Konica Auto S2 speed

[IK13]

Got a Konica S2 from the f***Bay the other day. The "near MINT" condition was nowhere near being "MINT", but wasn't a wreck (I hope) either.

Several things I noticed:

1. Built in Japan model without the lens hood. Clean inside and out.

2. There was a Wein cell battery in the camera, which was not dried out. Means someone was (trying) to use the camera no more then few months ago.

3. No signs of corrosion, but absolutely erratic behavior of the meter (battery check OK).

4. Wobbly lens barrel - in fact sometimes to turn the speed dial I have to pull it out a little bit.

5. The lens looked clean, no scratches or fungus. No visual signs of oil either.

6. The speeds bellow 1/30-1/15 don't sound right. More like they are in seconds, rather then fractions of a second - ie. 8 - took about 8 seconds instead of 1/8 sec, 4 - 4 seconds...got me thinking you know...


Decided to keep it anyways (I'm stupid this way sometimes).
Stayed all night last night installing light seals and cleaning the rf/vf on the Konica (and one GSN).


Things that I'm concerned about (in order of importance):

1. The shutter at lower speeds. I guess it's time to clean the shutter blades? Is there a local store (US) where I can buy lens spanner wrench (RadioShack, HarborFreight etc.) or on-line is the only option? The highly recommended Ronsonol for cleaning the blades - anyone have any info on the toxicity of that thing and how carcinogenic it is?

2. Light meter. I would not bother if the darn thing was just dead. It drives me crazy though when it checks ok, and then goes all over the place. Heck, I even got a Schottky diode ready to modify it for using silver oxide batteries...

3. Wobbly lens barrel. I've hear in most cases it doesn't affect image quality, though if I go for cleaning the blades, then hopefully I can take care of this too.


Any advise?

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
1. Ronsonol is naptha based. AFIK there are no problems with it but I am not a chemist. (For Ronsonol read Zippo lighter fuel. If ther is a problem, maybe all the hype about tobacco causing cancer is wrong and it is all down to the lighters people used! 😱 ) As far as a lens spanner is concerned, the cheaper sets are not much good for the S2 and I would be wary of buying a good set unless you intend to do a lot more repairs. You really only need a spanner for the front bevel. the rest is largely screws underneath. Get a cheap pair of needle nosed pliers from any hardware store and grind the tips. (Cost less than $5 🙂 )

2. The problem is likely to be the battery test switch. When this is pressed it disconnects the meter circuit and powers the test circuit. When released the contact should make with the meter circuit but this part of the sprung strip quite often gets corroded exspecially is someone has left an old battery in too long in the cameras history. You need to take the battery holder out, take it apart and clean all the contacts. It's a PITA but has cured 2 similar cameras that I have had with intermitant meters.

3. The lens itself should not be "wobbly" but the barrel around the outside often is and doesn't cause a problem.

Kim

 

[Kim Coxon]

PS

It's always worth asking here in the wanted ads which are free. You will generally get what you expect and it tends to be more friendly. If it doesn't work out and you still need one, let me know and I can probably help with either an S2 or a 1.6. 😉

Kim