, never handled a Koni.

Plus for the Mamiyas are the nice lenses, multi format (6x9 really looks great). The Universal allows you to use Graflex roll film holders as well as modified Horsemans. Presume you can also run Fuji instant film as well depending on the back.

Downside is the weight, it's kinda heavy.

 

[Roger Hicks]

There are no bad lenses that I know of for a Koni-Omega, but there are a few dogs around for the Mamiya (especially the earliest lenses). Then again, a Koni Omega body stands abuse worse than a Mamiya. Two other options are a Graflex XL and a Polaroid 600 SE with roll-film adapter (I have both). I also have my later father-in-law's KowaSIX and it's an amazingly good camera. Just don't look to get it fixed if it breaks...

Cheers,

R.