For you Koni Omega Users

[sooner]

Having just sold my trusty Fuji GA645 because I decided to go for even larger negatives, I am in the market for a Koni Omega due to its attractive pricing and interchangeable lenses. I definitely want the 58mm lens and am wondering, given how rare the finders are for it should I buy a system or lens without the finder? Also, wondering if there is much difference among the various models. The Rapid Omega 100/200 are the newest, and I know there are slight differences like dark slide and protections from accidental exposure, but do you have any advice otherwise on different models? Oh and if you want to wax enthusiastic, don't hold back. Thanks much.
--John/sooner

[oftheherd]

Have you considered other 6x7 brands besides Koni Omega? I have the Mamiya Super Press 23 and like it very much.

[JasonC]

The rangefinder area outside the 90mm frame line is very close to the 58mm frame. The 100 model does not have interchangeable back. The 200 and 'M' models are identical except for the name, have interchangeable backs. All models have dark slide interlock - you have to remove dark slide to unlock the shutter button, and insert dark slide to change lens. All lenses are excellent performer.

Jason.

[furcafe]

What gives you the imporession that the 58/60mm finders are rare? Every single time I've seen that lens being sold on eBay (there's usually @ least 1/month), it's been offered w/the finder.

As far as the different models, they all seem to operate pretty much the same. However, I'm new to the Koni world & have a hard time keeping track of all the different variations. I would suggest sending an email to Greg Weber, Konica guru & repairman (info @ http://www.webercamera.com).

FWIW, I have a couple M's w/the 90mm, 58mm, 135mm, & 180mm lenses. I've been experiencing some exposure problems, but I think that's mostly because my lenses, or rather the shutters, need to be CLAed. When the shutters have been working, the results are as good as I expected--I'm guessing it's a combination of the good Konica glass & the way the cameras keep the film nice & flat. Even w/the added expense of the CLAs, I think the Koni's are an excellent value (e.g., compared to the Fuji 670 RFs, which are great in their own way, just not cheap).

Originally Posted by sooner

Having just sold my trusty Fuji GA645 because I decided to go for even larger negatives, I am in the market for a Koni Omega due to its attractive pricing and interchangeable lenses. I definitely want the 58mm lens and am wondering, given how rare the finders are for it should I buy a system or lens without the finder? Also, wondering if there is much difference among the various models. The Rapid Omega 100/200 are the newest, and I know there are slight differences like dark slide and protections from accidental exposure, but do you have any advice otherwise on different models? Oh and if you want to wax enthusiastic, don't hold back. Thanks much.
--John/sooner

[dnemoc]

I too am looking for a Koni/Rapid Omega... I'll keep a close watch here

[sooner]

Thanks for the responses so far. Oftheherd, how is the lens on the Mamiya Press 23? Is the Mamiya Color Sekor 105mm 3.5 a good performer, and is it the same lens as for the Mamiya Press S camera?

[raid]

A few days ago, Taffer had a Koni Omega M with 58mm lens [no finder] for sale on nelsnfoto.com and for a very low price (below $150).

Raid

[sooner]

Thanks Raid, I checked his website and didn't see anything, so I PM'd him about it. Furcafe, I am following an auction offering the 58mm lens with a camera but without the finder, and doing a search of completed listings only pulled up one finder by itself. The lens isn't all that rare but the finder alone seems to be, so I am trying to figure out whether to bid on the lens without the finder. Sorry, should have been clearer about that.

[furcafe]

I would just wait until someone sells the lens + finder. BTW, Greg Weber also sells Koni stuff, so he may already have a 58/60mm w/finder in his store (already CLAed, etc.) & you can avoid ebay roulette. With the exception of the 135mm lens, all the Koni stuff is easily found & pretty inexpensive.

Edit:

A current auction on the 'bay:

http://tinyurl.com/yvmcam

And some completed listings where the finder was included:

http://tinyurl.com/2xmxqg

http://tinyurl.com/3cuj6s

Originally Posted by sooner

Thanks Raid, I checked his website and didn't see anything, so I PM'd him about it. Furcafe, I am following an auction offering the 58mm lens with a camera but without the finder, and doing a search of completed listings only pulled up one finder by itself. The lens isn't all that rare but the finder alone seems to be, so I am trying to figure out whether to bid on the lens without the finder. Sorry, should have been clearer about that.