Konica C35

[Frontman]

I found a clean Konica C35 rangefinder camera today for the princely sum of $5. The glass is clean, though there is some crud under the rangefinder glass on the front. I'll take it apart tomorrow and clean it up. Seals are crap, but I'm getting used to making them now, hopefully the camera will be up and running by the weekend.

I still haven't figured out how it works, it seems to be an automatic camera, except for the manual focus. Anyone here have experience with these cameras? This one is a "Flashmatic".

Thanks,

 

[btgc]

yeah, it's fully auto.
Flashmatic should set aperture depending on flash GN (set on lens?) and distance (as you focus) - at least, 35RC works this way.

I have later C35 EF3 - lens is first class in this class.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Here's the manual:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_c35/konica_c35.pdf

I just replaced the light seals on one. Jon Goodman's instructions are very helpful, but for the C35 Flashmatic/ Automatic, you have to refer to the Auto S3 instructions:
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/seal/Konica_AutoS3.pdf

Image quality is quite nice. I haven't scanned the roll, yet.

Cheers,
Uwe

 

[Trius]

Wondeful little camera. Yes, it's program exposure only, and yes, that's how the GN system on it works.

 

[konicaman]

The C35 was my first "real" camera when I was a kid. Had it for a couple of years. Sold it when I bought my first SLR. Missed it! Got 4 of them now in slightly different versions 🙄

You are going to love the results. Rather simple lens construction, but photos are really sharp with very good contrast and tonal values.

 

[clachnacuddin]

I just got a Konice C35V a few weeks ago, really good lens and the camera is nice to use too!

 

[rdeleskie]

Picked one up this summer but haven't had time to shoot it yet. Any recommendations for film stock to go with it? (b&w, colour, E-6, etc.).

 

[Frontman]

Picked one up this summer but haven't had time to shoot it yet. Any recommendations for film stock to go with it? (b&w, colour, E-6, etc.).

There is a small label inside the film door on mine which recommends "Sakura Color Film". Good luck finding any. I would guess that Fuji color film is the most similar.

I would not shoot slides unless you have the correct battery, exposures are unreliable in these older cameras with the newer 1.5 volt alkaline batteries. Black and white film is much more forgiving. Since I develop my own b&w film, it is the most convenient (and inexpensive) choice for me. The local camera store sells battery adapters which step down smaller 1.5 volt batteries to 1.3 volts, but these adapters are about $30 (more than I usually pay for most of these old cameras).

 

[charjohncarter]

You will find that it is a good camera, Ireland, Tmax100:

 

[Trius]

There is a small label inside the film door on mine which recommends "Sakura Color Film". Good luck finding any. I would guess that Fuji color film is the most similar.

Konica film for a Konica camera! Actually, I think Sakura film was Konica film, or at least there was some affiliation, hence the sticker.

Someone with knowledge of the history of Japanese film manufacturing can weigh in here.

John: Superb! I don't think I shot much b&w besides TX. TMX looks yummy there.

 

[camera.bear]

Frontman,

Congrats on the C35, I think that you'll like it. I have shot mine using some BW400CN and had nice results.

 

[Trius]

One of my favourite C35 shots. PhotoLab 100 (Fuji), IIRC.