Krosya
Konicaze
Well,
this is how the story goes. A recent thread here about one camera/one lens got me thinking. While I'm not about to dump all my gear and be left with just a camera and one lens (some people here know how much I love my Hexanons
), I decided to get a fixed lens camera and see how I like the idea. Sure, I could just put one lens, let's say 50mm M-Hexanon on my Hexar RF, but that ability to change lenses would probably make me bring some other lens along anyway. As I said, since I'm a big fan of Konica gear, I found this little beauty:
This a Konica AUTO S. As you can see, it came with the original box, Leather case ( a bit worn), manual, and even ORIGINAL KONICA silica gel ! How cool is that?!
I have seen Konica Auto S2 gets lots of compliments, but didnt hear much on this one. While it was a bit dusty and VF was rather dirty, it looked promising. So, I took it apart, got all the glass cleaned up in a VF. Lens was clear, shutter seemed to work at all speeds just fine. No lens wobble, as some seem to have. All in all - it came out looking almost new.
As some may know - it has a great VF. Once cleaned out, I learned it for myself - one of the best VF I looked through. Crisp, clear and VERY easy to focus. Having used Leicas, Hexar, Bessas, etc - I have to say - it's as easy to use. Plus it has a moving frame - auto adjusting position and size based on how close/far you focus. Built-in meter needs one of those old mercury batteries, which I dont have. I stuck one thats similar size and voltage - and meter works!, just may be not so accurate. But it gave me a chance to check if it's "auto exposure" mode works - and it does!
Its amazing to me that such a good camera was made years ago and didnt seem to have much following.
Feels solid and good in hands.
So - so far so good. But does it take good pics? Is the lens sharp? How's bokeh?
Well, we had a little grill-out last weekend, so I loaded it up with some cheap film and took it for a spin. It's a pleasure to use, I tell ya.
And the best part - when i got the pics back - I'm blown away! I really never expected it to be so good. These are just some fast flatbed scans from prints, but I hope even so you can see how good this camera/lens is. It's a Hexanon 47mm/1.9 with built-in hood is VERY sharp, yet has smooth bokeh! I'm still yet to run more film through to test it better, but so far - it's a perfect "take-everywhere camera" .
this is how the story goes. A recent thread here about one camera/one lens got me thinking. While I'm not about to dump all my gear and be left with just a camera and one lens (some people here know how much I love my Hexanons
), I decided to get a fixed lens camera and see how I like the idea. Sure, I could just put one lens, let's say 50mm M-Hexanon on my Hexar RF, but that ability to change lenses would probably make me bring some other lens along anyway. As I said, since I'm a big fan of Konica gear, I found this little beauty:This a Konica AUTO S. As you can see, it came with the original box, Leather case ( a bit worn), manual, and even ORIGINAL KONICA silica gel ! How cool is that?!
I have seen Konica Auto S2 gets lots of compliments, but didnt hear much on this one. While it was a bit dusty and VF was rather dirty, it looked promising. So, I took it apart, got all the glass cleaned up in a VF. Lens was clear, shutter seemed to work at all speeds just fine. No lens wobble, as some seem to have. All in all - it came out looking almost new.
As some may know - it has a great VF. Once cleaned out, I learned it for myself - one of the best VF I looked through. Crisp, clear and VERY easy to focus. Having used Leicas, Hexar, Bessas, etc - I have to say - it's as easy to use. Plus it has a moving frame - auto adjusting position and size based on how close/far you focus. Built-in meter needs one of those old mercury batteries, which I dont have. I stuck one thats similar size and voltage - and meter works!, just may be not so accurate. But it gave me a chance to check if it's "auto exposure" mode works - and it does!
Its amazing to me that such a good camera was made years ago and didnt seem to have much following.
Feels solid and good in hands.
So - so far so good. But does it take good pics? Is the lens sharp? How's bokeh?
Well, we had a little grill-out last weekend, so I loaded it up with some cheap film and took it for a spin. It's a pleasure to use, I tell ya.
And the best part - when i got the pics back - I'm blown away! I really never expected it to be so good. These are just some fast flatbed scans from prints, but I hope even so you can see how good this camera/lens is. It's a Hexanon 47mm/1.9 with built-in hood is VERY sharp, yet has smooth bokeh! I'm still yet to run more film through to test it better, but so far - it's a perfect "take-everywhere camera" .
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Krosya
Konicaze
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
What a cool little camera ... I might have to drag my Auto Reflex out of the cupboard and run a roll through it. I haven't really tested out the lens on that. It's a 57mm f1.4 and looks to be in good condition so I would expect it to have the Hex qualities.
I like the shot of the laid back looking dude in the chair! For some reason it makes me think of the album cover of an early Supertramp record ... 'Crisis, what Crisis?'
I like the shot of the laid back looking dude in the chair! For some reason it makes me think of the album cover of an early Supertramp record ... 'Crisis, what Crisis?'
Krosya
Konicaze
Thanks Keith. Now I know why those fixed lens cameras were so popular in their day. Yashicas, Minoltas, Canons, and i suppose Konicas too. Hope to see some more pics from other Konica fixed lens owners!
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Congratulations on the purchase of an excellent camera! I had one of those... and I recall it being the closest thing to practicality to a Canonet. There's a strange quirk with one of the shutterspeeds, like you cannot use it in combination with some lens aperture setting. Check the manual. I cannot recall exactly what it is, but that doesn't detract from the camera's performance.
IIRC, it has a 45mm f1.7 lens, right? The meter is really accurate, and the best thing is that little window on the top plate that gives you a reading right away. You can set the camera for hyperfocus with a reliable exposure with that little thing!
Man, am I regretting having sold mine...
Take care and take even more photos!
IIRC, it has a 45mm f1.7 lens, right? The meter is really accurate, and the best thing is that little window on the top plate that gives you a reading right away. You can set the camera for hyperfocus with a reliable exposure with that little thing!
Man, am I regretting having sold mine...
Take care and take even more photos!
Krosya
Konicaze
btgc
Veteran
I have 45/1.9 version of Auto S, unfortunately not cleaned yet (got it together with NRC for S2).
In fact I like it's speed and aperture controls better than on KAS2. Glass looks different, too. No meter readout on top cover (why bother?).
Otherwise whey are very very close by feeling.
In fact I like it's speed and aperture controls better than on KAS2. Glass looks different, too. No meter readout on top cover (why bother?).
Otherwise whey are very very close by feeling.
Krosya
Konicaze
The more I use mine - the more I like it. It's becoming my - "take everywhere" camera. I'm really surprised that there is so little info on it and that there are not that many users, or so it seems.