Konica Autoreflex T3N aperture is always wide open in shutter priority mode

[valdas]

Recently I got my hands on Hexanon 50mm 1.7 (it came with Konica FS1) and I decided to try it. I liked it so I decided to buy "more reliable", mechanical camera. I found locally really cheap Autoreflex 3Tn ($15). Cosmetic condition was nice so I just bought it without too much testing. Now I am testing it more thoroughly and all works fine, except automatic mode (shutter priority). It seems to me that in this mode aperture is always wide open regardless of the light and regardless of the shutter speed. It is not a big issue for me as I intended to use this camera in fully manual mode (setting aperture and shutter speed separately), but anyway it would be interesting to know what is wrong? Any similar experience?

 

[rbelyell]

in AE or EE mode konica AR cameras keep the aperture at its widest point for easier focusing, and closes it appropriately when shutter is depressed. there should be a metered scale on the left of the vf. as you change SS the meter hand should move to the correct corresponding aperture the camera will close the lens to when you fire the shutter.
tony

 

[valdas]

in AE or EE mode konica AR cameras keep the aperture at its widest point for easier focusing, and closes it appropriately when shutter is depressed. there should be a metered scale on the left of the vf. as you change SS the meter hand should move to the correct corresponding aperture the camera will close the lens to when you fire the shutter.
tony

that was my understanding as well, but I depress the shutter with the back door open and don't see aperture to close down...

 

[konicaman]

Not to be impolite, but have you checked the batteries? And the battery chamber for corrosion? A battery that is nearly drained might give you a reading but will not transfer the reading to the aperture. Sometimes this is accompanied by an erratic meter needle jumping to and fro.

 

[valdas]

Not to be impolite, but have you checked the batteries? And the battery chamber for corrosion? A battery that is nearly drained might give you a reading but will not transfer the reading to the aperture. Sometimes this is accompanied by an erratic meter needle jumping to and fro.

It is not impolite, it is good point. I did check the batteries and the battery chamber, should not be a problem. However, this camera takes old mercury batteries and i am trying to use 1.5 silver oxide. I wonder if higher voltage can cause it. I doubt it can cause this issue.

 

[Mablo]

Valdas, I'm a new owner of a Autoreflex T3. It's mechanically similar to your T3n. I only have one lens, the Hexanon AR 28mm/3.5. My camera is equipped with two hearing aid 1.4V batteries. My camera seems to work allright allthough I admit I haven't shoot a roll of film with it yet. I've heard people have had some minor difficulties with SR44 silver oxide cells with this camera.

You might try it out by shooting a roll using a hand held meter and metering manually and using the in-camera meter with AE setting.

I'd love to hear from your experiences. The Autoreflex T3 and Hexanon AR lenses look like a SLR combo I might like.

 

[valdas]

Valdas, I'm a new owner of a Autoreflex T3. It's mechanically similar to your T3n. I only have one lens, the Hexanon AR 28mm/3.5. My camera is equipped with two hearing aid 1.4V batteries. My camera seems to work allright allthough I admit I haven't shoot a roll of film with it yet. I've heard people have had some minor difficulties with SR44 silver oxide cells with this camera.

You might try it out by shooting a roll using a hand held meter and metering manually and using the in-camera meter with AE setting.

I'd love to hear from your experiences. The Autoreflex T3 and Hexanon AR lenses look like a SLR combo I might like.

I have actually done it! Two rolls from this camera wait to be developed, will surely share some pictures. I shot it in manual mode using hand held lightmeter - that is how I intend to use this camera anyway. I used to use air zinc batteries in my OM1, but they don't last long...

Here are a couple of test shots using the same 50mm 1.7 lens on Konica FS1:



Here I tried to test bokeh:

 

[konicaman]

I have been using hearing aid batteries in my C35s with great results. I my Konica SLRs I normally used Wien cells - at bit expensive, but they last longer if you reapply the green sticky thingy when they are not in use.

The 50/.17 is a great performer - happy shooting