KONICA Auto S2: is it price tag crazy?

I often wonder why Konica missed the boat by not making a LTM or M version of this fine camera.
 
Hmm. The seller posts worldwide. Check in on the sellers feedback in a few weeks time. If you're lucky the buyers ID will lead you to some clues about their location.

It is also worth mentioning that prices for these cameras do vary depending on where you want to buy them. They seem to change hands more cheaply in USA than they do in Australia for instance. I'm not sure why this is. Maybe they are more widely available in the US?

I've bought two of them ex-ebay and paid between $80-115 for them IIRC. The more expensive one was nearly mint, if not mint, though. They are occasionally found more cheaply down under but not so often. When you do the sums, even at those prices, local postage is so much cheaper than acquiring a less expensive camera from overseas you may as well buy local anyway, instead of getting killed by US sellers postage.

I did find one at a local market late last year for a great price, from a guy who usually has three or four film cameras on hand; unfortunately, the viewfinder, normally so bright and excellent in an S2, was clouded up with what looked like fungus so I passed on that one. It seems cameras can be more expensive generally here though, so read into that what you will.
Regards,
Brett
 
That seems really high. Looks like the camera is in really good condition and there was a bidding war between two buyers. I paid $25 for mine about a month ago.
 
I can't help but be very skeptical about the legitimacy of that transaction. Besides being outrageously high, the lack of detail in the description, and lack of any return policy makes me wonder what drove these two bidders to such a level.
 
Hi.
I just bought one of these. Cost me $30, plus a small fee for cleaning and lubrication, changing light seals, checking meter for accuracy. $60 total. I would post some photos, but the system doesn't seem to want to allow that.

Anyhow, I have spent far more that $162 for lesser cameras, in my opinion.
 
BTGC hit it right. Novices. The one with over 200 wins gave up at $31, while the two newbies with 19 and 25 wins kept slugging it out.

PF
 
I have a nice little Auto S3, and I've always liked Konica's lenses. I did buy an S2 once, from someone here in Oz for very little money. Of course, the camera didn't work (wind mechanism thoroughly frozen) but it seemed like too much fuss for too little money (less than $25 inc postage) to try to return it. A cheap camera but an expensive paperweight.

$162 though? I think I got the better deal.

...Mike
 
Bill58 said:
Maybe they could figure out how to make one, don't you think?
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I'm sure they could. But at that point, with a focal plane shutter and interchangeable lenses, it's a completely different camera, with all the R&D, tooling, etc., that's involved, so it's not just a different version of the same camera. It's a bit like asking "Why didn't Leica make a fixed-lens leaf-shutter version of the M?"

Cheers,

R.
 
Trius said:
It comes with a case AND a filter!
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Cases for KAS and KAS2 are notorious for dissipated bumper foam under lining of upper half. This one doesn't show white powder like substance on top cover, probably it has been redone like I did with mine. Good sign, at least.
 
For a camera that is almost 50 years old with a shutter than was lubricated with whale oil; $163 is stupid money if it hadn't been serviced and no return policy.

If the the light seals had been changed and a full CLA performed, and there is an opportunity to send it back if it doesn't function correctly; I don't feel it's an unreasonable price for a pristine example of this fine camera.
 
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