[KOML] KO History

[pjcaplow@sprynet.com]

Reply to James Simmons:

You said:  "The difference between the Rapid and the 100 or the Rapid M and the 
200 is very simple.  During the last 50's early 60's congress passed law, that 
all government agencies use items made in part in the US. And that gave us the
Besslar Topcon Super D (Topcon RE Super), The Omega 100 (Koni-Omega Rapid),
The Omega 200 (Koni-Omega 200)."

You seem to be implying that the name change from Koni-Omega to Rapid Omega was 
prompted by a US law requiring that government agencies buy American.  This 
doesn't make much sense if the name change coincided with the manufacture of the 
cameras being taken over from Konica by Mamiya which is also a Japanese firm.  
Most authorities on the subject seem to think this was the case.  One such 
authority I can cite is Bob Shell writing in the 1/92 Shutterbug, page 66.  

I would also take issue with your statement to the effect that Exakta's became 
Topcons.  The ONLY thing those cameras had in common was the lens mounts.  I 
collect Exaktas and I'm also familiar enough with the Topcon line to know that 
they're entirely unrelated.