Bought a Konica Auto S2. What can I expect?

[Jeremy Z]

Hi fellas. I just bought greyhoundman's Konica Auto S2. I'm kind of excited, as many of you have praised this camera's lens & feature set.

For those with cameras for comparison:

• How does it feel compared to a Yashica GS series camera? (handling, mechanics)
• Compared to an Olympus SP?
• Compared to a Canonet GIII?

I believe I know of the features, just curious about how it feels, sounds, and performs compared to other benchmark FLRFs.

Thanks!

 

[yankeedoll]

Big as a Yashica GSN.
A little heavier.
No comparison to SP or GIII. It's lens is better, IMHO. And the meter works in manual.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

It is very nice camera... and since it's a Greyhound's Man job, you'll have a really neat tool. To make you drool... it's the closest thing to a Leica viewfinder I've seen in non-Leica cameras.

If I remember correctly, this one has a kind of AE system (you set the shutterspeed and the meter suggests or sets an aperture). I just can't recall it. I had one for a few months and liked it... but then, in terms of size, it was too big for me because the Canonet really spoiled me.

Which leads me to the comparison question. In regards to the Yashica, this one is about the same size, but in ergonomics it beats the Yashica fair and square. As for a Canonet comparison... the Canonet is actually small and cute; this one is large, not so cute, but very elegant. I think you picked the best of the lot. The Minoltas for sale are nice, but this one is efficient. Congratulations! 🙂

 

[Photog9001]

greatness. nothing less!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Yankeedoll is right! Unlike the Canonet, whose meter "dies" (it's actually turned off) when you switch it to manual, the meter in this Konica stays on.

Which reminds me: get a nice 55mm lens cap to keep the lens covered at all times. I'm not sure but I believe this is one of those that need a lens cap on always, when not in use.

Am I right, YD? 😕 Again, I had one of these for too short a time, and didn't use it enough either, but liked it nonetheless... <bigh sigh> 🙄

 

[yankeedoll]

It will come with a lens cap. 🙂
It needs the cap to shut off the meter.

 

[KoNickon]

I'm awaiting the arrival of an S2 myself -- I had one and sold it but realized I should have one. One thing that will impress you is the viewfinder, specifically the framelines, which not only shift for parallax but also shift to show the change in the field of view as you change the focus toward infinity. Quite sophisticated, and I'm not sure what other cameras do this except one or two earlier Konicas. The focusing lever is actually a small cylindrical knob that spins; very comfortable and something that I'm not aware of any other camera having. You'll be very impressed with the lens; Konica optics, as I'm sure you know, are as good as anything else out there (a view not all share, I bet).

 

[vrgard]

And there is a meter display on top of the camera which is great for setting an exposure discreetly before raising the camera to your eye for framing & shooting. Enjoy it!

 

[shadowfox]

No comparison to SP or GIII. It's lens is better, IMHO. And the meter works in manual.

If the hexanon in it has the same quality as the hexanons in its descendants the Konica Auto S3, I have to disagree that it's "better" than the Zuiko on the Oly 35 SP.

I would say it's different.

The Hexanon is not super sharp like the Zuiko, but it has a very nice 3D effect (clear separation between fore and back-ground).

The GIII on the other hand is overrated, overpriced with mediocre performance. Before you ask, yes I have one and it's been CLA'd 🙂

 

[Jeremy Z]

• Top deck meter
• Nice viewfinder
• Swivel focusing knob
• Sharp lens
• Heavier than a GSN (must be a TANK)

Sounds like good stuff. Thanks!

 

[daniel~]

Congratulations! I'd just add that, your Auto S2 should come with a BUILT-IN lens hood--virtue seldom found on other RF. This Konica should be an excellent performer---I haven't bought one only because of its size & weight.

As for comparison with Canon and Olympus rangefinders, here's a bit of my experience: I own a Konica Auto S3 and absolutely love it. I also own a Canonet G-III and an Olympus RD--also very solid & attractive cameras, but their photo results don't quite impress me as those from Auto S3.

 

[Bingley]

As it happens, I was out shooting w/ my S2 this afternoon. It has a great viewfinder, in addition to a great lens. I'd also add that it has a pretty quiet shutter. It would make a great camera for street shooting.

 

[Jeremy Z]

Congratulations! I'd just add that, your Auto S2 should come with a BUILT-IN lens hood--virtue seldom found on other RF.

This one doesn't; the ad said it is missing. I'll find a screw-in one, if I can.

This Konica should be an excellent performer---I haven't bought one only because of its size & weight.

People talk about this, but I dont' think it should be as much of a concern as it seems to be here, really. Today, if one favors a smaller camera, there are nice digitals available that make even our smallest 35mm cameras seem big & oafish. We think too much here. 😉 (My post was a good example, I guess)

As for comparison with Canon and Olympus rangefinders, here's a bit of my experience: I own a Konica Auto S3 and absolutely love it. I also own a Canonet G-III and an Olympus RD--also very solid & attractive cameras, but their photo results don't quite impress me as those from Auto S3.

Good stuff. One thing I'm getting about this camera pretty consistently is that it has an almost magical lens, viewfinder, and heft. Every camera (especially fixed lens RFs) have their own personality. Little details that make them stronger or weaker than others in certain areas. That is what I was looking for in this thread.

 

[Jeremy Z]

What about weaknesses? I've read elsewhere that it has a cheezy battery cap that strips easily. Anything else I should watch for?

 

[oftheherd]

If the hexanon in it has the same quality as the hexanons in its descendants the Konica Auto S3, I have to disagree that it's "better" than the Zuiko on the Oly 35 SP.

I would say it's different.

The Hexanon is not super sharp like the Zuiko, but it has a very nice 3D effect (clear separation between fore and back-ground).

The GIII on the other hand is overrated, overpriced with mediocre performance. Before you ask, yes I have one and it's been CLA'd 🙂

shadowfox
Zuikographer

I guess that says it all. 😀 😀

Konica lenses were always known to be super sharp in the orient amoung pros there. They just never got noticed elsewhere in their time. Sort of like Fujica lenses.

 

[raid]

I like the S2 a lot. Here are five shots taken on color film with the S2 last summer:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=611665

 

[jkelly]

The Auto S2 is the only fixed lens rangefinder I own (I have 2 Leicas), but I like it a lot. I wish the auto exposure was aperture priority instead of shutter priority. And, the film advance lever makes a cheesy ratchety sound, which is totally unecessary and distracts from its stealth value. Other than that, no complaints whatever. Here's a landscape photo I took with it recently. I'm anxious to try some B&W film with it.

 

[zuikologist]

Raid and J Kelly - nice shots.

Raid - resolution looks great, you can see the grains of sand in the beach shots

 

[shadowfox]

shadowfox
Zuikographer

I guess that says it all. 😀 😀

<cropped>

Hehehe... 😎

But seriously, I am being objective here. The results from the Canonet is not as sharp and not as contrasty compared to the one from the Konica S3 or the Oly SP.

Back to the topic, here's one shot from the Konica S3:

 

[raid]

My Canonet has not been used in ten years or so. It looks too flimsy (plastics) for my taste.

Raid