Konica 1

[Wes Medlin]

Hey guys,

Do any of you know anything about the Konica 1 camera? I've had one of these things for several years, and still know very little about it. I know that Konica started off with a camera just called the Konica. Then came the Konica 1, also just marked Konica, but with flash sync added. Then of course the 2, 3 etc.

Anyway, it's neat camera, and a great picture taker. I was just wondering about it, as it never seems to turn up anywhere.

Wes

 

[OldNick]

I once had an early Konica rangefinder camera that had spent its life in a sailor's seabag and suffered from a severe case of corrosion. I tried to get it working, but had no luck. I do remember that the viewfinder was superior to that of the Leica IIIa which I was using at the time.

 

[ZeissFan]

I have a short writeup of the camera on my site, if you're referring to the early rangefinder. It was the first in a series of three rangefinder cameras. The Konica II and III added more advanced features.

It's a nice camera with an excellent lens. It's scant on features, but a good camera overall.

My cameras: http://elekm.net/cameras.html

 

[jlw]

Hey guys,

Do any of you know anything about the Konica 1 camera? I've had one of these things for several years, and still know very little about it. I know that Konica started off with a camera just called the Konica. Then came the Konica 1, also just marked Konica, but with flash sync added. Then of course the 2, 3 etc.

Anyway, it's neat camera, and a great picture taker. I was just wondering about it, as it never seems to turn up anywhere.

Wes

Konica's parent company had been in the film-and-materials business since 1873 (as Konishi-ya) and they had made cameras since the 1920s. A lot of the early ones were rollfilm cameras sold under the "Pearl" name, which continued to be used at least up until 1958 (on the Pearl IV, a very sophisticated 4.5x6 rangefinder folding camera with a projected-frame range/viewfinder.)

They had opened a factory under the Rokuo-sha name in 1902; the product you're most likely to see under this name is the Rokuo-sha Type 89 machine-gun camera, used during the World War II era to train gunners without wasting ammunition. By 1921 they had put these names together as "Konishiroku," variants of which have been used ever since.

I think the Konica ("KONIshiroku CAmera") was the first camera model to bear this name. The references I have don't distinguish between "Konica" (presumably the unsynched occupation-era model) and "Konica I" (the later, similar one with flash sync) and I don't believe the bodies are so marked -- at least, the one I used to own wasn't.

I don't know why you don't read more about them, other than the fact that they're rather spartan and un-glamorous -- although well-made and equipped with very good lenses. For the purist who wants a very simple 35mm camera with a good lens and rangefinder, but no modernist fripperies such as auto shutter cocking or rapid film advance, they're very nice cameras to use.

 

[venchka]

My dad was in Japan from 1949 to 1951. He brought a Konica camera home with him. It has the 50mm 3.5 Hexar lens and a flash sync. cord post sticking out of the side of the shutter. I know dad had a big Minicam flash for the camera. Unfortunately, it's gone. The camera is maked "Made In Occupied Japan" on the base plate. I also have the original instruction sheet for the camera. The instuctions mention two lenses for the camera, both 50mm and 2.8 & 3.5 apertures. My Scotch dad bought the 3.5, or that's all they had in the Base PX.

 

[venchka]

Looking at the instructions...

Looking at the instructions...

The camera is just called Konica. The photos in the instructions clearly show a 2.8 lens and flash sync. and even a KONIFLASH that attached by a small bracket under the rewind knob.

Here we go:

Opening sentance: "Welcome to the ranks of good camera owners You...

The Lens

The new Synchronized Konica is availably equipped with either F/3.5 or F/2.8 coated Hexar lens.

The Rangefinder

By means of the "Complementary Color Mirror" the double image appears in sharply contrasted colors. As the subject is brought into focus the images merge in color as well as form, providing sharper definition and greater detail."

I had never noticed this about the rangefinder. But it works! White objects appear as white and yellow until brought into focus and the yellow disappears. Cool. 😎

Konica always was ahead of the game. Sadly underappreciated.

 

[Apocaplops]

I just bought a complete Konica I 2.8 outfit from a man whose father bought it new at the PX, much like Venchka's camera. This guy took great care of the camera- all the original boxes came with the kit, even the original receipts and correspondence between the man and Konica. I even got some neat period-correct accessories for the camera, including a self-timer, cable release, lens hood, and cleaning brush.

These are neat old cameras, and very usable today - the back opens much like a modern 35mm, no messing with odd takeup spools, and simple operation. I'll be taking mine out for a spin today.

 

[raid]

I have the Konica "I", II, III, and IIIM cameras, in addition to the Auto S, S2, and S3.

With the older Konica cameras, some have the 3.5 lens and some have the 2.8 lens. My III and IIM have a 48mm 2.0 and 50mm 1.8 lens, respectively. The IIIM (and the IIIA) are nearly as good as a Leica M3, with a brighter VF than the M3's. I have discovered this line of beautiful mechanical cameras by pure chance, and since I started using the Konica II (one of the prettiest of all models), I added the Konica (I) and then the III and IIIM.

The film advance knob was replaced by a double action push-down lever with the Konica III model. The lenses are tack sharp. When I use a Konica, it puts me into a "vintage photography" mode.

I will soon take photos of my seven Konica RF cameras and post my mini review on RFF.

 

[raid]

I forgot to mention that there is a "Standard Konica", which is the first Konica camera. Some of the earlier Konica cameras were stamped Made in Occupied Japan.

 

[KoNickon]

Raid, I will be looking forward to that review.

My Konica I is currently in the hands of a guy named Mike Roskin, who writes camera reviews ("In Search of the Golden Oldie") for a simple magazine called CameraShopper, which I've subscribed to for years. (www.camera-shopper.com, in case anyone is interested.) I'm looking forward to seeing what he thinks of the camera; my impressions are that it's simple but beautifully made, and with a very fine lens.

 

[raid]

Raid, I will be looking forward to that review.

My Konica I is currently in the hands of a guy named Mike Roskin, who writes camera reviews ("In Search of the Golden Oldie") for a simple magazine called CameraShopper, which I've subscribed to for years. (www.camera-shopper.com, in case anyone is interested.) I'm looking forward to seeing what he thinks of the camera; my impressions are that it's simple but beautifully made, and with a very fine lens.

The film advance mechanism is basic, and you push down a button to allow you advance the fim with the knob. The shutter release is at the lens. It is a very well build metal bodied camera that is surprisngly heavy for its small size.

I used to read camerashopper! I need to go back to it. Thanks for reminding me of it.

 

[polaski]

I have a Konica S-II. My uncle brought it back from Japan for me in the early 60's. It's been through the Boy Scouts, high school, Penn State, and the US Army Europe. Right now it's got a shutter problem and I never expect to use the selenium meter again, but if I ever get it overhauled, it's one heck of a camera.

(Also found to be good for self defense in dicey shooting situations.)