Hi RJ,
I had opportunity to know Paul K and also Henry Froehlich. I spoke to
Henry about why the development of the Omegaflex a few years ago. With
its 6x7cm neg and the fact that at the time (in the 70s) TLRs were very
popular they thought this camera would really sell. Problem was it did
not. So production was eventually stopped.
The factory that produced the Koni-Omega was now owned by Mamiya (in
Japan it was a transfer of ownership, all else remained including the
lens designs which Henry noted were superb, and the personnel).
Personally, I think it was just too large and although some wedding
photogs used it, the use was more for the studio and it did not allow
verticals very easily.
One day it will be a collectible like many other cameras.
Peter K
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R. J. Bender [mailto:rjbender@apci.net]
> Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:20 PM
> To: Koni-Omega Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [KOML] Hi and Koni-Omegaflex
>
>
>
> Dante Stella wrote:
>
> > My second Koni-Omega is on the way; this time it is a
> Koni-Omegaflex M,
> > something which has always been fascinating (in the dark way that
> > Rolleiflexes just can't approach). It's coming on Monday.
> I have been
> > going to the gym to become strong enough to carry it
> around. I should
> > have a review on my site in the next two weeks. I am
> already getting
> > together my list of questions...
>
> Sixteen years ago when I was looking for my first medium
> format camera,
> I bought "Petersen's Medium Format Photography" (copyright
> 1981). It's a
> great book for comparing systems and it includes very
> detailed instructions
> on operating each system.
> In the chapter "Beating the High Cost" there's a photo of a
> Koni-Omegaflex M with the caption, "An interesting ELR concept, the
> versatile Koni-Omegaflex M quietly bombed and died on
> dealers' shelves.
> Leave them there."
> "LEAVE THEM THERE?" The author doesn't say that about the "highly
> underrated" Kowa Super 66.
> I wonder why the author, Kalton C. Lahue, had such a
> strong opinion
> against buying this camera.
> It does look like it could make it to "cult camera"
> status someday.
>
> R. J. Bender
>
>
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