Konica C35 MF

[Harlee]

Several months ago I picked up a Konica C35 MF but I finally put a roll of Kodak 400 in it to see what it'll do. I don't know if I've ever seen a tread re: the C35 MF. Anyone out there use one? It's built with the excellent Konica quality, overiding flash capabilities, which I like, very quiet film advance, feels great in your hand, and auto focus. Strange, you would think the MF would stand for "manual focusing!" It's rather large for a compact, and there isn't any indicator that you're in focus, but so far I've found that it focuses very quickly and haven't had any problem with that. It does indicate the need for the built in flash with a red warning light in the viewfinder, but the shutter will fire without the needed flash. I presently have a 46mm 1A filter on it; another thing I like on campacts. As soon as I get the roll put on a CD, I'll download a few pics.

 

[btgc]

Obviously MF stands for Motorized Focus 🙂

But I think MF isn't meant as "manual focus". Konica had several models in C35 family, like EF, EFP, EF3, AF2, AF3 and so on. Well, M could stand for motorized film advancing. Their first AF compacts, C35 AF and C35 AF2 were released in 1977 and 1980, repectively. Thus C35 MF, released in 1982, were their first AF compact with motorized film advance (so index MF) but later when all cameras became motorized they just dropped index M as needless. Sounds good?

What's important - MF model is noted as able to lock focus. I wonder if earlier AF and AF2 weren't?

 

[zuikologist]

There was a thread many moons ago:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44017

 

[Harlee]

That's a very interesting discussion. I'm wondering if my C35 MF is focusing because I don't hear any noises emitting while it focuses. Well, since I've now taken about 5-6 shots at different distances, I think I should remove the film, put it in another test camera, shoot it up and have it developed. That's the only way of determining if the auto focusing system is actually working. Quite frankly, I think the camera is very quiet, even when advancing the film.

 

[NickTrop]

Just bought one -- 11 bucks. Figured a 38/2.8 Hexanon can't be all bad. Actually, took a look at some photos on Flickr and they seemed to be a cut above.

By the way, MF = multi function.

 

[charjohncarter]

I've had for close to 50 years always a Konica C35 (not the MF). My present one is my third. I kept buying them because the 38mm/2.8 Hexanon is the best of these P&S type cameras I've tried. It is better than the Olympus 35RC, Olympus Trip, Canon 35AF (way better), and has a very slight edge on my Olympus Stylus Infinity and my Petri 7s. You should not be disappointed:

Tmax400 by John Carter, on Flickr