RE: [KOML] Konica Press - M vs Rapid M

[pjcaplow@sprynet.com]

Based on a number of references that I've seen over the past few months, it is 
my impression that the Konica Press was the Japanese market equivalent to the 
Koni-Omega Rapid and that the Konica Press 2 was the equivalent to the 
Koni-Omega Rapid M.  The Omega name had historical significance here but not in 
Japan because the Omega was a US made camera.  The only proof that I currently 
can lay my hands on is the one page, Japanese language, manual for the Auto-Up 
that someone posted recently.  I am looking at it right now and the camera 
pictured is clearly a Koni-Omega Rapid equivalent (with the knob actuated light 
baffle).  The arm connecting the close up lens to the panel that sits in front 
of the rangefinder/viewfinder has the words "Konica Press" on it. There is a 
picture of a Konica Press 2 posted at 
http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/konicapress2.html which looks exactly like my KO 
Rapid M.  It is NOT all black like the Rapid Omega 200.

I'm still curious to know why some magazine equipped KO's say Rapid M and some 
just say M.  A message posted in the last couple days by Kenan said:  

"I have both the Rapid M and the M models. My M has markings for all four lenses 
(60, 90, 135 and 180) on the focus knob and frame lines for the 135 in the 
rangefinder window while my Rapid M only shows markings for the 60, 90 and 180 
lenses on the focusing knob and no frame lines for the 135 in the rangefinder 
window. Other than that they appear to be identical." 

My own Rapid M has the 135 markings but I'm pretty sure that some don't.  
Therefore, it would appear that at least some M's, if not all, had the 135 
markings while some Rapid M's were produced with them and some weren't.  If all 
the M's have the 135 markings and just some of the Rapid M's do, that would 
suggest that the M's came AFTER the Rapid M's.  However, Kenan said his M had 
markings for a 60mm lens.  My Rapid M has markings for the 58mm lens.  I thought 
the 60mm came before the 58mm and that would suggest the the M's PROCEEDED the 
Rapid M's.


Peter Caplow