Difference between revisions of "Koni-Omega"

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{{Japanese post 1960 medium format VF and RF
The Koni-Omega is a class of [[medium format]] [[rangefinder]] cameras. These [[press cameras]] are 6×7cm (2 1/4" × 2 3/4") rangefinders with a combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder and automatic [[parallax]] compensation. Some cameras have fixed lenses while others have interchangeable lenses. Still others have interchangable backs. All cameras use [[medium format]] [[roll film]].  Not including the miltary cameras (e.g., PH-501/PF) the Koni-Omega system's first camera was released in 1954 the Rapid Omega 100 ended production in 1981.  Despite having American origins the class of camera were produced in Japan over the majority of their production run.  
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rst90274/2477857134/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2270/2477857134_6f56bed056_n.jpg]<br><small>image by {{image author|rst12}}  {{with permission}}</small>
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}}
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The '''Koni-Omega''' is a class of [[medium format]] [[rangefinder cameras]]. These [[press camera]]s are 6&times;7cm (2 1/4" &times; 2 3/4") rangefinders with a combined viewfinder and [[coupled rangefinder]] and automatic [[parallax]] compensation. Some cameras have fixed lenses while others have interchangeable lenses. Still others have interchangeable backs. All cameras use [[medium format]] [[rollfilm|roll film]].  Not including the military cameras (e.g., PH-501/PF) the first camera in what would later become the Koni-Omega system was released in 1954, and the Rapid Omega 100 ended production in 1981.  Despite having American origins these cameras were produced in Japan for most of their production run.  
  
=== Camera details ===  
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== Camera details ==  
The Simmon Brothers, known for their line of enlargers, built the original Simmon Omega. The Omega 120 camera was design by Alfred Simmons.<REF name="DPat"> [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATD169343] </REF> The designs of later cameras were likely by Berkely Brothers and [[Konica]]. The product was by principaly by Konica.   
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The [[Simmon]] Brothers, known for their line of enlargers, built the original Simmon Omega. The [[Omega 120]] camera was design by Alfred Simmon.<REF name="DPat"> [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATD169343 Simmon camera US D169343] at Google Patents</REF> The designs of later cameras were likely by Berkely Brothers and [[Konica]]. The product was principally by Konica.   
  
There are ten 6&times;7cm exposures to a roll of [[120 film]] and 20 to [[220 film]] roll. However, the 220 film backs are less common than the 120 backs. The Koni-Omega Rapid M and Rapid 200 have interchangeable film backs allowing for mid roll film exchange. The film advance is via a pull-push operation on a handle on the side of the camera. This makes for fast advancing and hence the source of the name ''Rapid''.  
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There are ten 6&times;7cm exposures to a roll of [[120 film]] and 20 to [[220 film]] roll. However, the 220 film backs are less common than the 120 backs. The Koni-Omega Rapid M, Koni-Omega M, Koni-Omegaflex M and Rapid Omega 200 have interchangeable film magazines allowing for mid-roll film exchange. The film advance is via a pull-push operation on a handle on the side of the camera. This makes for fast advancing and hence the source of the name ''Rapid''.  
  
The lenses are focused by a large knob above the film advance. The entire lens mount moves in and out with a rack-and-pinion system. The image in the rangefinder and viewfinder determined by the focus and  one or more pins protruding from the rear of the lens.  The is a large grip on the other side of the camera  near the shutter release. No light meter is included in these cameras  
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The lenses are focused by a large knob above the [[film advance]]. The entire lens mount moves in and out with a rack-and-pinion system. The image in the rangefinder and viewfinder determined by the focus and  one or more pins protruding from the rear of the lens.  There is a large grip on the other side of the camera  near the shutter release. No [[light meter]] is included in these cameras  
  
The cameras require a dark slide to change lens and or film backs. The darkslide is part of an interlock system that prevents the shutter from being fired with a darkslide in place. Double exposures are possible with all cameras but accidental double exposures are rare.
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The cameras require a [[dark slide]] to change lens and or film backs. The dark slide is part of an interlock system that prevents the shutter from being fired with a dark slide in place. Double exposures are possible with all cameras but accidental double exposures are rare.
 +
 
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{| class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;"
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4261667853/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4261667853_3c406fb848_m.jpg]<br/>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4262428020/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4262428020_a937ccd094_m.jpg]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4262396604/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4262396604_3e74987277_m.jpg]<br/>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4258485711/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4258485711_127c72f1e8_m.jpg]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4261682971/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4261682971_896d59b3a3_m.jpg]
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|-
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|colspan=3 align=center | Koni-Omega Rapid M<br/><small>images by {{image author|Dirk HR Spennemann}}</small> {{with permission}}
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|}
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== List of models ==
 +
* [[Combat Camera PH-501/PF]]
 +
* [[Omega 120]]
 +
* Omega 120 KE-8
 +
* Koni-Omega Rapid
 +
* Konica Press
 +
* Koni-Omega Rapid M
 +
* Koni-Omega M
 +
* Konica Press 2
 +
* Rapid Omega 100
 +
* Rapid Omega 200
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* Rapid Omega 200 KE-58
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{{br}}
 +
== List of lenses ==
 +
{| class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;"
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4673840326/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4673840326_f2027b1089_m.jpg]<br/>58mm f/5.6
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5311319971/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5311319971_4b9d7a4367_m.jpg]<br/>135mm f/3.5
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|-
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4673803138/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4673803138_552e3cdd8f_m.jpg]<br/>135mm f/3.5
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4673192939/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4673192939_2127d5ec30_m.jpg]<br/>180mm f/4.5
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|-
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|colspan=2 align=center | <small>images by {{image author|Dirk HR Spennemann}}</small> {{with permission}}
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|}
  
=== List of lenses ===
 
 
Lenses available include:
 
Lenses available include:
* 58mm f/5.6
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* 58mm f/5.6 (eight elements in four groups)<REF name="manual rapid"> [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/koni-omega/koni-omega_rapid/koni-omega_rapid.htm User manual of the Koni-Omega Rapid] available at [http://www.butkus.org  Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras] </REF>
* 90mm f/3.5
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* 60mm f/5.6 (six elements in four groups)<REF name="manual rapid M"> [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/koni-omega/koni-omega_system/koni-omega_system.htm User manual of the Koni-Omega Rapid M] available at [http://www.butkus.org Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras]. </REF>
* 135mm f/3.5
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* 90mm f/3.5 (four elements in three groups)<REF name="manual rapid" /><REF name="manual rapid M" />
* 180mm f/4.5
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* 135mm f/3.5 (six elements in five groups)<REF name="manual rapid M" />
 +
* 180mm f/4.5 (five elements in four groups)<REF name="manual rapid" /><REF name="manual rapid M" />
 +
 
 +
The normal lens is a 90mm f/3.5 [[Tessar]] with shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500 sec and a minimum aperture of f/32. The 58mm and 60mm wide-angle lenses are widely believed to have the same optical design, but the lens diagrams contained in the user manuals prove this wrong.<REF> This was pointed at by JRG in [http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63826 this thread at Rangefinderforum]. </REF> (One of these, or both, may have an Aviogon or Biogon design.) Framing requires use of an [[viewfinder|accessory finder]]. The 135mm lens is less common than the other lenses. The 180mm f/4.5 is roughly equivalent to 100mm for a 35mm camera. It focuses down to 12 feet, close enough for portrait use.
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==Gallery==
 +
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2548608253/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=  http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3152/2548608253_739d4c915f_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Koni-Omega Rapid
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|image_by= Rick Soloway
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4262428020/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2748/4262428020_a937ccd094_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Koni-Omega Rapid M
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|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4649445962/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4068/4649445962_b4abd9687b_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rapid Omega 100
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|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5508040461/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5139/5508040461_b9314df58d_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rapid Omega 200(ke-58)
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|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/zephe/5961861579/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6030/5961861579_42b0332862_n.jpg
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|image_align=
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|image_text= Konica Press 2
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|image_by= cgancedo65
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
  
The normal lens is a 90mm f/3.5 [[Tessar]] with shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500 sec and a minimum aperture of f/32. The 180mm f/4.5, which is roughly equivalent to 100mm for a 35mm camera. It focuses down to 12 feet close enough for portrait use. There is a 58mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens. The actual focal length is 60mm but for various reasons is marked 58mm. It is of an Aviogon or Biogon design. Framing requires use of an accessory finder. There is also a 135mm lens, which is less common than the other lenses. 
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{{br}}
  
=== List of models ===
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==Compared==
* Combat Camera PH-501/PF 
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{| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
* Omega 120 
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! scope="col" width="100" |
* Omega 120 KE-8 
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! scope="col" width="150" | [[Omega 120]]
* Koni-Omega Rapid
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! scope="col" width="150" | Koni-Omega Rapid
* Konica Press 
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! scope="col" width="150" | Koni-Omega Rapid M
* Koni-Omega Rapid M
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! scope="col" width="150" | Koni-Omega M
* Koni-Omega M
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! scope="col" width="150" | Rapid Omega 100
* Koni-Omegaflex M 
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! scope="col" width="150" | Rapid Omega 200
* Konica Press 2 
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|-
* Rapid Omega 100
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| Year || 1953||1964 || 1967 || 1968 || colspan="2"|1975
* Rapid Omega 200   
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|-
* Rapid Omega 200 KE-58
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| Producer || [[Simmon]] || colspan="3"|[[Konica]] || colspan="2"| [[Mamiya]]  
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|-
 +
| Film || 120 film || colspan="5"|120 / 220 roll film
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|-
 +
| Mid-roll film || colspan="2"| No || colspan="2"| Yes||No ||Yes
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|-
 +
| Frame || colspan="3"|90mm, 180mm || colspan="3"|90mm, 135mm, 180mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references />
  
 +
== Bibliography ==
 +
* {{Showa10}} Items 1292–3.
 +
* {{Lewis}} Pp.120 and 123.
 +
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.538 and 545.
 +
* {{Zukan}} Items 6068–9.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
Line 40: Line 133:
 
* [http://www.peterlanczak.de/koni.htm The Koni-Omega pages] at [http://www.peterlanczak.de/ Peter Lanczak's website]
 
* [http://www.peterlanczak.de/koni.htm The Koni-Omega pages] at [http://www.peterlanczak.de/ Peter Lanczak's website]
 
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?KoniOmegaRapidM.html~mainFrame Koni-Omega Rapid M] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ Photoethnography] by Karen Nakamura
 
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?KoniOmegaRapidM.html~mainFrame Koni-Omega Rapid M] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ Photoethnography] by Karen Nakamura
 +
* JJ's French language page on the [http://konica.awardspace.com/page40/page66/page66.html Koni-Omega]
 
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040817153815/www.davidde.com/articles/omega.html Rapid] reviewed by Davidde Stella -- via Wayback Machine, therefore slow.
 
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040817153815/www.davidde.com/articles/omega.html Rapid] reviewed by Davidde Stella -- via Wayback Machine, therefore slow.
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20051230154256/http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/korapid.html Koni Rapid Omega page] by Robert Monaghan et al. via the Wayback Machine, therefore slow.
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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20051230154256/http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/korapid.html Koni Rapid Omega page] by Robert Monaghan et al. via the Wayback Machine, therefore slow.
 +
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/large_format.htm Koni-Omega instruction manuals] at Orphancameras.com
  
* [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-4/PHSC-E-Mail-V4-2.pdf "A second look"], Robert Carter, 2004, Email Journal of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada, Volume 4, number 2, p. 2.
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* [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-4/PHSC-E-Mail-V4-2.pdf "A second look"], Robert Carter, 2004, Email Journal of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada, Volume 4, number 2, p. 2.
 
* [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-4/PHSC-E-Mail-V4-2.pdf Original 1954 advertisement] reproduced in the Email Journal of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada, Volume 4, number 2, p. 3.
 
* [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-4/PHSC-E-Mail-V4-2.pdf Original 1954 advertisement] reproduced in the Email Journal of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada, Volume 4, number 2, p. 3.
* [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATD169343 Design Patent for Photograph Camera] by Alfred Simmons
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* [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATD169343 Design Patent for Photograph Camera] by Alfred Simmon
 
* [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT3331300 Rangefinder improvement patent] for the Koni Omega.
 
* [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT3331300 Rangefinder improvement patent] for the Koni Omega.
  
Line 51: Line 146:
 
* [http://members.tripod.com/randamteagarden/id31.htm Randy's repair notes for the Koni-Omega backs]  
 
* [http://members.tripod.com/randamteagarden/id31.htm Randy's repair notes for the Koni-Omega backs]  
  
[[Category: Japanese 6x7 - 6x9 rangefinder]]
+
[[Category: Japanese 6x7 rangefinder]]
 
[[Category: Konica]]
 
[[Category: Konica]]
 
[[Category: K]]
 
[[Category: K]]
 +
[[Category: press cameras]]

Revision as of 19:15, 28 March 2015

Japanese medium-format VF and RF (edit)
6×9 Fujica G690/GL690 | Fujica GW690/GSW690 | Mamiya Press | Marshal Press
6×8 Fujica GW680/GSW680
6×7 Fujifilm GF670 | Fujica GM670 | Fujica GW670 | Koni-Omega | Makina 67 | Mamiya 7
6×6 Mamiya 6
4.5×6 Bronica RF645 | Fujifilm GA645 | Fujifilm GA645i | Fujifilm GA645W | Fujifilm GA645Wi | Fujifilm GA645Zi | Fujica GS645 / GS645S / GS645W
Japanese medium format SLR and TLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Koni-Omega is a class of medium format rangefinder cameras. These press cameras are 6×7cm (2 1/4" × 2 3/4") rangefinders with a combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder and automatic parallax compensation. Some cameras have fixed lenses while others have interchangeable lenses. Still others have interchangeable backs. All cameras use medium format roll film. Not including the military cameras (e.g., PH-501/PF) the first camera in what would later become the Koni-Omega system was released in 1954, and the Rapid Omega 100 ended production in 1981. Despite having American origins these cameras were produced in Japan for most of their production run.

Camera details

The Simmon Brothers, known for their line of enlargers, built the original Simmon Omega. The Omega 120 camera was design by Alfred Simmon.[1] The designs of later cameras were likely by Berkely Brothers and Konica. The product was principally by Konica.

There are ten 6×7cm exposures to a roll of 120 film and 20 to 220 film roll. However, the 220 film backs are less common than the 120 backs. The Koni-Omega Rapid M, Koni-Omega M, Koni-Omegaflex M and Rapid Omega 200 have interchangeable film magazines allowing for mid-roll film exchange. The film advance is via a pull-push operation on a handle on the side of the camera. This makes for fast advancing and hence the source of the name Rapid.

The lenses are focused by a large knob above the film advance. The entire lens mount moves in and out with a rack-and-pinion system. The image in the rangefinder and viewfinder determined by the focus and one or more pins protruding from the rear of the lens. There is a large grip on the other side of the camera near the shutter release. No light meter is included in these cameras

The cameras require a dark slide to change lens and or film backs. The dark slide is part of an interlock system that prevents the shutter from being fired with a dark slide in place. Double exposures are possible with all cameras but accidental double exposures are rare.

List of models

  • Combat Camera PH-501/PF
  • Omega 120
  • Omega 120 KE-8
  • Koni-Omega Rapid
  • Konica Press
  • Koni-Omega Rapid M
  • Koni-Omega M
  • Konica Press 2
  • Rapid Omega 100
  • Rapid Omega 200
  • Rapid Omega 200 KE-58


List of lenses

Lenses available include:

  • 58mm f/5.6 (eight elements in four groups)[2]
  • 60mm f/5.6 (six elements in four groups)[3]
  • 90mm f/3.5 (four elements in three groups)[2][3]
  • 135mm f/3.5 (six elements in five groups)[3]
  • 180mm f/4.5 (five elements in four groups)[2][3]

The normal lens is a 90mm f/3.5 Tessar with shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500 sec and a minimum aperture of f/32. The 58mm and 60mm wide-angle lenses are widely believed to have the same optical design, but the lens diagrams contained in the user manuals prove this wrong.[4] (One of these, or both, may have an Aviogon or Biogon design.) Framing requires use of an accessory finder. The 135mm lens is less common than the other lenses. The 180mm f/4.5 is roughly equivalent to 100mm for a 35mm camera. It focuses down to 12 feet, close enough for portrait use.

Gallery


Compared

Omega 120 Koni-Omega Rapid Koni-Omega Rapid M Koni-Omega M Rapid Omega 100 Rapid Omega 200
Year 1953 1964 1967 1968 1975
Producer Simmon Konica Mamiya
Film 120 film 120 / 220 roll film
Mid-roll film No Yes No Yes
Frame 90mm, 180mm 90mm, 135mm, 180mm

Notes

Bibliography

Links

General links

Repair notes