Difference between revisions of "Koni-Omega"

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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 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 principaly by Konica.   
 
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 principaly 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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<div class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;">
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobadot/436306916/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/436306916_ec343c028f_t_d.jpg]
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobadot/436306399/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/436306399_20071ae7ee_t_d.jpg]
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<br>''220 film magazine.''
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<br>''Pictures courtesy of Marcobadot. {{with permission}}''
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</div>
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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 and Rapid 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  
 
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  
  
 
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.
 
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.
 
== List of lenses ==
 
Lenses available include:
 
* 58mm f/5.6
 
* 90mm f/3.5
 
* 135mm f/3.5
 
* 180mm f/4.5
 
 
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. 
 
  
 
== List of models ==
 
== List of models ==
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<div class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;">
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobadot/436306765/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/436306765_a44ea6e0a1_m_d.jpg]
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobadot/436306551/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/436306551_10866ce647_m_d.jpg]
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobadot/436306723/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/436306723_27c468744b_m_d.jpg]
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<br>''Left and middle: Koni-Omega Rapid. Right: Koni-Omega Rapid M.''
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<br>''Pictures courtesy of Marcobadot. {{with permission}}''
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</div>
 
* Combat Camera PH-501/PF
 
* Combat Camera PH-501/PF
 
* Omega 120
 
* Omega 120
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* Rapid Omega 200
 
* Rapid Omega 200
 
* Rapid Omega 200 KE-58
 
* Rapid Omega 200 KE-58
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== List of lenses ==
 +
Lenses available include:
 +
* 58mm f/5.6
 +
* 90mm f/3.5
 +
* 135mm f/3.5
 +
* 180mm f/4.5
 +
 +
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. 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 20:30, 21 September 2007

This article is a stub. You can help Camera-wiki.org by expanding it.

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 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 camera 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 Simmons.[1] The designs of later cameras were likely by Berkely Brothers and Konica. The product was principaly 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 and Rapid 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

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.

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
  • 90mm f/3.5
  • 135mm f/3.5
  • 180mm f/4.5

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.

Notes

Bibliography

Links

General links

Repair notes