Koni-Omegaflex M

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Japanese 6×6 TLR
Postwar models (A–L)
6×7cm Koni-Omegaflex M
6×6cm
A–L
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The Koni-Omegaflex M is a medium format based TLR press camera system with exchangeable lens board, finders and film magazines. It was made in Japan by Konica for Simmons Omega Inc. which was a subsidiary of Berkey.

See here for the serial numbers which allow to date the production of the unit.

Body

The basic design of the body is similar to the rangefinder Koni-Omega M model, but changes the viewfinder into a ground glass and lens.

Focusing the lens is with the large focusing knob on the right hand side of the main camera body. When focusing the lensboard moves on pinion gears. There is a depth of field scale printed on the body above the focus dial. There are distance scales for 90mm and 135mm lenses on the focusing barrel. Additional distance markings for 58mm and 180mm are on the face of the focusing knob.

The top of the camera has an accessory shoe. The left hand side has a lockable shutter release. It is threaded and can accept a screw-in cable release. An accessory grip can attach to the left-hand side of the body. The shutter release button is typically within reach of the index finger with the grip attached. The grip can also hold the tip of a cable release head. The positioning of the grip can also be rotated. There are two tripod sockets in 1/4" and 3/8", one on the base and another on the left hand side which is also used for the hand grip.

There are numerous interlocks on the camera involving the darkslide. The shutter release cannot be tripped and the lens cannot be removed with the darkslide inserted.

Film

The camera shoots 6×7 cm negatives on 120 film or 220 film. There are 10 exposures with 120 film, while 220 film yields 20 exposures. Like the rest of the Koni-Omega M type cameras, the film is loaded onto the same two part film magazines, and uses a pull push knob for film advance and shutter cocking that is built-into the magazine. Full length pulls / pushes are required for proper use. After each advance the knob is further away from the body. On the last exposure the knob locks; push the film release lever upwards and it will unlock. After each stroke the counter will display dots and finally load when the end of the film trailer is reached. When tripping the shutter, the film plate moves and applies pressure to the film. When the the shutter is released so is the pressure. This makes the film very flat during exposure, but during film advance there is no pressure thus increasing film transport speed. The back has the film counter and a reminder slot for film emulsion box tabs. Below the slot is a flip-up key used to open the back. There's a film ready indicator on the top of the back to show that the shutter is cocked and film is advanced to an unexposed frame. When ready it shows a green indicator, no indicator means the film frame is exposed.

Lens

Each lens board includes a lens pair and a leaf shutter made by Seiko. Aperture and shutter speeds are adjusted on the lens. The shutter speed range from B, 1 to 1/500th of a second. There are f/5.6 58mm, f/3.5 90mm, f/3.5 135mm, and f/4.5 180mm lens boards. Each lens has a minimum aperture of f/22 and has a built-in lens hood on the taking lens. Mounting each lens changes the parallax view within the finder. The lenses can be changed mid-roll with the use of a dark slide. Flash sync can use both bulbs and electronic flash with a MX selector. This selector sits between the aperture and shutter rings and requires a small sharp point tool to change. It uses a standard PC sync connector on each lens board. There is also shutter cocking lever on each taking lens. A shutter ready indicator shows a red colour when the shutter is cocked and ready.

Changing the lens requires that the darkslide is inserted and focus is set at infinity. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the release knobs and lift the lens board. Installing requires pinching the release knobs and making sure the shutter cocking state is correctly set.

Finder

The finder is primarily designed for eye level viewing instead of waist level common with most TLR. There is a flip open hood on the back of the camera that reveals a ground glass. Viewing in this manner is similar to a large format view camera with the image upside down and backwards. The focusing screen has a central circular microprism spot to aide focusing. This can be changed to a prism or magnifier. With the prism, images are right side up and can be used for waist level viewing.

Gallery



System

Lens

  • 58mm Hexanon f/5.6 (wide) 8 element, 4 group. series 7
  • 90mm Hexanon f/3.5 (normal) 4 element, 3 group. series 6
  • 135mm Hexanon f/3.5 6 element, 5 group. series 8
  • 180mm Hexanon f/4.5 5 element, 4 group. series 8

Finder

  • Folding hood
  • Eye level with 3x magnifier
  • Reflex with 2.8x magnifier
  • Sports finder II (for 90mm and 180mm lens)

Film

  • 120 film holder
  • 220 film holder

Misc

  • Handgrip
  • Close-up kit

Bibliography

  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P. 125.
  • McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P. 539.
  • Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 2139.

Links

In English:

In French: