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

[kuuan]

looking into getting a rangefinder and particularily looking for great lens performance I have read here that the Konica Auto S2 has an outstanding lens.

my questions:

• how about the Konica Auto S3? Does it have the same lens, resp. are there points which makes one preferable over the other? ( S2 / S3 )
• which other fixed rangefinder shines because of it's lens? ( I'd prefer manual or aperture proirity over shutter priortiy only of the Konicas )

and, if I additionally may ask ( without first researching )
looking up info on the S2 / S3 here somebody considered the early Konica II and III superior to the later S series. I have not been aware of these cameras and have not yet researched but please let me ask:
What makes them outstanding?
Are they also famous for their lenses?
Are they expensive?

thank you very much for any input,
Andreas

 

[mfunnell]

The Auto S2 has a 45mm/f1.8 lens, while the Auto S3 has a 38mm/f1.8 lens. The S3 is consiIerably physically smaller than the S2. I have experience only with the Auto S3, which is a good little camera and has a sharp lens that renders nicely (to my eye).

...Mike

 

[ZeissFan]

There are so many different models of cameras that it's nearly impossible for everyone to agree which is the best.

For example, the Konica III is an outstanding camera, although it's heavy, and some models don't have a meter. The Konica I and II also are fine cameras, but aren't quite as polished as the Konica III -- and they also aren't as heavy as the III.

Minolta, Canon, Mamiya, Fujica and others made models that are very similar to each other with features, lenses and even camera size.

The Voigtlander Vito III and the Vitessa have the Ultron, an excellent f/2.0 lens, while the Kodak Retina II, IIa, IIc/IIC and IIIc/IIIC also have an excellent f/2.0 lens. Some of these cameras have a meter, and some don't, and all have manual controls and none have autoexposure.

There are other cameras, but these are the ones that come to mind at this moment.

However, if you find a Konica S, S2 or S3 that you like, buy it. It should be a very fine camera, provided that it's working properly.

 

[Bill58]

The S2 will cost you a lot less $$$ and is a great (if not the best) vintage RF buy, IF meter is OK and lens is unmarked. You have to get a battery adapter (C.R.I.S.) or have the meter adjusted to new Silver Oxide battery, have the camera CLA'd (overhauled) and the foam seals replaced (ebay seller "interslice"). The S3 is rare and has become pricey.

 

[kuuan]

thank you everybody for your answers.

oh mfunnell, they do have different lenses. f1.8/38 sounds sweet!

Zeissfan certainly one cannot say which one is the best, and opinions will vary. Many favor their Canonet QL17 III, but it also seems to be agreed upon that the Konica S2 has a special lens, and I am looking for those with the best, a 'special' lens.
The Vito / Vitessa / Retina do have that, right?

Bill58 thank you, hm..the S3 is dear.
The S2 is mentioned for it's outstanding lens. And so is the f1.8/38 of the S3?

thank you very much for your kind replies,
best regards,
Andreas

 

[d_ross]

I always thought my Konica Auto S2 had the best lens on FL RF's until I recently got an Olympus 35LC 42mm 1.7 which to my eye is every bit as sharp as the S2 and is much easier to use. But most importantly the Olympus lens has a look I like that suits my work! which is what you should be looking for in a camera also, peoples choices in cameras here are as varied as the pictures they take and processes they use 🙂 good luck

 

[btgc]

All those cameras are great. They differ by, first, characteristics of lenses (35mm vs 38mm vs 40mm vs 45mm vs 48mm; max aperture, min. aperture, range of speeds while 1-1/500 is considered more or less common), build and ergonomics.

Main difference lies in layout of controls, ergonomics and tactile feelings. Well, there are also differences in build quality and typical issues.

KAS2 has very nice lens and wonderfully large and bright VF, though earlier KAS has better speed and aperture rings. Konica III blows Auto S series by build quality (one even don't have to open them to see difference, but once you do it you know it's granted fact) and shutter release - incredible smoothness, I like it even better than Yashica Lynx release. In fact, most of fixed lens RF's with built-in AE have crappy release buttons - long travel and too stiff. I am talking about my and only my taste, beware. I mean crappy compared to meterless RF cameras.

KAS/KAS2 sometimes arrive with RF mirror fallen off. That's because they are built cheaply - mirror is glued to mirror post instead of being mounted in frame as models before have. Don't worry - it's OK because KAS series cost times less than, say, Konica III (unless you grab latter from yard sale for tener). People glue back fallen mirrors, adjust RF and shoot away. Not a big deal.

KAS series have DOF scale on body instead of lens barrel. I prefer DOF scale on lens barrel. Once I get used, I can use KAS series, no problem. Some cameras don't have DOF scale at all.

From some aspects I choose Yashica Lynx series over KAS. Not that KAS are worse - some people do opposite. Different people with their own choices. Over time, preferences may change.

That said you either choose one and go ahead or start journey called "vintage cameras" 🙂

 

[monochromejrnl]

I always thought my Konica Auto S2 had the best lens on FL RF's until I recently got an Olympus 35LC 42mm 1.7 which to my eye is every bit as sharp as the S2 and is much easier to use. But most importantly the Olympus lens has a look I like that suits my work! which is what you should be looking for in a camera also, peoples choices in cameras here are as varied as the pictures they take and processes they use 🙂 good luck

the 35LC has the same lens as the SP - my vote goes to the SP for best compact, fixed lens RF

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My only complaint with the Olympus Fixed-lens RF's is their mechanical durability. Some of the springs are hair-thin and under constant tension- shutter cocked or uncocked. I've replaced some of those springs, they were not strong enough for their intended function.

 

[awilder]

The S2 is the better than the S3 only in that it retains their famous parallax AND field of view correction via shifting and contracting frame lines. This gives a much better idea of what's covered on film when using the viewfinder. The S3 and most other rf's (including Leica M) only compensate for parallax any you must guess the actual field of view with respect to the distance focused. The earlier, better built Konica III also had this feature but after the S2, it was dropped to save money and space. If you value a more compact camera and a semi-wide angle lens more than the neat viewfinder features of the S2, go for the S3.

 

[NickTrop]

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.

 

[pagpow]

Go here: http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

look under compact 35s, much info -- or maybe you have already.

 

[Platon]

awilder, you don't really need parallax correction/compensation on a camera with a 38mm lens.
NickTrop, i agree. Mostly all Hexanons are terrific lenses.

 

[daniel~]

Well, besides the auto parallex correction frameline, S2 also offers more at the lower speed (1/500~1sec, bulb) than S3(1/500~1/8 sec, bulb), and it can work without battery at all aperture & speed setting manually, while S3 would be shooting only at f/1.8 without battery. On the other hand, S2's ASA setting goes to 400 only. 800 for S3. How important are these differences will be left for you to decide.

Image-wise, I can only speak for Auto S3. It's definitely ONE OF THE BEST. I have Canont QL-III and Olympus 35RD. Great-looking and top-rated by many users, but personally I find results from S3 superior. Let alone to mention it's more compact.

Auto S2 should be great but it's too bulky to be a compact for me. I mean, it looks even bigger than my SLR w/ pancake lens... If you don't mind that, just get it! After all, "The lens alone is worth the price".

 

[Wimpler]

One of the very few lenses I like better then my konica auto S2, is the one on the minolta hi-matic 7s.

 

[mwoenv]

Auto S2 and Auto S1.6

Auto S2 and Auto S1.6

My first camera was an Auto S2 in 1970 and it was great (currently looking for one in excellent condition). I also had an Auto S1.6 which came out a little later and had a 45mm f1.6 lens instead of the S2's f1.8 and a hot shoe instead of the S2's cold shoe. The S1.6 is rare. I saw some debate in forums on whether or not the 1.6 lens was as sharp as the S2's 1.8, but I saw no difference.

 

[ZeissFan]

Once you get into "which is better," it's a difficult thing to answer, as everyone has an opinion. For that person, a particular camera is best.

I think the Canon GL and QL series are vastly overpriced and would opt for a clean Olympus 35RC or even the Olympus XA. However, some people feel the XA is too small.

I think the Konica III is a great camera, but it's too heavy to carry every day.

The Konica S2, to me, doesn't distinguish itself enough from comparable cameras from Fuji, Minolta, Olympus and others to say that it's better.

There's a lot of love for the Yashica Electros, but I find them to be average at best. I lusted after this camera as a young man. I now have the Electro and a GT (all black). The GT is very pretty, but I rate construction of both cameras as only average. They feel loose, as if screws should have been tightened before they left the factory.

I had the Konica C35 Automatic around the time that I was lusting after the Yashica. It's a nice little camera, as long as you can live within the limits of its programmed meter. Nice lens in a compact package. But it's not that much different from its competitors from Canon and Minolta.

 

[Trius]

I've never had an issue with springs on my Olympus RFs, but I'll knock on wood to be sure. I do sorta regret selling my Himatic 7s, though it's just enough "too big" compared to the 35SP, at least that was one of my rationalizations.

I think the 35SP is about the perfect size/dimensions (almost identical to an M), but I've never tried an S2, S3 or RD. I don't care much for shutter priority, which is one thong that bothers me about the FS-1 ... sorry for the SLR reference. 😀

 

[raid]

I have used many different Konica RF cameras. The S2 feels more solid than the S3. The IIIM has a bright 100% finder that is difficult to match. The lenses are first quality. The Konica I and II are less useful as a daily camera than the III, IIIM or IIIA. I view the last three cameras as "professional" quality.

 

[coolfotog]

Can anybody tell me what is the value of a clean, flawless, pristine - as in brand new KONICA S3? One just recently landed on my lap and i could not find one example at either ebay or craigslist for comparison. Being in that state, will you collect it or use it? also anybody whose interested can pm me an offer.