Konica Auto S2 / S3? - best lens fixed RF cameras?

[btgc]

Value of Auto S3 largely depends whether it works, I believe, it is automatic camera not usable without battery. If circuit has issues, then it's nice display or "for repair" item.

If it works, and works properly then people will pay for it, I'll guess, $100 and even more.

 

[ray*j*gun]

My Auto S2 is one of the few RF's that I will never sell.....unreal lens and great body construction.....and the fact that it doesn't have a high market value eliminates any temptation to sell it to raise cash.

The Konica Auto S3 has the heralded "best semi-wide optive we've ever tested" accolade by Modern Photography. Let me repeat that quote - as I understand it, "the B E S T semi-wide optic we've ever tested". It's has 82 lines of resolution at f1.8, its widest aperture, an outstanding spec that some lenses can't match at f5.6. It's a terrific optic... It's worth it for the optic alone. Others can offer subjective insights but specs are specs.

 

[Borghesia]

I have both, the S2 and the little S3. The Konica S2 gives better results, whilst it is better balanced and reduces shake by its weight. A perfect working auto S2 is the camera I am longing for.

 

[btgc]

I have both, the S2 and the little S3. The Konica S2 gives better results, whilst it is better balanced and reduces shake by its weight. A perfect working auto S2 is the camera I am longing for.

I wish Konica III would have VF of Auto S2, or latter would have shutter release of III.

 

[coolfotog]

Value of Auto S3 largely depends whether it works, I believe, it is automatic camera not usable without battery. If circuit has issues, then it's nice display or "for repair" item.

If it works, and works properly then people will pay for it, I'll guess, $100 and even more.

When i said Brand New, I meant it also performs like brand new. I did not want to even load a roll of film in it for fear of putting fingerprints but i had to, to test it. for a camera built in 1970's,it ran circles around my G11! felt more solid too. I use Barnacks and Ms both film and digital but this S3 is pure joy to handle.

 

[BillBingham2]

The S3 has some magic flash capabilities the S2 lacks. The S2 may feel more solid in you hands but the S3 is just about the perfect size for a carry every where.

Run a roll through to check the shutter and seals. You should be able to fake out the battery with a small O-ring around the battery.

A few years about good working units were going from $125 to as much as $225 USD. There has not been the volume of camera stuff on Evil-Bay over the past six months or more. Not sure why, perhaps all the excess stuff is gone. Just an observation, nothing to base it on other than a SWAG (Super Wild A55 Guess).

Try to do some checking over in the UK on Evil-Bay. Japan always is a good indicator of a order of magnitude estimate but not sure the best way to check this sort of thing these days.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

B2 (;->

 

[btgc]

When i said Brand New, I meant it also performs like brand new.

Didn't mean anything wrong, just habit after ebay buys - not to take things granted.

What I can say - pity I'm already packed and settled. I'm sure ebay servers will get hot when this auction will end.

 

[nikku]

When i said Brand New, I meant it also performs like brand new. I did not want to even load a roll of film in it for fear of putting fingerprints but i had to, to test it. for a camera built in 1970's,it ran circles around my G11! felt more solid too. I use Barnacks and Ms both film and digital but this S3 is pure joy to handle.

At least $200, no doubt. That's one of my ebay saved searches, or was for a while, so I'm pretty up to date on Konica Auto S3 prices. The last one I saw (that ended just this past weekend) went for almost that much, and it was definitely a user.

I have an Auto S1.6, incidentally, and it's a fun camera, but it is bulky for a fixed lens rangefinder (only slightly smaller than my OM-1 w/ 50/1.8). Good performer though.

 

[coolfotog]

At least $200, no doubt. That's one of my ebay saved searches, or was for a while, so I'm pretty up to date on Konica Auto S3 prices. The last one I saw (that ended just this past weekend) went for almost that much, and it was definitely a user.

I have an Auto S1.6, incidentally, and it's a fun camera, but it is bulky for a fixed lens rangefinder (only slightly smaller than my OM-1 w/ 50/1.8). Good performer though.

thanks for the heads-up. here are pics of my S3.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

nice looking camera you got there!

 

[BillBingham2]

Yes, a very nice little camera with a RAZOR for a lens!

B2 (;->

 

[Krosya]

I like Konicas. I have Auto S version, which is pretty similar to S2, I believe and it's a very nice camera which is easy to find and is cheap!
Here is a thread I had a while back about mine with some pics of it and from it.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63176

Based on my experience with Auto S - I wouldnt hesitate to get any other Konica camera.

 

[IK13]

Konica S2 produces the best quality out of all the fixed lens RF that have had the misfortune to be in my hands. Olympus 35 SP (yes, I do have it too) is also sharp, but just a bit short of that undefinable hexanon spark.

...which reminds me - looks like the shutter on mine is sticking again. Time to get out the qtips and lighter fluid...

 

[konicaman]

I have both and the lens of the S2 is just a bit sharper and I belive with a bit higher resolution. I haven´t run any test charts, but distant objects when doing landscapes seem more detailed with the S2. When doing B&W with the S2 I sometimes get a feeling that the pics are almost 3D (maybe I forgot to take my pills this morning? 😀) - probably due to the way textures are rendered very sharp and detailed. Still we are talking marginal differences here, and the S3 definitely fits better in a pocket.

 

[oftheherd]

...

but just a bit short of that undefinable hexanon spark.
...

Konica was always known in the Far East for having some of the sharpest lenses. Many pros used them just for that reason. Of course, some other lens lines were overshadowed by more famous and better advertised lenses. Pentax, Yashica and Funica also had very good lenses. That usually translated over to their FL RF as well.

 

[btgc]

Lenses....are there explicitly bad ones? If choosing between KAS2 and KAS3, I'd take into account size and fact KAS2 is manual camera with AE, while KAS3 is AE shutter-priority only.

 

[estudleon]

hexanon lenses in RF? For me, the SIII in the winner.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

KAS2 is big, but not THAT big.. i find it nice, for the grip and all.. i still on my test roll.. i will post some pics once i get my films developed.. they say hexanons can cut you with its sharpness.. i hope the one in mine can do that.. hehe.. we'll see..

 

[raid]

Lenses....are there explicitly bad ones? If choosing between KAS2 and KAS3, I'd take into account size and fact KAS2 is manual camera with AE, while KAS3 is AE shutter-priority only.

I agree; I find myself using the S2 more often than the S3 because of this point. Manual control of exposure is critical for me. Since I don't need AE or even metering, the older Konica RF cameras are better built than the S3 or S2. A Konica IIIM or A with a 100% finder is like a Leica M.

 

[btgc]

the older Konica RF cameras are better built than the S3 or S2. A Konica IIIM or A with a 100% finder is like a Leica M.

I agree; Model III, despite it's relatively small VF without parallax compensation, is more joy to use than "new" series like KAS and KAS2 (I don't have KAS3). I also find Konirapid shutter (think about it as Seikosha) smoother than Copals, common on FL RF's of 70ies. Mine is without speed/aperture interlock.

Not that KAS* series are poorly built - no, they are sturdy cameras, but older ones have something making them special. Materials, construction , machining and lack of AE under release button makes them a shoguns.