Konica Auto-Reflex P Half/Full Frame

[David Murphy]

I own one of these, it's my second as the first one failed after a few years of use. I like the mechanical shutter and meter-less aspect of them - not unlike the Nikon F, but perhaps not quite as well made, but certainly a respectible effort. There are tons of nice Konica AR mount lenses still around too, from Konica and many other aftermarket lens makers from the 60's and 70's. It's a beautiful camera, but most are in Japan and a little pricey these days. I usually use it in full frame mode, but I may tinker with half frame soon.

 

[NicholasNicholas]

I have the one with the meter and used it a fair bit when I got it though not recently but really liked it. The first thing I noticed when I got it was the 'clang' from the shutter ... it caught me by surprise! I used mine for making diptychs and triptychs when I got it ... actually on the negative!

How is the meter for accuracy?
Great triptych by the way!

 

[Keith]

How is the meter for accuracy?
Great triptych by the way!

I don't think I used it from memory. It's been a long time since I used that camera and when I did I used a hand held meter ... in fact I can't even remember where it is! lol

 

[Chuckles]

Picked one up on eBay recently. No battery. Just brass, metal and glass. Weighing in at 2.86 lbs., it's a beast of a camera. Not bad looking either. Came with a Konica 57mm f/1.2, the version with the radioactive thoriated glass. The images I've seen from this lens are sharp and dreamy looking. We'll see how it goes for me. Looking forward to shooting my first roll of film through it.

 

[Chuckles]

this camera is very underpriced for its features.

Why do you say that? Just curious.

 

[pablo18]

Picked one up on eBay recently. No battery. Just brass, metal and glass. Weighing in at 2.86 lbs., it's a beast of a camera. Not bad looking either. Came with a Konica 57mm f/1.2, the version with the radioactive thoriated glass. The images I've seen from this lens are sharp and dreamy looking. We'll see how it goes for me. Looking forward to shooting my first roll of film through it.

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You have the very rare black version. I don’t think more than a few hundred were ever made. I have exactly the same one, except that mine is the Auto-Reflex version marketed in Europe, rather than your Autorex version sold in Japan. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[Chuckles]

Thanks, it's a nice one (as is yours). Have you gotten used to shooting half frame and switching to full frame mid roll? I still need to spend more time with this camera to operate it intuitively but it's very solid and for being a fully mechanical, I think it performs very well.

 

[pablo18]

Thanks, it's a nice one (as is yours). Have you gotten used to shooting half frame and switching to full frame mid roll? I still need to spend more time with this camera to operate it intuitively but it's very solid and for being a fully mechanical, I think it performs very well.

It is possible to switch in the middle of the roll, but I preferred to shoot the entire roll in the same format to simplify development. The camera is a beast, it is bombproof.

 

[Chuckles]

There's something about half frame shots that I find engaging. The juxtaposition of shots can tell a story.