Konica Auto S3

[muf]

Anyone use one of these. I have one and the results are fantastic. The lens is really astounding, noticably better than my Canon Giii QL17. It is as good as my Minolta TC-1 which has got one of the best lenses on a 35mm compact ever produced. If you've never owned or used a Konica Auto S3 before then i recommend you get your hands on one because quite simply you are missing out on one of the best rangefinders there is.

 

[back alley]

i have one but have yet to finish the roll of b&w film i put into it.
the lens is a bit wobbly but overall i really like how the camera feels in my hands.

joe

 

[rover]

Small and well built. Maybe too small for my hands, but yes, an excellent lens.

 

[taffer]

That one is another on my "oh well... someday" list. In fact I'd be happy with any member of that family (Viv 35ES, Revue 400SE, Auto S3) but even happier with the "big" sister, the Hi-matic 7sII and its full manual override.

The lens is supposed to be the same for all four cameras, and yes, it's also supposed to be VERY sharp.

But I already have enough compact RFs...

 

[rover]

Oscar, I don't think the lens is the same on these camera, it is the body that is shared. (I think) I believe one supplier provided the body to the manufacturers who added the lenses, finders and electronics. At least it can be said that the S3 has a 38/1.8 Hexanon and the 7sII sports a 40/1.7 Rokkor. Also, the Konica has an advanced flash system which I have no understanding of, while I don't think the 7sII has a flash control system.

 

[taffer]

Rover, you're right about the differences, however there's a sort of consensum about a possible common source for all the lenses as well.
Hmm... If somebody sends me all four cameras I offer myself to run a test and try to find if it's true 🙄

 

[muf]

I remember reading somewhere that Cosina manufactured the body for the Vivitar 35ES, Minolta 7SII and the Revue 400SE. It wouldn't surprise me if they also made the body for the Auto S3 as well. This would explain the similarity between the models.

Also, I found a nice little review of the Auto S3. http://cameraquest.com/kons3.htm

muf

 

[rover]

Well, my S3 went to the amusement park with me yestday. What a nice little walk around camera, thats all I can say about it.

 

[raid]

I have the S2 and I have read comments by users of the S2 and S3 in which the edge is given to the S2's lens.

Raid

 

[IGMeanwell]

Are the S2 and the S3 the same size?

 

[raid]

The S2 is of a larger size than the S3 and it is sturdier made.

Raid

 

[IGMeanwell]

anybody have any shots using the S3 .. I know it has a slightly wider lens

 

[raid]

Here are some photos taken with the S2:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=611665

 

[amateriat]

I got an S3 less than a year ago, and love it. Unfortunately, it got drop-kicked, resulting in the VF meter needle being MIA; otherwise it still works. Need to get it out to be fixed. A worthwhile camera to look for, although it can get a tad pricey on the 'Bay (where I got mine).

Yes, it's smaller than the S2 (an advantage, IMO), but I think build quality is about par with the bigger Konica, and has the advantage of a distance-based auto-flash system. And, no price premium for a black-finish model; with the exception of a home-market-only version (C35 Super – thanks to the RFf'er who set me straight on that a while back), black is the only way this baby comes.


- Barrett

 

[MP/CLE]

Mine went around the world with me...my only complaint was the non-interchangeable lens. Got some unforgettable shots.

 

[raid]

In the S2 manual exposure control is possible. In the S3, is it possible to use manual exposure control or must Auto be used?
Now that is a major point [if applicable]

Raid

 

[shadowfox]

Like the lens, not so crazy about shutter-priority, it seems backwards to me, I prefer aperture-priority.

 

[smileyguy]

I had one and enjoyed it but I found I wasn't using it enought to warrant having it around. I also felt that I wanted a little more control than the shutter priority system that the S3 has.

I ended up letting my go on ebay for a sweet price relative to what I paid for it! Flipped those funds for a decent walk around lens for my EOS 3--more along the lines of what most of my shooting is.

 

[NickTrop]

An absolutely brilliant camera and my favorite rangefnder. This camera has satiated my Leica, Contax, interchangeable lens "system" rangefinder, Bessa, Canon, Nikon, etc., etc., etc., lust.

It's all you want in a rangefinder. The lens was heralded as the "best semi-wide optic ever tested..." in its day by (don't quote me) by Popular Photography (or Modern, or some such...). So, le "objective" doesn't suck. It's tiny, lightweight, solidy built, with a very nice rangefinder. It's just about as quite as the GSN or any Leica, is fast in operation... It also has an interesting flash-fill system that's easy to use and very effective. A useful feature.

I'll take this over the much higher priced Hexar AF. Why? Because it's repairable, smaller, and less expensive. Iit's a simple shutter priority model with a "real" rangefinder. Once the electronics go on a Hexar - rotsa ruck. Literally, the Auto S3 is a perfect street shooter.

Downsides? Top ASA locked at 800. No manual control. Otherwise, perfect.

 

[NickTrop]

Like the lens, not so crazy about shutter-priority, it seems backwards to me, I prefer aperture-priority.

I agree about the preference for aperture priority, but you can do the same thing with it as AP once you get used to it. That said, it does take a little getting used to.