Konica Auto S2

[newfilm]

I've got my hands on a Konica Auto S2, can't find some information I wonder if anyone else uses one of this and can shed some light here:

1. It has a leaf shutter (copal)? Does this mean I should not change the shutter speed after I wind it? Just like those folding camera?

2. I've got it a new battery with proper adapter to provide the correct voltage, the test battery button makes the needle swing, but any light condition does not seems to affect the needle, is there a ON switch somewhere I need to push?

Many thanks! the viewfinder is a little yellowish, but I do like that its big!

 

[mat5121]

Here's a link to the Auto S2 manual on Orphan Cameras.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_auto_s2/konica_auto_s2.htm

 

[mwoenv]

I have had an Auto S2 for a long time.

The manual does not say don't change the shutter speed after the shutter is cocked but I think it is a good practice, i.e, don't advance the film right after taking a photo, advance the film after you've settled on the shutter speed for the next shot. I also have a Konica III and Greg Weber advised not to change the shutter speed after cocking the shutter so it's probably good practice for the Auto S2 as well.

There is no on/off switch for the meter (covering the sensor with the lens cap shuts of the meter current). Check for meter response in strong light, higher ISO/ASA settings on the lens barrel, and longer shutter speed settings; if no response, there's probably a problem.

 

[newfilm]

mat5121 thanks for the pointer to the manual, I'm browsing through that.

mwoenv yes the meter needle does no move regardless of the lighting condition, except when I press the battery check button, I guess the meter is busted then. Also, thanks for the best practice advice on not changing the shutter speed after winding, on a side note, I do feel extra tension if I try to change the shutter speed after winding, so that definitely the sign of mechanism is being force and I'll avoid doing that in the future.

Thanks guys!

 

[btgc]

Restriction on speed change is mentioned in manuals of Compur (folders you mention) and Seikosha (Japanese fixed lens cameras) shutters, Copal is a bit simpler mechanism yet doesn't use secondary spring for fastest speed. Also KAS manual has nothing about speed/charging sequence.

That said you are free to change speed on Copal after charging shutter....or not to do it if you don't want to.

 

[MANFRED]

Just acquired a fixer-upper cheap from the States. Stuck shutter and aperture blades, exposure meter dead, debris in the viewfinder, perished light seals &c. Nice clean 1.8 lens. The Konica lacks the heft of my Fujica 35 SE but has the faster lens.

There's a guide to stripping the Konica for such repairs is at: http://www.feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/KonicaAutoS2/KonicaAutoS2.html

It's working fine now in non-auto mode. The exposure meter had a disconnected wire which I'll re-solder during final reassembly. The blades all work fine after repeated cleaning with naphta.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Just acquired a fixer-upper cheap from the States. Stuck shutter and aperture blades, exposure meter dead, debris in the viewfinder, perished light seals &c. Nice clean 1.8 lens. The Konica lacks the heft of my Fujica 35 SE but has the faster lens.

There's a guide to stripping the Konica for such repairs is at: http://www.feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/KonicaAutoS2/KonicaAutoS2.html

It's working fine now in non-auto mode. The exposure meter had a disconnected wire which I'll re-solder during final reassembly. The blades all work fine after repeated cleaning with naphta.

All pretty normal in my experience. The Auto aperture may work when the wire is re-attached. The spring isn't especially strong, though, so if the aperture blades are not spotless it may need another clean: see how you get on.
Cheers
Brett