Dear All,
Since a few months I have been the proud owner of a Koni Omega Rapid. I have been lucky to get the whole set with lenses (58mm, 90mm, and 180mm Hexanons) and accessories for a good price with two 120 film backs and a 220 as an extra. I have been really enjoying its heavy and questionable charms but I start to run into a few problems and want to ask if there's anyone who can advise me on how to get it to be the camera it is supposed to be, a reliable and outstanding camera in all conditions and for a long time to come! I will list my questions and I hope to hear from you, any advice will be much appreciated. And I should note: the camera had been standing for the last 15 years unused.
1. The film backs of course: uneven spacing. I have been using the one which looks better and frame 10 usually slips off the film and the spacing is irregular. I live in Europe (Berlin) and do not know anyone who knows these cameras and could repair them for me, I am usually a poor mechanic although in this case I would be willing to gather my patience and try to follow the instructions outlined here: Randys Koni Omega Page - do you think this is an operation that can be carried out without a risk of messing everything up?
2. The 58mm Hexanon, my favorite lens of the set, the shutter speeds are definitely ok but the lens is significantly harder to trigger the shutter in then the other two. Where the other two are quiet and soft to fire this one requires an extra push (which can be annoying when trying to use it at lower shutter speeds because the tension provokes shake) and there is a spring like 'ping!' sound to the shutter once fired, it makes me think that something is not aligned correctly in there.
3. The rangefinder: It happened to me one afternoon when out with the camera that the rangefinder suddenly disengaged, I turned and tured the knob and it came back to life after a moment, I thought it was me but 5 minutes later the same happened, I checked if there was something in front of the RF window but no, then it started to work again and since then no problems. But it makes me fear that one day I wont be able to focus the camera in a crucial moment! (also any advice on increasing the contrast of the RF?)
4. Where do you get a cable release capable of firing the shutter on this thing?
5. A question for the use of the camera: is the film advance meant to be cocked hard or gently: I heard both views. I like the rough "Rapid" way but I also don't want to strain the camera excessively.
These are the problems, I look forward to answers and most of all to any advice on whether this seems to be a camera worth preserving to make it a durable companion or is it better to sell it and look for another friend?
many thanks!
Olek