CoCam: Koni-Omega Mail List Archive
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Re: [KOML] Test?



Michael J Bateman wrote:

>      I have a rapid 200 coming in the mail, I can't wait!  Can anyone give
>      me advice for how to check the camera out when it arrives, what to
>      look for, etc?

I bought one recently, so I have about a nickel's worth of advice that I'll
give you for free! <g>  After the obvious checks for glass fungus and slow
shutter speeds that are too slow, make sure the rangefinder is Ok at infinity.
Mine was fine, but if yours is not, there's a small black "manhole cover" on
the upper back that you can unscrew to reveal what appears to be an adjustment
screw.

When the film has been advanced but not exposed, the small window on the back,
southeast of the viewfinder, should turn green. The lens has a similar window
at about 7 o'clock, viewed from the front, that turns green when the shutter
is cocked.

Mine has an annoying little problem in the back. The frame counter, starting
with "Load," cycles to one green dot, then two green dots, then to frame 1.
With or without film, mine will go from two green dots to frame 2 instead of
1. That screws up not only the numbering, but the film spacing as well. My
workaround was, after the two green dots appear, not to push the wind lever
quite all the way back in; I stop about 4mm short, just where pushing in any
farther would set the film pressure plate; there's a bit of resistance at that
point from the pressure plate springs. Then, I pull the lever out fully to get
to frame 1. Pain, but it works. I have no idea whether this is a common
problem, but I suggest you check for it.

In case you didn't read the recent traffic on this, the lens is threaded for
Series VI filters, but if you can unscrew the insert, you can then use common
49mm filters instead.

Beyond that, the thing is just a big old lovable box camera. Still, if you
feel the urge to learn more, visit
http://www.skypoint.com/members/jcwatne/omega.html for an online manual. It
will confirm everything you can figure out by yourself in a 30-minute hands-on
session.