Konica Big mini

[stupid leica]

anybody out there besides me, that absolutely loves these cameras?

I have three now (a pair of 302's, and my first- the 301 that my wife got me)... and they are just adorable.
If you are not familiar with the BM line of cameras, check them out for sure. A poke around eBay or Craigslist can find you one for under 20 bucks... i think my most expensive one was $24.

the 302 and 301 are the same camera pretty much- all plastic body, 35mm f3.5 fixed lens, multi-mode flash, (limited) exposure compensation. The differences are that the 301 is avail in either black or silver and has a dateback, where the 302 is always black, and has no dateback.

Please hit my flickr link, and search "BM" or "Bigmini", you'll see why i am so hysterical over these cameras.

 

[MartinP]

I used one for years as my go-anywhere compact camera. The lens is very, very good and the exposure compensation etc. well thought out - but the weak point is the ribbon-cable to the back door (where all the controls are) and that eventually broke. I still have the camera, hoping that someone will come up with a source of ribbon cables . . .

 

[stupid leica]

yes, the cables. i worry about mine constantly.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Has anyone had one of these cameras apart and examined the cable in question?
It is likely not a wire cable but a flexible printed circuit board.
If so, failure might be delayed by reinforcing one or both sides with a layer of PVC electrical tape.

Chris

 

[Pablito]

great camera ,had one years ago and lost it.

 

[btgc]

My BM story

My BM story

I'm on first roll with BM-201 (considered as cult because of Japanese photograher Hiromix won contest - not the reason why I got it 🙂 ), before that I had BM-302 and years before I had predecessor - Konica A4 (BM-101) which has probably same 4/4 35/3.5 lens as BM-201 though misses sky filter in front, limited slow speeds and flash isn't variable power.

My A4 were sporadically working that's why I dumped it, BM-201 reminds me A4 and release button is somehow better feeling than on BM-302. I feel late 3xx series is cheaper made, though mine were like new in box so I hadn't any problems, just sense of camera nerd.

Couple of days ago I discovered couple of shots from A4 and flickred them - I like them not less than those from later BM's or Mju. One shot I though being made with Mju, is originating from A4.

 

[lic4]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48595

Robert Frank wtih a Big Mini in this RFF thread. These cameras have a cult following in Asia. Maybe Robert Frank set it off.

 

[TWoK]

I traded Chris for on of the BMs and I have a Big Mini F with the 35/2.8 lens.

 

[Ben Blacket]

I have a few Rollei Prego AF's & it seems very similar in specs to a Big Mini.

 

[jsrockit]

I'd love to buy one of these, but cannot find one. 🙁

 

[scottgee1]

These cameras have a cult following in Asia. Maybe Robert Frank set it off.

Hmmm . . . wouldn't surprise me.

Of course what makes Frank's work special is his vision, not the camera he uses . . .

 

[merciless49]

I have the BM-201 which I paid quite a bit for as "new old stock" from Ebay. Not very expensive, but definitely more than the $25 or so most people get for the used versions. Love the results from this camera, but I've since used the Fuji Natura Black as my go-anywhere camera, so the BM is sitting on the shelf. Perhaps it needs to take a spin sometime soon!

 

[Bigeejit]

These are nice cameras,I had 2 and sold one and it went for £78,the other one I've kept as it's up there with the Yashica T4,lens wise,and is very well put together with a metal body.Price is all over the place and sometimes they sell for MJU ii money but one sold last week for over a ton on E-bay.I saw one last week in a camera shop (in the window) for £25.I was going to mention it to the guy behind the counter,but said nothing in the end.The shop is in St.Albans by the way,but I don't know the name.

 

[scottgee1]

MuII money! I got a MuII for 100 yen the other day. I had no idea they were in demand.

¥100 = ~US$1.00 😱

Can't even buy a cup of coffee for that!

Now here's the fun question: After you paid ¥500 for a new battery, did the camera work? 😕

If it does, I'll trade you two cups of coffee for it! 😀

 

[scottgee1]

Guessing this is a little known iteration of the Big Mini: The Mermaid.

I bought it new many years ago and haven't seen one since. It's essentially a Big Mini with a permanent, sealed casing. I like the fact that it can be used in any situation that would normally damage a camera -- in addition to being dunkable. 😎

I have more pix if anyone is interested. Seems I can upload only one per post. 😕

 

[amateriat]

For me, the Big Mini to have was the F with the fast (f/2.8) lens. I remember Adorama having exactly one in stock (and in plain sight, on a shelf) a handful of years ago, and, for some silly reason, I passed on it. Life goes on, I guess...


- Barrett

 

[btgc]

Have no idea if that means something - BM with 35/3.5 lens have 4 elements in 4 groups, BM-F has 4 elements in 3 groups. Does not makes much sense to me, as I'm not optical engineer.

 

[konicaman]

Really nice little cameras. A few shots from my 301 here
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1189556&postcount=106
Great for night shots (as low as 7 sec. as far as I recall).

 

[charjohncarter]

I bought my daughter one (the messy, disorganized, sloppy, daughter) when she went off to college. I went to see her and she said that her camera wasn't working. After, you know the drill: did you do this or that? She said, 'No but I did spill 7-up on it.' It was a great camera but I should have given it to the, neat, organized, conscientious, reasonable daughter.

 

[scottgee1]

Really nice little cameras. A few shots from my 301 here
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1189556&postcount=106
Great for night shots (as low as 7 sec. as far as I recall).

Very nice shots indeed, konicaman! More proof that the best camera . . . is the one you have with you! 😀