anyone have a Konica Auto S2 Rangefinder

[d_ross]

Can anyone tell me about this camera ? I have an opportunity to buy one, and wondered if it would be any better than my old canonet 1.9 ? Ive heard the lenses are very good on these, is that right ?

Cheers

 

[vrgard]

Yes, the lens IS very good. In my experience, the lens is sharper than a Canonet QL17 anyway.

-Randy

 

[d_ross]

Thanks, do you have one ? it looks like everything else is pretty standard for the type of camera, can you think of any faults in general they might have.

 

[vrgard]

Yes, I do have one. Only fault, if you can call it that, is that it's a bit larger than many of the other fixed lens rangefinders of the 1970's. It's an amazingly good camera for what little they sell for today.

-Randy

 

[d_ross]

cool thanks, the one im up for is $100 here that's around $75 USD, too mcuh maybe ?

 

[rich815]

Too much, unless verifiably CLA'd recently by a reputable camera technician, even then no real bargain, IMO.

eBay's completed listings has them going for $20-40 USD:

http://tinyurl.com/24oag9

 

[Bingley]

I have an S2 and agree w/ the comments above. I'd add that not only is the lens very sharp, the viewfinder is also a gem -- bright, w/ parallax adjusting framelines. $75 is too much, however. I got a mine, in beautiful condition w/ a working meter, for under $30 on evilbay. In terms of size, its external dimensions are slightly larger than a Canon 7, although weight is not as much; but it's significantly larger than a Canonet. If you're looking for a fixed-lens RF for serious photography, though, the S2 is a good choice.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I would say that is too much unless it has been CLA'd. One common problem with the S2's can be the meter switch.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6896&cat=3
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6898&cat=3

cool thanks, the one im up for is $100 here that's around $75 USD, too mcuh maybe ?

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Mine had a stuck shutter when I got it (cost me $40 including shipping from Epay),
I cleaned it up myself. The shutterblades snapped free with some gentle prying. Then exercizing the shutter regularly it now snaps like it did 40 years ago.

I found it a very friendly to use camera (say compared to my other older RFs) Though I've only shot a single roll of film through it. Can't say how well the lens works compared to the other one you mentioned.

Do a search on Konica Auto S2 topics and you'll find some amazing pictures taken by others with these cameras.

 

[Bill58]

Make the seller promise to take it back IF the meter doesn't work!!!!!

 

[IK13]

I got mine because of the superb quality of the lens. It's sharp and with great contrast.
But - it's big and heavy, compared to many other. If you're after size/weight/pocketablity - look elsewhere. I was after image quality and I don't think it gets any better with the fixed lens RF.

Mine needed work, but with some help from the net and this forum I fixed it. When I got my camera to pieces (like in here http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/KonicaAutoS2/KonicaAutoS2.html~Main) I was sure that's going to be the end of it.
Managed to put it back together, adjusted the rf, fixed it to work with new silver-oxide batteries.

And what do you know - it worked!

Some examples from my first roll last week (Fuji Reala, nothing, but resize from the Costco scan):

 

[vrgard]

I agree that $75 is too much for this camera, but only because that's more than the "going rate." I definitely think it's worth at least that much but the market seems more interested in smaller cameras like the Canonet QL17. I paid about $40 for mine but it was in very good condition and needed no work (only issue is the parallax correcting framelines are a wee bit sticky, but otherwise the camera works great including the shutter and the meter). Heck, if it weren't for the shipping costs likely making it less of a deal, I would sell you mine for what I paid for it.

-Randy

P.S. The obvious question after reading my comment above is, "gee, if the camera is so good then why do you want to sell it?" And the answer is because I'm happy shooting with my Leica gear that's all.

 

[shadowfox]

I can vouch for the quality of the Hexanon lenses.

But I've set my goal to get a Konica S2 for under $10. 😱

I know I'll probably wait for a while, but hey, it's good for my wallet 😀

 

[raid]

I suggest to look for a clean S2 with a price tag in the range $30-$50. I have two of them. I also have the S and the S3.

 

[d_ross]

Thanks very much for all your comments, I'll be trying to get the camera price reduced. I predominantly use Fuji6x9 and a Rollieflex. However recently I got a canonet 1.9, the first 35mm Ive used for some time, and whilst I like using the canonet I am so used to the qualities of the larger formats that I am inevitably a bit dissapointed with the canons results. then I read about the S2......cant afford a leica, so now I'm looking for the best value fixed lens 35 RF as an every day camera.

 

[d_ross]

This may well be a silly question, but I havn't seen the camera yet 🙂 does the S2 have full manual control ?

 

[vrgard]

Yes, the S2 does have full manual control.

-Randy

 

[d_ross]

Thanks Randy, sounds like it may be the camera for me, and my budget.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
The S2 manual is available on my website here. 😉
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/range/range.htm

Kim

This may well be a silly question, but I havn't seen the camera yet 🙂 does the S2 have full manual control ?

 

[fidget]

My S2 had a stiff speed selector ring, fairly straightforward to fix myself. I paid a little over the odds for mine a few years ago at around $60. It's a beauty, very capable and easy to use.
The value of a nice S2 as a photographic tool is far more than is currently fetched.