Konica C35 Auto - Any suggestions?

[smudwhisk]

I've recently acquired what appears to be an almost mint Konica C35 Automatic, with box and manual. However, they seemed to have overlooked one thing, the light meter doesn't appear to be working - yet it was sold as being so. I've a new correct battery for it and still cannot get the light meter to move. Have tried the contacts inside the battery slot to ensure they are not pushed back too far - still nothing. I'm going to get the battery tested hopefully tomorrow but if anyone has any other ideas prior to be it being sent back for full refund, would be grateful.

:bang: It's very annoying as was my first ever rangefinder camera - mainly use 35mm SLR and medium format. And please no comments about buying a Leica, or similar - the pocket will not stretch to it and just wanted something small to carry around!

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi and welcome to the forum,
I am not 100% familiar with the C35 but have you tried the camera on auto or just manual. Many of the small rangefinder's meters only work with the camera set to auto. If not and you have checked the battery, there is nothing more I can suggest. Let us know how you get on.

Kim

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hey G'man,
I seem to be permanently typing replies at the same time as you at the moment. You just type faster, 😉

Kim

 

[former member]

I've also had a C35 with a wire corroded just under the battery compartment. The bottom plate will have to come off to check this -as I recall-. The C35 is programmed auto-only, and does not have a manual mode.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Two fingers but only half a brain 😀

Kim

 

[Trius]

Yes, the C35 is nearly dead without a battery. I think there is a default exposure without battery, but I can't recall what it is.

Hope you get it sorted; it's a nice little camera.

Earl

 

[smudwhisk]

😀 Thanks for all the quick replies - it's much appreciated. I think, subject to confirming there's nothing wrong with the new battery, I shall be sending it back since that is an option. I'm not sure if I can be bothered to try and take the plate off to see if it's a corroded wire, in any case the back seals are going to have to be replaced if it works anyway as the back doesn't fit as snuggly as it should. Not as mint as the seller thought - apparently sold on behalf of a relative who assured them it worked!

I'm wondering if the original mercury battery which was still in the camera may have caused problems - depends how long it hasn't been used for I suspect. Anyway, all comments appreciated. I shall have to keep my eyes open for another since I'm stuck with a new battery that's likely to be obsolete to my current needs! 🙂

 

[Trius]

Well, there's a BUNCH of cameras that could make use of your battery... Olympus RC, RD, 35SP, 35LC (etc., etc.,) Minolta 7, 7s, 7sII ... the beat goes on.

Earl

 

[smudwhisk]

Wonderful, shall have to see what I can acquire for not too many £s! Thanks.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
If you are interested, I have several on offer at the moment, see this thread. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13685 I can also sort out a Konica S2 and an early canonet. Any of these will work as Specified!

Kim

 

[Niko]

I think there is a default exposure without battery, but I can't recall what it is.

Doesn´t help much with smudwhisk´s problem, but C35 shutter fires at f/2.8 for 1/30sec without a battery.

Niko

 

[smudwhisk]

Well it definately looks like a duff meter since the battery passed a test with flying colours (didn't think it was likely to be DOA but you never know). So the camera will be returning to where it came from for a refund. Now I shall just have to look out for something else the same size. Having just invested in a MF camera, cannot afford anything too expensive and wanted something small to fit in a bag to take about for B&W. Currently looking at either a Himatic 7s or a Oly 35 RC, any other suggestions on something that size and also has through the lens metering since I like to use filters? I've seen mixed reviews on the other Oly 35's so not sure. 😕

 

[Trius]

The Minolta 7s is much larger than the RC or Canonet.

Earl

 

[smudwhisk]

Having had an email from the seller who's uncle is absolutely adamant that it works, I took the advice of Brian and Earl and took off the bottom plate. Low and behold the problem appears to be that the black wire (OK - computers I know, eletrical I don't so not sure which the black wire is) has come away from its "element", and judging by the amount of solder left I would imagine this isn't the first time it's happened. The other wire appears OK. Now when I can actually get through to my Dad, we'll see if can attempt to fix it.

I'm assuming that since this is entirely an automatic camera, then the default setting for the apperture blades is entirely shut when there is no power to the meter?

Apart from needing new light seals as the back isn't shutting tightly, the camera appears to be in mint condition so probably worth fixing??

 

[Trius]

Well, you're proven that it doesn't work by empirical evidence, plus you've now discovered why it doesn't work. So, the seller is wrong. But it sounds like it won't be worth arguing, but yes, it is worth fixing. A proper re-soldering and light seal fix is very low cost. And the camera is very capable especially in light of its size, with simple operation and a pretty good viewfinder/rangefinder.

If you bought this on eBay, I would simply not leave feedback. If it were purchased through another avenue, I would politely reply to the seller that perhaps it did work the last time the father used it, but it definitely was not operational when you received it, and you have discovered why. And leave it at that.

Earl

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi again,
It's worth fixing and resealing. It's not a difficult. You know where to find me if you need help or if you would like me to do it 😉

 

[Trius]

And if you want to replace it, I'm sure auction #7549003731 would be of interest. At the price, it should be made titanium w/18K gold accents, and a higher spec lens.

 

[DougK]

I would fix it, definitely. I bought one from Joe a while back and I really enjoy shooting with it. Sharp lens, nice contrast, and the meter has never lied to me once. It really frees me up to focus on composition when all I want to do is "just shoot."

 

[smudwhisk]

#7549003731 - yes well I hope someone isn't silly enough to pay that much for one but you never know with ebay! This one didn't cost me anywhere near as much - didn't pay that much for a mint Canon EOS 5! It's been interesting how much some people will bid up these types of cameras on ebay - Leica's, etc, I can understand but some of the smaller ones go for quite a lot too. But that's ebay for you!

The soldering iron is being sought and hopefully see if can get it fixed tomorrow. I've a limited period of time to get it working so if I can get the meter working, will keep it, if cannot it will go back. It looks pretty clean inside so suspect it's just the connection on the terminal that's the problem, we'll see. Out of curiousity I'm going to dig my old Praktica MTL5B out to see if this was the same reason it's light meter stopped working 10 years ago - if I can find out how to take it apart!

 

[smudwhisk]

Well have tried 2 new batteries (including a fully-working brand-new still packeted mercury!) and the light meter won't work at all - doesn't move. Having mailed the seller last night saying was returning it they now are asking if they could contribute to it being repaired! I'm going to put it back to them in the post before I reply. If you sell something as fully working, you put up with the consequences me thinks. Bit cheaky to say the least, they can get it fixed and then try and resell it themselves!