Konica Auto S3

[wintoid]

I've become a big fan of Konica, and have been periodically bidding on Auto S3 cameras that come up. I don't really want to spend any money as I don't really neeeeeed one, it's just a bit of fun for me, but I really think things have got out of hand now. Have a look at eBay item 140072647815.

 

[Bill58]

One of our members has a Vivitar ES--the same camera for sale now in the classifieds.

IMHO the S3 is way overpriced due only to scarcity. Many other compact RFs of the same era do the same thing as much less $$$.

 

[zuikologist]

I love my 35ES - a close relative to the S3 but only shutter priority. The lens is superb and the camera is quite compact.

 

[Didier]

The price for he Auto S3 is justified if you consider it's smart flash metering system - a unique feature not implemented in the S3 clones (Vivitar, Porst, Revue and others). The metering system handles ambient light, flash light power, distance and shutter speed.

If you want to use a flash light with a compact RF, then the S3 is by far the best choice, and you won't mind the price ($40-$200, depending on condition, CLA'd or not).

Didier

 

[rover]

Does the ES sport a rebaged Rokkor? The Konica Auto S3, Minolta 7sii, Vivitar ES and ???? escaping me right now, are all built more or less on the same body and were made by Cosina. Obvously the S3 has a Konica 38/1.8 lens while the others all have a 40/1.7 (potentially all the Rokkor). Though all built in the same shell, they do have slight differences. Most notably in the S3 which has no manual mode and an advanced funky flash system. The others differ more or less only cosmetically.

I owned an S3, it is a tiny well made camera. I was not overwhelmed by the lens, though it was good. I had a very good Canonet GIII and Minolta Hi Matic 9 (the best of the lenses in these cameras that I had) with great lenses, the Konica just was different and not as much to my taste. But it fit in a pocket and was very quick to use.

I am looking for a 7sii, by the way, very nice cameras.

 

[Nick R.]

For color photography, I believe the S3 wins hands down over the other popular fixed-lens RF's. The Canonet being a close second. I haven't tried the Minolta 7sll, though. Another one that's pricey and hard to find.

I need a new mirror or resilvering for my S3.

 

[dcsang]

Hmmmmmmm

This reminds me... I've gotta go over to my dad's place - he's still got my Auto S3 that was my first "real" camera - I think I was all of 13 or 14 at the time...man.. the thing is almost 30 years old!!

Dave