teamsc10190
Established
I’ve always felt that my Konica Auto S2 was just such a perfect camera for its intended purpose, that I thought it would be cool to seek out its rare brother fitted with a more powerful and complex ƒ1.6 lens. The Auto S1.6 was Konica’s entry into the large aperture rangefinder wars of the mid to late 60’s but was only sold for two years so they’re difficult to find in good condition (if at all).
I did locate one a couple of years ago from an ebay seller who “didn’t know anything about cameras”. I have come to understand this roughly translates to; ‘it’s a pile of garbage, but I’m immune from responsibility if I claim ignorance upfront’. Yes I could have started a ‘not as described’ case but I had been looking for several years and once I had the Auto S1.6 in my hands, I figured I could fix it with readily available Auto S2 parts. I was wrong.
I quickly came to understand that although basically the same camera as the Auto S2, the entire lens assembly of the Auto S1.6 is unique as the lens thread to film distance is different, as is the meter and the top cap. Additional lens complexity in the Auto S1.6 also adds 20 grams to the camera’s not insignificant weight. Long story short; I ended up needing to find an organ donor to make one camera from two.
OK; so it’s finally done and the question arises whether the better corrected lens of the Auto S1.6 with 7 elements in 5 groups provides improved image resolution compared with the 6 elements in 4 groups of the Auto S2? Difficult to speculate which lens would be superior without objective testing, but suffice it to say that Hexanon lenses in either camera are exceptional by design and it’s hard not to love the sharp lenses fitted to this pair of Konica rangefinders.
The Auto S1.6 is fitted with a standard hot shoe versus the ‘cold shoe’ of the Auto S2. The collapsible standard lens shade of the Auto S2 was available as an accessory on the Auto S1.6 along with an exceedingly rare AS3 AUTO-UP close-up lens. (Both accessories could not be mounted simultaneously).
It is clear that Konica expended significant efforts to yield a marginally faster lens on the Auto S1.6 (1/6th of a stop faster), that in turn added significant cost. It could be credibly argued that the addition of a hot shoe was the most tangible benefit the Auto S1.6 provided.
OK, I stand corrected: per Konica's ad from 1969, the Auto S1.6 was fitted with an "ultra-fast" ƒ1.6 lens for a $10. premium over the Auto S2. (In 2012 dollars, an Auto S2 would have sold for $625 versus $688 for the Auto S1.6)
The Konica Auto S1.6 has a fantastic contrasty sharp lens with deep color saturation and great bokeh as the last Konica fixed-lens rangefinder to allow fully manual exposure settings that can be used without battery power.
The lens is the unique soul of this camera that makes the Auto S1.6 worth seeking, however it should be noted that survivors in excellent operational condition are difficult to find. While Auto S2’s in tatty condition are typically consigned to the dust bin; Auto S1.6’s in the same condition invariably find their way to the resale market. Deciding between the two cameras should ultimately be guided by camera condition rather than an incremental difference in lens resolution.
With stellar Auto S2’s selling for a song, it would be hard to justify paying upwards of $75 for an Auto S1.6 unless it had been fully serviced.
I did locate one a couple of years ago from an ebay seller who “didn’t know anything about cameras”. I have come to understand this roughly translates to; ‘it’s a pile of garbage, but I’m immune from responsibility if I claim ignorance upfront’. Yes I could have started a ‘not as described’ case but I had been looking for several years and once I had the Auto S1.6 in my hands, I figured I could fix it with readily available Auto S2 parts. I was wrong.
I quickly came to understand that although basically the same camera as the Auto S2, the entire lens assembly of the Auto S1.6 is unique as the lens thread to film distance is different, as is the meter and the top cap. Additional lens complexity in the Auto S1.6 also adds 20 grams to the camera’s not insignificant weight. Long story short; I ended up needing to find an organ donor to make one camera from two.
OK; so it’s finally done and the question arises whether the better corrected lens of the Auto S1.6 with 7 elements in 5 groups provides improved image resolution compared with the 6 elements in 4 groups of the Auto S2? Difficult to speculate which lens would be superior without objective testing, but suffice it to say that Hexanon lenses in either camera are exceptional by design and it’s hard not to love the sharp lenses fitted to this pair of Konica rangefinders.
The Auto S1.6 is fitted with a standard hot shoe versus the ‘cold shoe’ of the Auto S2. The collapsible standard lens shade of the Auto S2 was available as an accessory on the Auto S1.6 along with an exceedingly rare AS3 AUTO-UP close-up lens. (Both accessories could not be mounted simultaneously).
It is clear that Konica expended significant efforts to yield a marginally faster lens on the Auto S1.6 (1/6th of a stop faster), that in turn added significant cost. It could be credibly argued that the addition of a hot shoe was the most tangible benefit the Auto S1.6 provided.
OK, I stand corrected: per Konica's ad from 1969, the Auto S1.6 was fitted with an "ultra-fast" ƒ1.6 lens for a $10. premium over the Auto S2. (In 2012 dollars, an Auto S2 would have sold for $625 versus $688 for the Auto S1.6)
The Konica Auto S1.6 has a fantastic contrasty sharp lens with deep color saturation and great bokeh as the last Konica fixed-lens rangefinder to allow fully manual exposure settings that can be used without battery power.
The lens is the unique soul of this camera that makes the Auto S1.6 worth seeking, however it should be noted that survivors in excellent operational condition are difficult to find. While Auto S2’s in tatty condition are typically consigned to the dust bin; Auto S1.6’s in the same condition invariably find their way to the resale market. Deciding between the two cameras should ultimately be guided by camera condition rather than an incremental difference in lens resolution.
With stellar Auto S2’s selling for a song, it would be hard to justify paying upwards of $75 for an Auto S1.6 unless it had been fully serviced.
teamsc10190
Established
Out shooting today with the AS3 Auto-Up attached as shown in the photo.
Curious as to why I'd never seen this rare accessory mentioned in any of Konica's literature. Perhaps Konica didn't push it because it wasn't so easy to use as the built-in lens hood of the Auto S2 needed to removed prior to fitting the AS3. The retainer ring for the built-in hood could be difficult to remove and you could end up breaking the shutter in the process if the ring was stuck.
The instructions for the AS3 lists applications including Auto S2, Auto S1.6 and Electron. The inclusion of the Electron that didn't enter the stage until 1969, indicates this close-up lens accessory was likely launched with the Electron rather than 1965 with the Auto S2.
Does anyone have a Konica price list from 1968-1969 timeframe that lists the AS3 Auto-Up?
Konica Auto-Up AS3 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Curious as to why I'd never seen this rare accessory mentioned in any of Konica's literature. Perhaps Konica didn't push it because it wasn't so easy to use as the built-in lens hood of the Auto S2 needed to removed prior to fitting the AS3. The retainer ring for the built-in hood could be difficult to remove and you could end up breaking the shutter in the process if the ring was stuck.
The instructions for the AS3 lists applications including Auto S2, Auto S1.6 and Electron. The inclusion of the Electron that didn't enter the stage until 1969, indicates this close-up lens accessory was likely launched with the Electron rather than 1965 with the Auto S2.
Does anyone have a Konica price list from 1968-1969 timeframe that lists the AS3 Auto-Up?
Konica Auto-Up AS3 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Attachments
Tom hicks
Well-known
Looks good, and I'm sure the work and time you have put into making a working cam will pay off for you by the enjoyment you get out of using it . Auto ups are fun to use and work very well hope you post some pics make with the Auto up attached.
Tom
Tom
btgc
Veteran
Once I had a chance to buy KAS1.6 with papers and box for $40, looked clean and nice. I passed as I already had KAS2 and felt while lens and finder are quite good rest of it (shutter release, DOF scale) are behind original K-series. Don't want to sound like a whiner but even original KAS (with 45/1.9 lens) has better speed ring, more pronounced and easier to grip. So while I definitely agree KAS2 is a milestone camera I don't use mine too often.
teamsc10190
Established
Appreciate your comments Tom.
Honestly the camera wasn't worth saving, but it had survived the war in Vietnam in the previous owner's hands before winding up in a trash can in Los Angeles forty years later, and ultimately finding its way to the big auction site. I reasoned it deserved a better destiny.
The camera was likely purchased overseas in a PX because it was built in May of 1970, and the Auto S1.6 was only sold in the U.S. for 1968 and 1969. It also had attached a leather wrapped film canister marked "Vietnam" that I've seen on other veteran cameras.
The camera suffered the consequences of the tropical environment. Inner and outer lenses were seriously mildew damaged. The bottom cover and the rear door were damaged, and all of the paint fill from the top cap and lens surround was gone as was most of the black paint on the chassis. The shutter was a horror show, but after being freed up, the camera was mechanically operational. (Small victory)
Repairs included:
- Replace front and rear lens elements
- Replace lens helical
- Replace rear door (tiny perforation hole)
- Replace battery chamber, test button and battery cap
- Replace film advance lever
- Replace CdS cell
- Replace vinyl covering
- Add lens hood & retainer ring
- Replace rewind crank
- Replace lens cap
- Replace light seals
- Replace PC socket (lost plating)
- Refinish film guide rails
- Repaint chassis and paint fill on lens barrel, lens surround and top cap
- Add proper eveready case
- Recalibrate meter for silver oxide
- Complete CLA
It was a long journey but the old warrior is back and looking pretty excellent. The top cap and lens barrel rings cleaned up really well, and with a little paint fill you'd never know the camera survived a jungle war.
Can't wait to get the pictures back!
Lawrence Sheperd
Well-known
Great story! I'm firm in the belief that the Auto S2 is one of the all-time great fixed lens rangefinders. Your dedication to resuscitating the S1.6 is commendable. Please post some images when you have time.
I still have my father's S2 that he bought in the px at Cam Ranh Bay airfield during the war, probably 1971 or 1972. He was a pilot with Eastern Air Lines and was making MAC runs for several years. Awaiting his release by the tower on his last flight, he witnessed an attack on the ammo dump by the VC. His departing words to Vietnam amidst the fireworks display were "Tower, I'm taking the f**k off, now" and away he went!
That camera will be buried with me if I have any say in the matter.
I still have my father's S2 that he bought in the px at Cam Ranh Bay airfield during the war, probably 1971 or 1972. He was a pilot with Eastern Air Lines and was making MAC runs for several years. Awaiting his release by the tower on his last flight, he witnessed an attack on the ammo dump by the VC. His departing words to Vietnam amidst the fireworks display were "Tower, I'm taking the f**k off, now" and away he went!
That camera will be buried with me if I have any say in the matter.
teamsc10190
Established
Larry,
Hopefully this will be later as opposed to sooner. Sounds like your camera had quite a journey as well.
A friend who served in Vietnam told me that the Auto S2 and Auto S1.6 were popular cameras that traded in the PX for around $35.
I have my first rolls out for development currently so we'll see how they come back soon.
Overall I'm pretty pleased with the way the camera itself came out.
Konica Auto S1.6 V2 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Konica Auto S1.6 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Konica Auto S1.6 V3 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
teamsc10190
Established
I Photoshop edited and compiled an English-only variant of a one page instruction sheet for the Auto-Up AS3 with added color accents and dimensions in inches.
Has anyone used one of these close-up lenses for Auto S2, Auto S1.6, or Electron?
Konica Auto-UP AS3 - English Only Instruction by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Has anyone used one of these close-up lenses for Auto S2, Auto S1.6, or Electron?
Konica Auto-UP AS3 - English Only Instruction by teamsc10190, on Flickr
teamsc10190
Established
Got back the first shots:
Birdhouses in the Meadow by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Temecula - Mist rising over the mountain by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Jacquie and Dennis by teamsc10190, on Flickr
50-54 Kaiser Henry J Customized by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Old Town Temecula, CA by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Polevaulter at Jack Kemp Stadium Occidental College V2 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Katie at Starbucks by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Marc at HMA by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Dolls in a Store by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Birdhouses in the Meadow by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Temecula - Mist rising over the mountain by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Jacquie and Dennis by teamsc10190, on Flickr
50-54 Kaiser Henry J Customized by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Old Town Temecula, CA by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Polevaulter at Jack Kemp Stadium Occidental College V2 by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Katie at Starbucks by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Marc at HMA by teamsc10190, on Flickr
Dolls in a Store by teamsc10190, on Flickr