Konica C35 FD ?

[Havoc]

Hi, does anyone here have any opinions on the Konica S3/C35 camera or actually own one or have you shot with one ? I've been looking to buy one and wondered if I could get any advice from anyone on this forum, thanks in advance for any feedback, any help much appreciated.

 

[Ariefb]

No experience with C35, but i have a good long term relationship with hexanon lens on my other konica. It's sharp, contrasty, and probably the most underrated lens out there.

Also consider Canonet QL17 as it has faster lens (f1.7). Or a Ricoh 500 for its cooler looks.

 

[ZeissFan]

The Konica C35 is a compact rangefinder. It has "program" autoexposure -- a predetermined fixed set of matched aperture and shutter speeds. It uses the trap needle system.

It's a compact body. The lens has a short throw -- it doesn't take much to get from infinity to close distance.

Good viewfinder with parallax marks and exposure info.

It's a solid camera. You almost certainly will have to re-foam the camera, and it won't be simple, because there is a huge amount of foam.

I believe that Cosina made this for Konica. There are equivalent Vivitar models that match the Konica C35 and S3, feature for feature, as well as size and mechanics.

There are slight cosmetic differences. But in operation, they're the same.

 

[JeffL]

I have a C35 and like it very much. Small, fast and a good lens.

 

[farlymac]

I've got a C35 (early version), and I really like it, despite the automatic exposure system. It is the smallest rangefinder I own that is operational, and I may never fix the others (well, maybe the Ricoh 500G). It's got a great lens for the size of the camera, and I always get good results with it, whether doing street or landscape shots.

PF