Beginner in B&W and Konica Auto S2 -Need Advice

A

aneal

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Hi,

i am a novice and want to get into street photogrpahy as well as shooting black and white.. have a chance to buy a Konica Auto S2 camera and wondered if theat would be a good camera for one who is still new to photogrraphy after only 3 years) . Currently have a Nikon d80 digital, Nikon F , Yashica GSN. believe these cameras are good but a bit too clunky for carrying aroudn if i want to do street phtoos . thought Konica auto S2 might be lighter. also will close down on me if available light not sufficient, forcee me to do more composing, think more about what i am filming, etc. want to shoot primarily without use of flash whenever possible and plan on using TRI-X or another 400 ASA film filme mostly.

thanks for any suggestions about Konica Auto S2 or any other camera that can meet my needs. Have only a budget of about $100.

A. Neal
 
KAS2 is same carrying class as GSN, in my opinion. It's nice but not ideal camera. For smaller dimensions I'd look forward Lynx 5000 (slightly less, but not a lot) or better some of small Electros - CC has wider lens and is expensive, GX has 40mm and also expensive, so we have rest with "slow" f2.8 lenses - FC (has RF) and MC (scale focus only).

In smaller body/f2.8 league there are Ricoh 500G/GX (metered manual mode), Oly 35RC, Minoltas.

I find smaller MC quite a camera for street, despite its slower lens and scale focus.

If faster lens is issue, then we return to GX, CC and sub-f2 larger FLRF's (including KAS2), which all are nice and ergonomics/personal feeling matters.
 
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I have both a Auto S2 and a GSN. I love the Konica but really, it won't give you much more than the GSN. The GSN will allow you to push Tri-X up to 1000 ISO so that might be helpful. They are almost the same size so there's not much difference in terms of ergonomics. I also have a Lynx 5000. It is slightly smaller but similar otherwise. My advice is to spend that $$ on buy film or a road trip. Use your GSN or Nikon and just go take pictures.

Karl
 
kzim56 said:
I have both a Auto S2 and a GSN. I love the Konica but really, it won't give you much more than the GSN. The GSN will allow you to push Tri-X up to 1000 ISO so that might be helpful.
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Just want to add...KAS2 has full manual mode which GSN lacks. And this gives pros to Konica as any film can be used not relying on electrobrain.

Feinschmeckers can prefer lens of one camera over other, that's nuances of personal choice.
 
Do you want manual exposure capability....???

Do you want manual exposure capability....???

If so, then find a nice Canon canonet 17 GIII, or an Olympus 35SP. Both are considerably smaller than the GSN or Konica.

Both have fast lenses for the time, and both have manual over-ride. The batteries were originally the mercury 1.3V batteries, but there are adaptor solutions to achieve the 1.3V (Not alkalines), or the Wein Cell MRB625 1.3V flat curve batteries.

Both are available in vast numbers. The GIII comes close to setting a record for time manufactured and units sold. The 35SP is also very available, and offers a usable spot meter. However, in the absence of a battery or functioning meter, they can be manually set per a hand held meter. That may actually be a better way to learn more about photography anyway.
 
i want to thank you all for your advice and information about various alternaive RF cameras that i can use for B&W shoots. it has been very helpful.

Here are some photos that i have taken and dislayed in an amateur exhibition at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis, MA last week.

http://aneal.smugmug.com/gallery/6119433_uqaTY#384786932_aU5hM

You will have to use password--- resume--- to see them. I like the look of the B&W prints and want to continue worling with them in future.

:)
A. neal
 
Not that you need more advice, but I'll offer my 2 cents anyway. Between the GSN and the KAS2, I'd opt for the latter. I like the full manual capability of the KAS2 and the lens is just killer! Ideally, if you could get a Canon GIII QL-17, that would be my top choice to recommend since it's much more compact (and simply a brilliant camera), but you can't go wrong with the Konica.
 
Here's a different approach....

Here's a different approach....

A,

You say you have a Nikon F, what finder? If it's not the photomic versions then it would be fine for a street camera. While I've got some great shots with a 35, I found wider is a bit better at least for me and streets.

I'd look for either an old Nikkor 24/2.8, 28/3.5 (or 2.8) or 35/2 for your F. I'd go with the 28/3.5 because of price. There are lots of options at KEH with dents in filter rings and a good return policy (run a test roll the day you get it). Some folks get tied up in looking through the finder to focus, but as long as you do some homework (learn about how to use depth of field for you).

Another option is to find a good wide (again I'd go either KEH or Adorama) prime lens. Perhaps a 20/2.8 but it will blow your budget a bit.

I think the key is not standing out with your camera. No big bags, thin strap, bring the camera up to your eye when you see something you like and have pre judged the composition first.

I'd save the money and go with your GSN, it's a fine camera and will serve you well on the street and elsewhere.

B2 (;->
 
Don't short change yourself...

Don't short change yourself...

The Konica Auto S2 is a robust camera with a superb lens. It's the best fixed lens camera on the planet... bar none !!! And the best part is the 45mm focal length lens, complementing human vision... perfectly.
 
BillBingham2 said:
A,

You say you have a Nikon F, what finder? If it's not the photomic versions then it would be fine for a street camera. While I've got some great shots with a 35, I found wider is a bit better at least for me and streets.

I'd look for either an old Nikkor 24/2.8, 28/3.5 (or 2.8) or 35/2 for your F. I'd go with the 28/3.5 because of price. There are lots of options at KEH with dents in filter rings and a good return policy (run a test roll the day you get it). Some folks get tied up in looking through the finder to focus, but as long as you do some homework (learn about how to use depth of field for you).

Another option is to find a good wide (again I'd go either KEH or Adorama) prime lens. Perhaps a 20/2.8 but it will blow your budget a bit.

I think the key is not standing out with your camera. No big bags, thin strap, bring the camera up to your eye when you see something you like and have pre judged the composition first.

I'd save the money and go with your GSN, it's a fine camera and will serve you well on the street and elsewhere.

B2 (;->
Click to expand...

thanks for the post. i have a Nikon F photomic FTN which is solid but klunky for carrying around and a 24, 35 , 50 , 105 and 200 mm lenses to go with it.

I know about KEH too.

I just wanted a rather compact camera to shoot B& W that i could control and for that reason the Konica and Canonet looked good becaouse i coudl see the inthe view finder the shutter speedk or apertures. With my GSN I can only rely on sunny rule of 16 and the light going off to show over and under but i wanted a little more control. thought i would get it with the Konica, whihc i can get for about $75, although it is not the most compact relative to the Canonet. At least that was my thinking.
 
Go with the S2 or cannonete 1.7 or 1.9 work within your budget and u should fine one. Cannons are smaller but in my experience not as tough as the S2 which is a tank for toughness.
 
Yo Dude.....

Yo Dude.....

aneal said:
......With my GSN I can only rely on sunny rule of 16 and the light going off to show over and under but i wanted a little more control. ........
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Yo Dude,

If that's your problem, sent me your address via email and I will send you a light meter, save your money for film and processing. I've got an extra one and would love to see it go to a good home. Nothing special but it works well. Will get you through the guessing mode with your Yashica.

Bingham.b at comcast.net

Just do it dude!

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
Yo Dude,

If that's your problem, sent me your address via email and I will send you a light meter, save your money for film and processing. I've got an extra one and would love to see it go to a good home. Nothing special but it works well. Will get you through the guessing mode with your Yashica.

Bingham.b at comcast.net

Just do it dude!

B2 (;->
Click to expand...


If you think it will help, you can send me a meter to my office address: Alfred Neal, JOBNET, 210 South Street, Boston, MA 02111. thanks for the offer and if you have any instructions for it, could you send it along. Otherwise, will look for instructions online. thanks for your help with this.

Alfred Neal
 
So you are looking for a smaller cameran than the GSN, with more controls. Since your budget is around $100 your next choice is a good Canonet QL GIII with a 40mm lens or 45mm.

Of course the Konica Auto S2 is no less good, on the contrary perhaps, but for sure of the same size like the GSN. I wouldn't discard its advantages so fast in exchange of smaller size.

Lastly, make sure you are getting a good Canonet. A defective one with chances of home repair goes around $50 at eBay.

Good luck
Ruben
 
If the Konica is available still, I'd certainly give it a shot. It's one of those cameras that grows on you quickly, and impresses more and more as you use it. The lens is most certainly deserving of all the praise given to it. If compact size is what you want, then the Canon is a better choice. Another option is the Minolta Hi-Matic 7S, about the same size as the Konica and GSN, but has full auto (as in, focus and shoot!) or full manual plus a superb lens as is typical of Minolta RFs. As far as the Canon goes, you could also look at the QL-17 non-GIII version. Same amazing lens and compact body as the GIII QL-17, but it usually goes for a lot, lot cheaper.
 
racoll said:
As far as the Canon goes, you could also look at the QL-17 non-GIII version. Same amazing lens and compact body as the GIII QL-17, but it usually goes for a lot, lot cheaper.
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Not having Canonet, I took a quick look at fantastisch Canon site to see diffs:


Canonet QL17 (QL plate on body) - Canon SE 45mm f/1.7 (6 elements in 5 groups)
New Canonet QL17 (QL plate on body) - 40mm f/1.7 (6 elements in 4 groups)
Canonet G-III 17 (GIII QL plate on body) - 40mm f/1.7 (6 elements in 4 groups)

So moving from Q17 to New QL17 some changes happened to lens design - 45mm->40mm and 5 groups->4groups (element count stays 6). Again, I'm not Canonet man, maybe one can not see difference in final picture except slight change in focal length, but just to note...maybe someone can add on this, if there's anything worth discussing.
 
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